Patents Examined by C. Williams
  • Patent number: 11855456
    Abstract: A method of controlling charging of a plurality of batteries and an electronic device to which the same is applied are provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a plurality of batteries arranged in the housing, a power management module that controls the plurality of batteries, a plurality of current limiting ICs that limits a maximum intensity of a current flowing into each of the plurality of batteries, and at least one processor operationally connected to the plurality of batteries, the power management module and the plurality of current limiting ICs. The at least one processor may set a total charging current output from the power management module, set an individual charging current flowing into each of the plurality of batteries in proportion to a total capacity of each of the plurality of batteries, and recalculate the individual charging currents when the total charging current changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngmi Ha, Duhyun Kim, Seungbeom Kang, Kyounghoon Kim, Byungwook Kim, Kwanbae Son, Sungjoon Cho, Hansol Choi
  • Patent number: 11852248
    Abstract: A packing system is disclosed for use with a valve having a bonnet and a flow passage extending between an inlet and an outlet of a valve body. A bore can extend through the bonnet to receive a stem that moves a control member to control flow through the flow passage. A first packing arrangement can be arranged in the bore about a first portion of the stem. A second packing arrangement can be arranged in the bore about a second portion of the stem with the first packing arrangement between the second packing arrangement and the valve body. A bore port can extend through the bonnet and open into an inter-packing volume of the bore between the first and second packing arrangements and can provide fluid communication between the inter-packing volume and the outlet of the valve or other lower pressure area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Fisher Controls International LLC
    Inventors: Michel K. Lovell, Trent Jackson
  • Patent number: 11855556
    Abstract: A power providing device is provided. The power providing device includes a first energy harvester element configured to generate power in response to an external energy signal being received, a connection switching element configured to switch a connection between the first energy harvester element and a second energy harvester element; and a first rectifier comprising one or more path switching elements configured to change a rectification path in response to the switching of the connection switching element, wherein the first rectifier is connected to the first energy harvester element to rectify the power generated by the first energy harvester element along the rectification path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yeunhee Huh, Sang Joon Kim, Seungchul Jung
  • Patent number: 11845543
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling infinite wireless charging of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) are provided. A UAS detects sources of power and wirelessly charges itself by collecting ambient electromagnetic energy from a power infrastructure. A UAS in accordance with features and aspects described herein is autonomous, may always be wirelessly charged (e.g., with high induced voltage), and can make use of weak energy. Moreover, various charging techniques can be used, such as in-flight, trickle, perching, and/or parking. Dynamic flight is supported using multi-angle MIMO coils. Additionally or alternatively, faster charging can be achieved with a supercapacitor and slower charging can be achieved with a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama
    Inventor: Nathan Seongheon Jeong
  • Patent number: 11841084
    Abstract: An example spool includes a spool body varying in diameter along a length of the spool body, thereby forming a plurality of lands of variable diameters, wherein a land of the plurality of lands is configured to control fluid flow from a workport passage formed in a valve worksection to a return cavity; and a plurality of axial grooves formed in a circular array about a circumference of the land, wherein the plurality of axial grooves comprises a first set of axial grooves and a second set of axial grooves, wherein an axial length of axial grooves of the second set of axial grooves is greater than a respective axial length of axial grooves of the first set of axial grooves, allowing the axial grooves of the second set of axial grooves to engage the return cavity before the axial grooves of the first set of axial grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Bipin G. Kashid, Micheal E. Harman
  • Patent number: 11837702
    Abstract: An electric energy storage device, the electric energy storage device configured to be detachably coupled with an electrical device, the electric energy storage device comprises a housing, N sets of battery units received in the housing, N being a composite number, each battery unit comprising at least one battery cell, a plurality of switches, each switch connected to the output end of two different battery units, a control unit electrically connected to the switches and configured to control the switches to switch on or off in order to connect the battery units in parallel or series, wherein the electric energy storage device can output at least three different voltages. The electric energy storage device can be used for different types of power tools with different voltage requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Globe (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Baoan Li, Xi Li, Xinzhong Guo
  • Patent number: 11834816
    Abstract: A two-handle inductive faucet includes a faucet body, a faucet housing, a faucet base, and a control box. The faucet body is installed to the faucet housing. The faucet body includes two valve core assemblies, a first water outlet pipe, and two first water inlet pipes. The faucet body has two water inlet channels and an upper water outlet channel. The faucet housing is provided with a protruding sensor unit. When the control box receives an opening signal of the sensor unit, the control box controls water from the two water inlet channels to be mixed and then flow out through the first water outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventors: Xingui Zhang, Yihui Chen, Qiang Chen, Mouyong Lin
  • Patent number: 11831183
    Abstract: A plurality of battery packs is provided in communication with an energy monitoring and control system. Each battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells that collectively dictate the capabilities of the battery pack. The energy monitoring and control system determines a plurality of pack charging or pack discharging parameters for each battery pack that, when performed, achieve one or more performance metrics at a user level (e.g., performance metrics of each battery pack within a system of multiple battery packs). The battery pack further determines a plurality of cell charging or cell discharging parameters for each battery cell based upon the determined plurality of pack charging or pack discharging parameters for each battery cell that, when performed, achieve one or more performance metrics at a battery level (e.g., performance metrics of different cells of each battery pack).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Mahshid Roumi, Farshid Roumi
  • Patent number: 11828388
    Abstract: A needle-free connector for accessing a patient's intravenous line includes a hollow body having a first end with a first opening, a second end with a second opening, and an inner wall defining a chamber. A hollow piston disposed in the chamber is axially collapsible to allow fluid to flow between the inner wall of the hollow body and the outer surface of the hollow piston. An inner surface of the hollow piston includes a fluted section having a radial array of axial slots. The fluted section has a first radial thickness configured to buckle in response to axial force applied to the hollow piston. The hollow piston further includes a retrograde-reducing stiffener. The retrograde-reducing stiffener has a second radial thickness that is greater than the first radial thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: B. Braun Medical Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Brunetti, James Nixon, Gail Bogert
  • Patent number: 11831155
    Abstract: A pack for containing and recharging an e-cigarette includes: a re-chargeable pack battery; a first connector which is electrically connectable to an external power source; a first recharging mechanism for re-charging the pack battery using the external power source when the first connector is electrically connected to the external power source; a second connector which is electrically connectable to an e-cigarette contained within the pack; and a second recharging mechanism for re-charging the e-cigarette when the e-cigarette is electrically connected to the second connector. The first recharging mechanism includes a first protection circuit module and the second re-charging mechanism includes a second protection circuit module, wherein the protection modules protect the pack and e-cigarette against excessive voltage or current during re-charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Nicoventures Trading Limited
    Inventor: David Leadley
  • Patent number: 11819816
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for a mass production of microspheres and a multichannel forming device incorporatable therein. The apparatus includes a multi-channel microsphere forming unit, a first source material reservoir containing the first source material and in fluid communication with the plurality of first microchannels, a second source material reservoir containing the second source material and in fluid communication with the plurality of second microchannels, a flow control unit configured to supply a first gas to the first source material reservoir at a first source material flow rate and to supply a second gas to a second source material reservoir at a second source material flow rate and a product reservoir for accommodating the microspheres formed from the multi-channel forming unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: INVENTAGE LAB, INC.
    Inventor: Ju Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 11820247
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a multi-input multi-output energy charging system to generate hydrogen, provide baseload energy to a facility, and provide electrical power to charge electric vehicles (EV). In an embodiment, a charging system includes a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system that generates electricity from one or more fuel inputs. One or more fuel inputs are renewable fuels. The charging system further includes a solid oxide electrolyzer cell (SOEC) system coupled to the SOFC system. The SOEC system generates hydrogen from the electricity received from the SOFC system and water input. The SOFC system facilitates the charging of an electric vehicle, storing charge in a battery, and providing electric power to a load from the generated electricity. The SOEC system facilitates refueling a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle from the generated hydrogen and storing the generated hydrogen in a hydrogen storage vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Barry Sharpe, Brian Hadley, Charles Frederick Walton
  • Patent number: 11807200
    Abstract: A hydraulic block of an electronic braking device for a vehicle includes a first input port and a second input port configured to receive a brake fluid from a main braking system, at least one oil chamber connected to one input port of the first input port and the second input port, a first output port and a second output port configured to discharge the brake fluid to a plurality of wheel brake apparatuses, a first inlet line configured to connect the first input port and the first output port to each other, and a second inlet line configured to connect the second input port and the second output port to each other, a first outlet line bifurcated from the first inlet line, a second outlet line bifurcated from the second inlet line, and a valve mounting unit mounted with a plurality of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Ki Ahn
  • Patent number: 11807116
    Abstract: A charging system includes a multi-pulse transformer, n AC-DC conversion units, n power supply terminals and a charging scheduling apparatus. A plurality of secondary windings of the multi-pulse transformer form n winding pairs. The n AC-DC conversion units are coupled to the n winding pairs in a one-to-one correspondence. The n power supply terminals are coupled to the n AC-DC conversion units in a one-to-one correspondence. The charging scheduling apparatus are configured to detect the number of charging devices and states of the power supply terminals, and determine M target winding pairs from the n winding pairs for supplying power to the charging devices. The M target winding pairs include a winding pair distributed close to a first end of the magnetic core and a winding pair distributed close to a second end of the magnetic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Liping Sun, Hongyang Wu, Jianjun Ni, Teng Liu
  • Patent number: 11811249
    Abstract: A battery-powered system includes a battery pack (10; 71; 81) connected to an electrical equipment (30; 50; 76; 86). The battery pack includes a first positive electrode terminal (11), a first negative electrode terminal (12), a first communication terminal (13), a first data input circuit (23), and a first limiting circuit (D11; D72; D82) that limits a flow of electric current in a direction from the first negative electrode terminal to the first communication terminal via the first data input circuit. The connected equipment includes a second positive electrode terminal (31; 51), a second negative electrode terminal (32; 52), a second communication terminal (33; 53), a second data input circuit (43; 63; 77; 87), and a second limiting circuit (D31; D51; D77; D87) that limits a flow of electric current in a direction from the second negative electrode terminal to the second communication terminal via the second data input circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Minoru Gyoda, Hitoshi Suzuki, Motohiro Omura
  • Patent number: 11811248
    Abstract: A system for generator-based charging of a battery module may include the battery module, a sensor located adjacent the battery module, a generator controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the generator controller to analyze one or more sensor signals received from the sensor. The sensor signals may correspond to a condition of the battery module. The generator controller may then calculate, based on the one or more sensor signals, a generator current value for use in charging the battery module. Next, the generator controller may generate a control signal comprising a command that may cause the generator to provide a charging current having the current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Dimitar Delevski
  • Patent number: 11801746
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for controlling shut-off of a fuel gun in a filler pipe of a fuel tank which inhibits early shut-off of the fuel gun before the fuel tank is fully filled with fuel while refueling. The apparatus includes: a retainer mounted in a filler neck of the fuel tank; a partition disposed in a space between an inner circumferential surface of the filler neck and an outer circumferential surface of the retainer and having a fuel intake hole formed in a lower end of the partition; and an early shut-off prevention valve disposed in the partition. The early shut-off prevention valve closes the fuel intake hole before the fuel tank is fully filled with fuel, and opens the fuel intake hole by fuel flowing to the filler neck from the fuel tank when the fuel tank is fully filled with the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keun Soo Kim, Jung Hoon Park, Dong Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11801761
    Abstract: A charging system for electric vehicles is disclosed, which includes at least one charging port with an interface for power exchange with at least one electric vehicle, and at least one power converter for converting power from a power source such as a power grid to a suitable format for charging the vehicle. The power converter can be at a remote location from the charging port, such as a separate room, and/or a separate building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: ABB B.V.
    Inventor: Crijn Bouman
  • Patent number: 11802395
    Abstract: A system, a method, and an apparatus for a temperature-adjusting adapter is described. The adapter includes first and second connectors coupled to first and second supply lines, wherein each of the first and second connector comprise an input, an output, and an adjustment port; a tube and an adjustment mechanism positioned between the adjustment ports of the first and second connectors, wherein the adjustment mechanism is movable between an open position and a closed position for selecting a temperature of a third fluid exiting the output port of the first or the second connector, wherein the third fluid is one of the first fluid, the second fluid, or a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid, and wherein a mixing ratio of the mixture is based at least in part on the position of the adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Inventor: Michael Lerch
  • Patent number: 11799324
    Abstract: An example near-field charging system includes a housing that includes a charging surface and at least one other surface, a radiating antenna, and a non-radiating element positioned above the radiating antenna within the housing such that the non-radiating element is closer to the charging surface than the radiating antenna. The radiating antenna produces a first electromagnetic-field distribution that is received by a receiver, the first electromagnetic-field provides usable power when the receiver is placed at any position on a first portion of the charging surface. The non-radiating element changes a distribution characteristic of the first electromagnetic-field distribution to produce a second electromagnetic-field distribution, the second electromagnetic-field distribution providing usable power to the receiver when the receiver is placed at any position across a second portion of the charging surface of the housing, and the second portion is at least 10% percent greater than the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Sohini Sengupta, Yunhong Liu, Tuomo Katajamaki