Patents Examined by Emmanuel R Dominique
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Patent number: 9895983Abstract: A propulsion system includes a traction drive system, a boost converter, an energy-type energy source, a power-type energy source, and an energy management system. The boost converter includes a high voltage side and a low voltage side. The boost converter is coupled to the traction drive system on the high voltage side. The energy-type energy source is coupled to the boost converter on the low voltage side thereof. The power-type energy source is coupled to the boost converter on the low voltage side thereof. The energy management system is coupled to the boost converter and configured to control the energy-type energy source and the power-type energy source through the boost converter in at least two conditions during a motoring mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Tong Zhao, Xi Lu, Ronghui Zhou, Fei Li
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Patent number: 9883257Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling small grids of appliances are described. One sample method includes receiving consumption data from a plurality of electrical appliances that are plugged into outlets at a first location and monitoring power usage at the first location. The method includes evaluating the received consumption data to identify one or more predetermined conditions in one or more of the plurality of electrical appliances and evaluating stored data related to power consumption preferences at the first location. The power consumption preferences define conditions when a consumer associated with the first location has agreed to enable remote control of at least one designated appliance upon an occurrence of one or more predetermined conditions. The method includes determining that the one or more conditions are satisfied and to provide a first secure communication to the first appliance to control the power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Atmel CorporationInventors: Jeff Kotowski, Charles Cai
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Patent number: 9882426Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for detecting an efficiency of a wireless power transmission. An output power of a source device may be adjusted based on current that is flowing in a power converter of the source device. The efficiency of wireless power transmission may be calculated based on the adjusted output power, and an amount of power used by a target device.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Yun Kwon Park, Young Tack Hong
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Patent number: 9876390Abstract: When the preferred voltage source for a static transfer switch is a UPS, there can be a brief interruption in the voltage received from the UPS while the UPS is switching from economy mode to normal mode. Operation of the static transfer switch can be improved during such voltage disturbances. Specifically, the static transfer switch may be in data communication with the UPS and thereby made aware that the voltage disturbance is temporary. As a result, the static transfer switch can avoid an unnecessary transfer to an alternate voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: Liebert CorporationInventors: Terry D. Bush, Brian P. Heber, Russell E. Shetler, Jr., Peter A. Panfil
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Patent number: 9871298Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting device (rectenna) includes an antenna structure configured to resonate at RF frequencies, and a rectifying circuit that facilitates harvesting multiband RF signals having low energy levels (i.e., tens of mW and below) by utilizing two Zero Bias Schottky diodes having different forward voltage and peak inverse voltage values. Positive voltage pulses from a captured RF signal generated on a first antenna end point are passed by the first diode to a first internal node where they are summed with a second RF signal generated on the second antenna end point (i.e., after being passed through a capacitor), thereby producing a first intermediate voltage having a substantially higher voltage level. Positive voltage pulses are then passed from the first internal node through the second diode to an output control circuit for conversion into a usable DC output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center IncorporatedInventors: George Daniel, Bernard D. Casse, Armin R. Volkel, Victor Liu
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Patent number: 9866278Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless power repeater. The wireless power repeater repeats power between a wireless power transmitter and an electronic device. The wireless power repeater includes a charging container having at least one side, wherein the charging container has a form for receiving the electronic device, a repeating coil placed at one of the at least one side of the charging container to repeat the power between the wireless power transmitter and the electronic device using resonance.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Jung Oh Lee, Woo Kil Jung
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Patent number: 9853499Abstract: An apparatus comprises a structure including a cavity that, when excited with electromagnetic energy, produces an electric field having randomized distribution of field amplitude and polarity. The apparatus further comprises a sensor within the cavity. The sensor has a plurality of antennas for wirelessly harvesting operating power along different paths within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jason P. Bommer, Arun Ayyagari
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Patent number: 9848477Abstract: The invention discloses a method for controlling the time sharing starting of electronic ballasts and a delayed-started electronic ballast. According to the method, the electronic ballasts are delayed-started after being energized, and delay time for the delayed starting of the electronic ballasts is a random number acquired based on the temperature of the ballasts. The delayed-started electronic ballast includes an electronic ballast body and a delay switch. After the adoption of the technical scheme of the invention, a delayer with the delay time set by virtue of random numbers corresponding to different environmental temperature is additionally arranged in the ballast, and multiple ballasts connected in parallel in a circuit can be started at different time points after different delay time under the control of the same control switch, which remarkably reduces current impact on a power grid and reduces a voltage drop condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: December 19, 2017Assignee: SHENZHEN TECHONE TECH CO., LTD.Inventors: Shixue Cai, Zhongwei Jiang
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Patent number: 9825466Abstract: A power supply device includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power, a communication unit that communicates with an electronic device, and a control unit that controls the communication unit to transmit a predetermined data to the electronic device based on whether or not the electronic device is connected to an external device supplying power to the electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Canon Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yudai Fukaya
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Patent number: 9812898Abstract: A capacitive-based system that provides an electrical backup power source to an electric actuator for fail-safe actuation. The capacitive-based system includes an input power supply, a plurality of supercapacitors, and an output power supply. The input power supply converts an AC or DC primary power to a regulated DC output. The plurality of supercapacitors are connected in series to form a bank of supercapacitors. The bank of supercapacitors are operatively connected to the input power supply, are charged to a bank voltage set by the regulated DC output of the input power supply, and are used to store the electrical backup power source. The output power supply is operatively connected to the bank of supercapacitors, and boosts the bank voltage of the bank of supercapacitors to a higher DC output voltage, i.e., the electrical backup power source, that supplies the electric actuator.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Inventors: Christopher W. Spivey, Kirk S. Hegwood
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Patent number: 9813064Abstract: Described is an apparatus which comprises: a first power supply; a second power supply lower than the first power supply; first and second transistors coupled in series and to be biased, the first and second transistors coupled to a pad; a first pull-up transistor coupled to the first power supply and to one of the first or second transistors; a pull-down transistor coupled to one of the first or second transistors; and a second pull-up transistor coupled to the second power supply, the pull-down transistor, and to one of the first or second transistors.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Intel CorporationInventors: Chia How Low, Chee Seng Leong, Yick Yaw Ho
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Patent number: 9802497Abstract: An electric power transmission device includes an electric power transmission portion, a first communication portion, and a first control device controlling the electric power transmission portion and the first communication portion. A vehicle includes an electric power reception portion, a second communication portion, and a second control device controlling the electric power reception portion and the second communication portion. The first control device and the second control device determine whether or not to cause the electric power transmission portion to transmit electric power based on an instruction from a user which is provided after the user is notified of a status of electric power reception in the electric power reception portion or an estimated status of electric power reception in the electric power reception portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2011Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shinji Ichikawa
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Patent number: 9789973Abstract: A controller is employed in conjunction with an electrical power distribution system (EPDS). The controller includes at least a first input for receiving DC power from a DC power bus and a power supply circuit connected to the first input to provide operational power to the controller. The controller further includes a power interrupt bridge circuit that monitors the voltage provided of the first input. In response to the monitored voltage being less than a threshold value, the power interrupt bridge circuit supplies power to the power supply circuit from a DC emergency source for a defined time period.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand CorporationInventors: Paul Swearingen, Robert L. Seagren, Joshua Berg
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Patent number: 9791888Abstract: A power reception device in a power transmission system including a power transmission device including a primary coil and the power reception device including a secondary coil, the power transmission device being configured to drive the primary coil and transmit AC power corresponding to a clock signal which is frequency-modulated according to a binary data signal, the primary coil and the secondary coil being electromagnetically coupled together to receive by the secondary coil in the power reception device, the AC power transmitted from the power transmission device, comprises a clock-signal extraction circuit configured to extract the clock signal from an induced voltage induced at one end of the secondary coil in receiving the AC power; and a demodulation circuit configured to generate a pulse synchronously with the clock signal extracted by the clock-signal extraction circuit, and demodulate the pulse to obtain the binary data signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 17, 2017Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventors: Kazuyo Ohta, Hideyuki Kihara, Yohei Nagatake, Kyohei Kada
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Patent number: 9762160Abstract: A generator system configured to be connected in parallel with other generators is disclosed. The generator system includes an alternator having a stator with an output winding and a quadrature winding and a rotor with a three-phase winding. The rotor of the alternator is rotatably driven by an engine having a controller to regulate the engine speed. An inverter receives power from the quadrature winding and generates an AC voltage for the rotor winding. The inverter receives an input corresponding to the voltage on the output winding of the stator and also receives an input corresponding to the phase angle of a second AC voltage produced by another power source. The inverter controls the frequency of the AC voltage for the rotor winding such that the phase angle of the voltage on the output winding of the stator is synchronized to the phase angle of the second AC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: Generac Power Systems, Inc.Inventor: Tod R. Tesch
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Patent number: 9731603Abstract: An apparatus for transferring electrical current between a first component and a second component includes at least one transfer conductor directing electrical current between the first and second components including a plurality of overlapping conducting layers each arranged in parallel with the directed electrical current and a plurality of insulation layers each disposed between alternating ones of the conducting layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Mark A. Wisnewski, David J. Trzcinski, William C. Goodwin
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Patent number: 9724998Abstract: Provided is an electric vehicle including an electric system that generates drive power, a detector, and a controller. The electric system includes a power storage device, a drive device that uses power of the power storage device to generate drive power, a first relay provided between the positive electrode of the power storage device and the drive device, and a second relay provided between the negative electrode of the power storage device and the drive device. The detector is electrically connected to the power storage device and detects an insulation abnormality in the electric system. The controller determines the insulation state of the electric system on the basis of a detection result of the detector obtained when the first relay and the second relay are open and a detection result of the detector obtained when either of the first relay and the second relay is thereafter closed.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tsubasa Migita, Mitsuyori Matsumura
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Patent number: 9711967Abstract: A power conversion system for use with an alternate energy source includes a first inverter, a battery, and a second inverter, each of which receives power from the alternate energy source. The output of the first inverter and the grid are each connected to at least one electrical load via a load center. The battery is charged via a charger connected to the alternate energy source. This stored energy powers a selected portion of the electrical loads during a failure of the utility grid. The second inverter is connected between the battery and a transfer switch. During normal grid operation, the second inverter is disabled and the transfer switch connects the load center to the selected electrical loads. During a failure of the utility grid, the first inverter is disabled, the second inverter is enabled, and the transfer switch connects the second inverter to the selected electrical loads.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: Reliance Conrtols CorporationInventor: Neil A. Czarnecki
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Patent number: 9705361Abstract: A converter which converts first AC power input from an external power system to DC power, a storage device charged with the DC power from the converter, an inverter which converts DC power from the storage device to second AC power, an output AC power generating unit to which the first AC power and the second AC power are input, the unit which generates output AC power, and a controller which obtains external power information indicating a relationship between a power supply and a power demand in the external power system through a network and outputs a control signal to control the output AC power generating unit according to the external power information are provided. The controller controls the output AC power generating unit according to a state of a margin of the power supply.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshihito Ishibashi, Hiroaki Kitano, Shigeru Tajima, Tetsu Natsume
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Patent number: 9698600Abstract: Systems and methods for connecting a power source to switched capacitors are provided. A method may be used in controlling the connection of a multiple phase power source to a plurality of capacitors. Each phase of the multiple phase power source is electrically connectable to at least one of the capacitors through a switching device. The method comprises, for each phase of the multiple phase power source, determining a first voltage of a power signal for the respective phase of the power source using a first voltage divider that is electrically connected to a first terminal of the switching device for the phase. The method further comprises determining a second voltage across a capacitor that is connected to a second terminal of the switching device for the phase. The second voltage is determined using a second voltage divider that is connected to the second terminal of the switching device.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Joseph Gerovac, Robert A. Traska