Patents Examined by Daniel Kessie
  • Patent number: 11682798
    Abstract: A vehicular battery control device controls an electric storage amount of a battery as which a lithium-ion battery is employed. The vehicular battery control device includes a control unit that reduces the electric storage amount of the battery until the electric storage amount of the battery assumes a second state, before the lapse of a first time, when the electric storage amount of the battery assumes a first state and it is predicted that a charge current will flow in the first time. The first state is a state where lithium metal is precipitated by charging the battery with a predetermined amount of electric power, and the second state is a state where no lithium metal is precipitated even when the charge current flows through the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takayuki Akaishi
  • Patent number: 11682931
    Abstract: A wireless charger includes a plurality of charging units for charging wirelessly chargeable devices. Each charging unit includes one or more transmit coils for producing a wireless charging signal. Each charging unit also includes a driver circuit for driving the one or more transmit coils. The driver circuit is switchable according to a charging PWM duty cycle of that charging unit. Each charging unit is operable to perform a Q factor measurement by injecting excitation energy into the one or more transmit coils of that charging unit to produce a free resonance signal, and measuring a decay rate of the free resonance signal. Each charging unit is operable to alter its charging PWM duty cycle during a time window in which another charging unit of the wireless charger is performing a Q factor measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: NXP USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Dechang Wang, Jan Horak, Li Wang, Wei Cao, Ruyang Sheng, Dengyu Jiang
  • Patent number: 11673485
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling an electrical system of an electrically drivable motor vehicle, wherein the electrical system includes at least one lead battery and at least one lithium battery. Initially, a lower and a first upper threshold value for a state of charge of the lithium battery are determined. Then, a second upper threshold value which is higher than the first upper threshold value is determined. During the driving operation of the motor vehicle, a state of charge of the lithium battery is set between a lower and a second upper threshold value. When the motor vehicle is switched off, the state of charge of the lithium battery is determined. If the state of charge of the lithium battery is higher than the first upper threshold value, the state of charge of the lithium battery is lowered to the first upper threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Thomas Hackner
  • Patent number: 11677271
    Abstract: A load includes a device for inductively powering it, the device including an insertion part, following the insertion of which into the load the powering of the latter is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventor: Josef Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11677199
    Abstract: An electrical power or data system includes an electrical power or data supply cord and an intermediate power or data cord, a first electrical power or data outlet receptacle disposed between the supply cord and the intermediate cord, and a second electrical power or data outlet receptacle at a distal end of the intermediate cord. The first electrical power or data outlet is positionable below a work surface, while the second electrical power or data outlet is mountable to the work surface. At least one of the electrical cords may include a self-retracting cord section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Inventors: Norman R. Byrne, Gerald N. Vander Till
  • Patent number: 11677269
    Abstract: Hybrid energy harvesting devices that harvest vibrational energy over a broad frequency spectrum using several different energy harvesting mechanisms that are operable over different frequency ranges. In one embodiment, a device uses an inductive current generator to convert vibrational energy at lower frequencies to electrical energy, and also uses one or more piezoelectric charge generators to convert vibrational energy at higher frequencies to electrical energy. The electrical energy produced by these different mechanisms is provided to a controller which processes the input energy and generates an output which is applied to an energy store such as a battery. The energy stored in the battery can then be drawn by a wireless sensor or other device. The energy harvesting device may have the same form factor as a conventional battery to allow installation in battery-powered equipment without modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Dan Tho Lu
  • Patent number: 11670971
    Abstract: The present application provides a wireless power transmission device and a foreign object detection method thereof. The method includes: acquiring an input current of a transmitting unit of the wireless power transmission device and a temperature of a transmitting coil in the transmitting unit; determining a first current reference value according to the temperature of the transmitting coil; and determining a foreign object detection result according to the input current and the first current reference value corresponding to the temperature of the transmitting coil. By detecting the input current of the transmitting unit of the wireless power transmission device, it is determined whether there is a foreign object in a transmission space of the wireless power transmission device. Moreover, a temperature detection unit is added, and adjustment is made to a current threshold according to the temperature of the coil, thereby achieving more accurate foreign object detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gang Yang, Yongkai Liao, Xuecong Xu
  • Patent number: 11667202
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system. The system can comprise an energy source supply hub and an energy source supply appliance. The energy source supply hub can comprise a hub energy source supply system and a hub vehicle configured to transport the hub energy source supply system. Further, the hub energy source supply system can comprise a hub energy source supply subsystem configured to receive an energy source. Meanwhile, the energy source supply appliance can comprise an appliance energy source supply system and an appliance vehicle configured to transport the appliance energy source supply system. Further, the appliance energy source supply system can comprise an appliance energy source supply subsystem configured to receive the energy source from the hub energy source supply subsystem and to make available the energy source received to a receiver vehicle. Other embodiments of related systems, devices, and methods also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: A3 LABS LLC
    Inventors: David Haberman, Tyler Elm
  • Patent number: 11670970
    Abstract: A system for wireless-power transmission includes a radio-frequency wireless-power transmitter that is in communication with a sensor for acquiring data for motion recognition and tracking of a plurality of objects within at least a portion of a transmission field of the radio-frequency wireless-power transmitter; and one or more processors of the radio-frequency wireless-power transmitter configured to: detect location and displacement of an object of the plurality of objects within the transmission field; and send instructions to cause adjustments to transmission of one or more radio-frequency power-transmission waves by the radio-frequency wireless-power transmitter to a receiving electronic device based on the location and displacement of the object. The receiving electronic device is configured to use energy from the one or more radio-frequency power-transmission waves to (i) power the receiving electronic device and/or (ii) to charge a power source of the receiving electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 11653627
    Abstract: A liquid dispenser may include a tank having a bottom plate, an inner assembly detachably coupled to the tank and containing a pump, and a docking station provided below the bottom plate that receives external power. A wireless power receiver may be provided above the bottom plate and may be electrically connected to a wireless power transmitter provided below the bottom plate. A supply plate may coupled to a supply pipe that supplies liquid pumped from the pump, and liquid falling from the supply plate may be guided back to the tank via a liquid guide. The docking station may apply external power to the pump via the wireless power transmitter and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunsun Yoo, Jaehung Chun, Yousook Eun, Joogyeom Kim, Sungkyung Kim, Myongsun Kim
  • Patent number: 11658517
    Abstract: An antenna for wireless power transfer includes a first antenna portion and a second antenna portion. The first antenna portion includes a first antenna terminal, a second antenna terminal, at least one first inner turn, at least one first outer turn, and a first wire crossover electrically connecting the at least one first inner turn with the at least one second outer turn. The antenna further includes a second antenna portion including a third antenna terminal, a fourth antenna terminal, at least one second inner turn, at least one second outer turn, and a second wire crossover electrically connecting the at least one second inner turn with the at least one second outer turn. The second antenna terminal is in electrical connection with the third antenna terminal and the first antenna terminal and fourth antenna terminal are configured for electrical connection with a transmitter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: NUCURRENT, INC.
    Inventors: Md. Nazmul Alam, Alberto Peralta
  • Patent number: 11658518
    Abstract: A wireless power circuit operable in transceiver mode and in Q-factor measurement mode includes a bridge rectifier having first and second inputs coupled to first and second terminals of a coil, and an output coupled to a rectified node. An excitation circuit coupled to the first terminal, in Q-factor measurement mode, drives the coil with a pulsed signal. A protection circuit couples the first terminal to a first node when in Q-factor measurement mode and decouples the first terminal when in transceiver mode. A controller causes the bridge rectifier to short the first and second terminals to ground during Q-factor measurement mode. A sensing circuit amplifies voltage at the first node to produce an output voltage, and in response to the voltage at the first node rising to cross a rising threshold voltage, digitizes the output voltage. The digitized output voltage is used in calculating a Q-factor of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Baranidharan Karuppusamy, Thet Mon Sann, Kien Beng Tan, Supriya Raveendra Hegde, Huiqiao He, Teerasak Lee
  • Patent number: 11648852
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a high-voltage system circuit including a high-voltage battery; a low-voltage system circuit including a low-voltage battery and an updater; a DC-DC converter coupled between the two circuits; and a controller that controls the two circuits and the DC-DC converter. The updater updates a program of an update-target device. The DC-DC converter reduces in voltage output electric power of the high-voltage battery and then supplies the electric power to the low-voltage system circuit. The controller determines whether the update-target device is a certain device relating to electric power supply from the high-voltage battery. If the update-target device is the certain device, the low-voltage battery is charged with the output electric power of the high-voltage battery, the certain device stops operating, and the updater updates the program of the certain device by using the output electric power of the low-voltage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yusuke Komatsu, Masaru Oe
  • Patent number: 11652442
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to the field of photoelectric technologies, and provide a method for controlling photovoltaic power generation, a control device, and a photovoltaic power generation system. The method is applied to the photovoltaic power generation system. The system includes at least one photovoltaic string and a control device, the photovoltaic string includes at least one photovoltaic module, each photovoltaic module includes a photovoltaic unit and an optimizer that is connected to the photovoltaic unit, and the photovoltaic unit includes at least one photovoltaic component. The method includes: periodically sending, by the control device, an output voltage reference value update instruction to an optimizer in each photovoltaic string; and receiving, by the optimizer in each photovoltaic string, the output voltage reference value update instruction, and updating an output voltage reference value according to the output voltage reference value update instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Guilei Gu
  • Patent number: 11643217
    Abstract: A method of operating an aircraft electrical power distribution system comprises determining a measure of ambient pressure; and setting a target operating voltage in accordance with the measure of ambient pressure. The method further comprises controlling the operating voltage in accordance with the set target operating voltage. The target operating voltage may refer to a distribution voltage of the aircraft. An aircraft electrical power distribution system is also disclosed, comprising: a sensor configured to determine a measure of ambient pressure; a controller configured to set a target operating voltage in accordance with the measure of ambient pressure, and a voltage regulator configured to regulate the operating voltage in accordance with the set target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Matthew S. Cartwright
  • Patent number: 11642972
    Abstract: A configuration instruction associated with configuring a plurality of batteries which supply power to a plurality of motors in a vehicle is received. The batteries are configuring as specified by the configuration instruction, where the batteries are able to be configured in a plurality of configurations, including: a first configuration where at least some of the batteries are electrically connected together in parallel and a second configuration where at least some of the batteries are electrically connected together in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Kitty Hawk Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Orender, Christopher Scott Saunders, Derek Wong
  • Patent number: 11641168
    Abstract: A parametric resonator can be driven by varying a parameter of a modulated capacitor or other externally powered type device to achieve transduction. Conventionally, externally powered type devices generally require an external power source or a static charge to achieve transduction. By pumping the parameter of the device at a frequency that is about twice the resonance frequency, and an amplitude that is above a threshold, however parametric resonance can be generated and sustained without requiring an external power source or charge to be applied to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Fahrettin Levent Degertekin, Sarp Satir, Sushruta Surappa
  • Patent number: 11641221
    Abstract: A wireless power receiver, and control methods thereof are provided. The wireless power receiver includes a communication module; and a controller. The controller is configured to identify whether a near-field communication (NFC) tag is detected, wherein the NFC tag is external to a wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver, and transmit, by using the communication module, a signal indicating whether the NFC tag is detected to the wireless power transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Inventors: Kyung-Woo Lee, Sang-Wook Kwon, Sung-Kweon Park
  • Patent number: 11637429
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution network includes: a plurality of electrical power control apparatuses, each of which include one or more signal conversion components receiving electrical power in the form of a first signal and generating a corresponding second signal, a controller that controls operation of the signal conversion components, electrical power generation components acting as sources of electrical power to at least some of the electrical power control apparatuses, and electrical power consumption components acting as sinks of electrical power from at least some of the electrical power control apparatuses. The electrical power control apparatuses operate autonomously but are interconnected so that the electrical power control apparatuses collectively maintain the voltages and frequencies of electrical power signals flowing through the electrical power distribution network at target values to compensate for variations in the sinks and/or sources of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: THIRD EQUATION LTD
    Inventors: Matthew Williams, Andrew Scobie
  • Patent number: 11637453
    Abstract: A rectifier for use in a receiver of a wireless power transfer system for receiving wireless power transferred for a transmitter of the wireless power transfer system. The rectifier comprises a field effect transistor (FET) comprising: a source terminal electrically connected to ground; a drain terminal electrically connected to a receive element of the receiver. The receive element is for extracting power from the transmitter of the wireless power transfer system. The FET further comprises a gate terminal electrically connected to the receive element. The gate terminal is driven by a gate signal in phase with an input signal received at the receive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: SOLACE POWER INC.
    Inventors: Chris Rouse, Amir Tahavorgar