Patents Examined by Carlos Amaya
  • Patent number: 11709511
    Abstract: An energy harvesting device (CTH) installed in an electrical distribution system (EDS) for powering ancillary electrical devices (AD) used in the distribution system. The device includes a first voltage regulator circuit (CC) configured to produce a voltage matched to a power curve of a current transformer (CT) to which the device is electrically coupled. The device also includes a second and separate voltage regulator circuit (SVR) which continuously operates to maximize the amount of electrical energy recovered from the current transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Aclara Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Richard Desmarais, Richard Martyn, Michael Giovannoni
  • Patent number: 11705269
    Abstract: A coil component in which occurrence of plating elongation is further suppressed and an inductance value is higher. A coil component includes an element body including metal magnetic particles, a coil conductor inside the element body, and a plurality of external electrodes on a surface of the element body. The element body has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape including upper and lower surfaces substantially orthogonal to a winding axis of the coil conductor, first and second side surfaces facing each other, and third and fourth side surfaces facing each other. An average particle diameter of each of metal magnetic particles constituting the upper surface, metal magnetic particles constituting the lower surface, metal magnetic particles constituting the first side surface, and metal magnetic particles constituting the second side surface is smaller than an average particle diameter of metal magnetic particles existing inside a winding portion of the coil conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11699919
    Abstract: An automatic transfer switch (100) for automatically switching an electrical load between two power sources is provided. Two power cords (106) enter the ATS (A power and B power inputs) and one cord (109) exits the ATS (power out to the load). The ATS has indicators (107) located beneath a clear crenelated plastic lens (108) that also acts as the air inlets. The ATS (100) also has a communication portal (103) and a small push-button (104) used for inputting some local control commands directly to the ATS (100). The ATS (100) can be mounted on a DIN rail at a rack and avoids occupying rack shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ZONIT STRUCTURED SOLUTIONS, LLC
    Inventors: William Pachoud, Steve Chapel
  • Patent number: 11698618
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for causing a safety controller to suitably display various pieces of information from a safety input device. A safety controller acquires a compatible port that connects at least one safety input device, and a safety input signal from the at least one safety input device connected via the compatible port and state information on the safety input device. Further, the safety controller 3 includes the MCU 23 that generates, in accordance with the safety program, a safety output signal based on the safety input signal acquired, and the display device 5a that displays, based on the state information acquired, a state of the safety input device from which the state information is acquired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: KEYENCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motohiro Kudo
  • Patent number: 11689034
    Abstract: An apparatus for jump starting a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: a first and a second ignition clamp, a sampling circuit configured to sample polarity output signal from the vehicle battery when each of the first and the second ignition clamps is connected to a respective one of the first and the second terminals of the vehicle battery, a polarity determining circuit configured to determine, based on the sampled polarity output signal, a polarity of the first and the second terminal of the vehicle battery, and a clamp polarity switching circuit configured to connect the first and the second ignition clamps to a portable power supply, and enable, in response to the determined respective polarities of the first and the second terminals of the vehicle battery, a polarity on the first and on the second ignition clamps to be the same as that of the corresponding terminal connected thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Inventor: Zhipeng Wu
  • Patent number: 11685266
    Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) includes a battery controller and battery modules, each respective module having battery cells, a cell sense board, and a semiconductor switch. The switch is connected in parallel with the cells within the respective module, and configured to conduct an electrical current during a thermal runaway propagation (TRP) event in which one or more cells is in an open-circuit state. This action bypasses the module and enables electrical components to be powered by the RESS during the TRP event. A battery electric system includes a direct current (“DC”) voltage bus, an electrical component connected thereto, the battery controller, and the RESS. A method for constructing the RESS includes connecting a respective semiconductor switch in parallel with the at least one battery cell of each respective one of the multiple battery modules, and electrically connecting the multiple battery modules together to construct the RESS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri, Robert J. Heydel, Russell K. Steele
  • Patent number: 11689027
    Abstract: A controller circuit for a PV module includes a receiver circuit and a mode control and power conversion circuit. The receiver circuit receives a first signal from a transmitter circuit and changes a second signal from a first state to a second state responsive to the first signal. The mode control and power conversion circuit receives a DC voltage from a string of PV cells, receives the second signal from the receiver circuit, switches from a first mode to a second mode in response to the second signal being in the second state, converts the DC string voltage to a standby voltage in the second mode, and provides the standby voltage to DC power lines. The standby voltage is less than an operating voltage provided by the mode control and power conversion circuit in the first mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Patrick Pauletti, Suheng Chen, Amneh Mohammed Akour, Nat Maruthachalam Natarajan
  • Patent number: 11680681
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide safety systems for operating equipment having confined spaces which, during normal use, have conditions, such as extreme temperatures, pressures and/or caustic/toxic chemicals or other harmful gases which can be fatal to an otherwise healthy adult human. To protect humans inadvertently trapped in the confined space after the start of a normal operation cycle, the safety systems not only stop the equipment which is creating the harmful condition, such as a cutting off a supply of high pressure steam, but also remove the harmful condition or render it survivable. Versions also open access doors permitting escape and/or rescue of persons trapped in the confined space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Inventor: Philippe Roe
  • Patent number: 11670951
    Abstract: A mobile device charger includes a power converter circuit support structure, a power converter circuit, a first and second battery connectors, and an enclosure. The power converter circuit is disposed on the power converter circuit support structure. In one example, the power converter circuit support structure is a PCB (printed circuit board) and the battery connectors are battery clips. The PCB slides in and out of the enclosure providing quick access to electrical components of the charger. When a battery is inserted between the battery clips, the power converter generates an output charging supply usable to charge a mobile device. The PCB extends in a longitudinal fashion parallel to the battery thereby providing space for high-output power components without sacrificing form factor. The power converter circuit generates an output charging supply of at least two and four-fifths watts per cubic inch (2.8 W/in3) of the volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventor: Swaranjit Gill
  • Patent number: 11670955
    Abstract: Integrated power module device, systems, and methods are provided in accordance with various embodiments. For example, some embodiments include a system that may include one or more integrated power modules. Each integrated power module may include: one or more solar cells; one or more rechargeable energy storage cells; and/or one or more circuits coupling the one or more solar cells with the one or more rechargeable energy storage cells. In some embodiments, each integrated power module is configured such that the one or more rechargeable energy storage cells of the respective integrated power module are coupled with one or more back sides of the one or more solar cells. In some embodiments, at least two of the one or more integrated power modules are coupled with each other at least in parallel or in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ROCCOR, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Pearson, Steven Isaacs, William Francis
  • Patent number: 11660697
    Abstract: A welding-type power supply including a balanced plate rectifier to rectify high frequency alternating current from one or more transformers. The balanced plate rectifier includes an output terminal symmetrically connected to the plates of the plate rectifiers. The impedance between the output terminal and each plate is substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Adam E. Anders, Brian Schwartz, Paul William Garvey
  • Patent number: 11658504
    Abstract: The present application relates to the technical field of electronic circuits, and provides a charge circuit, a control box and a luminaire. The charge circuit includes a control circuit and at least one constant current charge circuit. The constant current charge circuit is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery. The control circuit is used to obtain the specification information of the rechargeable battery, and configure the corresponding charging parameters to be sent to the corresponding constant current charge circuit, so as to charge the rechargeable battery through the constant current charge circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Aputure Imaging Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi Huang, Xiangjun Zhou, Yi Xie
  • Patent number: 11658501
    Abstract: A system for controlling a low voltage DC converter for a vehicle includes the low voltage DC converter configured to step down a voltage of a first battery and output an output voltage; a blower configured to operate using the output voltage of the low voltage DC converter as a power supply voltage; and a low voltage DC converter controller configured to receive information on whether the blower operates and an output setting of the blower, and control a magnitude of the output voltage of the low voltage DC converter, based on the received information on whether the blower operates and an output setting of the blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Ho Joong Lee, Dong Jun Shin
  • Patent number: 11652366
    Abstract: An integrated device includes a power adapter and a wireless module. The power adapter includes a charging plug and a first connector. The wireless module includes a second connector mateable with the first connector. Each of the power adapter and the wireless module is an independent device. In addition, the power adapter and the wireless module can be detachably combined together through the first connector and the second connector. With this arrangement, when the power adapter and the wireless module are used separately, their respective functions can be achieved. When the power adapter and the wireless module are used in combination, the wireless module can be powered by the power adapter, thereby improving the convenience of using the integrated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: LUXSHARE PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yun Feng, Min Fan, Wenjun Tang
  • Patent number: 11646146
    Abstract: A coil component includes a body comprising a support member and a coil portion embedded in one surface of the support member; and external electrodes connected to the coil portion, wherein the body comprises a plurality of metal particles, at least some of the plurality of metal particles comprises a plastically deformable first particle, and at least some of the first particles have a deformed surface and thus have a shape corresponding to a surface of a neighboring magnetic metal particle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Il Lee, Jeong Gu Yeo, Ji Hoon Hwang, Myoung Ki Shin, Byeong Cheol Moon
  • Patent number: 11646603
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power distribution network includes receiving, via an electronic processor, a fault indication associated with a fault from a first isolation device of a plurality of isolation devices. The processor identifies a first subset of a plurality of phases associated with the fault indication and a second subset not associated with the fault indication. The processor sends a first open command to each member of a set of downstream isolation devices for each phase in the first subset. The processor identifies a plurality of tie-in isolation devices to be closed to restore power. Responsive to identifying a first potential loop configuration, for each of the plurality of tie-in devices, the processor sends a close command to the tie-in isolation device for each of the plurality of phases and sends a second open command to the associated downstream isolation device for each phase in the second subset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: G & W Electric Company
    Inventors: Erich Keller, Nicholas Carmine DiFonzo
  • Patent number: 11641130
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a converter unit for providing a supply current to a load device (2) using an energy storage device (6). The converter unit (1) comprises a controlling means (7) configured to set at least one charging parameter and/or a charging mode and to control charging of the energy storage device (6) based on the set charging parameter and/or the set charging mode; and at least a first terminal (S1), a second terminal (S2) and a third terminal (S3) for electrically connecting a two-pole status indicator light (8), wherein the controlling means (7) is configured to detect to which of the first terminal (S1), the second terminal (S2) and the third terminal (S3) the two-pole status indicator light (8) is connected and is configured to set the at least one charging parameter and/or the charging mode based on the detection result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Tridonic GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: James Frankland
  • Patent number: 11618542
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of refueling an electric watercraft. The method may include detecting, by one or more sensors, an unlock signal as a function of unlocking a first battery pack from a first receiver, receiving, by a computing device, the unlock signal, and disabling, by the computing device, the first battery pack and a second battery pack simultaneously, in response to receiving the unlock signal. Disabling the first battery pack and the second battery pack may further include disabling the first battery pack using a first contactor and the second battery pack using a second contactor. Aspects of the present disclosure may also be direct to a system for refueling an electric watercraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: JaccPro, LLC
    Inventor: Jack Patrick Duffy-Protentis
  • Patent number: 11607967
    Abstract: An example of a vehicle electrical system includes a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) having a first voltage and a power inverter selectively connected to the RESS. The system further includes an electric motor having a plurality of machine windings with each of the machine windings including a polyphase terminal electrically connected to the power inverter. The machine windings further include a neutral terminal separate from the polyphase terminals and configured to electrically connect to an off-board power source having a second voltage that is below the first voltage of the RESS. The power inverter is configured to cycle between first and second operational states, such that the power inverter and the electric motor steps up the first voltage to the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 11612045
    Abstract: Smart switch devices, systems, and methods for modifying an existing electrical system to utilize the power state output of a physical switch as an indicator or signal for the operation of a smart home device or system or network of such devices to facilitate interoperability of physical switches with smart devices. The smart switch detects or determines the power state of a circuit and infers the corresponding state of a mechanical switch that operates the circuit. This information is then transmitted to associated smart devices, which may not be physically connected to the circuit controlled by the switch. When the mechanical switch is operated, it can control both electrically attached loads, such as a conventional light or appliance, and wirelessly control unconnected smart devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ivani, LLC
    Inventors: Matthew Wootton, Boris Dieseldorff