Patents Examined by Lawrence Luk
  • Patent number: 6426608
    Abstract: In an automobile power supply where plural voltages can be supplied, a plurality of batteries and a DC/DC converter are assumed to be unnecessary, and it is possible to operate even when the controller breaks down. High-voltage terminal 11 and low-voltage terminal 12 are provided in battery 6. High-voltage FET 4 for controlling the power supply in one direction from high-voltage terminal 11 to inverter 3 is connected between inverter 3 and high-voltage terminal 11. Low-voltage FET 5 for controlling the power supply in one direction from inverter 3 to low-voltage terminal 12 between inverter 3 and low-voltage terminal 12 is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko Amano, Ryoso Masaki, Yasuo Morooka
  • Patent number: 6426607
    Abstract: A system and method regulates an alternator charging system and includes a memory for storing and regulating voltages used at specific temperatures for the specific alternator charging system requirements of an alternator. A circuit generates a digital signal indicative of both temperature of a battery supplied by the alternator charging system and the charging system voltage. A digital comparator receives the digital signal and compares the digital signal with the regulating voltage stored within the memory for the specific temperature that is indicative of the temperature of the battery supplied by the alternator charging system to generate a regulator control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics, Inc., STMicroelectronics, Srl.
    Inventors: Mauro Merlo, David F. Swanson
  • Patent number: 6424118
    Abstract: A mobile phone SIM card switching unit includes a transmission line, a connecting head connected to an end of the transmission line for connecting to an SIM card socket on a mobile phone, and a socket base connected to the other end of the transmission line. The socket base is provided with SIM card sockets for each receiving an SIM card therein, and a switch for controlling an electrical connection of one of the SIM cards on the socket base to the mobile phone connected to the socket base via the connecting head and the transmission line. The switch of the SIM card switching unit enables the mobile phone to quickly and conveniently switch among different mobile communication network systems to always obtain good communication quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Inventor: Chih-Chung Tu
  • Patent number: 6420851
    Abstract: A method is described for determining the charge condition of a battery (1), wherein the electromotive force (VEMF) is derived from measurements of the terminal voltage in a loaded condition, and the charge condition (Q) is determined with the aid of a pre-calculated relationship between (VEMF) and the charge condition (Q) on the basis of the (VEMF) thus calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Franciscus A. C. M. Schoofs, Wanda S. Kruijt, Robert E. F. Einerhand, Saskia A. C. Hanneman, Hendrik J. Bergveld
  • Patent number: 6420850
    Abstract: Telecommunication power distribution systems and apparatuses and methods of supplying power to a telecommunication device are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Inventor: William O. Thurman
  • Patent number: 6414493
    Abstract: A inductive conductivity sensor for measuring conductivity of a fluid includes a housing supporting a controlled impedance loop and a transducer. The transducer includes a driver for inducing a first current into the fluid adjacent the housing, and for inducing a second current into the controlled impedance loop. The transducer further includes a detector for inductively measuring the first and second currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventor: Behzad Rezvani
  • Patent number: 6404167
    Abstract: The battery charging device obtains an open-circuit voltage at the time of 70% capacity based on information stored in a ROM of a battery package prior to the charge, and upon measuring an open-circuit voltage of the battery package by a voltage measuring portion, if this open-circuit voltage is higher than the obtained open-circuit voltage, a second indicator is switched ON to indicate that the remaining capacity is not less than 70% to thereby enable discrimination among batteries requiring charge or that do not prior to starting charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuyuki Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 6404170
    Abstract: An electrical storage capacitor system that efficiently initializes itself to its initial state during pause intervals between charging/discharging cycles of operation without providing any special initializing cycles. The capacitor system comprises capacitors connected in series to store electricity, a variation decision means for judging the amount of variation in amount of charge between the capacitors, an operation decision means for judging whether the capacitors are being charged or discharged, and a initializing charging means for charging the capacitors to initialize themselves to their initial state according to the results of decisions made by the variation decision means and by the operation decision means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignees: JEOL, Ltd., Okamura Laboratory, Inc., Kabushiki Kaisha Powersystems
    Inventors: Michio Okamura, Akinori Mogami
  • Patent number: 6396169
    Abstract: A system and method for developing a cost efficient electronic power supply system that handles a range of supported electronic circuits is provided. The electronic power supply system adaptively configures the power applied to electronic circuits. Thereby, eliminating redesign of a power supply system when a newly developed or different electronic circuit is implemented. When an electronic circuit is attached to the electronic power supply, a controller confirms electronic circuit presence and queries for electronic circuit power on requirements. As more electronic circuits are added, the controller examines each electronic circuit power on requirements and determines if a power conflict is present. If a conflict exists, the controller will not supply power to the electronic circuits until the conflict is resolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Derick Voegeli, Michael Cranston, Gregory Glasshof, Scot Salzman, Roger Shuma
  • Patent number: 6392384
    Abstract: A battery charger for charging at least two storage batteries, comprises: a first charging pocket for receiving a first storage battery; a second charging pocket for receiving a second storage battery; a main controller for generating a power supply control signal, charging voltage setting control signal according to the voltage types of the batteries inserted in the first and second charging pockets, and charging current setting control signal according to the current capacities of the batteries; a voltage adjustment circuit for adjusting the charging voltage to the levels respectively fit for the voltage types of the batteries according to the charging voltage setting control signal; a current adjustment circuit for adjusting the charging current to the levels respectively fit for the current capacities of the batteries according to the charging current setting control signal; and a power supply control circuit for supplying or blocking the charging voltages to the batteries according to the power supply co
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Moo Hwang Bo, Chang-Sik Park, Dong-Wook Gwak
  • Patent number: 6392380
    Abstract: The hybrid car power supply apparatus is provided with a battery system having a driving battery to run an electric motor to drive the vehicle, an inverter to drive the electric motor with the driving battery, and an automotive battery. The battery system houses a charging circuit to charge the driving battery with the automotive battery. The charging circuit charges the driving battery with the automotive battery when remaining driving battery capacity becomes low. The charged driving battery runs the electric motor to start the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Furukawa, Shoichi Toya
  • Patent number: 6392389
    Abstract: In a method for monitoring the charging of gastight alkaline rechargeable batteries, the characteristics of the critical charging voltage (Ucrit) on a rechargeable battery are determined as a function of the charging current (I) for various temperatures (T) and are linearized by means of a function in the form A(I)×T+B(I). The value pairs A and B are stored as parameter arrays in a battery management system, and during operation of a physically identical rechargeable battery which is to be monitored, the associated critical charging voltage is calculated by measuring the temperature and charging current and is used to control the charging of the rechargeable battery. On reaching the critical charging voltage (Ucrit) which corresponds to the critical state of charge (LZcrit), the value of the critical state of charge can be calculated by measuring the current (I) and temperature (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: NBT GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Köhler
  • Patent number: 6388450
    Abstract: A method for determining the state of charge of a storage battery, wherein at least two methods of different approach for determining state of charge are simultaneously applied. The individually obtained results of the different methods are weighted in accordance with their respective reliability in the respective current or former operating situation of the storage battery, and the weighted mean value of the individual methods thus obtained is used as final output variable of the method and displayed. The voltage of the storage battery, the current flowing through it and its temperatures are measured, and the different methods use these input variables and variables derived from these input variables as final input variables. At least one of the different methods uses the integration of the current flowing through the storage battery to determine the changes in the charge content of the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: VB Autobatterie GmbH
    Inventors: Gerolf Richter, Eberhard Meissner
  • Patent number: 6384488
    Abstract: A modular mobile power converter provides filtered and regulated power to specialized electronic systems not able to use local commercial power sources or attain ready access to the required special power source. A particular example is a manually maneuvered power cart that provides 400 Hz power, converted from a 60 Hz source, to specialized avionics and shipborne equipment at locations remote from an appropriate 400 Hz power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Alfred P. Bucharelli, Stephen Anthony Preiss, Roy Allen Newcomb
  • Patent number: 6384577
    Abstract: In a remote control receiving system of an electronic apparatus such as a television receiver, a charger is connected to the output terminal of a sub regulator for driving a load such as a microcomputer by using an AC power source as an energy source, and a charging switch is connected between the load and the charger, and thereby the charging switch is controlled to turn on or off by a comparator on the basis of the charged voltage in the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventors: Masafumi Kikuchi, Tadashi Oomura, Genichiro Oga
  • Patent number: 6384573
    Abstract: A self-contained, battery powered, on board auxiliary starting device provides high DC power levels for short durations for starting engines. Preferred devices have a battery, a connector terminal assembly, and a monitor/control circuit that controls the charging and use of the auxiliary battery, and limits the device output to safe voltage levels so the auxiliary battery is not damaged due to overdischarge. The connector terminal assembly preferably has 2 or more contacts, sized and dimensioned to electrically contact (mate) with selected electric power harnesses selected to connect to and provide auxiliary power to augment standard batteries. In another aspect of preferred embodiments, the coupling mechanism and mounting bracket allow the battery to be quickly removed from the principal mounting bracket and quickly installed on another engine or be connected to a special set of mating cables with clamps for attachment across another battery for augmenting its power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: James Dunn
  • Patent number: 6384574
    Abstract: A battery cartridge includes a casing, a battery in the casing, and a slide moveably engaged with the casing. The battery has an opening, and the slide has an opening alignable with the opening of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: William T. McHugh, Robert A. Scalisi, Gary M. Searle, Robert Theriault
  • Patent number: 6380711
    Abstract: A system includes a recharging device to which an electronic hand-held device powered by a battery can be connected. A controller associated with the recharging device performs a method of intemal-device battery cell detection, i.e., distinguishing between NiMH/NiCd and other types of cells in the battery, before recharging the battery. A method determines the cell chemistry without any modifications to the battery and/or without any user input by performing tests on the battery. The tests include a Battery Voltage Test, an Internal Resistance Test, and a Timed Voltage Test. The testing is performed through a combination of hardware and software in the charging cradle. By performing the tests in a preferred order, detected alkaline, lithium, rechargeable alkaline, and carbon-zinc cells, damaged NiMH and NiCd cells, and close to fully charged NiMH and NiCd cells cause termination of a recharging operation before damage to the device or battery is sustained—without requiring input from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Research in Motion Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Fischer, Steven Carkner
  • Patent number: 6380716
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a method of condition monitoring of an opportunity charged battery, including: determining length of time the battery has been off-line; determining whether charging of the battery has occurred during the length of time; if step (b) results in a determination that the charging of the battery has occurred, determining degree of charging of the battery occurring during the length of time; and if step (b) results in a determination that charging of the battery has occurred, resetting a condition monitor associated with the battery to reflect the degree of charging of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Curtis Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene P. Finger
  • Patent number: 6380710
    Abstract: A photovoltaic-charged secondary battery device has a cylindrical core, a flexible photoelectric transducer sheet extractably rolled on the core, a chargeable/dischargeable storage battery, and a control circuit for controlling the charging and discharging operations of the storage battery. The photovoltaic-charged secondary battery device with the photoelectric transducer sheet fully rolled on the core generally exhibiting a substantially cylindrical form. The photovoltaic-charged secondary battery device further has a polymeric cover film formed on the light-receiving surface of the photoelectric transducer sheet. The polymeric cover film improves the durability of the photoelectric transducer sheet against repeated bending and sliding actions caused on the photoelectric transducer sheet. The photoelectric transducer sheet may be so arranged that, when the photoelectric transducer sheet is rolled on the core, the light-receiving surface faces outward of the roll.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Watanabe, Ritsuko Inoue, Koichiro Hinokuma, Tomikazu Watanabe, Hiroshi Miyazawa