Patents Examined by Edward Tso
  • Patent number: 11894696
    Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for detecting electrically conductive foreign bodies during inductive energy transmission between a primary coil (1) and a secondary coil (2), at least one sensor coil (5) is arranged between the primary coil (1) and the secondary coil (2), and a current flowing in the sensor coil (5) due to the induced voltage during the energy transmission is detected and evaluated. In this case, the sensor coil (5) is connected to at least one capacitor to form a resonant circuit which is matched to the excitation frequency of the primary coil (1). The phase position of the current in the resonant circuit in relation to a reference signal is then used to determine whether there are electrically conductive foreign bodies (4) between the primary coil (1) and the secondary coil (2). A high degree of sensitivity, also in relation to small electrically conductive foreign bodies within the energy transmission path, is achieved by means of the method and the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: UNIVERSITĂ„T STUTTGART
    Inventors: Mike Böttigheimer, Nejila Parspour, Stefanie Hermann
  • Patent number: 11894700
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for providing a wireless charging device are disclosed. A method for operating the wireless charging device includes transmitting a first pulse through each of a plurality of charging circuits, determining peak voltage at nodes in the plurality of charging circuits, each node coupling a transmitting coil to a capacitor in one charging circuit in the plurality of charging circuits, the peak voltage at each node being responsive to the first pulse and indicative of a coupling coefficient with a receiving coil in a chargeable device, determining that a minimum peak voltage responsive to the first pulse is associated with a first charging circuit in the plurality of charging circuits, and providing a first charging current to the first charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: AIRA, INC.
    Inventors: Eric Heindel Goodchild, John Winters
  • Patent number: 11894703
    Abstract: A jump starter device can include sensors to measure data of a vehicle coupled to the jump starter device. The jump starter device can include a controller configured to process the load data to determine the status of the load, such as the conditions of the vehicle connected to the jump starter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Inventors: Bing Liu, Shiyu Liu
  • Patent number: 11888338
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments may include a device with an input power component, a system supply component, an inductive charger component operatively coupled to the input component and the system component, and a direct charger component operatively coupled to the inductive charger and the system component. Exemplary embodiments may further include an input node of the inductive charger component and an input node of the direct charger component operatively coupled to an output node of the input power component at a first device node. Exemplary embodiments may also include a method of receiving an input power signal, obtaining a charging condition, entering a first charging state, in accordance with the obtained charging condition satisfying a first charging condition, and entering a second charging state, in accordance with the obtained charging condition satisfying a second charging condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Zhigang Liang, Mehul Shah, Sungkeun Lim, Ryan Foran
  • Patent number: 11881716
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a wireless power transmitter, a wireless power transfer circuit electrically connectable to the at least one wireless power transmitter, and a transmitter controller. The transmitter controller is configured to determine presence of a wireless power receiver system, encode or decode a communications signal communicated over a magnetic field, the magnetic field produced by coupling of the wireless power transmitter and the one or more wireless power receiver systems. The transmitter controller is further configured to determine presence of one or more of unwanted noise, unwanted data, or combinations thereof, within a proximity communications frequency band, the proximity communications frequency band substantially similar to the communications frequency band. The transmitter controller is further configured to filter the one or more of unwanted noise, unwanted data, or combinations thereof to determine a filtered communications signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Luzinski, Alberto Peralta, Matt Zamborsky
  • Patent number: 11881728
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and a method for identifying wireless charging status information in an electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Yongyoun Kim, Jaesung Shim, Myeongsu Oh, Hojin Jung, Duho Chu
  • Patent number: 11876394
    Abstract: A battery cell balancing system contains a switch mode circuit employing voltage sensors across the cells and current on the balancing legs to enable reliable and efficient cell balancing during battery charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Inventor: Eric Paul Grasshoff
  • Patent number: 11876391
    Abstract: Methods and devices for wired charging and communication with a wearable device are described. In one embodiment, a symmetrical contact interface comprises a first contact pad and a second contact pad, and particular wired circuitry is coupled to the first and second contact pads to enable charging as well as receive and transmit communications via the contact pads as part of various device states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SNAP INC
    Inventors: Yu Jiang Tham, Nicholas Larson, Peter Brook, Russell Douglas Patton, Miran Alhaideri, Zhihao Hong
  • Patent number: 11870357
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter, an on-board charger, and an electric vehicle are disclosed. The DC-DC converter includes: a first adjustment module, a resonance module, a second adjustment module, a current detection module, and a controller. The current detection module is configured to detect a current signal of the resonance module; and the controller is configured to control the first adjustment module and the second adjustment module to reduce an output power when the current signal is greater than a current threshold. By directly detecting the current signal of the resonance module, a high precision and a faster response are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventor: Xiaobin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11870249
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs). Each ESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A shared system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L Wilhide, William S. Heglund
  • Patent number: 11867352
    Abstract: Adapters that can mount phones or other electronic devices on camera stabilizers, where the adapters are portable, can capable of charging, and can allow cameras on the phones to be easily leveled or adjusted to any orientation. An adapter can include a base portion having an opening, where a fastener in the opening can attach the adapter to a camera stabilizer, as well as an upright portion having an enclosure and a contacting surface. The enclosure can house a first magnet array for magnetically attracting a second magnet array in a phone, such that the phone can be readily mounted to a camera stabilizer. The enclosure can further house near-field communication circuits and components for identification. The upright portion and base portion can be connected by a fixed right angle or by a hinge, which can allow the adapter to fold into a more convenient form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Rasmussen, Christopher S. Graham, Eric S. Jol, Aaron A. Oro, Miranda L Daly, Ibuki Kamei
  • Patent number: 11870192
    Abstract: This invention relates to a charging adapter 30, 40 for charging a battery 20, 50 of a solar blind, a roller blind, a roman blind, a Venetian blind, a pleated blind, an electric curtain all having the battery 20, 50, the battery 20, 50 being charged by an output 14 of an external power supply 10, the charging adapter 30, 40 comprising a first plug converter 30 and a second plug converter 40, the first plug converter 30 having a first plug 34 and a second plug 36, the first plug converter 30 connectable to the second plug converter 40, the second plug converter 40 comprising a flexible cord 42 having a third plug 44 at one end of the flexible cord 42, and a fourth plug 46 at the other end of the flexible cord 42, the fourth plug 46 magnetically connectible with the second plug 36.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
    Inventor: Peter Ramsing
  • Patent number: 11870284
    Abstract: A charging device (10) for an electrical charging process of a mobile device (200) in a vehicle, having a charging face (20) for placing a mobile device (200) on in a contact-forming fashion, and electrical charging means (30) for electrically charging a mobile device (200) which is placed on the charging face (20), further having an encapsulating housing (40) which at least partially surrounds the charging face (20). The encapsulating housing (40) has at least one inlet section (42) with at least one inlet opening (44) for letting in passenger compartment air (IL) from the passenger compartment of the vehicle as cooling air (KL) for cooling the mobile device (200) and/or the charging face (20), and at least one outlet section (46) with at least one outlet opening (48) for letting out the cooling air (KL) into the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dr. Ing h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Domenica Fresca
  • Patent number: 11863005
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for power electronics-based (PE-based) battery management. A system may include a set of battery strings, where each battery string may include a set of battery modules, and where each battery module may include a set of battery cells. The system may also include a set of power converters, where each power converter may be coupled with at least one battery string. A power electronics-based (PE-based) BMS may provide one or more battery management functions for at least one corresponding battery string while also monitoring or controlling a corresponding power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Clenera, LLC
    Inventor: Geng Tian
  • Patent number: 11862985
    Abstract: A device or an accessory may include a near-field communications antenna and a soft magnetic ring concentric with the near-field communications antenna. The device or accessory may further include at least one wireless charging coil concentric with the near-field communications antenna, a rectifier coupled to the at least one wireless charging coil, and a battery configured to receive a rectified voltage from the rectifier. The soft magnetic ring may be used to shunt magnetic flux from one or more nearby magnets in external electronic devices to prevent the magnets from repelling each other. The soft magnetic ring may be attracted to a magnet in an external device to help align wireless charging coils in the two mated devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Louis
  • Patent number: 11858370
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a battery that is chargeable with electric power supplied from a charger provided outside the vehicle; and an air-conditioning and cooling system that cools the battery. An ECU controls a charging operation for the battery such that the battery is charged under a charging condition of a constant current which is constant over a charging period from start of charging to satisfaction of a completion condition. The ECU sets the charging condition such that a battery temperature when the completion condition is satisfied becomes an upper limit temperature, based on an amount of heat generation in the battery caused by charging and an amount of cooling of the battery by the air-conditioning and cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshio Matsuyama, Yugo Mochizuki, Yoshiaki Kawakami, Masataka Ogushi
  • Patent number: 11862390
    Abstract: A charging apparatus for inductive charging. The charging apparatus comprises one or more charging coils configured to transfer power to a mobile apparatus and at least one flexible diaphragm configured so that movement of the flexible diaphragm directs air flow towards the mobile apparatus. At least one of, the one or more charging coils or actuating circuitry for actuating the one or more charging coils are mounted on the flexible diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Diarmuid O'Connell, Akshat Agarwal, Ian Davis, Nicholas Jeffers
  • Patent number: 11855477
    Abstract: A charging control method, a device, a storage medium and a wireless charging base are provided. The method can be applied to a wireless charging base comprising wireless charging units, each supporting a variety of wireless charging standards, and each wireless charging unit wirelessly charges for electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Shiming Wan
  • Patent number: 11855466
    Abstract: A battery charging cable can be connected to a power supplying device and supply electricity to, and thereby charge, the battery of another device when the battery is low in power. The battery charging cable includes a USB Type-C connector at one end and a positive-electrode clamp and a negative-electrode clamp at the other end, wherein the clamps can be respectively clamped to the positive and negative electrodes of the battery of a device to be charged. With the battery charging cable supporting a USB Power Delivery protocol, and the USB Type-C connector configured to provide a relatively high voltage and power, the battery charging cable provides overload protection and has great power transmission performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventor: Solomon Chang
  • Patent number: 11855468
    Abstract: A battery charger may include a printed circuit board (PCB) having a first portion supporting alternating current (AC) electrical components and a second portion supporting direct current (DC) electrical components; an indicator including a light-emitting diode (LED) supported on the first portion of the PCB and operable to emit light; and an isolating member positioned on the first portion between the AC electrical components and the LED. A trace on the PCB may be electrically connected to the second portion of the PCB, the trace extending from the second portion and along the first portion, and the LED may be electrically connected to and receiving DC power through the trace, the LED being selectively positioned along a length of the trace. The LED may be positioned more than about 8 mm from the AC electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Wyatt R. Silha, Cameron R. Schulz, Kyle C. Fassbender, Zhi Wei Meng