Patents Examined by M'baye Diao
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Patent number: 11824392Abstract: A battery pack is provided that includes a plurality of battery cells, a detection portion, a plurality of discharge circuits, and a controller. The plurality of battery cells are connected in series with each other. The detection portion detects a cell voltage between both ends of each battery cell. The plurality of discharge circuits respectively discharge the battery cells. The controller controls the discharge circuits based on the cell voltage detected by the detection portion. The controller controls the discharge circuit to discharge at least one first battery cell when a cell voltage equal to or greater than a first threshold value is detected in the first battery cell and discharge at least one second battery cell when a cell voltage equal to or greater than a second threshold value smaller than the first threshold is detected in the second battery cell other than the first battery cell.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventor: Kosuke Sano
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Patent number: 11821955Abstract: A load estimation device measures a voltage and a current supplied to a load connected to a portable power-supply, obtains a feature amount of the load from the voltage and the current. The device obtains a stored feature amount of each of loads, and related load information indicating a plurality of loads which are used in association with each other. The device estimates a load connected to the power-supply on the basis of the obtained feature amount and a stored feature amount, and predicts a load which is not connected to the power-supply and which is a load related to the estimated load on the basis of the related load information.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Sho Takada, Nobuyuki Sasaki, Mitsuhiro Ito, Mio Oshima, Yoshihiro Matsunaga, Ryo Oshima
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Patent number: 11824385Abstract: A rechargeable battery jump starting device with a leapfrog charging system. The leapfrog charging system, for example, can sequentially charge multiple batteries of the rechargeable battery jump starting device.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2022Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: The Noco CompanyInventors: Jonathan Lewis Nook, William Knight Nook, Sr., James Richard Stanfield, Derek Michael Underhill
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Patent number: 11813962Abstract: A power supply system that utilizes a hybrid architecture to enable low cycle-life, high energy density chemistries to be used in rechargeable batteries to extend the range of a traction battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Our Next Energy, Inc.Inventors: Mujeeb Ijaz, Brian Moorhead
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Patent number: 11817731Abstract: A battery assembly includes a housing having a handle, rechargeable battery cells disposed within the housing, and a mating feature configured to selectively connect the battery assembly with a receptacle of at least one of a power equipment and a charging station. The mating feature includes a connector having at least two electrical ports electrically connected to the battery cells, and a data port configured to provide data communication between the battery assembly and at least one of a power equipment and a charging station. The mating feature also protrudes away from a side portion of the housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2019Date of Patent: November 14, 2023Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Zeiler, Christopher Krajewski, Kyle Harvey, Ryan S. Jaskowiak, Nicholas Zeidler, Mark Noller, Todd Johnson
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Patent number: 11799309Abstract: According to an embodiment, a secondary battery system includes a secondary battery, a calculator, and a controller. The secondary battery includes a first electrode including a first and second active materials, and a second electrode including a third active material. The calculator calculates a current ratio of currents passing through the first and second active materials for each of different values of a charge amount of the first electrode, based on capacities and capacity-versus-potential properties of the first and second active materials. The controller, based on the capacities of the first and second active materials and the current ratio when the charge amount of the first electrode takes a first value, controls the current passing through the secondary battery when the charge amount indicates the first value.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Nobukatsu Sugiyama, Yumi Fujita, Tomokazu Morita
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Patent number: 11794020Abstract: A method for data exchange and charging is provided. An implantable medical device is monitored and charging of the implantable medical device is initiated by providing charge parameters to a bedside monitor. Communication is initiated between a puck associated with the bedside monitor and implantable medical device. The implantable medical device is charged using the charge parameters. Simultaneously with the charging, transfer of data between the implantable medical device and the bedside monitor is initiated.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: BARDY DIAGNOSTICS, INC.Inventors: Gust H. Bardy, Jason Felix, Lilly Paul
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Patent number: 11799142Abstract: This application relates to a battery module, a device, and a failure handling method for a failed battery cell. The battery module includes: battery cells, where each battery cell includes a housing, a top cover, and an electrode assembly, the housing is connected to the top cover, the housing includes a first accommodation cavity, the electrode assembly is located inside the first accommodation cavity, the top cover is provided with a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, and the battery cells further include a failed battery cell; and a conductive component, connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the failed battery cell. After being connected to the electrode terminals, the conductive component does not occupy space outside the failed battery cell, improving safety of the battery module.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITEDInventors: Di Zhou, Ye Xu, Bin Zhao, Rongcai Chen
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Patent number: 11787297Abstract: Provided is a method of charging a deeply discharged battery using a battery charging device, the method including measuring the output voltage of the deeply discharged battery using the battery charging device, and if the output voltage is at or near zero (0) volts, charging the deeply discharged battery using the battery charging device in a forced mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: The Noco CompanyInventors: Jonathan Lewis Nook, William Knight Nook, Sr., James Richard Stanfield, Derek Michael Underhill, James P. McBride
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Patent number: 11791639Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a discharge of a battery pack that supplies power to a portable electronic device. The battery pack has one or more cell blocks each having a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel. The method includes the following steps. Determining, for each of the one or more cell blocks, a value of a first supply current flowing through a first battery cell that has the smallest capacity among the plurality of battery cells. Comparing, for each of the one or more cell blocks, the value of the first supply current with a first overcurrent value of the first battery cell to detect overcurrent in the first battery cell. Generating, in response to detecting the overcurrent in the first battery cell of any of the one or more cell blocks, a first overcurrent signal to reduce the power supplied to the portable electronic device.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Hideshi Tsukamoto, Hiromitsu Yamaguchi, Daisuke Arai
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Patent number: 11791642Abstract: A battery stack includes a plurality of battery management system (BMS) nodes and a controller. Each BMS node includes a battery, an isolation switch configured to selectably isolate the battery of the BMS node from the batteries of the other BMS nodes, and a bypass switch configured to selectably provide a path for electrical current flowing through the battery stack to bypass the battery of the BMS node. The batteries of the BMS nodes are electrically coupled in series. The controller is configured to control the isolation switch and the bypass switch of each BMS node such that the battery of each BMS node can be individually connected to and disconnected from an electrical power source/sink.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: Element Energy, Inc.Inventors: Seth Marshall Kahn, Anthony John Stratakos, Corrado Cammi, Anderson Rennie John, Kin Keung Lau
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Patent number: 11791650Abstract: A multi-port charging system includes a controller having a power input terminal coupled to a DC power output of a converter, multiple power output terminals coupled to the power input terminal, and a communications input terminal. The system includes multiple charger ports, the respective charger ports having a charging power line coupled to a respective one of the power output terminals, and a communications line coupled to the communications input terminal. The controller is configured to control the state of the control output terminal to set a voltage of the DC power output according to a selected highest common compatible voltage of one or more sink devices coupled to one or more respective ones of the charger ports.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATEDInventors: John Mitchell Perry, Indumini Ranmuthu
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Patent number: 11791641Abstract: A protection system for a high-voltage component includes a switching circuit and a protection controller. The switching circuit changes a variable arrangement of multiple battery packs between a parallel arrangement and a series arrangement. The protection controller commands the switching circuit into the series arrangement in response to a recharging session, commands a current flow in the recharging session, measures a measured voltage between an input node and a floating chassis ground of the high-voltage component, advances a timer while the measured voltage indicates a presence of an improper voltage, and cancels the recharging session in response to the presence of the improper voltage for greater than an exposure time. The recharging session provides a direct-current fast-charging voltage to battery packs in the series arrangement, and is greater than the battery voltage.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Konking Wang, Emil Francu, Li-Pen J. Ho, Kevin J. Robinet
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Patent number: 11784509Abstract: Apparatus and method for automated electric vehicle charging. One embodiment provides a method for automated charging. The method includes storing, in a memory, a rate profile of a power grid, the rate profile including at least one time period and at least one rate associated with the at least one time period. The method further includes generating, using the electronic processor and based on the rate profile, a charging profile, and charging, using a charging controller of a charger coupled to the electronic processor, based on the charging profile.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Matthew Samojeden, Shawn Monteith
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Patent number: 11784359Abstract: A method for detecting thermal runaway of a cell includes: positioning a battery pack having multiple cells in an automobile vehicle; measuring a cell voltage of the multiple cells at a predetermined sample rate; and identifying if the cell voltage decreases and modulates coincident with a cell surface temperature increase indicating initiation of a cell short.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Jian Gao, Jeremie Dernotte, Scott E. Parrish
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Patent number: 11772515Abstract: A battery pack heating system includes: a main positive switch, a main negative switch, an inverter, an external port, a motor, a control module for auxiliary charging branch, a vehicle control unit, a motor control unit, and a battery management module. The battery management module is configured to send, when an acquired state parameter of the battery pack meets a preset low-temperature-low-power condition, a low-temperature-low-power heating request instruction to the vehicle control unit and the control module respectively. The control module is configured to send a first control signal to control the auxiliary charging branch to be connected. The vehicle control unit is configured to send a second control signal to enable the motor control unit to control on-off of the switch modules in the inverter, and a third control signal to enable the battery management module to control on-off of the main positive switch.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., LimitedInventors: Xiyang Zuo, Zhimin Dan, Xiong Zheng, Bao Li, Tiancong Wang
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Patent number: 11770016Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques for monitoring the temperature of a device used to charge a rechargeable power source are disclosed. Implantable medical devices may include a rechargeable power source that can be transcutaneously charged. The temperature of an external charging device and/or an implantable medical device may be monitored to control the temperature exposure to patient tissue during a charging session used to recharge the rechargeable power source. In one example, a temperature sensor may sense a temperature of an internal portion of a device, wherein the housing of the device is not directly thermally coupled to the temperature sensor. A temperature for the housing of the device may then be estimated based on the sensed temperature provided by the non-thermally coupled temperature sensor. A processor may then control charging of the rechargeable power source based on the determined temperature for the housing.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2021Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Kunal Paralikar, Elizabeth A. Fehrmann, Venkat R. Gaddam, Boysie R. Morgan, David P. Olson, Jadin C. Jackson
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Patent number: 11766945Abstract: A handheld device for jump starting a vehicle engine includes a rechargeable lithium ion battery pack and a microcontroller. The lithium ion battery is coupled to a power output port of the device through a FET smart switch actuated by the microcontroller. A vehicle battery isolation sensor connected in circuit with positive and negative polarity outputs detects the presence of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs. A reverse polarity sensor connected in circuit with the positive and negative polarity outputs detects the polarity of a vehicle battery connected between the positive and negative polarity outputs, such that the microcontroller will enable power to be delivered from the lithium ion power pack to the output port only when a good battery is connected to the output port and only when the battery is connected with proper polarity of positive and negative terminals.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: The Noco CompanyInventors: Jonathan Lewis Nook, William Knight Nook, Sr., James Richard Stanfield, Derek Michael Underhill
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Patent number: 11764588Abstract: A charger case for storing and charging two electronic devices includes a docking tray having two storage compartments to hold the two electronic devices. The charger case includes two device connectors, with each device connector exposed to a respective one of the two storage compartments to establish electrical communication with a respective one of the two electronic devices. A portable charger is included in the case and electrically coupled to the two device connectors.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: GOOGLE LLCInventors: Victor Nobre, Stephen E. Orzel, Jaehong Choi
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Patent number: 11762027Abstract: An embodiment of this application provides a charging control method and device and a power management controller. The charging control method includes: determining whether battery status of a battery pack meets preset conditions, where the battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, and the preset conditions are: the battery pack has been left standing for a preset duration, and an open-circuit voltage of each battery cell in the battery pack falls within a preset range; and charging the battery pack based on a charging policy corresponding to a determining result, so that a capacity of a battery cell with a highest remaining capacity in the battery pack reaches a nominal capacity of the battery cell with the highest remaining capacity.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITEDInventors: Guangyu Xu, Shichao Li, Wei Zhao