Patents Examined by Michael Warmflash
  • Patent number: 10110064
    Abstract: A power supply ECU executes transmission power control for controlling transmission power to target power by adjusting the duty of an output voltage of an inverter and turn-on current control for controlling a turn-on current to a target value by adjusting the drive frequency of the inverter. When a current supplied from the inverter to a power transmission unit exceeds a predetermined limit value during adjustment of the drive frequency of the inverter by the turn-on current control, the power supply ECU decreases target power in the transmission power control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Misawa
  • Patent number: 10110009
    Abstract: A power converter apparatus includes a case, a power converter which is in the case and converts input power to predetermined power and output the predetermined power, a first switch positioned in the case and connected to the converter component, a second switch positioned in the case and connected to the converter component, the second switch having a moving component which moves between first and second positions, and a cover which is installed on the case such that the cover covers the first switch and which moves in two mutually different directions relative to the case such that the cover is removed from the case. The cover has a contact portion which makes contact with the moving component of the second switch in the first position and which restricts movement of the cover in one or more of the two directions when the cover is moved in the two directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI
    Inventors: Yasunori Yamanaka, Masafumi Sakai, Kenshiro Morishita
  • Patent number: 10110006
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery cell system, which provides regulation service to the grid, as well as the battery being used as part of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Part of the capacity of the storage batteries may be used for regulation service, while maintaining a reserve of battery capacity to provide the UPS supply if required. An advantage is that the battery installation can be more effectively monitored as it is more regularly being charged and discharged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: East Penn Manufacturing Co.
    Inventors: John Wood, Brian McKeon
  • Patent number: 10097043
    Abstract: A control unit executes a first control and a second control. The first control is to control transmission power to target power by adjusting a duty of an output voltage of an inverter. The second control is to control a turn-on current by adjusting the drive frequency, the turn-on current indicating an output current of the inverter at a rising of the output voltage. When the transmission power exceeds a limit value larger than the target power during adjustment of the drive frequency by the second control, the control unit decreases the target power in the first control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro Misawa
  • Patent number: 10097039
    Abstract: [OBJECT] There is provided a wireless power transmission system capable of transmitting power efficiently even when it is rotated. [ORGANIZATION] A power transmission device has a first and a second electrode (a center electrode 311 and an annular electrode 312) each having a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to a common center axis, a first and a second connection line (connection lines 315, 316), and a first inductor to (inductor 313, 314). A power reception device has a third and a fourth electrode (center electrode 321 and annular electrode 322) each having a rotationally symmetrical shape with respect to a common center axis, a third and a fourth connection line (connection lines 325, 326), and a second inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kusunoki, Mitsuru Masuda
  • Patent number: 10097162
    Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus are disclosed. In an embodiment, a power receiver unit is disclosed. The power receiver unit includes a power pick-up unit, a communication modulator, and a filter. The power pick-up unit receives a wireless power signal. The communication modulator applies a modulation to the received wireless power signal. The filter suppresses a load signal from a load of the wireless charge receiver to prevent interference with the modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Patrick Niessen, Rene Geraets
  • Patent number: 10090710
    Abstract: A power receiving apparatus includes a plurality of resonance coils, a power receiving circuit, and a single wire configured to start at a first terminal of the power receiving circuit and to end at a second terminal of the power receiving circuit, the single wire forming one coil or a plurality of coils connected in series, wherein the one coil or the plurality of coils connected in series and the plurality of resonance coils are placed such that the one coil or the plurality of coils connected in series are couplable to the plurality of resonance coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Akiyoshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 10079514
    Abstract: In a non-contact power supply system, an electric power receiving device with suppressed heat generation is provided. The electric power receiving device is configured with a resonance circuit which includes a resonance capacity and a resonance coil acting as a receiving antenna, and receives electric power in a non-contact manner using resonant coupling of the resonance circuit. When receiving electric power, the electric power receiving device monitors the reception electric power received by the resonance circuit and controls the resonance frequency of the resonance circuit so as to keep the reception electric power from exceeding a target electric power level (PTGT). Accordingly, even when an electric power larger than the electric power required by the electric power receiving device is transmitted from the transmitting side, the electric power receiving device operates not to receive the electric power greater than the target electric power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yasuhiko Sone
  • Patent number: 10075021
    Abstract: [OBJECT] There is provided a wireless power transmission system capable of transmitting power efficiently even when there is an obstacle or the like. [ORGANIZATION] A power transmission device has a first and a second electrode (111, 112), a first and a second connection line (115, 116), and a first inductor (113, 114). A power reception device has a third and a fourth electrode (121, 122), a third and a fourth connection line (125, 126), and a second inductor (123, 124). At least one of the first to the fourth electrode is housed in a conductive casing (310, 320) having an opening corresponding to an opposing electrode, and a resonance frequency of a power transmission coupler constituted of the first and the second electrode and the first inductor (113, 144) and a resonance frequency of a power reception coupler constituted of the third and the fourth electrode and the second inductor (123, 124) are set to be substantially equal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Kusunoki, Mitsuru Masuda
  • Patent number: 10050389
    Abstract: Disclosed are field-terminable traceable (e.g., networking) cables and cable components (e.g., field-applicable connection hoods), as well as related kits and methods. For example, in one embodiment of a field-applicable connection hood for a networking cable, the connection hood comprises: a connector or plug configured to be coupled to a port or outlet; two conductive tabs each configured to be coupled without, soldering to a tracer wire to enable electrical communication between the tracer wire and the conductive tab; an electrically activated telltale; and a switch configured to be actuated to enable electrical communication between the two conductive tabs and the telltale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: MERTEK INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher B. Scherer, Jon Sholtis
  • Patent number: 10050445
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices relating to inverters. A control system for use with photovoltaic panel coupled inverters controls the function and operation of the inverter based on the voltage at the point of common coupling. The inverter is operated in either current control mode or in voltage control mode based on whether or not the inverter is coupled to a grid or whether other energy sources are available to control the voltage at the point of common coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SPARQ SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Majid Pahlevaninezhad, Suzan Eren, Shangzhi Pan, Praveen Jain
  • Patent number: 10033180
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a ground fault protection circuit and a ground fault circuit interrupter. A ground fault protection circuit may include a power supply circuit, a ground fault detection circuit, a signal amplifying and shaping circuit, a microcontroller control circuit, a power supply detection and indicator circuit, a tripping mechanism control circuit, and a reverse grounding detection and execution circuit. A ground fault circuit interrupter may comprise an interrupter body with a ground fault protection circuit in the interrupter body. The practice of the present disclosure may address installation safety risks of conventional ground fault circuit interrupters and arc fault circuit interrupter and improve the safety of ground fault circuit interrupters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventor: Ze Chen
  • Patent number: 10025328
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems and methods for power stealing for a wireless-enabled thermostat. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless-enabled thermostat generally includes a control having a wireless network interface that intermittently connects the thermostat in a wireless network in accordance with a duty cycle, the duty cycle having a connect time in which the thermostat is connected in the wireless network and a sleep time in which the thermostat is not connected in the wireless network. A power stealing circuit of the thermostat steals power through an “on-mode” load of a climate control system to charge a capacitor or other energy storage device to provide the power for the wireless network interface. The control adjusts at least the sleep time in accordance with a time for charging the capacitor or other energy storage device to a threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Bradley C. Zikes, William P. Butler, David L. Perry
  • Patent number: 10014685
    Abstract: In a method for controlling the state of charge (SOC) of a battery power plant (1), which for controlling at least one physical quantity (P, f) is connected to an electric energy distribution network (2), the state of charge (SOC) of the battery power plant (1) is detected for at least one physical quantity (P, f) of the energy distribution network (2) with a detection speed and/or detection accuracy which are greater than specified limit values for a minimum detection speed and detection accuracy of the physical quantity (P, f), and the electric power transfer between the battery power plant (1) and the energy distribution network (2) is determined by taking account of the difference between the actual and the specified control speed and control accuracy of the physical quantity (P, f) to be controlled as well as a difference between the actual and the specified height and rate of change of the power transfer between the battery power plant (1) and the energy distribution network (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: YOUNICOS AG
    Inventors: Clemens Triebel, Carsten Reincke-Collon, Udo Berninger
  • Patent number: 10008881
    Abstract: A wireless power receiver to wirelessly receive power from a wireless power transmitter comprises a reception coil to receive the power wirelessly transmitted from the wireless power transmitter through a magnetic field, a frequency detecting unit to detect a frequency band of the power transmitted from the wireless power transmitter and an inductance varying unit to change an inductance of the reception coil according to the detected frequency band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung Oh Lee, Ki Chul Chang, Ki Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10008854
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for power converter current control. In one embodiment, the method comprises controlling an instantaneous current generated by a power converter such that that power converter appears, from the perspective of an AC line coupled to the power converter, as a virtual AC voltage source in series with a virtual impedance, wherein real and reactive phasor currents for the power converter are indirectly controlled by modifying amplitude and phase of a virtual AC voltage waveform that defines the virtual AC voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Enphase Energy, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Richard Zimmanck
  • Patent number: 9997918
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling multi-functional support of an extant synchronous alternating current (AC) grid. At least one extant electricity source and at least one extant electricity sink are connected by two or more high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission circuits connected in turn in series with each other with at least one pair of HVDC circuits interconnected through an intervening high-voltage AC (HVAC) point of interconnection. One or more of the HVDC transmission circuits includes a 2-terminal or a multi-terminal transmission link. A 2-terminal HVDC circuit is dedicated to connecting with the electricity sources and sinks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ATLANTIC GRID HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed El-Gasseir, Harrison K. Clark
  • Patent number: 9996129
    Abstract: An uninterruptible power supply system includes an AC input interface and a DC output interface, and a plurality of power supply paths coupled between the AC and DC interfaces. A first one of the power supply paths has a lower component count, whereas a second one of the power supply paths has a higher component count. At least one of the power supply paths is structured to supply DC electrical power to a power bus in the DC output interface at a varying voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Sara Ahmed, Zhenyuan Wang, Francisco Canales
  • Patent number: 9987937
    Abstract: A two layer predictive controller for bidirectional inductive power transfer can include: a first layer controller generating a mutual inductance and a reference active power; and a second layer controller receiving the mutual inductance and the reference active power, and generating a primary phase shift, a secondary phase shift, and a differential phase shift; the primary phase shift configured to manage a magnitude of an output voltage of a primary inverter; the secondary phase shift configured to manage a magnitude of an output voltage of a secondary inverter; and the differential phase shift being a phase difference between the output voltage of the primary inverter and the output voltage of the secondary inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: The Florida International University Board of Trustees
    Inventors: Ahmed A. S. Mohamed, Osama A. Mohammed
  • Patent number: 9979232
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wireless power device including a coil to wirelessly transmit or receive power. The coil has a meander pattern. And the quality factor can be increased by reducing the resistance component through the structure of the coil having the meander pattern. Also, the power transmission efficiency can be significantly improved by concentrating the intensity of the magnetic field on a predetermined part through the structure of the coil having the meander pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sung Hyun Leem