Patents Examined by Duc M Pham
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Patent number: 11858354Abstract: An emergency disconnect circuit for use with a high-voltage (HV) bus of a battery electric system, e.g., aboard a mobile system, includes a pyrotechnic switch and a manual switch. The pyrotechnic switch configured irreversibly opens in response to an electronic triggering signal to disconnect an HV battery pack from the HV bus in a first manner. The manual switch is arranged on a low-voltage (LV) bus in series with and between the pyrotechnic switch and an LV power supply. Transition of the manual switch from an open position to a closed position connects the LV power supply to the pyrotechnic switch. This causes the LV power supply to discharge the triggering signal to the pyrotechnic switch. When used aboard a mobile system, an electronic monitoring unit generates the triggering signal in a second manner in response to a threshold impact event.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Li-Pen John Ho, Calvin Goodman, Rajesh Nagappala
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Patent number: 11863004Abstract: A split-phase bidirectional on-board charger (OBC) has separate charging and discharging modes, and includes a switchgear block connectable to an offboard charging station during the charging mode, and to an external alternating current (AC) load during the discharging mode. The OBC includes first and second DC-AC converters connected to the switchgear block and DC-DC converter connected to the first and second DC-AC converters and a DC bus. During the charging mode, the DC-AC converters output a DC link voltage to the DC-DC converter. The DC-DC converter outputs a DC charging voltage or current to the DC bus when the link voltage reaches a predetermined value. During the discharging mode, the DC-AC converters receive a DC discharging voltage or current from the DC-DC converter and together selectively output a split-phase AC voltage through the switchgear block to the AC electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Douglas S. Cesiel, Samantha Gunter Miller
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Patent number: 11850950Abstract: A power control system includes a power inverter comprising a first side, a second side, and a plurality of power switches. The second side is configured to connect to an electric machine. A solid state fuse includes a power switch including a first terminal in communication with the first terminal of a rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) of the electric vehicle and a second terminal in communication with the first side of the power inverter. A DC-DC converter is configured to convert a first voltage output by the RESS of the electric vehicle to a second voltage. One or more sensors configured to sense one or more operating parameters of the RESS. A fuse controller is configured to receive power from the DC-DC converter, to communicate with the one or more sensors and to cause the power switch to selectively change state in response to changes in the one or more operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Muhammad Hussain Alvi, Chandra S. Namuduri, Renato Amorim Torres
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Patent number: 11855482Abstract: The present disclosure provides energy control systems for whole home and partial home backup with integrated breaker spaces and metering. The energy control system includes a grid interconnection electrically coupled to a utility grid, a backup power interconnection electrically coupled to a backup power source, a backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one backup load, and a non-backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one non-backup load. The energy control system includes a microgrid interconnection device that switches between an on-grid mode to electrically connect the grid interconnection and the backup power interconnection with the backup and non-backup load interconnections and a backup mode to electrically disconnect the grid interconnection and the non-backup load interconnection from the backup power interconnection.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2021Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATIONInventors: Sandeep Narla, Brian Kuhn, Kevin C. Fischer, Udo Uebel, Marc A. Robinson
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Patent number: 11850945Abstract: A power supply device for an electric work vehicle, including: a battery by which an electric work vehicle is drivable; a first connection unit for an internal inverter configured to convert DC power from the battery into AC power, and output the AC power to an internal electric device installed in the electric work vehicle; a second connection unit for an external inverter configured to convert DC power from the battery into AC power, and output the AC power to an external electric device; and a battery control unit connected to the first connection unit and the second connection unit, and configured to control charging of, and power supply from, the battery, wherein the battery control unit is configured to communicate with the external inverter side via the second connection unit to perform authentication regarding whether or not power supply to the external inverter is permitted.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2022Date of Patent: December 26, 2023Assignee: Kubota CorporationInventors: Takumi Yamamoto, Tomohiko Hisakuni, Masahiro Yamada, Hirokazu Ito
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Patent number: 11837910Abstract: A power supply control apparatus includes: a first system capable of supplying electric power from a first power supply to a first load; a second system capable of supplying electric power from a second power supply to a load group including a second load and a third load having consumed electric power smaller than that of the second load; a plurality of load switches as defined herein; and a control unit configured to control the load switches so that backup control performed by the second system is executed by the electric power supply from the second power supply, in a case where an occurrence of a ground fault in the first system is detected, and when the control unit inspects as to whether the backup control can be executed, the control unit connects the load switch corresponding to the third load of the load group to execute the inspection.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: DENSO TEN LimitedInventors: Takeshi Matsumoto, Daiki Hakushima, Shunsuke Kobayashi
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Patent number: 11827112Abstract: Connection and control concepts for battery packs in a high voltage battery assembly are provided. Parallel, modular configurations permit improved safety, voltage balancing, and redundancy, improving operation and reliability of an associated high voltage electrical vehicle such as a heavy-duty truck.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Umran Ashraf, Michael Corona, T. Neil McLemore, Varoujan Sarkissian
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Patent number: 11820241Abstract: A battery pack assembly comprises a battery enclosure having a first side panel, a second side panel, a third side panel, a fourth side panel, a top panel, and a bottom panel defining a module containing volume. The battery pack assembly may contain a plurality of battery modules in the module containing volume, the plurality of battery modules having a first battery module, a second battery module, and a third battery module. The first battery module and the second battery module are positioned in a first orientation and stacked to form a column of battery modules and the third battery module is positioned in a second orientation and positioned adjacent to the column of battery modules.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Nikola CorporationInventors: Cory Borghi, Michael Corona, Seth Derouen, Varoujan Sarkissian, Oliver Rene, Nicholas Smith, Wesley Thibault, Brent Wilderman, Nathan Schmidt
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Patent number: 11817812Abstract: An electrical generating system includes an electrical generator having a plurality of motors operably interconnected with one another. An electrical input source includes one or more sets of batteries. One or more controllers are in electrical connection with the electrical generator and the electrical input power source.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2023Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Inventor: Carl Cheung Tung Kong
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Patent number: 11811233Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for optimizing loading of battery inverters. A system may include a plurality of inverters configured to output power to a load; a switching system connected to the plurality of inverters; a plurality of energy storage units selectively coupled to the plurality of energy storage units by the switching system; and a controller. The controller can be configured to determine a required power for the load; determine a number of the plurality of inverters to provide the required power; determine a switching position for the switching system based on the determined number of the plurality of inverters, the switching position corresponding to power delivery by a set of the plurality of inverters; and send a control signal to the switching system to connect one or more of the plurality of energy storage units with the set of the plurality of inverters.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2023Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: 8ME NOVA, LLCInventors: Finbar Sheehy, Gautham Ramesh
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Patent number: 11801753Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle includes a high voltage battery including a plurality of battery cells interconnected with one another configured to provide a high voltage output at battery system terminals and a battery disconnecting element powered by the high voltage battery and configured to disconnect the high voltage battery from at least one of the battery system terminals in the event of a malfunction or crash.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.Inventors: Wolfgang Reinprecht, Maximilian Hofer
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Patent number: 11799415Abstract: A solar energy system includes at least one solar energy efficiency enhancement device (1), at least one solar power generating device (2), at least one maximum power point tracking device (3), and an electric power storage unit (4). The at least one solar energy efficiency enhancement device includes multiple efficiency enhancing modules (11) each having a capacitor boost element (12), a communication monitoring element (13), a smart control chip element (14), a working time extending element (15), an electricity output element (16), and an electricity management operation element (17). The voltage produced by the at least one solar power generating device is delivered through the capacitor boost element to the electricity output element which outputs an electric power to the at least one maximum power point tracking device which stores the electric power in the electric power storage unit.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Season Energy Technology Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ching-Chieh Yang
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Patent number: 11799313Abstract: Proposed is a power conversion device, the device including: a power generation unit for converting kinetic energy generated by an engine of a vehicle into electrical energy; a storage unit including a first battery and a second battery for storing the electrical energy generated by the power generation unit; a load unit for operating by receiving the electrical energy stored in the storage unit; a power conversion unit for controlling supply of power from the first battery and the second battery to the load unit according to a conversion control signal; and a charging unit for charging at least one of the first battery and the second battery on the basis of the electrical energy according to a charging control signal, wherein, when a vehicle state is in start-up ON, the power conversion unit connects the first battery and the load unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: KOREA BTS Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jung Un Jang, Yong Bin Kim, Hyoung Min Jun
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Patent number: 11791654Abstract: A battery system for an electric vehicle is disclosed having a first battery connectable to a first electric drive; a second, redundant battery, connectable to a second, redundant electric drive; and an electronic power switch having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal, the first input terminal being electrically connected to the first battery, the second input terminal being electrically connected to the second battery, and the output terminal being electrically connectable to an electrical accessory, the electronic power switch being configured to selectively and electrically connect the output terminal to the first input terminal or the second input terminal to provide electrical power from the first battery or the second battery to the electrical accessory.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2022Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: LISA DRÄXLMAIER GMBHInventor: Michael Wortberg
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Patent number: 11784639Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first terminal for a battery, a second terminal for an inverter circuit, and a transistor. The semiconductor device is configured to control a voltage applied to a control terminal of the transistor to allow supply of a current from the first terminal to the second terminal and allow supply of a current from the second terminal to the first terminal. A withstand voltage between the first terminal and the second terminal is greater than or equal to a voltage between the battery and the inverter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: ROHM CO., LTD.Inventors: Mineo Miura, Masashi Hayashiguchi, Jun Terada
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Patent number: 11765800Abstract: A battery-powered control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The feedback may indicate a low battery condition and/or the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback. The control device may operate in different modes including a normal mode and a low battery mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11764598Abstract: A fluid heating system for an electric work machine powered by a battery may include a fluid heater arranged and configured to heat fluid on the work machine and a control module configured to control fluid heating operations by controlling power to the fluid heater based on active operation of a battery charging unit.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
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Patent number: 11764575Abstract: A battery load management system and methods of managing a battery load, e.g., in a vehicle, may be directed to a converter that steps down electrical power from an input voltage to a reduced voltage. An electrical bus in electrical communication with the converter may be configured to supply electrical power received from the converter at the reduced voltage to a plurality of electrical loads. A controller may be configured to detect a load shed trigger, and in response to the detection select one or more low-priority loads included in the plurality of electrical loads. The controller may also be configured to reduce electrical power consumption by the one or more low-priority loads.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLCInventors: Tae Hoon Park, Tylynn Haddow
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Patent number: 11764552Abstract: A distributed energy resources compartment for an electrical panel is pre-wired for installation of a photovoltaic system for a residence. The compartment is mounted on a back plate in the interior of an electrical cabinet. A pre-wired connection within the compartment is configured to connect to a solar circuit breaker within the electrical cabinet, connected as a back-feed circuit breaker to an electrical panel. An opening on a backside of the compartment adjacent to the back plate of the electrical cabinet, is configured to receive connections within the compartment from a solar inverter, through the back plate of the electrical cabinet when the solar inverter is mounted to the back plate of the electrical cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Schneider Electric USA, Inc.Inventor: Timothy Phillips
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Patent number: 11753107Abstract: A control integrated structure of an electrically assisted bicycle includes a battery management system, a controller and a motor. The battery management system includes a battery assembly and an analog front end. The analog front end is electrically connected to the battery assembly. The controller includes a micro controller unit and a driver. The micro controller unit is electrically connected to the analog front end. The driver is electrically connected to the micro controller unit. The motor is electrically connected to the driver and controlled by the driver. The micro controller unit of the controller is directly electrically connected between the analog front end of the battery management system and the driver, thereby enabling the micro controller unit to control the motor via the driver.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2021Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: Hyena Inc.Inventor: Hsin-Yi Fang