Patents Examined by John W Poos
  • Patent number: 11271552
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a circuit for tripling frequency is configured to receive an input voltage (Vin) having a sinusoidal shape and a base frequency. The circuit has a first and a second transistor pair that are cross-coupled, and a trans-characteristics f(Vin) approximating a polynomial nominal trans-characteristic given by f ? ( V in ) = ( 3 A ? V in - 4 A 3 ? V in 3 ) ? g m where A represents an amplitude of the input voltage and gm is a transconductance of transistors of the first and second transistor pairs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Mahmoud Mahdipour Pirbazari, Andrea Mazzanti, Andrea Pallotta
  • Patent number: 11271436
    Abstract: A multi-coil based wireless power transmission device is disclosed that includes a primary coil array forming a magnetic coupling with a secondary coil provided in a wireless power reception device to transmit wireless power to the wireless power reception device; a plurality of inverters connected to a plurality of primary coils one-to-one to selectively drive each of the plurality of primary coils; a communication and control unit controlling the plurality of inverters and communication with the wireless power reception device such that at least one primary coil is driven based on the degree of magnetic coupling formed by each primary coil and the secondary coil, thereby determining output, which can be provided by the primary coil array, within a value obtained by summing all the maximum outputs individually set to the respective primary coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sungkyu Kim, Jeongkyo Seo, Jinmoo Park, Seonghun Lee, Bongsik Kwak, Jaesung Lee, Jihyun Lee, Gyunghwan Yook, Joonho Park, Youngchan Cho
  • Patent number: 11271438
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a method for foreign object detection in a system having a relay adapted to inductively transfer power for charging a device and a transmitter having a controller configured to inductively transmit to the relay the power for charging the device, wherein the transmitter and the relay are separated by a medium, wherein the controller is capable of communicating with the device, the method comprising operations by the controller: determining power consumed by the transmitter; determining power loss on the transmitter according to continuous measurements of AC output current; obtaining coupling factor between the transmitter and the relay; determining power loss on the relay based on continuous measurements of AC output current and coupling factor; subtracting from the power consumed by the transmitter the power loss on the transmitter and power loss on the relay; obtaining from the device consumed power of the device; comparing a result of the
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: POWERMAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Itay Sherman, Ilya Gluzman, Elieser Mach, Amir Salhuv, Sharon Ben-Itzhak
  • Patent number: 11264998
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring power supply variations are described. A functional unit includes one or more power supply monitors capable of measuring power supply variations. The power supply monitors forego use of a clock signal from clock generating circuitry and forego use of a reference voltage from a reference power supply. The power supply monitors use an output of a source ring oscillator as a clock signal for the sequential elements of a counter. The counter measures a number of revolutions of a measuring ring oscillator within a period of the output of the source oscillator. The revolutions of the measuring ring oscillator are associated with a number of rising edges and falling edges of the output signal of the measuring ring oscillator. An encoder converts the output of the sequential elements to a binary value, and sends the binary value to an external age tracking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Ravinder Reddy Rachala
  • Patent number: 11264164
    Abstract: An inductor for a boost converter in a hybrid vehicle includes a core, a coil winding, and an end cap. The coil winding is disposed about the core. The end cap is disposed over a first end of the inductor, overhangs the coil winding, defines a channel that is configured to receive fluid from a pump, defines at least one nozzle that is configured to direct fluid from an overhanging portion of the end cap and onto the coil, and defines a fluid reservoir that is in fluid communication with the channel and the at least one nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John P. Casci, Moon Young Lee, Vincent T. Skalski
  • Patent number: 11264111
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a sample-and-hold (S/H) circuit. The S/H circuit includes a first switch coupled to provide an input signal to be sampled, and a second switch coupled to the first switch and to a first capacitor. The S/H circuit further includes a third switch coupled to the second switch and to a second capacitor, and a fourth switch to selectively couple to ground a node between the first and second switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Mohamed M. Elsayed
  • Patent number: 11258313
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wireless power transfer apparatus and a method of controlling the same. The wireless power transfer apparatus in one example can include a power transmission circuit including a plurality of coils and configured to transfer power through the plurality of coils, and a controller, wherein the controller is configured to calculate a data value of a coil with respect to each of the plurality of coils, and determine a position of an object in a charge region corresponding to the plurality of coils in a charge region based on a comparison result obtained by comparing the data value calculated for each of the plurality of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joonho Park, Seonghun Lee, Bongsik Kwak
  • Patent number: 11258254
    Abstract: An electrical distribution device includes at least one power controller that is connectable to at least one electrical body, at least one local controller used to interface at least one power controller with at least one external calculator, and at least one local power supply path for powering at least one power controller and each local controller. Each power controller and each local controller includes a local DC/DC-type converter for coupling to each local power supply path. The device also includes an energy reservoir coupled to each local power supply path and to the local converters of the power controllers and the local controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventors: Cédric Balpe, Philippe Preciat, Antonio Li Ku, Youssouf Camara
  • Patent number: 11251699
    Abstract: A relay including a relay coil and a relay switch. The relay coil including a coil beginning and a coil end and being connected to a relay driving circuit. The relay switch being arranged in a load circuit. A first parasitic capacitance between the coil beginning and the relay switch is different than a second parasitic capacitance between the coil end and the relay switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Markus Lettner, Michael Schlick, Sebastian Vogel
  • Patent number: 11251615
    Abstract: A controller for individual sites of the microgrid controls loads, sources, the importing of power, and the exporting of power as a function of the energy storage at the site. A microgrid of such sites provides the benefits of improved energy storage without the need for real-time communication between sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Ashray Manur, Giri Venkataramanan
  • Patent number: 11239709
    Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a control and communications unit configured to provide power control signals to control a power level of a power signal configured for transmission to a power receiver and including a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator for determining and selecting the operating frequency from the operating frequency range. The power transmitter further includes an inverter circuit configured to receive a direct current (DC) power and convert the input power to a power signal, coil configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver, the coil formed of wound Litz wire and including at least one layer, the coil defining, at least, a top face, and a shielding comprising a ferrite core and defining a cavity, the cavity configured such that the ferrite core substantially surrounds all but the top face of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Green, Andrew Kovacs, Mark Melone, Md Nazmul Alam
  • Patent number: 11235717
    Abstract: A secondary on-board network battery for a secondary on-board network that is redundant to a primary on-board network of a motor vehicle, includes: a battery cell composite for providing electrical energy; a first connection for electrically connecting the secondary on-board network battery to at least one secondary on-board network component; a second connection for electrically connecting the secondary on-board network battery to the primary on-board network; a first switching device between the first connection and a connection point that is electrically connected to the battery cell composite; a second switching device between the second connection and the connection point, and a control unit configured to provide a conducting state for both switching devices for supplying the at least one secondary on-board network component from the primary on-board network, and for providing a locking state for the second switching device for keeping an overload on the primary on-board network side away.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Woerner
  • Patent number: 11239815
    Abstract: A resonance matching circuit used in a power supply system that supplies electric power by an electric field coupling method is provided. The resonance matching circuit includes an inverter circuit that functions as a voltage source, parallel transformer devices that are connected in parallel to the inverter circuit and transmit a current supplied from the inverter circuit, and a timing adjustment circuit that is located between the inverter circuit and the parallel transformer devices and adjusts an input timing of a pulse current supplied by the inverter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Miyazaki
  • Patent number: 11233390
    Abstract: An electronic device can include a battery bus, a load having a transient power requirement, and a transient power management circuit coupled between the battery bus and the load and configured to meet the transient instantaneous power requirement of the load while maintaining a minimum voltage on the battery bus. The transient power management circuit can include a boost converter coupled between the battery bus and a capacitor bank, and the load may be coupled to the capacitor bank. A control circuit may be configured to operate the boost converter to charge the capacitor bank. A control switch may be coupled between the boost converter and the capacitor bank, and the control circuit may be further configured to limit inrush current into the capacitor bank. Additionally, a state of charge of the battery may be estimated from a time required to charge the capacitor bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel B. Schaevitz, Nicholas D. Shourounis, Justin D. Schunick
  • Patent number: 11228304
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of generating precision phase skews is disclosed. In some embodiments, a phase skew generator includes: a charge pump having a first mode of operation and a second mode of operation, wherein the first mode of operation provides a first current path during a first time period, and the second mode of operation provides a second current path during a second time period following the first time period, a sample and hold circuit, coupled to a capacitor, and configured to sample a voltage level of the capacitor at predetermined times and provide an output voltage during a third time period following the second time period; and a voltage controlled delay line, coupled to the sample and hold circuit, and having M delay line stages each configured to output a signal having a phase skew offset with respect to preceding or succeeding signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mao-Hsuan Chou, Ya-Tin Chang, Ruey-Bin Sheen, Chih-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 11228178
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power plant system for power generation, comprising one or more photovoltaic clusters and one or more modular multilevel converters. Each photovoltaic cluster includes a number of photovoltaic strings connected to one or more MPPT DC/DC, converters connected to a common LVDC, bus. Each photovoltaic cluster includes a DC/DC converter including an input connected to the LVDC bus, and an output connected to a MVDC collection grid. Each of the one or more modular multilevel converters includes an input connected to the one or more photovoltaic clusters via the MVDC collection grid and an output connected to a transmission grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Marici Holdings The Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Antonis Marinopoulos, Jan Svensson, Silverio Alvarez, Stephan Schnez
  • Patent number: 11223208
    Abstract: A hybrid power generation system is presented. The hybrid power generation system includes a generator operable via a prime mover and configured to generate an alternating current (AC) power. The hybrid power generation system further includes a first power converter electrically coupled to the generator, where the first power converter includes a direct current (DC) link. Furthermore, the hybrid power generation system includes a DC power source configured to be coupled to the DC-link. Moreover, the hybrid power generation system also includes a second power converter. Additionally, the hybrid power generation system includes an integration control sub-system operatively coupled to the first power converter and the DC power source. The integration control sub-system includes at least one bypass switch disposed between the DC power source and the DC-link and configured to connect the DC power source to the DC-link via the second power converter or bypass the second power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Govardhan Ganireddy, Arvind Kumar Tiwari, Yashomani Y. Kolhatkar
  • Patent number: 11223242
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for performing communication in a wireless power transmission system. The present specification discloses a wireless power transmission apparatus comprising: a communication/control unit configured to perform negotiation on a first available power index with a wireless power reception apparatus; and a power conversion unit configured to create magnetic coupling of a primary coil according to the first available power index, and transmit power wirelessly to the wireless power reception apparatus. The wireless power transmission apparatus can properly adjust an available power index in a dynamic manner at a time point desired by itself according to a surrounding environment/situation, and leadingly initiate communication and authentication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongcheol Park, Gyunghwan Yook
  • Patent number: 11218022
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes an uninterruptible power apparatus, a generator module, and a control unit. The uninterruptible power apparatus includes a conversion module and a DC-to-AC conversion unit. The control unit controls the conversion module and the generator module according a power command so that a first average power provided from a DC power source coupled to the conversion module is slowly increased or decreased, and the control unit controls the conversion module according to a bus voltage so that a second average power provided from a mains is slowly decreased or increased corresponding to the first average power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Yuan-Fang Lai, Chiu-Feng Wang, Hao-Pin Su
  • Patent number: 11218025
    Abstract: According to a first aspect of the present disclosed subject matter, a system for wirelessly charging a device, having a built-in coil, via a medium comprising: at least one relay adapted to inductively transfer power for charging the device; and a transmitter configured to inductively transmit to the at least one relay the power for charging the device, wherein the transmitter and the relay are separated by the medium and wherein the relay and the transmitter substantially face each other; wherein the transmitter further comprises a transmitter coil and a transmitter capacitor constituting a transmitter resonance circuit, wherein the relay further comprises a relay coil and a relay capacitor constituting a relay resonance circuit, and wherein a joint resonance frequencies (JRF) of both resonance circuits have a main resonance frequency (MRF); and wherein the transmitter operates at an operational frequency (OPF) selected from a range of OPFs, wherein the range of OPFs is substantially different than the MRF.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: POWERMAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Itay Sherman, Ilya Gluzman, Elieser Mach, Amir Salhuv