Patents Examined by Nathaniel Pelton
  • Patent number: 10085110
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power to an electronic apparatus, a communication unit configured to receive information regarding the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus, and a control unit configured to control whether to perform a process for detecting a foreign object according to whether the information is updated by the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Tanabe, Nobuyuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10081248
    Abstract: A battery-protecting apparatus is electrically connected to a secondary battery, a generator and a load unit of a vehicle. The generator provides electricity to the battery via the battery-protecting apparatus. The battery provides electricity to the load unit via the battery-protecting apparatus. The battery-protecting apparatus includes a detection unit, a switch, a processor, a controlling unit, a discharging loop, a wireless communication unit and a security loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventor: Fu-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 10076833
    Abstract: An electric tool may include a battery mount portion having a guide groove structure that can be slidably fitted with a guide projection structure of a rechargeable battery. A reinforcing member may be attached to the guide groove structure of the battery mount portion and may include a connecting structure for detachably connecting the reinforcing member to the guide groove structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshiro Tada, Masanori Furusawa
  • Patent number: 10074876
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for balancing out states of charge of a battery which has a number of N battery cells. In order to balance out the individual states of charge (SOCn) of the n=1 to N cells, the state of charge of at least one cell is changed to a target state of charge (SOCtarget,n) which depends on the discharge depth (DODk) of the cell having the lowest capacity (Capk) according to the equation SOCtarget,n=1?DODk/Capn, Capn being the capacity of the nth cell to be changed. Advantageously, the method is suitable for optimizing the voltage or the energy content of a battery that is constituted of a plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andre Boehm, Frank Schindler
  • Patent number: 10075002
    Abstract: An electricity storage system comprising: a plurality of cartridges connected together in parallel, each cartridge comprising a plurality of cells connected together, and a circuit for preventing cross current, which restricts the current in each cartridge so as to cause the current to flow in one direction selected from a discharge direction and a charge direction, wherein said cartridges connected together in parallel are simultaneously charged with a direct current voltage converted from a commercial voltage, or said cartridges connected together in parallel are caused to discharge simultaneously so that said electricity storage system outputs a commercial voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaru Heishi, Masashi Kanoh, Mitsuhide Nogami, Akio Shokaku
  • Patent number: 10075007
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system operates a charging circuit for converting an input voltage from a power source into a set of output voltages for charging the battery and powering a low-voltage subsystem and a high-voltage subsystem in the portable electronic device. Upon detecting the input voltage from the power source and a low-voltage state in the battery during operation of the charging circuit, the system uses a first inductor group in the charging circuit to down-convert the input voltage to a target voltage of the battery that is lower than a voltage requirement of the high-voltage subsystem. The system also uses a second inductor group in the charging circuit to up-convert the target voltage to power the high-voltage subsystem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Langlinais, Mark A. Yoshimoto, Lin Chen
  • Patent number: 10069313
    Abstract: Disclosed is pulse charging and pulse discharging of a reconfigurable battery pack that uses frequency modulation to vary the pulse periods of the charging pulses and the discharging pulses. Battery measurements can be made to determine the duty cycles of the charging pulses and the discharging pulses. Additionally, the battery pack can be reconfigured to match with varying charging devices and varying loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: GBatteries Energy Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Oleksandr Tkachenko, Mykola Sherstyuk
  • Patent number: 10067192
    Abstract: A system for monitoring battery status and estimating battery life including a battery monitor configured to connect to a battery. The battery monitor comprises a voltage detection circuit, a temperature sensor and a wireless transmitter configured to transmit voltage and temperature data measured by the voltage detection circuit and the temperature sensor. The system further includes a remote device operative to receive battery voltage and temperature data from the battery monitor, generate a real-time indication of battery voltage, and generate predicted battery life data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: MEASUREMENT LTD.
    Inventor: Steven Petrucelli
  • Patent number: 10069325
    Abstract: A wireless charging device for a vehicle includes an external cover rotatably coupled to an interior member of the vehicle and including a wireless charging circuit formed therein, an internal cover coupled to a surface of the external cover and including an accommodation space configured to position a power receiving device with respect to the wireless charging circuit to receive power transmitted by the wireless charging circuit, and at least one auxiliary cover inserted into the accommodation space and configured to reduce the size of the accommodation space to inhibit movement of the power receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji Ho Hyun
  • Patent number: 10063079
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for efficient power charging of a battery in one electronic device by another electronic device. In one embodiment, a method may include establishing an electrical connection between a first electronic device and a second electronic device; acquiring, by the second electronic device via the electrical connection, real-time charging voltage information of a battery in the first electronic device, wherein the real-time charging voltage information varies with a charge state of the battery in the first electronic device; and controlling by the second electronic device, during charging of the battery in the first electronic device by the second electronic device, an output voltage of the second electronic device to charge the battery of the first electronic device according to the real-time charging voltage information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Xiaomi Inc.
    Inventors: Zhenfei Lei, Wei Sun, Xiangdong Wang
  • Patent number: 10059210
    Abstract: A vehicle mutual-charging system and a charging connector are provided. The system includes: a first electric vehicle (1002) and a second electric vehicle (1003), each of the first electric vehicle (1002) and the second electric vehicle (1003) including a power battery (10), a battery manager (103), an energy control device (1005) and a charge-discharge socket (20), in which the energy control device (1005) includes: a three-level bidirectional DC-AC module (30), a charge-discharge control module (50), a control module (60); and a charging connector (1004) connected between the first electric vehicle (1002) and the second electric vehicle (1003) and including a first charging gun adaptor connected with the charge-discharge socket (20) of the first electric vehicle and a second charging gun adaptor connected with the charge-discharge socket (20) of the second electric vehicle at both ends thereof respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Guangming Yang, Min Hu
  • Patent number: 10040368
    Abstract: A power supply system includes a first energy storage, a second energy storage, a power transmitter, and circuitry. The power transmitter is disposed among an electric load, the first energy storage, and the second energy storage. The electric load is configured to output a regenerative power while no power is supplied to the electric load. The regenerative power includes a first charging power charged in the first energy storage and a second charging power charged in the second energy storage. The circuitry is configured to acquire at least one of a regeneration index value and a remaining capacity value. The circuitry is configured to control the power transmitter to change a proportion of the first charging power and the second charging power in accordance with at least one of the regeneration index value and the remaining capacity value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirokazu Oguma, Daijiro Takizawa, Ryota Unno
  • Patent number: 10044214
    Abstract: A battery charger can include a charger controller configured to determine a total charge time that characterizes a time needed to charge a battery, the total charge time being based on a received state of charge (SOC) of the battery that characterizes a present SOC of the battery. The charger controller can also be configured to determine a charging start time for the battery based on a predetermined full charge time and the total charge time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Yevgen Barsukov
  • Patent number: 10044202
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for an electrical component to automatically provide a discharge of a rechargeable battery to a predetermined state of charge. The apparatus includes the electrical component determining a rechargeable battery is not connected to a device and discharging the rechargeable battery. The apparatus includes the electronic component determining whether a state of charge exceeds the predetermined state of charge in the rechargeable battery and responsive to determining that the state of charge exceeds the predetermined state of charge, continuing discharging the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Marc H. Coq, Richard J. Fishbune, Mark E. Maresh, Eric B. Swenson
  • Patent number: 10036779
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining self-discharge currents in an energy storage cell and detecting internal shorts are disclosed. A system includes a DC voltage source configured to provide a constant test voltage selected to be less than an open-circuit voltage of an energy storage cell to the energy storage cell. The system also includes a current measuring device operably coupled between the DC voltage source and the energy storage cell, and control circuitry operably coupled to the current measuring device. A method includes applying the constant test voltage, and measuring the test current flowing between the DC voltage source and the energy storage cell until after the test current switches from a negative current to a positive current. The method also includes determining a self-discharge current of the energy storage cell by analyzing the measured test current with computational models that capture physical processes tied to the test methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Sergiy V Sazhin, Eric J Dufek, Kevin L Gering
  • Patent number: 10026998
    Abstract: Battery state of charge control systems and methods provide techniques to assist in managing battery capacity and battery life under various environmental, operating, and storage conditions. Dynamic management of desired battery SOC based on one or more parameters associated with usage patterns and environmental conditions, e.g., charge/discharge patterns, state of charge and/or temperature during storage may extend useful battery life. The present techniques can provide active state of charge monitoring and control to manage battery capacity during storage or other periods of non-use over the battery life to enhance battery performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yonghua Li, Fling Tseng, Szushen Ho
  • Patent number: 10027152
    Abstract: A charging device including a charging base and at least one hook portion is provided. The charging base has a receiving chamber for receiving a battery. The receiving chamber includes a first sidewall. The first sidewall has a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The hook portion is disposed on the first sidewall, positioned proximate to the first side of the first sidewall, and adapted to fix the battery in place. When the battery begins to rotate under an applied force and therefore disconnect from the hook portion, the fulcrum of the rotating battery is positioned proximate to the second side of the first sidewall. The battery can be firmly inserted into the charging device. It is easy to insert and take out the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GETAC TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tzu-Chiu Huang
  • Patent number: 10017059
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a motor, a high voltage battery, a charger; an accessory; a first DC/DC converter, a second DC/DC converter, and an electronic control unit configured to: end the external charging, when a power storage ratio of the high voltage battery reaches a target ratio or when charged electric power of the high voltage battery becomes equal to or less than predetermined electric power before the power storage ratio of the high voltage battery reaches the target ratio, while external charging for charging the high voltage battery with the charger using electric power from the external power supply is being performed; and limit a drive of the accessory compared to when the electric power from the external power supply is greater than the predetermined electric power, when the electric power from the external power supply is equal to or less than predetermined electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Fumiyoshi Kuribara, Shigetaka Asano
  • Patent number: 10014709
    Abstract: A charging accessory (104) is provided. The charging accessory (104) comprises a mechanical attachment device, such as a clip (110), and a receive coil (112) integrated within the clip, the receive coil for receiving a wireless charging signal (118). A wearable lanyard (126) is coupled to the clip (110) for transferring power and charging signals. The charging accessory (104) can be worn and operated within a charging system (100) to power and charge a wearable electronic device (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: John E. Herrmann, Scott H. Richards, Chi T. Tran
  • Patent number: 10003203
    Abstract: An all-solid-state secondary battery system comprising: a sealed battery having formed by housing, in an outer package, a stacked battery; a jig adapted to constrain the sealed battery in the stacking direction; one or more contact pressure sensors provided at least either between an outermost layer surface of the stacked battery and the outer package or in the inside of the stacked battery; one or more gas pressure sensors provided in a space inside the outer package; and a control device adapted to stop charging by judging as an overcharge state only when the change in contact pressure sensed by at least one of the contact pressure sensors is equal to or more than a threshold value, and the change in gas pressure sensed by at least one of the gas pressure sensors is equal to or more than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hisataka Fujimaki, Koichi Sugiura, Yuki Matsushita, Satoshi Yoshida