Patents Examined by Pinping Sun
  • Patent number: 11521792
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer pad for wireless power transfer with active field cancellation using multiple magnetic flux sinks includes a ferrite structure, a center coil positioned adjacent to the ferrite structure, and a plurality of side coils positioned around a perimeter of the center coil and positioned adjacent to the ferrite structure. A direction of current flow of the center coil is opposite a current flow in each of the plurality of side coils such that current flowing in a portion of the center coil adjacent to a portion of a side coil of the plurality of side coils is in a same direction as current in the portion of the side coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Benny J. Varghese, Abhilash Kamineni, Regan A. Zane
  • Patent number: 11515730
    Abstract: A detection circuit detects at least one of a value of a current flowing through a power transmitting coil, and a value of a current or voltage generated by an auxiliary coil. A control circuit determines a transmitting frequency based on the value detected by the detection circuit, the transmitting frequency at least locally minimizing load dependence. The control circuit determines a voltage for the transmitting power at which an output voltage of a power receiver apparatus is equal to a predetermined target voltage when generating the transmitting power having the transmitting frequency determined, and controls the power supply circuit to generate the transmitting power having the transmitting frequency and voltage determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Nagaoka, Taichi Mishima, Takeshi Uematsu
  • Patent number: 11515731
    Abstract: A first detector detects a value of a current or voltage generated by an auxiliary coil. A second detector detects a value of a current flowing through a power transmitting coil. A coupling coefficient estimator estimates a first coupling coefficient between the power transmitting coil and a power receiving coil, based on the value of the current or voltage generated by the auxiliary coil, and estimates a second coupling coefficient between the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil, based on the value of the current flowing through the power transmitting coil. A control circuit controls a power supply circuit to stop power transmission to a power receiver apparatus when a difference between the coupling coefficients is greater than a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shingo Nagaoka, Taichi Mishima, Takeshi Uematsu
  • Patent number: 11515740
    Abstract: A power receiving apparatus includes a measurement unit that measures a first received voltage value from a power transmitting apparatus, which has a detection function for detecting an object as being different from a power receiving apparatus, based on a difference between power transmitted by the power transmitting apparatus and power received by the power receiving apparatus, as well as a first request unit that requests the power transmitting apparatus to adjust the transmitted power, a measurement unit that measures a second received voltage value from the power transmitting apparatus after the requesting, a determination unit that determines whether calibration process regarding the detection function is necessary, based on details of an adjustment of the transmitted power and the difference between the first and second received voltage values, and a request unit that requests the power transmitting apparatus to terminate power transmission and requests the power transmitting apparatus to perform the c
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Shichino
  • Patent number: 11509174
    Abstract: A power receiving apparatus comprises a power receiving unit that receives power transmitted wirelessly from a power transmitting apparatus, a communication unit that transmits, to the power transmitting apparatus, information regarding a received power received by the power receiving unit, and a control unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to update a reference value which is generated in the power transmitting apparatus on the basis of the information regarding the received power and is used for a detection of an object different from the power receiving apparatus by the power transmitting unit and requests the power transmitting apparatus to update the reference value when it is determined that it is necessary to update the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Moritomo
  • Patent number: 11505077
    Abstract: A vehicle including a power receiving pad for wirelessly receiving power, a plurality of magnetic sensors for measuring a magnetic field of a power transmitting pad and obtaining magnetic field data, one or more processors, and one or more memory modules are provided. The one or more memory modules include a computer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to receive the magnetic field data from the plurality of magnetic sensors, and estimate a lateral misalignment of the power receiving pad with respect to a magnetic axis of the power transmitting pad. The magnetic sensors are arranged to detect at least an X-component and a Y-component of a magnetic field produced by a power transmitting pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Utah State University
    Inventors: Zeljko Pantic, Seyed Mohammad Reza Tavakoli, Chungchih Chou, Ercan Mehmet Dede
  • Patent number: 11502548
    Abstract: A control system is provided that includes a power transmitting coil for wirelessly transmitting power supplied from a power source, a power receiving coil for wirelessly receiving power by electromagnetic coupling between the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil, a driving circuit configured to drive a load portion using the power received via the power receiving coil, a transmitting coupler for wirelessly transmitting a transmission signal for controlling driving of the load portion, a receiving coupler for wirelessly receiving the transmission signal by electromagnetic coupling between the transmitting coupler and the receiving coupler, and a generation circuit configured to generate a driving signal for controlling the driving circuit from the transmission signal received via the receiving coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Ide
  • Patent number: 11496185
    Abstract: A method for modulating a signal including operating a circuit in a first arrangement during a first operating interval and switching the circuit between the first arrangement and a second arrangement during a first modulation interval to vary a load on the circuit to produce a first amplitude shift keying (ASK) signal. The method further includes detecting a voltage on the circuit crossing a threshold level and operating the circuit in the second arrangement during a second operating interval. The method also includes switching the circuit between the second arrangement and the first arrangement during a second modulation interval to vary the load on the circuit to produce a second ASK signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Research & Development Limited), STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific PTE Ltd.
    Inventors: Wenhe Zhao, Jiasheng Wang
  • Patent number: 11496004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for transmitting or receiving data in a wireless power transmission system. The present specification discloses a wireless power reception device comprising: a power pickup unit configured to receive, from a wireless power transmission device, wireless power generated on the basis of magnetic coupling in a power transmission phase; and a communication/control unit configured to receive, from the wireless power transmission device, information on a first buffer size indicating the size of a first buffer for receiving a data transmission stream. As the buffer size for exchanging the data transmission stream between the wireless power transmission device and reception device becomes clear, wireless power transmission and communication can proceed smoothly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Yongcheol Park
  • Patent number: 11495970
    Abstract: A photovoltaic power generation system includes a plurality of photovoltaic cell arrays, a plurality of power conditioners connected respectively with the plurality of photovoltaic cell arrays, and a high order device connected to the plurality of power conditioners. The high order device is configured to execute: a first output control to adjust output power of a designated power conditioner to a predetermined output power amount being set in advance; and a second output control to adjust output power from a remaining power conditioner which is other than the designated power conditioner among the plurality of power conditioners. The high order device is configured to execute characteristic-data acquisition to acquire an input/output electrical characteristic of the designated power conditioner during execution of the first output control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 11492775
    Abstract: A manhole cover and a manhole management system are provided. A manhole cover according to one embodiment includes: a cover body; an electronic unit including at least one sensing unit configured to sense information inside a manhole and at least one communication module configured to transmit information which is obtained through the sensing unit to the outside, and embedded in the cover body; a battery providing driving power to the electronic unit; and a wireless power reception antenna embedded in the cover body to receive wireless power supplied from the outside and provide the wireless power to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Amosense Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jin Pyo Park, Won San Na
  • Patent number: 11479131
    Abstract: A method for checking a test secondary unit of an inductive test charging system for charging an electrical energy store, wherein the test charging system comprises the test secondary unit having a test secondary coil and a reference primary unit having a reference primary coil, includes recording a plurality of actual primary unit impedance values of the test charging system at the reference primary coil for a corresponding plurality of test combinations of values of operating parameters of the test charging system. The method also includes comparing the plurality of actual primary unit impedance values with a reference value range for a primary unit impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marius Hassler, Josef Krammer, Florian Niedermeier
  • Patent number: 11476720
    Abstract: A power transmitter (101) for a wireless power transfer system comprises a transmitter coil (103) and a driver (201) generates a drive signal) for the transmitter coil (103) employing a repeating time frame with a power transfer time interval and a reduced power time interval during which a power level of the power transfer signal is reduced. A driver (201) generates a drive signal for the transmitter coil (103) to generate the power transfer signal. A communicator (205) receives messages from the power receiver (105) and an adapter (213) adapts a timing property of the reduced power time interval in response to at least a first message received from the power receiver (105). A synchronizer (206) for synchronizing a foreign object detection and the generation of a test signal to occur during the reduced power time interval. The operation may typically be a foreign object detection or communication, and the timing property may e.g. be a duration of the reduced power time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Wilhelmus Gerardus Maria Ettes, Andries Van Wageningen
  • Patent number: 11462953
    Abstract: A dynamic transmit coil positioning system, e.g. for a wireless power transfer system. The positioning system has a drive unit, a movable platform, a transmit coil, an inverter and a controller. The controller is provided for positioning the movable platform via the drive unit to adjust an operating parameter of the transmit coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: TDK Electronics AG
    Inventors: Nikola Janjic, Stefan Zbinden, Hugh Hemphill
  • Patent number: 11456110
    Abstract: A coil device includes a coil unit for stowing a coil part, and a heat dissipation unit thermally connected to the coil unit. The heat dissipation unit has a heat dissipation body, a heat dissipation fin movable relative to the heat dissipation body, and a fin drive mechanism for driving the heat dissipation fin. The heat dissipation unit has a heat dissipation configuration in which the heat dissipation fin projects from the heat dissipation body in a direction intersecting a winding axis, and a stowed configuration in which the heat dissipation fin is stowed in the heat dissipation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Nishimura, Motonao Niizuma
  • Patent number: 11456549
    Abstract: A power backplane assembly is adapted to be connected to a power supply. The power supply outputs a first voltage. The power backplane assembly includes a backplane body, a conversion circuit board, and an output circuit board. The backplane body is for plugging in the power supply. The conversion circuit board is electrically connected to the backplane body. The backplane body is adapted to deliver the first voltage to the conversion circuit board. The conversion circuit board converts the first voltage into a second voltage. The output circuit board is electrically connected to the conversion circuit board and includes a first output connector and a second output connector. The first output connector is configured to output the first voltage, and the second output connector is at least configured to output the second voltage. A power supply module which has the power backplane assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: FSP TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Li Tsai, Yao-Cheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 11456616
    Abstract: A system and method for supplying uninterruptible power includes a housing, a power supply input connected to a solar panel as a power supply, a main network input, a powered device output, an alternative power supply as a plurality of batteries, and a control module. The power supply input includes a controller and power distribution unit to manage the solar panel. The main network input and control module are also modified to include an adapter, a power management processor, and a network management processor. There can be a panel irradiance sensor on the solar panel and connected to the power management processor. The system can be located at a remote location with only the solar panel connected to the power supply input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: BTU RESEARCH LLC
    Inventors: Michael Kanarellis, Charles I. McAndrew, Kenny Swatzel
  • Patent number: 11451094
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system includes a power transmitter (201) arranged to provide a power transfer to a power receiver (205) via a power transfer signal. The power receiver (205) comprises a first mode controller (709) for transmitting a standby mode exit request to the power transmitter (201) by changing a loading of a communication inductor (209) of the power transmitter (201). The power transmitter (201) comprises a mode controller (405) which controls the power transmitter (201) to operate in a standby mode wherein a presence of the power receiver (205) is detected but no power transfer signal is generated. It furthermore comprises a detector (403) for detecting an impedance change of the communication inductor (209). The mode controller (405) is arranged to initiate a transition from the standby mode to a power transfer mode in response to the detector (403) detecting the impedance change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Koninkliljke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Neil Francis Joye, Andries Van Wageningen, Simon George Abernethy, Klaas Jacob Lulofs
  • Patent number: 11444490
    Abstract: A power transmission device of a non-contact power feeding device according one or more embodiments may include a control circuit configured to control at least one of a switching frequency or a voltage of AC power supplied from a power supply circuit to a transmission coil, on the basis of a change over time in a strength of a magnetic field detected by a magnetic field detection element configured to detect a strength of a magnetic field generated from the transmission coil of the power transmission device. Whereas, a power reception device has a resonant circuit having a reception coil configured to receive electric power from the power transmission device and a resonance suppression coil arranged to be capable of being electromagnetically coupled to the reception coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON Corporation
    Inventors: Goro Nakao, Yusuke Kawai, Kenichi Tabata, Atsushi Nomura, Takahiro Takeyama, Masanobu Nakajo
  • Patent number: 11440423
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an apparatus including a pulse buffer (PB) converter. The PB converter including a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB), at least one inductor, and at least one capacitor is provided. The PCB is positioned in the housing and includes at least one first power switch and at least one second power switch positioned thereon. The at least one inductor is positioned in the housing and off board from the PCB to interface with the at least one first power switch and the at least second power switch. The at least one capacitor is positioned in the housing and off board from the PCB to interface with the at least one first power switch and the at least one second power switch to regulate an energy output to one or more vehicle batteries during a charging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rafael Jimenez Pino, Pablo Gaona Rosanes, Hector Sarnago Andia, Oscar Lucia Gil