Patents Examined by Drew A. Dunn
  • Patent number: 10202045
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power receiving portion that contactlessly receives electric power from a power transmitting portion provided outside the vehicle and includes a shield member that is arranged around the power receiving portion in the same plane as a plane in which the power receiving portion is arranged, wherein the shield member includes a first shield region having a high shielding function and a second shield region having a shielding function lower than that of the first shield region at a position around the power receiving portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Toru Nakamura, Masaya Ishida, Yoshiyuki Hattori, Toshiaki Watanabe, Takashi Kojima
  • Patent number: 10193377
    Abstract: An embodiment includes a system, comprising: a circuit; an energy harvesting device configured to convert energy from the circuit to electrical energy; an energy storage device configured to store the electrical energy; and a power supply configured to supply power from the energy storage device, and multi-sensor module including such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhan Ping
  • Patent number: 10193369
    Abstract: A method for charging a battery cell includes first transferring of energy from a power source to a plurality of capacitive regions in the battery cell followed by transferring of charge stored in the plurality of capacitive regions of the battery cell into at least an electrolytic mixture that comprises the battery cell and electrodes immersed in the electrolyte mixture. The capacitive regions in the battery cell comprise capacitive double layers between the electrolyte mixture and particles of active material that comprise the battery cell. The transferring of energy from the power source to the capacitive regions occurs for a first duration of time sufficient to substantially fully charge the capacitive regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: GBATTERIES ENERGY CANADA INC.
    Inventors: Mykola Sherstyuk, Oleksandr Tkachenko
  • Patent number: 10186894
    Abstract: A wireless electrical charging system and a method of operating same wherein operating parameters from a remote portion of the system are wirelessly transmitted to a system controller controlling the output voltage of an alternating power supply. The system controller executes an adaptive model control algorithm that allows the system controller to update the output voltage at a greater rate than the transmission rate of the operating parameters from the remote portion of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: APTIV TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Ely, Gregory N. Simopoulos
  • Patent number: 10181736
    Abstract: A method for operating a circuit for charging and discharging a capacitive actuator. The circuit has a series circuit of first and second power transistors with respective parallel-connected diodes connected between the potentials of a supply voltage source. The node between the power transistors is connected via a coil to the capacitive actuator. For charging the actuator, the first power transistor, which connects the capacitive actuator to the positive potential, is periodically turned on during a prescribed time and turned off when a first prescribed threshold value is reached by the current through the actuator, until a lower threshold value is reached by the current. If the actuator current no longer reaches the first prescribed threshold value then the first power transistor is turned off after a time that corresponds to the maximum value reached by the actuator current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Haggenmiller, Raul Lucian Alimareanu Torok, Emilian Gheorghe Lukic
  • Patent number: 10181741
    Abstract: A storage battery device according to the present disclosure includes a storage unit accumulating charge, an attachment unit attachable to an electronic device, and a controller charging the storage unit by a first current value when the storage battery device is attached to the electronic device via the attachment unit, and charging the storage unit by a second current value lower than the first current value when the storage battery device is not attached to the electronic device via the attachment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Saeki, Yoshiharu Takemori, Daichi Enomoto
  • Patent number: 10166878
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus of a vehicle includes: auxiliary machines electrically connected between a battery and a converter; and a control device controlling inverters and the like based on a required vehicle power including a required charge discharge amount of the battery. The control device has a continuous voltage step-up mode and an intermittent voltage step-up mode. In the continuous voltage step-up mode, the control device calculates the required charge discharge amount based on electric power supplied from the battery. In the intermittent voltage step-up mode, the control device changes a method of calculating the required charge discharge amount to a method that calculates the required charge discharge amount based on electric power passing through the converter, and makes the required charge discharge amount smaller than the required charge discharge amount in the continuous voltage step-up mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Suguru Kumazawa, Hideki Kamatani, Ryoji Sato
  • Patent number: 10164452
    Abstract: The battery pack including a battery group in which a plurality of secondary batteries are connected in series; a detector that detects a charging and discharging current value flowing in the battery group and a voltage value of the battery group in a time-division manner by switching between the current value and the voltage value using an electronic circuit; and a controller/operator that performs operation and control using the current value and the voltage value detected by the detector. In the battery pack, the detector detects current values before and after the voltage value of the battery group is detected, and the controller/operator determines that the voltage value of the battery group is influenced by the peak discharge power when at least one of the current values exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hisanori Amasaki, Naoto Matsuda, Hisashi Kameyama
  • Patent number: 10164442
    Abstract: A battery monitoring device monitoring a battery unit connecting battery blocks, the battery unit being configured by each of the battery blocks connecting battery cells, includes: a voltage detection circuit connected to each of the plurality of battery cells via a voltage detection line; a first equalization circuit as a circuit provided with at least a first switching element, the first equalization circuit being disposed for each of the battery cells and connected to the corresponding battery cell; a resistor element disposed on the voltage detection line; a second equalization circuit as a circuit provided with at least a second switching element, the second equalization circuit being disposed for each of the battery blocks and connected to the corresponding battery block; and a controller configured to control driving of the switching elements. The second equalization circuit is connected further on the battery block side than the resistor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Keiji Kaita, Hiromasa Tanaka, Takahiro Okada
  • Patent number: 10158280
    Abstract: A charging-voltage generating unit generates voltage which charges a charge storage element from one input signal. An output-voltage generating unit generates voltage referenced to a signal output reference terminal and output at a signal output terminal from another input signal. A charging-voltage output terminal and first terminals of a first switching element and the charge storage element are connected at a first point. A charging-voltage output reference terminal is connected with a second terminal of the first switching element at a second point. An output-voltage output terminal, a first terminal of a second switching element, and the signal output terminal are connected at a third point. The output-voltage output reference terminal, a signal output reference terminal, and second terminals of the second switching element and the charge storage element are connected at a fourth point. The second and third points are interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Nagai
  • Patent number: 10148107
    Abstract: A universal serial bus charger comprises a universal serial bus connector for providing a connection to a voltage source. An output voltage connector provides a charging voltage to a connected battery. A switching voltage regulator generates the charging voltage responsive to the voltage source. Control circuitry monitors an actual charging current applied to the connected battery and provides a programmed current signal enabling the actual charging current to operate at a programmed level if the actual charging current does not exceed a programmed charging current level. The control circuitry provides a charging current limit signal enabling the actual charging current to operate at a predetermined charge current limit if the actual charging current exceeds the programmed charging current level. PWM control circuitry generates switching control signals to control operation of the switching voltage regulator responsive to the control circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: INTERSIL AMERICAS LLC
    Inventor: Chuck Wong
  • Patent number: 10143235
    Abstract: A portable, personal storage and carrying case for an e-liquid e-cigarette PV in which the case is adapted to lock the PV securely in a charging position; and when the PV is locked in the charging position, then electrical charging contacts on the PV are in direct or indirect engagement with electrical charging contacts in the case that are connected to a power source, such as a rechargeable battery, in the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: BEYOND TWENTY LTD.
    Inventors: Kaveh Memari, Adrian Bennett, Ian Murison, Stephen Marsh
  • Patent number: 10141759
    Abstract: A battery fuel gauge apparatus comprises a protection device coupled to a battery pack, a current mirror device, wherein a first terminal of the current mirror device is connected to a first terminal of the protection device through a first switch and a second terminal of the current mirror device is connected to a second terminal of the protection device through a second switch, a sensing device coupled to the current mirror device, a transistor coupled to the sensing device and an operational amplifier comprising a first input coupled to the protection device, a second input coupled to the current mirror device and an output coupled to the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Justin Shi
  • Patent number: 10141760
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a first power supply, which is electrically coupled to a first power supply terminal and a first ground terminal, and a short-circuit line. The first power supply is adapted to supply the first power supply terminal with a DC voltage having a higher electric potential than the first ground terminal. The short-circuit line is adapted to short-circuit a first data terminal and a second data terminal. The power supply circuit further includes a second power supply electrically coupled to the first ground terminal and the short-circuit line. The second power supply is adapted to supply the first data terminal and the second data terminal with a negative voltage having a lower electric potential than the first ground terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SOCIONEXT INC.
    Inventors: Junji Tomida, Yasushi Aoyama
  • Patent number: 10139451
    Abstract: A method used for determining the capacity of a battery. The method includes determining, via a controller, if the battery has a first capacity sufficient to support a conditioning cycle. In response to determining that the battery has the first capacity sufficient to support the conditioning cycle, the conditioning cycle is activated. The method includes partially discharging the battery at a constant rate while measuring a plurality of battery parameters. A second capacity of the battery is estimated based on the battery parameters measured at the constant discharge rate. The method increases estimation accuracy of the battery's capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Ligong Wang, Dit Charoen
  • Patent number: 10135274
    Abstract: A charging circuit for charging a battery of an electronic device includes a first switch having one side connected to an interface into which external power is input, a second switch having one side connected to the other side of the first switch, a third switch having one side connected to the other side of the second switch, a fourth switch having one side connected to the other side of the third switch, a flying capacitor located between the other side of the first switch and the other side of the third switch, an inductor having one side connected to the other side of the second switch, and a control circuit for controlling a charging function of the battery by controlling on/off of the first switch, the second switch, the third switch and the fourth switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kisun Lee
  • Patent number: 10135283
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling power transmission in a power transmitter against overvoltage at a power receiver. The power transmitter receives a subscription request to subscribe to a wireless power network, from the power receiver. It is determined whether power transmission is available for the power receiver. The power receiver is informed that the power transmission is beginning, when the power transmission is available. The transmission power is increased and transmitted. It is determined whether a stop request to stop increasing voltage is received at the power transmitter from the power receiver. The increase of the transmission power is stopped when the stop request is received at the power transmitter. Charging of the power receiver is started by transmitting a start charging command from the power transmitter to the power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kang-Ho Byun, Kyung-Woo Lee, Hyuk-Choon Kwon, Nam-Yun Kim, Hee-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 10135273
    Abstract: An electronic device that is driven by a battery and is capable of being attached to a power feeding device that feeds power to the electronic device, including: a surface opposite to the power feeding device when the electronic device is attached to the power feeding device; an electrode provided on the surface; and any one of a groove and a projection provided on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU COMPONENT LIMITED
    Inventors: Masafumi Chiba, Hiromi Ohtsuka
  • Patent number: 10135267
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery system capable of suppressing degradation of a battery capacity. When it is determined that a battery pack is brought into a non-use state, a battery state detection unit in a battery controller compares an SOC of the battery pack calculated by a battery state operation unit and a standard SOC. When the SOC of the battery pack is higher than the standard SOC, the battery state detection unit in the battery controller calculates a capacity value in which the SOC of the battery pack becomes lower than the standard SOC, from a difference of the SOC of the battery pack and the standard SOC, and transmits the calculated capacity value to a cell controller. The cell controller discharges the battery pack, on the basis of the capacity value transmitted from the battery state detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hironori Sasaki
  • Patent number: 10131234
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert L. Steigerwald