Patents Examined by Jagdeep Dhillon
  • Patent number: 9000618
    Abstract: A transmission line driver and a method for driving the same are provided, in which a composite current source is provided as an input current source, such that an output voltage is fixed. The composite current source includes an internal current source and an external current source. The composite current source is supplied to a single-ended transmission line driver or a differential transmission line driver, such that the output voltage is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
    Inventor: Su-liang Liao
  • Patent number: 8994230
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for bi-directional power control between two devices, including a mobile communication card, an electronic device that connects to the communication card, the electronic device being either (i) a host device that operates independently of the communication card and also interoperates with the communication card, or (ii) a jacket for the communication card, wherein the jacket is a passive device that does not operate independently of the communication card, and circuitry connecting the mobile communication card with the electronic device, including a device on/off button operative to power the electronic device on and off, and a switch, wherein the circuitry uses a single connection line connecting the communication card, the electronic device, the device on/off button, and the switch, to enable the electronic device to automatically power the communication card on and off using the switch, in response to the electronic device being respectively powered on and off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Itay Sherman, Eran Miller
  • Patent number: 8970063
    Abstract: An arrangement which includes two or more energy storage units for electrical energy connected in series, and two or more balancing resistor units. Each balancing resistor unit is connected in parallel with one of the energy storage units. The arrangement also includes means for determining a voltage over all of the series-connected energy storage units and means for determining the energy storage unit voltages between poles of the energy storage units. One or more of the balancing resistor units include a base resistor unit and a control resistor unit connected in series and a switching device connected in parallel with the control resistor units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: ABB Oy
    Inventor: Ora Veli-Matti Leppänen
  • Patent number: 8970070
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission unit according to the present invention transmits power wirelessly from a power transmitting section 100 to a power receiving section 200 through a resonant magnetic field. The unit includes: the power transmitting section 100, which resonates at a resonant frequency f0; at least one relay section 300, which can resonate at a frequency that is selected from multiple frequencies including the resonant frequency f0; and a resonance control section 600 that outputs information that specifies a resonance condition to be imposed on the relay section 300 according to the arrangement of the power receiving section 200 and that makes the relay section 300 resonate on the resonance condition that has been specified in accordance with that information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Sada, Hiroshi Kanno
  • Patent number: 8963365
    Abstract: A multi-energy storage device system is provided that includes a first energy storage device (ESD) coupled to a direct current (DC) link. A bi-directional buck/boost converter includes an output channel coupled to the DC link and an input channel. A second ESD coupled to the input channel has a usable energy storage range defining an entire amount of usable energy storable therein. A database includes stored information related to a known acceleration event. A system controller is configured to acquire the stored information related to the known acceleration event and, during the known acceleration event, cause the buck/boost converter to boost the voltage of the second ESD and to supply the boosted voltage to the DC link such that after the known acceleration event, the state of charge of the second ESD is less than or substantially equal to a minimum usable energy storage state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Irene Michelle Berry
  • Patent number: 8963374
    Abstract: A system for integrating a wind power generation with a wave power generation includes a wind power generation device, a wave power generation device and a power integration device. The wind power generation device generates a first voltage. The wave power generation device generates a second voltage. The power integration device integrates the first voltage with the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: National Cheng Kung University
    Inventor: Li Wang
  • Patent number: 8946938
    Abstract: A vehicle powering wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply. The wireless receiver including a load configured to power the drive system of a vehicle using electrical power, a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed upon the vehicle and configured to be coupled to the load, a safety system for to provide protection with respect to an object that may become hot during operation of the first electromagnetic resonator. The safety system including a detection subsystem configured to detect the presence of the object in substantial proximity to at least one of the resonators, and a notification subsystem operatively coupled to the detection subsystem and configured to provide an indication of the object, wherein the second resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second resonator from the first resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Morris P. Kesler, Konrad Kulikowski, Herbert Toby Lou, Katherine L. Hall, Ron Fiorello, Simon Verghese, Andre B. Kurs, Aristeidis Karalis, Andrew J. Campanella
  • Patent number: 8937401
    Abstract: In accordance with exemplary embodiments, a drive system is provided for an electric or hybrid electric vehicle that provides reduces electromagnetic emissions. The system includes, but is not limited to, an electric motor and a transmission having a collar for receiving a portion of a drive shaft. The collar has an inside diameter proportioned to an outside diameter of the drive shaft to cause capacitive coupling between the transmission and the drive shaft thereby reducing electromagnetic emissions along the drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy B. Campbell, Mark Andrew Steffka, Nicholas Hayden Herron
  • Patent number: 8933594
    Abstract: A vehicle powering wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply. The wireless receiver includes a load configured to power the drive system of a vehicle using electrical power, and a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed upon the vehicle and configured to be coupled to the load, wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator; and wherein the field of at least one of the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator is shaped using a conducting surface to avoid a loss-inducing object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Andre B. Kurs, Aristeidis Karalis, Marin Soljacic, Katherine L. Hall, Morris P. Kesler, Andrew J. Campanella
  • Patent number: 8928187
    Abstract: An operating control device for adjusting the power of a heating device has a rotary knob that has an off position in which said rotary knob is deactivated, and a working position into which said knob can be brought to adjust the power. The working position is predetermined by a lock-in position, and the rotary knob can be rotated over a working angle of a rotation range in at least one direction of rotation from the working position counter to a counterforce that rises as the angle of rotation increases. The operating control device can detect the angle of rotation and uses a control system of the operating control device for adjusting the power. The control system is configured in such a manner that the power is adjusted more rapidly as the angle of rotation increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Alfred Hamm, Martin Baier
  • Patent number: 8922066
    Abstract: A vehicle powering wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply. The wireless receiver includes a load configured to power the drive system of a vehicle using electrical power, and a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed upon the vehicle and configured to be coupled to the load, at least one other electromagnetic resonator configured with the first electromagnetic resonator and the second electromagnetic resonator in an array of electromagnetic resonators to distribute power over an area, wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the array to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Ron Fiorello, Michael Alan Feldstein, Volkan Efe, Konrad Kulikowski, Andre B. Kurs
  • Patent number: 8922050
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power supply device for at least one electrical machine, having at least one storage device for electric energy (battery) and an inverter equipped with at least one reactor, the inverter having dual functions, being provided for charging (charge operation) the storage device from an in particular stationary power supply system, and for supplying the electrical machine with an alternating current in driving operation. A setpoint charge power is specified for the charge operation, and the reactor current is set accordingly by the inverter. Furthermore, a power supply device is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Fassnacht
  • Patent number: 8922048
    Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) sub-generator junction box (1) for a PV system (100) comprises a plurality of electric terminals (11) for optionally connecting one respective PV string (2) of one or more serially connected PV modules (3). Said PV sub-generator junction box (1) further comprises a sub-generator line terminal (12) for connecting a PV sub-generator line (4) of a remote central PV inverter (5) or connecting a PV sub-generator line (4) of an inserted PV generator junction box (6). The PV sub-generator junction box (1) also comprises an electronic control unit (10) that is connected to a central control unit (7) of the PV inverter (5) in order to exchange data (DAT0). According to the invention, the PV sub-generator junction box (1) comprises a power line modem (8) for feeding and retrieving the data (DAT) via the PV sub-generator line (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventor: Bodo Giesler
  • Patent number: 8922053
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip includes: a data output buffer that outputs a data signal; a first power-supply pad that supplies a first power-supply potential to the data output buffer; a power-supply wiring that is connected to the first power-supply pad; a strobe output buffer that outputs a strobe signal; and a second power-supply pad that supplies a second power-supply potential to the strobe output buffer. The power-supply wiring and the second power-supply pad are electrically independent of each other. Therefore, the power-supply noise associated with the switching of the data output buffer does not spread to the strobe output buffer. Thus, it is possible to improve the quality of the strobe signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: PS4 Luxco S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Hiromasa Takeda, Hiroki Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 8912683
    Abstract: A smart responsive electrical load (10) is operatively connectable to an electricity supply network (20). The smart responsive electrical load (10) comprises an electrical power-consuming device (30) and a control arrangement (40) for controlling a supply of electrical power from the network (20) to the device (30). The control arrangement (60, 110, 150, 160, 170) is operable to impose a variable time delay (tp) before supplying electrical power to the device (30) after a request for power to be provided to the device (30). The variable time delay (tp) is a function of a state of the network (20), for example its frequency (f) and/or its voltage amplitude (V). Optionally, the device (30) is a battery charger, for example for use with a rechargeable electric vehicle. Beneficially, the smart responsive load (10) is supplied with electrical power from a population of micro-generation devices (500) operable to provide supply network response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Open Energi Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Dames, Kimon Roussopoulos, Tim Norris, Andrew Howe
  • Patent number: 8907531
    Abstract: A medical device-powering wireless receiver for use with a first electromagnetic resonator coupled to a power supply. The wireless receiver includes a load configured to power an implantable medical device using electrical power, and a second electromagnetic resonator adapted to be housed within the medical device and configured to be coupled to the load, wherein the second electromagnetic resonator is configured to be wirelessly coupled to the first electromagnetic resonator to provide resonant, non-radiative wireless power to the second electromagnetic resonator from the first electromagnetic resonator, the area circumscribed by the inductive element of at least one of the electromagnetic resonators can be varied to improve performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: WiTricity Corporation
    Inventors: Katherine L. Hall, Volkan Efe, Morris P. Kesler, Andrew J. Campanella, Aristeidis Karalis, Andre B. Kurs, Marin Soljacic, Konrad Kulikowski
  • Patent number: 8896158
    Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes: a prescribed node, to which an alternate current signal with a reference potential as a center voltage is applied; a first capacitor connected to the prescribed node; a second capacitor connected between the first capacitor and the reference potential; a third capacitor and a transistor for controlling capacitance, provide between a first node between the second capacitor and the first capacitor, and the reference potential; and a bias circuit which applies a first bias voltage to a second node between the third capacitor and the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Semiconductor Limited
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 8896157
    Abstract: The power supply includes a first power connector, a power conversion circuit, a control unit and a detection circuit. The first power connector includes a plurality of power terminals and a first detecting terminal. The power conversion circuit is coupled to the power terminals of the first power connector for converting an input voltage into an output voltage. The control unit is coupled to the power conversion circuit for controlling an operation of the power conversion circuit. The detection circuit is coupled to the control unit and the first detecting terminal of the first power connector for detecting if the first detecting terminal is connected or disconnected with a predetermined voltage terminal and correspondingly generating a power transmission status signal to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Hung Huang
  • Patent number: 8890366
    Abstract: A system for exchanging energy wirelessly comprises an array of at least three objects having a resonant frequency, each object is electromagnetic (EM) and non-radiative, and generates an EM near-field in response to receiving the energy, wherein each object in the array is arranged at a distance from all other objects in the array, such that upon receiving the energy the object is strongly coupled to at least one other object in the array via a resonant coupling of evanescent waves; and an energy driver for providing the energy at the resonant frequency to at least one object in the array, such that, during an operation of the system, the energy is distributed from the object to all other objects in the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Bingnan Wang, Koon Hoo Teo, Da Huang
  • Patent number: 8884462
    Abstract: A power flow regulator includes a plurality of bi-directional DC-DC converters, each of said converters comprising a first input, a second input, a first output and a second output; and a capacitor electrically connected between the first and second inputs of each of said converters. Either the first output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a corresponding DC source and the second output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a common DC load, or the first output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a corresponding DC load and the second output of each of said converters is electrically connected to a common DC source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Yu Liu, Christopher S. Thompson, Vijay Bhavaraju