Patents Examined by Jas Sanghera
  • Patent number: 11353515
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a thermal runaway detection circuit and method, and relates to batteries. The thermal runaway detection circuit includes: a sensing module including a sensing cable; a detection module connected to the sensing cable and including at least one set of voltage dividing resistors; a processing module connected to the detection module, wherein the processing module is configured to obtain thermal runaway detection data, and determine whether thermal runaway occurs in the battery pack based on the thermal runaway detection data, wherein the thermal runaway detection data includes battery pack data and sampled data collected from sampling points, and the sampling points are disposed between the two connected voltage dividing resistor sets. The technical solutions in the present disclosure can improve safety of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Xiao Wang, Chao Zeng, Jia Xu, Zhimin Dan, Yizhen Hou, Wei Zhang, Guoliang Hu
  • Patent number: 11349265
    Abstract: A power connector is provided that is configured to conduct a current. The power connector includes a conductive frame including a base structure, an extension structure, and a cap structure that define a connector volume. The base structure is coupled to an output node of a primary conductor and receives the current from the primary conductor. The cap structure is configured to mechanically couple the power connector to a load and outputs the current from the power connector to the load. The extension structure is coupled to and extends between the base structure and the cap structure. The extension structure includes a current constriction region configured to cause a defined magnetic field of the current flowing through the current constriction region at a position of a magnetic current sensor that generates a sensor signal based on the defined magnetic field produced by the current flowing through the current constriction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventors: Leo Aichriedler, Gaetano Formato, Dietmar Spitzer, Ramdas Ugale
  • Patent number: 11347163
    Abstract: A powder conveying device includes: a conveying nozzle, provided with a powder receiving opening; an open/close member to open/close the powder receiving opening; a flange provided to the open/close member; a biasing member to bias the open/close member; and a container setting section to which a part of a powder container is to be fit. The powder container includes: a conveyor to convey the powder from a second end of the powder container to a first end; a container opening protruding from the first end; a nozzle receiving opening into which the conveying nozzle is to be inserted; and a butting portion provided in the container opening, to butt against the flange. When the powder container is attached to the powder conveying device, the container opening is fitted to the container setting section, and the flange and the biasing member are housed in an inner space of the container opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Hosokawa, Shunji Kato, Shinji Tamaki, Hiroshi Ikeguchi, Seiji Terazawa, Junji Yamabe, Kaori Mitsuishi, Toshihide Tomotaka, Tsunehiro Watanabe, Kenji Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 11347171
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a detection unit configured to detect an object and a power-supply control unit. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to a second power state, in response to a lapse of a predetermined time following no detection of the object, when a job has not been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state. The power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the second power state before a lapse of the predetermined time, when a job has been executed until the detection unit detects no object, after the power-supply control unit shifts the image forming apparatus to the first power state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Ryotaro Okuzono
  • Patent number: 11346889
    Abstract: A charge-discharge estimation device derives and sets as a prior estimation function an approximate curve of an initial open-end voltage function and initial impedance function to be corrected a first time. A measurement unit measures a charge-discharge voltage and a charge-discharge current in a cycle of a predetermined time. An estimation calculation processing unit obtains an estimated error between a measured voltage and a prior estimation voltage obtained from the prior estimation function, and obtains a posterior estimation value by applying, to the calculated estimated error and a current value, a correction expression using a Gaussian function having a predetermined learning rate LR and correction width a as terms, corrects the prior estimation function based on the calculated posterior estimation value, sets a new prior estimation function, and estimates a charge-discharge curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: DAIWA CAN COMPANY
    Inventors: Masahito Arima, Naoki Oniki
  • Patent number: 11340305
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating a state of a secondary battery (SB), including: a charging unit electrically connected to two terminals of the SB, the charging unit charging the SB, a voltage measuring unit electrically connected to and measuring a voltage across the two terminals of the SB, a time measuring unit for: receiving a voltage value of the SB from the voltage measuring unit, and during charging of the SB, in a predefined voltage range, measuring a charge time of the SB corresponding to the voltage range multiple times, and a control unit for: transmitting/receiving an electrical signal to/from the charging unit, the voltage measuring unit, and the time measuring unit, calculating a ratio of a first charge time and a second charge time measured by the time measuring unit sequentially at a time interval, and estimating a state of the SB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Se-Wook Seo, Jin-Hyung Lim, Cheol-Soo Lee
  • Patent number: 11340301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for diagnosing whether a current sensor provided to a battery pack is normal. The apparatus includes: a voltage measuring unit configured to measure a both-end voltage of the cell assembly; a current measuring unit configured to measure a current flowing through the charging and discharging path; and a processor configured to diagnose the current sensor based on a change value of a voltage-based charged charge amount and a change value of a current-based charged charge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ho-Yun Chang, Sang-Jin Lee
  • Patent number: 11340548
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body, a display, a consumable cartridge and a controller. The consumable cartridge is attached to the apparatus body. The consumable cartridge includes a housing and a consumable product memory. The housing accommodates consumable material therein for use in image formation. The consumable product memory stores a first flag. The first flag indicates whether consumable material information indicating that an amount of the consumable material is reduced to a level equal to or less than a first threshold value is displayed or not displayed on the display. The controller is configured to execute a first display process for determining whether the consumable material information is displayed on the display in accordance with indication of the first flag stored in the consumable product memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11340287
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method of stress testing an electronics package with components that include a visual indicator. In an embodiment, the method comprises populating a plurality of components on an electronics package. In an embodiment, the plurality of components each comprise a visual indicator that is responsive to heat. In an embodiment, the method further comprises stress testing the electronics package and categorizing the plurality of components based on the visual indicators. In an embodiment, the method may further comprise modifying the plurality of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ramaswamy Parthasarathy, Vikas Rao, Praveen Pai
  • Patent number: 11333712
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining driver characterization data based on sensor data from one or more sensors onboard a vehicle. The sensor data is captured during a time period that includes multiple discharging operations and multiple recharging operations of a battery pack of the vehicle. The method also includes providing the driver characterization data as input to a trained model to generate a model output and estimating a battery failure timeline for the battery pack based on the model output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: SPARKCOGNTTION, INC.
    Inventor: Sridhar Sudarsan
  • Patent number: 11320490
    Abstract: A shunt resistor for enhancing accuracy of current detection in the process of detecting current flowing through the shunt resistor and an apparatus for detecting current including the same. The shunt resistor includes two busbars made of an electrically conductive material and spaced apart a predetermined distance, a first connection element made of an electrically conductive material and configured to be mounted in a first busbar provided on one side among the two busbars, and a second connection element made of an electrically conductive material and configured to be mounted in a second busbar provided on the other side among the two busbars. The first connection element and the second connection element are configured to have an increase or decrease in an area of direct or indirect contact between the first connection element and the second connection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Inventor: Kyoung-Choon Min
  • Patent number: 11322897
    Abstract: A cable connector, a cable clamp, and a method for detecting bridging of car batteries. The cable connector includes a housing and a wiring circuit, wherein the wiring circuit is arranged in the housing and includes a first wiring terminal, a second wiring terminal, and a detection module and voltage absorption module electrically connected between the first wiring terminal and the second wiring terminal, and a voltage absorption module. The voltage absorption module includes a piezoresistor bridged between the first wiring terminal and the second wiring terminal. The detection module includes a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit which are oppositely bridged between the first wiring terminal and the second wiring terminal to be alternatively turned on, wherein the first switch circuit includes a first illumination unit, and the second switch circuit includes a second illumination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Zhejiang Safemate Automotive Safety & Emergency Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhonghua Wu, Naixing Wang, Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 11320459
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a measuring system including: an automation field device embodied for determining and/or monitoring a process variable of a medium; a connection unit, which includes a connection plug, which is electrically connected with the field device, and a cable, which is connected to the connection plug with a cable connection and which serves for supplying the field device with electrical energy and/or for transmitting information between the field device and a superordinated unit; and a protective cover, which surrounds the connection unit and the field device connected with the connection unit in a protection section, wherein by means of the protective cover the impact resistance of the measuring system in the protection section is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: ENDRESS+HAUSER SE+CO. KG
    Inventors: Gerd Bechtel, Franco Ferraro, Robert Schmidt, Armin Wernet
  • Patent number: 11313881
    Abstract: A combination current sensing device comprising a plurality of current measuring sensors, at least one ambience measuring sensor, a voltage measuring device and a computing device; at least a magnetic field concentrator, and a controlled module assembly constraining the magnetic field concentrator and the bar conductor, in a defined position with respect to one another; the combination current sensing device may have a plurality of incoming connections and a plurality of outgoing connections; and the computing device outputs a validated measure of primary current and an auxiliary information according to a plurality of range and a safe value of the primary current, ensuring functional safety. The voltage measuring device determines a voltage, configured functions and health of an electric source in combination with other sensors and the computing device. One or more of the devices may be optional and or external to the combination current sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Pregna International Limited
    Inventors: Peter Krummenacher, Sharad Taparia
  • Patent number: 11313919
    Abstract: A socket tester device includes an electrical plug that is to be inserted into an electrical socket, a tester circuit electrically coupled to the electrical plug, a sound emitting device, a communication device, a processor, and a memory. The tester circuit outputs one or more signals indicating a wiring condition of the electrical socket into which the electrical plug is inserted. The memory stores instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the one or more signals indicating the wiring condition of the electrical socket into which the electrical plug is inserted, control the communication device to wirelessly transmit a first message that includes data indicating the wiring condition of the electrical socket into which the electrical plug is inserted, and control whether the sound emitting device emits one or more sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Brian D. Painting, Luis R. Silva
  • Patent number: 11313915
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may provide methods and system for a battery. The system may provide a fuel gauge circuit connected to a battery, a sense resistor, and a bypass circuit to direct a discharge current away from a sense resistor. The fuel gauge circuit may control operation of the bypass circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Hideo Kondo
  • Patent number: 11313885
    Abstract: An integrated current-measuring apparatus including a printed circuit board, a shunt resistor including a resistive element having a preset resistance and terminals extending from both sides of the resistive element, the shunt resistor being attached to a bottom surface of the printed circuit board, and a Hall sensor mounted on a top surface of the printed circuit board to face the shunt resistor with the printed circuit board being interposed between the Hall sensor and the shunt resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Jong-Tae Choi
  • Patent number: 11313921
    Abstract: A magnetic field measurement device and a magnetic field measurement method based on solid-state spins are provided. Zeeman splitting between electron energy levels of electrons of a magnetic sensitive unit is different under the action of external magnetic fields having different intensities. Continuous excitation and manipulation is applied to the electrons by means of a control field and control laser, so that spins of a system can reach a balanced state. The spin population of the system is influenced by the external magnetic fields. Therefore, fluorescence signals with intensities changing with the spin population of the system can be obtained, and fluorescent signals having different intensities can be obtained according to the different intensities of the external magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: University of Science and Technology of China
    Inventors: Yingqiu Dai, Yunbin Zhu, Xing Rong, Jiangfeng Du
  • Patent number: 11307263
    Abstract: An ESS SOH prediction method includes: a capacity virtual division step of virtually dividing a capacity of a measurement target ESS that is to predict an SOH into two or more capacity ranges; each capacity range-dependent charging/discharging cycle data measurement step of measuring charging/discharging cycle data of each capacity range divided in the capacity virtual division step; and a measurement target ESS SOH prediction step of predicting an SOH of a measurement target ESS based on charging/discharging cycle data of each actual ESS measured in the each capacity range-dependent charging/discharging cycle data measurement step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Sik Chung, Jee Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 11309560
    Abstract: A method of predicting a life of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of a fuel cell for electric power generation includes: deriving an operating condition for accelerated degradation, which is applicable to the fuel cell; operating the fuel cell for a specific time under the derived operating condition for accelerated degradation and under a normal operating condition, and identifying the degree of degradation of the fuel cell under each of the operating conditions; calculating an acceleration multiple based on the degree of degradation identified under the operating condition for accelerated degradation and under the normal operating condition; and predicting the life of the membrane electrode assembly based on the acceleration multiple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Hyun Bae Dong, Min Kyung Cho, Won Jung Kim, Ju Hae Jung, Jong Hyun Jang, Hyun Seo Park, Myung Su Lim, Jun Young Kim