Patents Examined by Jerry D Robbins
  • Patent number: 10800283
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (WPT) method based on a state of an auxiliary battery and an electric vehicle (EV) for the same includes receiving, by an EV charging apparatus, a wireless jump start request message from a user terminal; transmitting, by the EV charging apparatus, a primary jump start power according to the wireless jump start request message to the EV; driving an auxiliary power supply device provided in the EV by a secondary jump start power induced by the primary jump start power; driving a controller of the EV based on a preset power outputted from the auxiliary power supply device; and charging, by the controller of the EV, an auxiliary battery of the EV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Su Jang, Taek Hyun Jung, Jae Yong Seong, Zeung Il Kim
  • Patent number: 10804722
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control device and a control method for a storage battery, which calculates an appropriate maximum allowable input/output power that suppresses deterioration of the storage battery while suppressing deterioration of power performance of a vehicle when a current is continuously charged or discharged. When it is detected that charging or discharging is continuously performed over a predetermined duration time with respect to the maximum allowable charge power and the maximum allowable discharge power which can be input and output during the calculated predetermined duration time, the value of the maximum allowable charge power or the maximum allowable discharge power communicated to a vehicle controller on the basis of the state of charge or discharge is reduced based on the time during which charging or discharging is actually continued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: VEHICLE ENERGY JAPAN, INC.
    Inventors: Keiichiro Ohkawa, Yoshinori Aoshima
  • Patent number: 10797538
    Abstract: A method for controlling a wireless power receiver including a charging unit and a wireless power receiver are provided. The method includes receiving wireless power; rectifying the received wireless power and outputting Direct Current (DC) wireless power; and determining whether a voltage of the rectified wireless power is equal to or higher than an allowable voltage of the charging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Yu-Su Kim, Se-Ho Park, Sung-Ku Yeo, Kang-Ho Byun, Kyung-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 10790743
    Abstract: A module for connecting to a second module of the same type to provide an electrical converter system or, a battery system, wherein the module comprises an energy storage, at least five internal switching elements, and at least two connections on each side of the module, wherein the energy storage is connected directly to at least one of the at least two connections and the internal switching elements are arranged and connected in such a way that the internal switching elements, independently of a switching state of corresponding internal switching elements of the second module of the same type, can realize all switching states in order to dynamically switch an electrical connection between the energy storage and a corresponding energy storage of the second module. The invention further relates to an electrical converter system and to a battery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 10790709
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting the approach of a mobile device and for near-field communication with the device, includes an NFC antenna under a receiving surface, at least one matching component and an electronic control unit connected by a power supply line and capable of near-field communication with the mobile device. The detection apparatus includes: at least one conductive element; a selector, located on each side of the component and on each side of the conductive element, each having two positions: in a first position the component is connected to the power supply line and the conductive element is not; in a second position the conductive element is connected to the power supply line and the component is not; measuring a variation in an electrical parameter of the conductive element when the two selectors are in the second position to detect the approach of the mobile device toward the receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignees: Continental Automotive France, Continental Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Mohamed Cheikh
  • Patent number: 10773603
    Abstract: A charging cable identification system is provided for a vehicle driven at least partially electrically, wherein the vehicle has an energy store that can be connected to an electrical energy source by a charging cable. The charging cable system has a control unit that is configured to enable or prevent the starting of the vehicle motor. The control unit is also configured to detect, prior to every event that is or can be predetermined, whether the charging cable is in the vehicle, and if the control unit detects that the charging cable is not in the vehicle, the control unit prevents the vehicle motor from starting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Atanas Lyutskanov, Andreas Pelger, Tobias Schoellermann
  • Patent number: 10770761
    Abstract: Under a condition that a command to stop a fuel cell system is received and a state of charge of a secondary battery is equal to or lower than a threshold which is a value obtained by adding a first predetermined value to a lower limit at which electric power required to stop and start the fuel cell system is supplied, forced charging of the secondary battery by a fuel cell is performed until the state of charge reaches the threshold. After the forced charging is performed, in a case where the command to stop the fuel cell system is received within a predetermined period, the controller sets the threshold to a value obtained by adding a second predetermined value lower than the first predetermined value to the lower limit under the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Watanabe, Junichi Matsuo, Shinji Aso
  • Patent number: 10769236
    Abstract: Battery models using robust fail-safe iteration free approach for solving Differential Algebraic Equations, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes generating a model of the rechargeable battery; determining one or more initial conditions for one or more algebraic variables of the model using a solver; holding differential variables of the model static by a switch function while determining the one or more initial conditions; applying the initial conditions to the model by the switch function; and determining one or more parameters for the rechargeable battery by solving the algebraic and differential equations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: University of Washington, Washington University
    Inventors: Dayaram Sonawane, Manan Pathak, Venkat Subramanian, Matthew Lawder
  • Patent number: 10770912
    Abstract: A charging device and a control method thereof are provided. The charging device includes an adapter, an energy storage unit and a charging module. The adapter provides an adapter current. The charging module receives the adapter current and provides a first charging current to charge the energy storage unit, or an output current to charge an electronic device. When the input current is larger than a first preset current and the first charging current is equal to or less than a third preset current, the charging module operates in a boost mode, such that the energy storage unit provides a second charging current to the charging module. When the second charging current is larger than the third preset current, the charging module enters a buck mode such that the energy storage unit is charged by the first charging current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ANPEC ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chih-Ning Chen, Chih-Heng Su
  • Patent number: 10770922
    Abstract: A system that converts between electromagnetic configurations for power transfer including an inductive power supply defining a driver, a primary resonator coil, a secondary resonator coil, a secondary inductive coil and an electromagnetic shield. The primary resonator coil is powered by the driver. The secondary resonator coil is electromagnetically coupled to the primary resonator coil. The secondary inductive coil transfers power to a wirelessly powered device, and the secondary inductive coil is electrically connected to the secondary resonator coil. The electromagnetic shield is positioned to provide electromagnetic shielding of the secondary inductive coil from the secondary resonator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventor: David W. Baarman
  • Patent number: 10759287
    Abstract: A battery charger capable of receiving AC power and delivering both AC and DC power to an electric power storage battery in accordance to different embodiments disclosed herein using a rectifier circuit supplying the DC load and absorbing power as a five-level active rectifier with low harmonics on the AC input. In one aspect, the battery charger may have a bidirectional rectifier/inverter converter providing power conversion between a DC source and AC enabling the user to not only charge an electrical vehicle (“EV”) but also convert the energy charged in the EV/battery or solar panel to AC for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: OSSIACO INC.
    Inventors: Hani Vahedi, Marc-André Forget, Peter Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 10756556
    Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for charging and/or maintenance of lead-acid and alkaline accumulator batteries, allowing a charge, discharge, or recovery in control-conditioning cycles of these batteries. To increase efficiency of the battery recovery process, its charge is created by a reversible current in consecutive stages. Correction of the charging mode is provided based on voltage and temperature of the accumulator battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventor: Gennady Platonov
  • Patent number: 10756560
    Abstract: Modification of a state of a wireless power receiving device is disclosed. The modification of the state can be based on anticipated delay in a communication session. In an aspect, this can include a delay related to authenticating the wireless power receiving device to a wireless power transmission system or component thereof. In an aspect, this can provide for better control over which wireless power receiving devices have wireless power directed at them, which can be related to safety, reliability, subscription level, or other best practices. In some embodiments, wireless power receiving devices can receive a first level of wireless power in a current state, in a modified state, etc., while a second level of power can be directed to the wireless power receiving device upon a rule related to anticipated delay being satisfied, e.g., upon authentication, upon expiration of a sleep timer, determined subscription status, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: OSSIA INC.
    Inventor: Philip L. Swan
  • Patent number: 10756576
    Abstract: A power receiving circuit, a power transmitting circuit, an apparatus, and a feed system are disclosed. The power receiving circuit receives power in a noncontact manner, and comprises an LC parallel resonant circuit and a reactance element that is electrically connected in series to the LC parallel resonant circuit. The reactive element may be a capacitive or inductive element. In effect, a coil or capacitor in the LC parallel resonant circuit and the reactance element define another LC resonant circuit, namely, an LC series resonant circuit. The power transmitting circuit transmits power in a noncontact manner, and in one example, may also include a similar configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomomichi Murakami, Yoshitaka Yoshino
  • Patent number: 10749300
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a soft power start solution based on a two pin connector for a device such as a mobile terminal. When a charging pad of the device is first docked to a charging cradle, the charging pad of the device is connected to a plunger in a ground pin, but power is not applied at that moment. In a separate step, the plunger is shorted to a spring flat that allows power to be applied to the charging pad. Similar steps occur during de-docketing. With this method, contact interface burn caused by electrical arcing when docking or de-docking a mobile terminal from a charging cradle may be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: HAND HELD PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Wei Shi, ZhiQiang Liu, Kop Liu, Zhihua Dai
  • Patent number: 10744845
    Abstract: Various techniques described herein relate to battery packs of electric vehicles, batteries, and battery charging systems. Batteries may comprise a plurality of battery modules, wherein each battery module may be provided with one or more battery cells, and the plurality of battery modules may be connected in series when providing electric power output. Battery charging systems described herein may comprise a charging circuit that connects a plurality of battery modules in series, and may be used for charging the plurality of battery modules in the battery in series. Additional charging circuits may be connected respectively to the plurality of battery modules, and the additional charging circuits may be used for charging at least one battery module in the plurality of battery modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Thunder Power New Energy Vehicle Development Company Limited
    Inventor: Chi-Sheng Chuang
  • Patent number: 10749435
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter system includes a bidirectional DC/DC converter converting between voltage levels at first and second ports and a control system for controlling the DC/DC converter. The bidirectional DC/DC converter includes a first conversion stage connected to the first port and a second conversion stage interfaced with the first conversion stage and connected to the second port. The control system includes outer and inner control loops. The outer control loop compares a command for one of a voltage level, a current level or power at one of the first and second ports to an actual value of voltage level, current level or power level and outputs an interface current command based on the comparison. The inner control loop compares the interface current command to an actual interface current at an interface of the first and second conversion stages, and controls a switching signal duty value based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: DYNAPOWER COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Apurva Somani, Xiaorong Xia, Anup Thapa, Gysler Castelino
  • Patent number: 10727551
    Abstract: A liquid temperature controlling system is used to circulate a temperature controlled liquid between the liquid temperature controlling system and a battery to produce a temperature controlled battery. The battery and the liquid temperature controlling system are detachably coupled at least while the temperature controlled liquid is circulated. The temperature controlled liquid is removed from the temperature controlled battery. The battery and the liquid temperature controlling system are decoupled after the temperature controlled liquid is removed. A charger is used to charge the temperature controlled battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: WISK AERO LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Muniz, John Melack
  • Patent number: 10714951
    Abstract: Embodiments describe a wireless charging device including: a housing having a charging surface and first and second walls that define an interior cavity; a transmitter coil arrangement disposed within the interior cavity, an interconnection structure positioned within the interior cavity below the transmitter coil arrangement, the interconnection structure including a plurality of packaged electrical components mounted on the interconnection structure and configured to operate the plurality of transmitter coils during wireless power transfer, where the plurality of packaged electrical components is located below the transmitter coil arrangement; and a frame comprising a plurality of openings positioned corresponding to the plurality of packaged electrical components, each opening providing space within which a respective packaged electrical device is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher S. Graham, Demetrios B. Karanikos, Darshan R. Kasar, Paul J. Thompson, Eric S. Jol, Grant S. Haug, Karl Ruben F. Larsson
  • Patent number: 10714986
    Abstract: A system for intelligent initiation of an inductive charging process. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a receiver coil or receiver associated with a mobile device, and provided as a separable or after-market accessory for use with the mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more charger coils, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. The base unit and mobile device communicate with each other prior to and/or during charging or powering to determine a protocol to be used to charge or power the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.
    Inventor: Afshin Partovi