Patents Examined by Mohammed J Sharief
  • Patent number: 9553471
    Abstract: An electrical charging system including a storing vessel for storing a diagnostic tool and a wireless charging system integrated with the storing vessel for wirelessly charging the diagnostic tool when the diagnostic tool is placed within the storing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: Manokar Chinnadurai, Reed Selkirk
  • Patent number: 9535410
    Abstract: A method for controlling a portable power system, comprising: using a processor, selecting an engine efficiency range for an engine of a generator set of the portable power system, the engine efficiency range corresponding to a power output range of the generator set and to a power demand range of a load coupled to the portable power system; while a power demand of the load is less than a power output of the generator set, storing excess energy from the generator set in a battery bank of the portable power system; while the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing additional power to the load from the battery bank; when a first predetermined depth of discharge threshold is reached by the battery bank, increasing the power output of the generator set to allow the battery bank to recharge; and, when a predetermined state of charge threshold is reached by the battery bank, ceasing the power output of the generator set and providing power to the load from the batte
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: ECO-H TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Vincenzo E. Di Cristofaro
  • Patent number: 9531207
    Abstract: A holster for use with a handheld device and a peripheral device is disclosed herein. The holster provides a mating structure for holding a peripheral device so that a mobile device charges the peripheral device. The holster removes the inconvenience of having to charge a peripheral off a battery charger at work or home by permitting the peripheral to charge off the handheld device. The holster can be used with any handheld device and peripheral device, such as a cellular phone and a wireless headset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Robert J. Lowles
  • Patent number: 9511676
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are presented to transfer energy between an energy storage device (ESD) at an electrified vehicle (EV) and an AC or DC external load such as an electric grid, appliance or power tool. A portable EVETA can engage an EV charge inlet couple an EV, and can provide an AC outlet, a grid interface and a DC connector for coupling external loads. An EVETA can be used at a remote construction site or campsite to power high current equipment, obviating the need to transport an electric generator. An EVETA can be configured for data and control communication with the EV to coordinate energy transfer. An EVETA can receive a predetermined ESD state of charge limit so that the transfer process can be terminated to preserve sufficient charge for EV return to a desired destination. A human machine interface enables user input reception and information display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Michael E. Loftus, John Proietty, Fazal U. Syed, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush, Perry R. MacNeille
  • Patent number: 9509154
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a battery charging system. The methods and systems allow a user to charge a plurality of different battery types and configurations via a single battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Green Cubes Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammed Alobaidi, Yan Leong Tan, Anthony Cooper
  • Patent number: 9487096
    Abstract: A charging device 2 is a device for charging a battery 30 of a battery-type forklift 1 provided with the battery and at least one motor, the motor driven by the power supplied from the battery. The charging device 2 includes: a power conversion unit 73 that converts an alternating-current power to direct-current power, a control unit 70 that controls charging of the battery 30 based on an instruction from an in-vehicle control device 60 mounted on the battery-type forklift 1, a feed terminal that supplies the direct-current power to the battery 30, a communication terminal for communicating with the battery-type forklift 1, and a startup terminal for transmitting a signal for staring up the in-vehicle control device 60.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Dougan
  • Patent number: 9479111
    Abstract: A portable power generation device includes a protective case and a power source. The protective case has a lower case portion and an upper case portion, the upper case portion including a plurality of upper case portion segments, wherein the upper case portion is rotatable with respect to the lower case portion between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The power source is sized to fit within the protective case in the closed configuration, rotatable with respect to the lower case portion, and supported by the protective case in the open configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GRIDLESS POWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Halpern, J. D. Albert
  • Patent number: 9479003
    Abstract: A power control device has a voltage-regulator from power source to load, the load configurable to receive power at least at a first or second rate. The device has monitor circuitry to measure power; signal circuitry for signaling a power-reception rate to the load; and circuitry for resetting the load when the power source is overloaded. The device resets the load periodically to the second rate when the load is at the first rate. In embodiments, the power source is a thermoelectric generator or solar panel. In embodiments, the load couples through a USB connector. A companion method of charging smart loads includes applying power to the load; communicating power available to the load; configuring a battery charger in the load to absorb an amount of power less than that available; monitoring power, determining when changed configuration may optimize charging time of a smart load battery; and resetting the smart load to optimize current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: ALTEN, LLC
    Inventors: David Toledo, Paul Slusser
  • Patent number: 9466991
    Abstract: A charger apparatus and a charging method are provided for charging/discharging battery modules connected in series. The chargers of the charger apparatus are grouped at least into a first charger group and a second charger group. The first terminal of the first charger of the first charger group is coupled to the positive terminal of the i-th battery module of the battery modules, and the second terminal of the first charger is coupled to a first node between the j-th battery module and the k-th battery module of the battery modules, wherein j ranges between i and k. The first terminal of the second charger of the second charger group is coupled to a second node between the i-th battery module and the j-th battery module, and the second terminal of the second charger is coupled to the negative terminal of the k-th battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Shou-Hung Ling, Shih-Hao Liang, Ying-Hao Hsu
  • Patent number: 9466999
    Abstract: A vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a charge-discharge system CDS. The charge-discharge system includes the vehicle 10, an electric power cable 20, a plug-in station 30, a HEMS 40, and a commercial power supply 50. In a state where the connector 21 of the electric power cable 20 is connected with the inlet of the vehicle 10, an electric power is discharged/supplied from the vehicle electric storage device 11 to an external electric load (e.g., external electric storage device 41). Further, the vehicle electric storage device 11 is capable of being charged by the external power supply 50 through the electric power cable 20. A control device 12 of the vehicle 10 obtains/detects a permissible current value of the electric power cable 20, based on a specific signal (control pilot signal) which is transmitted through a CPLT terminal of the connector 21 before it starts the discharge to the external electric load from the vehicle electric storage device 11.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Ishii, Shigeki Kinomura, Tomoyuki Mizuno, Takashi Ogawa, Hiroki Sawada, Yasuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9461340
    Abstract: A battery, a battery assembly, and a user equipment are disclosed. The battery includes a circuit board and a cell. The circuit board includes a first contact, a second contact, a third contact, a fourth contact, a battery management module, and a control switch. The first contact reports a capacity of the cell in the battery, or in the battery and a cascaded battery to an upper-level battery or an electricity load; the second contact receives and output the capacity of the cell in the cascaded battery; when the control switch is opened, the third contact is connected to the cell in the battery to charge or discharge the cell in the battery; when the control switch is closed, the fourth contact is connected to the third contact; and the battery management module triggers opening or closing of the control switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Huawei Device Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changqi Li, Jianbing Yu, Kelin Li
  • Patent number: 9461491
    Abstract: A battery charger, which can be configured as a charger or docking station (300), includes one or more control circuits (105). A charging circuit (302) can charge one or more rechargeable batteries (118). A thermal management device (305) can alter a thermal condition of the one or more rechargeable batteries. The one or more control circuits can receive, with a communication circuit (309) an indication of a thermal state of an electronic device (100). The one or more control circuits can cause the thermal management device to alter the thermal condition of the one or more rechargeable batteries such that when the one or more rechargeable batteries are coupled to the electronic device, a thermal mass defined by the electronic device and the one or more rechargeable batteries transitions from the thermal state toward a predefined thermal mass temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David A. Winkler
  • Patent number: 9450433
    Abstract: A method for controlling a portable power system, comprising: using a processor, selecting an engine efficiency range for a engine of a generator set of the portable power system, the engine efficiency range corresponding to a power output range of the generator set and to a power demand of a load coupled to the portable power system; when the power demand of the load is less than the power output of the generator set, storing excess power from the generator set in a first battery bank of the portable power system; when the power demand of the load is greater than the power output of the generator set, providing additional power to the load from a second battery bank of the portable power system; and, when at least one of a predetermined depth of discharge threshold is reached by the second battery bank and a predetermined state of charge threshold is reached by the first battery bank, switching between the second battery bank and the first battery bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: ECO-H TECHNOLOGIES INC.
    Inventor: Vincenzo E. Di Cristofaro
  • Patent number: 9440546
    Abstract: A vehicle and a vehicle battery charging system are disclosed. The vehicle charging system includes a parking structure having solar collector. The solar collector is configured to collect and concentrate solar energy. The concentrated solar energy is then transferred to a solar panel located on the vehicle in order to charge a battery of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donna L. Bell, David McCreadie, Michael Robert Tinskey
  • Patent number: 9431843
    Abstract: A multimedia terminal device for high-speed charging that allows for high-speed charging of a portable electronic device connected to a multimedia terminal and a method of controlling the same are provided. The multimedia terminal device includes a power converter that is configured to convert a voltage from a battery to a voltage for the high-speed charging and to supply the converted voltage to the multimedia terminal. In addition, a switching circuit is configured to select a high-speed charging mode when an engine is driven and a low-speed charging when the engine is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Kwang Seung Heo
  • Patent number: 9431838
    Abstract: Charging systems and related methods are disclosed for switching voltage regulators. A charging controller may be configured to generate a control signal indicating a first level of an output current generated by a switching voltage regulator for charging an energy storage device, determine that an output voltage exceeded a predetermined threshold, and generate the control signal indicating a new level of the output current that is reduced from the first level. A method of controlling charging of an energy storage device may comprise monitoring an output voltage charging an energy storage device, comparing a reference signal and a current sense signal to generate a PWM control signal that determines an output current for a switching voltage regulator generating the output voltage, and decrementing the reference signal in response to the output voltage exceeding a predetermined level for a maximum charging voltage for the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: INTEGRATED DEVICE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Trevor Newlin
  • Patent number: 9419455
    Abstract: A multimode battery charger circuit supporting switch mode and linear mode charging operations. In various embodiments, the multimode battery charging circuit includes mode control circuitry, a linear gate driver, a pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit, a programmable constant current control loop circuit, and a programmable constant voltage control loop circuit. In operation, the mode control circuitry receives a charge mode indication signal corresponding to a desired charge mode. Based on this signal, the mode control circuitry enables either the linear gate driver or PWM control circuit to provide control signals to output transistors coupled between an adapter power port and a battery pack, thereby supporting a plurality of charging modes. In some embodiments, one or more of the output transistors are formed on a common substrate with the multimode battery charger circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuezhen Wang, Russell Eliot Radke, Kerry Alan Thompson
  • Patent number: 9391471
    Abstract: A method comprising supplying current to charging elements, a charging element producing a configurable magnetic field polarity, magnetic field polarities produced by the charging elements according to a charging polarity code. The method determines a relative position between a receiving element and a charging element, receiving elements fixedly electrically connected according to the charging polarity code, responsive to determining, re-configuring a magnetic field polarity of one or more of the charging elements due to movement of the receiving elements relative to the charging elements, and inducing a charging current by the charging elements in the receiving elements to increase power transfer from the charging elements to the receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: LOCKHEED MARTIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: James R. Wood
  • Patent number: 9377513
    Abstract: An ambulatory infusion device comprising a replaceable energy storage for electrically powering its functional units is presented. Control units provide to a monitoring system data about energy consuming activities or consumed energy by the functional units. Based on this data, the monitoring system determines energy consumed by the functional units and triggers measurement of the voltage of the energy storage at a point in time which depends on the determined energy consumed in a time interval preceding the point in time. Adapting the time of measurement to the actual energy drawn from the energy storage makes it possible to detect reliably and early a low energy state of any conventional standard battery, regardless of its electrochemical design and electrical behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Roche Diagnostics International AG
    Inventor: Stefan Lindegger
  • Patent number: 9373973
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system, and a method of preventing a battery rack from being damaged by measuring a current, which, when a battery module is abnormally connected with a relay in some battery racks in installing the relay, which conducts or blocks a current flowing in the battery rack including a plurality of battery modules so that a current exceeding a predetermined current limit value flows in the battery rack, prevent a short-circuit phenomenon, by controlling an operation state of the relay before the battery rack and the relay form a short circuit, and prevent capacitance imbalance between the battery racks by controlling an operation state of the relay when a voltage difference between a plurality of battery racks exceeds a predetermined voltage difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Jongbum Lee