Patents Examined by Joseph N Inge
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Patent number: 11271430Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transfer (WPT) system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system possesses heat dissipation features; these features allow it to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments, and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also might include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system can also comprise adaptations to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), and can comprise specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Pavel Shostak, Oleg Los, Unnati Wadkar, Jason Luzinski, Nazmul Alam, Mark D. Melone, Matt Zamborsky, Jacob Babcock, Alberto Peralta, Christine Frysz
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Patent number: 11264837Abstract: A wireless electrical energy transmission system is provided. The system comprises a wireless transmission base configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy or data via near field magnetic coupling to a receiving antenna configured within an electronic device. The wireless electrical energy transmission system is configured with at least one transmitting antenna and a transmitting electrical circuit positioned within the transmission base. The transmission base is configured so that at least one electronic device can be wirelessly electrically charged or powered by positioning the at least one device external and adjacent to the transmission base.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Alberto Peralta, Md. Nazmul Alam, Ajit Rajagopalan, Christine A. Frysz, Vinit Singh
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Patent number: 11264829Abstract: A system comprises sets of batteries, each set having a power capacity less than a standup power capacity. The system is configured to couple the sets of batteries to power supplies to configure each of the power supplies with battery power less than the standup capacity. Responsive to a disruption of a first power supply, the system couples a first set of batteries, coupled to the first power supply, to a second power supply to couple to the second power supply battery power to not less than the standup power capacity. A method comprises coupling sets of batteries to power supplies to configure each of the power supplies to have less than a standup capacity. The method includes coupling sets batteries of one power supply to a second power supply to provide the second power supply with a battery capacity not less than the standup capacity.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: Noah Singer, Robert K. Mullady, Steven J. Ahladas
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Patent number: 11258311Abstract: A wireless power system may have a wireless power transmitting device and a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device may have a receive coil that receives wireless power signals from the wireless power transmitting device and may have a rectifier that produces direct-current power from the received wireless power signals. The wireless power transmitting device may have an array of transmit coils. Each transmit coil has a respective magnetic coupling coefficient characterizing its magnetic coupling with the receive coil. The wireless power transmitting device may have control circuitry that uses the magnetic coupling coefficient values in selecting transmit coils to use in transmitting wireless power to the wireless power receiving device.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Nan Liu, Dmitry Berdnikov, Weihong Qiu, Zaki Moussaoui
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Patent number: 11258295Abstract: Where an Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) is used in a system to ensure highly reliable power supply to an electronic system, occasional maintenance or repair of the UPS or its storage batteries may be required. Effecting this servicing while ensuring that the utility power continues to be supplied to the load may involve a Maintenance Bypass Assembly (MBA) comprising a plurality of manually-operated circuit breakers. The possibility of an incorrect actuation of such circuit breakers is precluded by the coordination of a plurality of electromechanically actuated circuit breakers in communication with a controller that may store a table of permitted state transitions and sequences for safe operation. Such operation may be confirmed by one or more sensors monitored by the controller.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: C&C Power, Inc.Inventors: Shujen Chen, Paul F. Matras, Robert E. Bland, Paul Joseph Blake, James Leo Leifker
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Patent number: 11251621Abstract: A solar power generation system is provided for more efficiently and cost-effectively generating and delivering power. The solar power generation system includes a plurality of distributed power converter nodes each configured to convert DC power received from a solar module into a deadband DC waveform. The deadband DC power generated by each power converter node is then transmitted to a centralized grid interface box, which is configured to unfold the deadband DC waveform into an AC signal suitable for transmission to an electric power grid.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2018Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Southwire Company, LLCInventors: Charles Hume, David Sykes, Aldo P. Della Sera, Juan Galindo, Andrew M. Pluister, Mark Crosier
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Patent number: 11251622Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve an inverter employing switches of different types in parallel. In one example, an apparatus includes a voltage-source converter that may have a plurality of switch positions collectively coupled to convert an input to an output. At least one switch position may include a first switch of a first switch type and a second switch of a second switch type different from the first switch type. Also, the first and second switches may be coupled in parallel. The converter may also include a switch control circuit to generate, for each of the at least one of the switch positions, a first control signal to operate the first switch of the switch position, and a second control signal to operate the second switch of the switch position.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2017Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Mark H. Sherwood, Paul M. White, Dillon J. Thomasson, Zachary M. Rubin, Stephen M. Spiteri, Javier Ruiz
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Patent number: 11245254Abstract: A method for phase controlled energizing of a power transformer includes acquiring electrical voltage signal from a voltage sensing device connected to the power transformer. Determining a first characterizing data in the voltage signal within a pre-determined set of cycles at about an opening operation of a circuit breaker and determining a second characterizing data within the pre-determined set of cycles in the voltage signal subsequent to the opening operation of the circuit breaker. Estimating a level of magnetization of the core of the power transformer based on at least one of second characterizing data, and the first characterizing data and the second characterizing data. Operating the circuit breaker at a determined instant of switching based on the estimated level of magnetization for a phase controlled energizing of the power transformer by the circuit breaker.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2016Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Hitachi Energy Switzerland AGInventors: Urmil Parikh, Michael Stanek
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Patent number: 11245290Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for performing transmission and reception of wireless power. The apparatus comprises: a transmission signal processing unit configured to generate a transmission data signal and perform a modulation and an amplification; a transmission antenna configured to convert the transmission data signal into an RF signal and transmit the RF signal; at least one reception antenna configured to receive at least one of the RF signal or an external signal received from the outside; a wireless power reception unit configured to harvest power from the RF signal received through the at least one reception antenna; and a reception signal processing unit configured to demodulate the external signal received through the at least one reception antenna. Since the RF signal, which is radiated by the apparatus itself, is received again and utilized for power charging, energy can be recycled.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2018Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Dongkyu Kim, Sangrim Lee, Hojae Lee
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Patent number: 11234319Abstract: Systems and methods for backup power sources and controls for Power over Ethernet light sources are provided. In one example embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more light sources configured to receive power over one or more Ethernet cables. The lighting system also includes a battery pack comprising an energy storage medium. The battery pack can be configured to provide power to the one or more light sources over one or more Ethernet cables. The lighting system can also include an output control circuit configured to manage delivery of power from the battery pack to the one or more light sources.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Pritam Yadav, Douglas Matthew Hamilton
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Patent number: 11227712Abstract: The present application relates to an apparatus which comprises a wireless power transfer (WPT) system. This system comprises features which allow it to transfer more power wirelessly at extended distances than other systems operating in the same frequency range. The system possesses heat dissipation features; these features allow it to operate effectively in elevated-temperature environments, and to transfer power at higher levels and/or greater distances than a typical power-transfer system. The system also might include design features to withstand mechanical shocks, stresses, and impacts for use in a rugged environment. The system can also comprise adaptations to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI), and can comprise specially shaped components with magnetic/ferrimagnetic properties that enhance performance. Other potential features include power conditioning by combining, within one circuit or one board, multiple elements that protect against excessive current, over-voltage, and/or reverse voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Jason Luzinski, Andrew Kovacs, Christine M. Frysz
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Patent number: 11227734Abstract: A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: ECOLINK INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: Morgan Scruggs
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Patent number: 11228171Abstract: An electrical installation having a first source of power, such as the utility grid, and a second source of power from an electronic DC-to-AC converter, comprises a smart load center for selecting the source of power independently for each of a number of branch circuits protected by circuit breakers to be the first source or the second source. The smart load center comprises a software-controlled processor for operating the transfer relays that select the first or second source of power for each branch circuit. In the event that a current overload on a branch circuit connected to the DC-to-AC converter causes it to trip before the branch circuit breaker clears the overload, all circuits are transferred to the first power source to trip the fault breaker and then the microprocessor enters a restart sequence to verify that the fault is cleared or else to take other action.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Koolbridge Solar, Inc.Inventor: Paul Wilkinson Dent
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Patent number: 11228208Abstract: A wireless electrical energy transmission system is provided. The system comprises a wireless transmission base configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy or data via near field magnetic coupling to a receiving antenna configured within an electronic device. The wireless electrical energy transmission system is configured with at least one transmitting antenna and a transmitting electrical circuit positioned within the transmission base. The transmission base is configured so that at least one electronic device can be wirelessly electrically charged or powered by positioning the at least one device external and adjacent to the transmission base.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Alberto Peralta, Md. Nazmul Alam, Ajit Rajagopalan, Christine A. Frysz, Vinit Singh
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Patent number: 11223209Abstract: A distributed power supply system includes a plurality of power supply groups having at least one wind turbine generator; and a rectifier which is provided corresponding to each of the power supply groups, and configured to rectify AC power to DC power, so that the DC power rectified by the rectifier is collected to transmit electric power. A control device for the distributed power supply system comprises a grouping section configured to group the power supply groups into at least two groups; a phase command generation section configured to generate phase commands different from one another for each group to output to the power supply groups belonging to the respective groups, and generate the same phase command to output to the wind turbine generators belonging to the same group; and a transmission section configured to transmit the same phase command to the wind turbine generators.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2018Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Masanori Maruyama
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Patent number: 11223241Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is an electric power transmission device that periodically shifts a frequency of a magnetic field to a plurality of predetermined shift values and that transmits electric power by utilizing the magnetic field. The device includes a plurality of power transmitters and an instructor. Each of the plurality of power transmitters configured to generate a magnetic field. The instructor outputs an instruction signal indicating a shift value to be shifted to each of the power transmitters to instruct the shift value to be shifted to each of the power transmitters. Further, the instructor instructs the shift value to be shifted in such a manner that at least a part of the magnetic fields of the plurality of power transmitters are different in frequency at the same time point.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBAInventor: Koji Ogura
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Patent number: 11211208Abstract: This patent specification relates to a wall switch that comprises a docking station and a user-removable wall-switch head unit. In some embodiments, the docking station is configured to receive the user-removable wall-switch head unit, and configured to be permanently connected to a wall and coupled to high-power voltage wires. In some embodiments, the user-removable wall-switch head unit is configured to be user-insertable into said docking station and user-removable therefrom such that the user is not exposed to high-voltage connections when inserting or removing. In some embodiments, the wall switch controller further comprises inputs and outputs and circuitry for switchably controlling household line current power to a household electrical fixture. In some embodiments, the wall switch controller further comprises an occupancy sensor, a temperature sensor, or a processor.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2020Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Google LLCInventors: Anthony M. Fadell, Matthew L. Rogers, Yoky Matsuoka, David Sloo, Maxime Veron, Isabel I. Guenette, Shigefumi Honjo
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Patent number: 11211799Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for operating a solar farm inverter as a Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) device—a STATCOM—for voltage control. The solar farm inverter can provide voltage regulation, damping enhancement, stability improvement and other benefits provided by FACTS devices. In one embodiment, the solar farm operating as a STATCOM at night is employed to increase the connectivity of neighbouring wind farms that produce peak power at night due to high winds, but are unable to connect due to voltage regulation issues. The present invention can also operate during the day because there remains inverter capacity after real power export by the solar farm. Additional auxiliary controllers are incorporated in the solar farm inverter to enhance damping and stability, and provide other benefits provided by FACTS devices.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Inventor: Rajiv Kumar Varma
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Patent number: 11196297Abstract: A wireless electrical energy transmission system is provided. The system comprises a wireless transmission base configured to wirelessly transmit electrical energy or data via near field magnetic coupling to a receiving antenna configured within an electronic device. The wireless electrical energy transmission system is configured with at least one transmitting antenna and a transmitting electrical circuit positioned within the transmission base. The transmission base is configured so that at least one electronic device can be wirelessly electrically charged or powered by positioning the at least one device external and adjacent to the transmission base.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.Inventors: Alberto Peralta, Md. Nazmul Alam, Ajit Rajagopalan, Christine A. Frysz, Vinit Singh
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Patent number: 11193977Abstract: A system includes a circuit interrupter including a light source structured to output light and a first processor structured to obtain information associated with the circuit interrupter and to control the light source to output light in a pattern representing the information. The system also include an adapter structured to detect light output by the light source, convert the detected light to another form, and to output the converted form of the light and an electronic device structured to receive the converted form of the light. The electronic device includes a second processor structured to convert the converted form of the light into the information.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITEDInventor: Jason Okerman