Patents Examined by Elim Ortiz
  • Patent number: 11964572
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a battery, an electric power acquirer, a power supply unit, and a controller. The electric power acquirer is able to acquire, from outside the vehicle, electric power to be charged to the battery. The power supply unit is able to receive electric power from a power line and supply a power supply voltage to a device other than a traveling motor. The controller is able to execute electric power adjustment processing on the condition that electric power is acquired from the electric power acquirer and the power supply unit is in operation. The electric power adjustment processing includes reducing a difference between electric power to be acquired from the electric power acquirer and electric power to be inputted to the power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Moriya, Kazuya Fuke
  • Patent number: 11967859
    Abstract: The present invention provides a power factor correction circuit (21, 22), a power factor correction assembly (2) and an on-line uninterruptible power supply including the same. The power factor correction circuit (21) comprises a pulse width modulated rectifier (211, 221) and an isolated DC-DC converter (212, 222), wherein an output of the pulse width modulated rectifier (211, 221) is connected to an input of the isolated DC-DC converter (212, 222). The power factor correction assembly (2) comprises a plurality of power factor correction circuits (21, 22) described above, wherein inputs of pulse width modulated rectifiers (211, 221) in the plurality of power factor correction circuits (21, 22) are connected in series, and outputs of isolated DC-DC converters (212, 222) in the plurality of power factor correction circuits (21, 22) are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Cheng Luo, Huiting Xin, Han Li, Dawei Zheng, Hualiang Li
  • Patent number: 11962163
    Abstract: A power transmission device includes power transmission coils arranged in a line, a power transmission circuit connected to the power transmission coils, and control circuitry that switches an electrical connection between the power transmission circuit and each power transmission coil, detects a relative position between the power receiving coil and each power transmission coil, selects two or more power transmission coils adjacent to each other based on the detected relative position, and causes the power transmission circuit to supply the AC power to the selected two or more power transmission coils. In an array direction of the power transmission coils, a width Dwt of each power transmission coil is shorter than a width Dwr of the power receiving coil. In a direction perpendicular to the array direction, a width Dlt of each power transmission coil is equal to or longer than a width Dlr of the power receiving coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiromu Matsumoto, Hiroshi Kanno, Atsushi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11958373
    Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and computer systems are disclosed herein as implemented by a controller operatively coupled to a network of electric vehicles. The methods and systems include the controller (i) receiving a notification that an electric vehicle is stranded without sufficient power to operate; (ii) receiving information regarding the stranded electric vehicle; (iii) detecting one or more other electric vehicles in a vicinity of the stranded electric vehicle; (iv) receiving information regarding the detected one or more other electric vehicles; and/or (v) determining, based upon the received information, which of the detected one or more other electric vehicles to send a power source request. Alternatively, the notification may indicate that an electric vehicle has a low state of charge (SOC), or is otherwise has a battery in need of being recharged to facilitate the electric vehicle traveling to a destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company
    Inventor: Joseph R. Brannan
  • Patent number: 11955882
    Abstract: An active discharge circuit for electric vehicle inverter, the active discharge circuit intended to be connected in parallel with a DC link capacitor connected between positive and negative lines of a DC power link, wherein the circuit comprises a dissipative current source, a switch connected in series with the current source between the DC lines, and a controller connected to the switch and arranged to apply an activation signal in dependence of a control signal, the activation signal placing the switch in a conducting state, wherein the current source is configured to draw a discharge current and dissipate any energy stored in the DC link capacitor when the switch is in the conducting state. As long as the switch is closed by the activation signal, the current source will draw a constant current and dissipate power, and the voltage across the DC link capacitor will decrease linearly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AROS ELECTRONICS AB
    Inventors: Henrik Gullvén, Rolf Andersson, Thorbjörn Simonsson
  • Patent number: 11951306
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to increasing protection against electric shocks when a person is working on an electrical system. In some embodiments, the electrical system includes at least two different circuits and a safety module. An emergency signal input is provided on the safety module, and when an external emergency signal is received via the emergency signal input, the safety module shuts off a configured first circuit the associated switch and at least one further circuit via the associated switch if the safety module still receives the emergency signal at the emergency signal input after a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Adaptive Regelsysteme Gesellschaft M.B.H.
    Inventors: Ulrich Klapper, Wernich de Villiers
  • Patent number: 11949280
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for controlling an uninterruptable power supply and a respective computer program. The uninterruptable power supply comprises a grid connection, a grid switch connected to the grid connection, a rectifier and an inverter interconnected via a DC link, an energy storage connected to the DC link, a load connection, to which the inverter is connected, and a bypass switch, which is connected in parallel to the rectifier, the DC link and the inverter between the grid switch and the load connection, wherein the grid switch is a mechanical switch and the bypass switch is a semiconductor switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Silvio Colombi, Andrea Mannuccini
  • Patent number: 11945338
    Abstract: A vehicle power system including a fuel cell auxiliary power unit for providing clean, efficient power to a vehicle. The system generally includes a fuel cell with a first DC output and a heat output, a pressure vessel adapted to contain and provide pressurized hydrogen to the fuel cell, an electrical storage unit with a DC input coupled to the first DC output of the fuel cell. The electrical storage unit also has a second DC output. An inverter is coupled to the second DC output of the electrical storage unit to receive power, the inverter having a first AC output. The system can provide heat, AC power, and DC power to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: BWR Innovations LLC
    Inventors: Timothy R. Springer, Joel A. Jorgenson
  • Patent number: 11942788
    Abstract: Example embodiments of systems, devices, and methods are provided herein for energy systems having multiple modules arranged in cascaded fashion for storing power from one or more photovoltaic sources. Each module includes an energy source and converter circuitry that selectively couples the energy source to other modules in the system over an AC interface for generating AC power or for receiving and storing power from a charge source. Each module also includes a DC interface for receiving power from one or more photovoltaic sources. Each module can be controlled by control system to route power from the photovoltaic source to that modules energy source or to the AC interface. The energy systems can be arranged in single phase or multiphase topologies with multiple serial or interconnected arrays. The energy systems can be arranged such that each module receives power from the same single photovoltaic source, or multiple photovoltaic sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: TAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Slepchenkov, Roozbeh Naderi
  • Patent number: 11938837
    Abstract: A vehicle includes: a first battery; a second battery; a solar cell; a power divider configured to transfer power produced by the solar cell to the first battery or transfer power produced by the solar cell to the second battery; and a controller configured to control the power divider to transfer the power produced by the solar cell to at least one of the first battery and the second battery based on a state of charge (SoC) of the first battery and a SoC of the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jin Kim, HanYoung Park
  • Patent number: 11923704
    Abstract: A computer implemented method includes accessing a first status of a first battery pack interface coupled to a load via a first load switch and accessing a second status of a second battery pack interface coupled to the load via a second load switch. The first status and the second status are compared and the first and second load switches are controlled based on the comparing to balance remaining capacities of the first and second battery packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: James Chester Meador, Daniel Tsuteh Chian, Julian Arlo Binder, Meera Radhakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11912151
    Abstract: An electric vehicle (EV) chassis is disclosed that may be a modular platform flexible as a basis for numerous other EV platforms. It is contemplated that the entire electric drivetrain (i.e., powertrain, wheels, steering) may be supplied to an automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The OEM may use the EV chassis for integration within a representative passenger compartment. The chassis may also be reconfigurable with the modularity at various levels that include the energy storage system, the entire chassis system, or any level in-between. The chassis may further be designed to allow connection of multiple modules to enable a larger scale energy storage that may be provided to homes, buildings, or the electric power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: John Christensen, Reinhardt Klein
  • Patent number: 11916405
    Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, devices, apparatus and methods, including computer programs encoded on storage media, for wireless power transmission. In accordance with this disclosure, a wireless power transmission apparatus (such as a charging pad) may support positional freedom such that a wireless power receiving apparatus may be charged regardless of positioning or orientation of the wireless power receiving apparatus. Various implementations include the use of multiple primary coils in a wireless power transmission apparatus. The multiple primary coils may be configured in a pattern, size, shape, or arrangement that enhances positional freedom. In some implementations, the placement of the multiple primary coils may optimize the size and distribution of electromagnetic fields that are available to charge a wireless power receiving apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Suma Memana Narayana Bhat, Viswanathan Kanakasabai, Deepak Aravind, Jayanti Ganesh, Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori
  • Patent number: 11916402
    Abstract: A charging device can include a base that includes power transmission circuitry, a charger panel and a coil operatively coupled to the power transmission circuitry, where the charger panel includes a transparent material, and where the coil is visible via the transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Brian William Wallace, Cuong Huy Truong, Brian H. Leonard
  • Patent number: 11909217
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses an energy storage system. The energy storage system includes M cell strings, N energy storage converters, first ends of the N energy storage converters are coupled to at least one of the M cell strings, and second ends of the N energy storage converters are configured to connect to a power grid. A first end of a first energy storage converter is coupled to Q cell strings in the M cell strings, and the first energy storage converter includes a DC/AC conversion unit and at least one DC/DC conversion unit. A first DC/DC conversion unit is coupled to at least one of the Q cell strings by using the first end of the first energy storage converter, the first DC/DC conversion unit is coupled to the DC/AC conversion unit, and the DC/AC conversion unit is coupled to the power grid by using a second end of the first energy storage converter. The first DC/DC conversion unit is configured to perform adaptation between a voltage of the DC/AC conversion unit and a voltage of a cell string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yanzhong Zhang, Xun Wang
  • Patent number: 11909220
    Abstract: A wireless power device is presented that avoids transmit conflicts. The device can include a rectifier circuit coupled to a coil; a transmit driver coupled to the rectifier circuit; a transmit detect circuit configured to detect receipt of transmitted wireless power at the coil; and a controller coupled to the transmit driver and the transmit detect circuit, the controller receiving a signal from the transmit detect circuit and providing an alert of the presence of the transmitted wireless power, the controller activating the transmit driver to transmit wireless power in absence of the signal. The wireless device can determine an operating mode and in a transmit mode determine presence of a received power. If received power is detected an alert can be provided and an off state initiated. If transmit power is not detected the transmit driver can be activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholaus Smith, Chan Young Jeong, Detelin Martchovsky, Ashley DeWolfe, Damla Acar
  • Patent number: 11894572
    Abstract: A power tool battery pack enclosure is configured to be retrofittedly coupled to battery pack receptacles of a plurality of power tools, each battery pack receptacle configured to removably receive a plurality of power tool battery packs. The enclosure includes a first clamshell member and a second clamshell member configured to be coupled around at least a portion of an exterior surface of each battery pack receptacle. Each of the first and second clamshell members have a top wall portion configured to be received over the exterior surface of the battery pack receptacle and a sidewall portion that extends downward from the top wall portion over at least a portion of the battery pack housing when the battery pack is received in the battery pack receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignees: BLACK & DECKER INC., GRACO INC.
    Inventors: Steven Jay Wrobel, Diane Leigh Olson, David John Thompson, David Keith Esslinger, Michael Varipatis
  • Patent number: 11890958
    Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first winding section including first two or more windings and a second winding section including second two or more windings. Each of the second two or more windings corresponds to one of the first two or more windings of the first winding section. The system also includes an inverter including a high side switch and a low side switch corresponding to each of the first two or more windings. The inverter is coupled to a battery of the vehicle and boosts a voltage of a direct current (DC) charger during charging of the battery with the DC charger, converts alternating current (AC) from an AC grid to DC during charging of the battery with the AC grid, and converts DC to AC during supply of the AC grid by the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lei Hao, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 11888337
    Abstract: A system and method of controlling inductive power transfer in an inductive power transfer system and a method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting. The method of controlling inductive power transfer including measuring a characteristic of input power, a characteristic of power in the tank circuit, and receiving information from a secondary device. Estimating power consumption based on the measured characteristic of tank circuit power and received information and comparing the measured characteristic of input power, the information from the secondary device, and the estimated power consumption to determine there is an unacceptable power loss. The method for designing an inductive power transfer system with power accounting including changing the distance between a primary side and a secondary side and changing a load of the secondary side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: David W. Baarman, Joshua K. Schwannecke, Neil W. Kuyvenhoven, Esai E. Umenei, Dale R. Liff, Andrew C. Zeik, Mark A. Blaha, Jason L. Amistadi, Robert D Gruich
  • Patent number: 11886217
    Abstract: A control device is connected to at least one solar cell module and an inverter, and controls the at least one solar cell module by MPPT control. The control device includes an opening/closing unit and a control unit. The opening/closing unit includes a semiconductor relay and a mechanical relay connected in parallel with the semiconductor relay. The control unit controls opening and closing of the opening/closing unit in response to a control signal from the inverter. In a case of connecting the at least one solar cell module and the inverter, the control unit turns ON the semiconductor relay to turn ON the mechanical relay, and then disconnects the semiconductor relay. In a case of cutting off the connection between the at least one solar cell module and the inverter, the control unit connects the semiconductor relay to disconnect the mechanical relay, and then disconnects the semiconductor relay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryo Ogura, Tomoko Endo, Erica Martin, Tsuyoshi Uchida