Patents Examined by Rexford N. Barnie
  • Patent number: 11929620
    Abstract: A power harvesting system including multiple parallel-connected photovoltaic strings, each photovoltaic string includes a series-connection of photovoltaic panels. Multiple voltage-compensation circuits may be connected in series respectively with the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be configured to provide respective compensation voltages to the photovoltaic strings to maximize power harvested from the photovoltaic strings. The voltage-compensation circuits may be include respective inputs which may be connected to a source of power and respective outputs which may be connected in series with the photovoltaic strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Ilan Yoscovich
  • Patent number: 11923721
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system that includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series; a first connection path from an intermediate battery cell of the plurality to an output bus of the system; a second connection path from a last one of the plurality of battery cells to an output bus; a circuit switch installed along the second connection path, the circuit switch configured to open or close the second connection path; and an undervoltage relay in the output bus, wherein the undervoltage relay is set at a threshold voltage, and wherein the undervoltage relay is configured to control the circuit switch when a voltage on the output bus exceeds the threshold voltage or drops below the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Faisal A. Al Dubaikel, Hossam Abdullah Aldossary, Yaseen M. Al Saleh
  • Patent number: 11923722
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods to provide continuous power to electrical devices using a portable power supply unit and a portable power charging unit. The portable power supply unit may include a first battery providing a first DC output, at least one first inverter for converting said first DC output to a first AC output for powering the electrical devices and for converting a first AC input to a first DC input for charging said first battery The portable power charging unit may include a second battery for providing a second DC output, a second inverter for converting said second DC output to a second AC output; and transmitting the second AC output to the first battery using charging ports on respective units such that said second AC output replaces said first AC output for powering said electrical devices, and replaces said first AC input for charging said first battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: James Doyle Schwalm, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11923782
    Abstract: A housing and/or installation frameworks for a modular multi-level energy system includes a set of similar cabinets configured for orthogonal (e.g., vertical and horizontal) alignment of the modules. The cabinets are configured so modules of a particular phase are oriented along an axis parallel to a reference plane. Modules of the same level of the multi-level arrangement but of different phases are mounted in each cabinet, arranged such that a module for each phase is a defined distance from the reference plane. The cabinets are arranged equidistant and orthogonal to the reference plane, minimizing distance for connections between modules of the same phase across multiple cabinets, and facilitating convenient addition or removal of levels. The framework also facilitates data and reference signal connections between local control devices of the modules, and between the local control devices and a master control device for the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TAE Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail Slepchenkov, Roozbeh Naderi
  • Patent number: 11923787
    Abstract: An isolated bus inverter system including inverter circuits and a controller. The inverter circuits include a switching array to provide a polyphase alternating current (AC) signal to an output. Each of the inverter circuits includes an energy source isolated from the other inverter circuits of the inverter circuits or a reference isolated from the other inverter circuits of the inverter circuits. The controller is configured to generate timing signals for the inverter circuits to generate the AC signals for the output based on DC signals received from one or more rectifier circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Adam Larson, Isaac S. Frampton
  • Patent number: 11923692
    Abstract: Provided are a wireless power transmission device and an operating method therefor, the device confirming an optimum phase adjustment degree for each antenna by applying a reference signal to at least one from among a plurality of patch antennas and sequentially applying a plurality of phase electric signals to each of the remaining antennas, when an RF wave is formed using electric signals from a plurality of power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chongmin Lee, Jaeseok Park, Hyoseok Han, Sangwook Lee, Seunghyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11923694
    Abstract: A power beaming system delivers electric power in laser light from a first location to a remote second location. The laser light has a high energy intensity level defining a hazardous illumination area and a low energy intensity level defining a safe illumination area. The system includes guard circuitry emitter(s) and corresponding detector(s). The guard circuitry forms a detection area about the hazardous illumination area to detect objects in proximity to the hazardous illumination area. A controller directs the guard and power beam circuitry according to sequentially activated safety modes to operate at a low energy intensity level, to scan in a defined pattern, to adjust operation of the detector(s), and to set guard circuitry parameters based on a time value, an object detection value, or a change to the delivered electric power. An output coupled to the controller and power beam circuitry controllably permits or prevents operation at the high energy intensity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: LASERMOTIVE, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Nugent, Jr., Jordin T. Kare, Alexander Hay
  • Patent number: 11915869
    Abstract: A latch system includes a releasably secured latch or keeper and a solenoid assembly. The solenoid assembly has a solenoid driver coupled to a power supply, a switching circuit connected with the solenoid driver, and a function generator to selectively adjust a frequency of a pick current output from the power supply and provided to the solenoid driver. The frequency is adjusted until the pick current induces a resulting vibration of said latch system sufficient to free a preloaded latch or keeper. The adjusted frequency may be a target frequency or a range of frequencies. Also included may be a preload sensor. When a preload is sensed, the frequency may be adjusted by the function generator until the pick current induces a resulting vibration of said latch system sufficient to free a preloaded latch or keeper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Hanchett Entry Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall Shaffer
  • Patent number: 11912146
    Abstract: A battery charging system includes: an electric motor including stator coils; a battery; a charge port configured to receive power from charging stations by wire; first and second electrical conductors connected between the battery and the charge port; an inverter module including (a) inputs connected to receive power from the battery and (b) outputs connected to the electric motor; a third electrical conductor; and a switch configured to electrically connect and disconnect a first end of the third electrical conductor to and from the first electrical conductor, where the third electrical conductor includes a second end that is connected to at least one of the stator coils via one of the outputs of the inverter module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Rashmi Prasad, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 11909205
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting power includes at least one impedance matching network which receives an electrical signal. The apparatus includes at least one AC to DC converter in communication with the impedance matching network. Also disclosed is a method for powering a load and an apparatus for converting power and additional embodiments of an apparatus for converting power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Powercast Corporation
    Inventors: Charles E. Greene, Daniel W. Harrist
  • Patent number: 11904706
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply device converts power from high voltage to low voltage by selectively connecting a predetermined power storage element group to a low voltage electric load from a high voltage power supply formed by connecting power storage elements in series. A leakage current from the high voltage power supply is measured during the dead time period when the power storage element group is not connected to the low voltage electric load. When the value exceeds a predetermined value, the connection between the power storage element group and the low-voltage electric load is interrupted, so that electric shock is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: IMASEN ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Makio, Koichi Yamanoue
  • Patent number: 11904712
    Abstract: Foreign objects impinging on a ground transceiver assembly (GTA) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) station are detected using a two-stage foreign object detection system. In a first stage, at least one camera is positioned to observe a charging position of the GTA and an area surrounding the charging position. In a second stage, an impedance measurement circuit measures an impedance of a wireless power transfer coil of the GTA. An imaging processor analyzes images from the at least one camera to identify changes or features indicative of introduction of a foreign object onto an exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the charging position. A foreign object detection (FOD) controller triggers an impedance inspection of the GTA by the impedance measurement circuit and initiates a failsafe operation when movement of an object crossing into or over the charging position is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Ward, Jorge E. Rivé
  • Patent number: 11901764
    Abstract: A power supply circuit includes a charge system circuit and a discharge system circuit. The charge system circuit charges a battery based on power received by a power receiving unit. The discharge system circuit supplies power to a power supply target device based on a battery voltage from the battery. The discharge system circuit includes a power supply circuit and a power-off setting circuit. The power supply circuit supplies power to the power supply target device based on the battery voltage. The power-off setting circuit sets the power supply circuit to a power-off state when it is detected that a non-input state of the battery voltage to the discharge system circuit is changed to an input state of the battery voltage to the discharge system circuit, and releases the power-off state after the power receiving unit starts receiving power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Inventor: Kinya Matsuda
  • Patent number: 11897359
    Abstract: An electric power system includes a vehicle, a vehicle management server, an AC charging stand, a DC charging stand, and a charging stand management server. During AC charging and AC discharging, the AC charging stand is connected to the vehicle. An amount of charging power during AC charging and an amount of discharging power during AC discharging are calculated by the vehicle. The vehicle measures electric power before power conversion by an on-board charger, and calculates an amount of charging power and an amount of discharging power. An amount of charging power during DC charging and an amount of discharging power during DC discharging are calculated by the DC charging stand. The DC charging stand measures electric power before power conversion by a charger, and calculates an amount of charging power and an amount of discharging power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Patent number: 11894203
    Abstract: A remote-controlled switch cover assembly is described for converting an existing rocker switch into a remote-controlled switch. The remote-controlled switch cover assembly receives a wireless signal to actuate the existing rocker switch and, in response, activates an electric motor that causes a gear train to turn in a first direction. This causes a wiper to engage an under-surface of a tilt plate located above the existing rocker switch and, in response, an opposing end of the tit plate depresses the existing rocker switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ECOLINK INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Morgan Scruggs
  • Patent number: 11890968
    Abstract: A power system is disclosed. The power system includes a first power generating unit. The first power generating unit includes a first power converting subunit and a first control unit coupled to the first power converting subunit, where the first control unit is configured to regulate a voltage of the first power generating unit. The power system further includes a second power generating unit coupled to the first power generating unit and a load, where the second power generating unit includes a second power converting subunit and a second control unit coupled to the second power converting subunit, wherein the second control unit is configured to control a current of the second power generating unit to share a quantity of electrical output current flowing through the load among the first and second power generating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Govardhan Ganireddy, Shahid Ali, Prashanth Manikumar Chennamsetty
  • Patent number: 11894695
    Abstract: A repeater for a wireless power transfer system is disclosed. The repeaters includes an elongated strip of material arranged in a substantially circular configuration with opposing ends of the elongated strip disposed in close proximity to each other, an inductive element associated with the elongated strip and arranged to provide a coupling with an adjacent resonator through flux directed outward from a first surface of the elongated strip, and a capacitive element associated with the elongated strip and arranged to resonate electromagnetic energy with the inductive element when the electromagnetic energy is transferred from the adjacent resonator through the coupling provided by the inductive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Minnetronix, Inc.
    Inventors: Vlad Bluvshtein, Lori Lucke
  • Patent number: 11894691
    Abstract: A contactless power feeding system includes: a power converter which converts DC power from a DC power supply, to AC power; a power transmission electrode to which AC power converted by the power converter is applied; a power reception device having a power reception electrode, receiving power through capacitive coupling between the power transmission and reception electrodes, and feeding power to a load; a voltage detection unit which detects voltage of the power transmission electrode; and a control unit which controls the DC power supply or the power converter using voltage detected by the voltage detection unit. The voltage detection unit has a voltage detection electrode and detects voltage of the power transmission electrode through capacitive coupling between the power transmission electrode and the voltage detection electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shunji Hata
  • Patent number: 11894688
    Abstract: An electrical circuit for charging a DC voltage source from an AC voltage network. The circuit includes an input that is able to receive an AC voltage from the voltage network, and a first output able to be connected to the DC voltage source. An insulating stage formed using a plurality of capacitors is arranged so as to electrically insulate the input from the first output of the circuit. A frequency-raising stage is arranged between the input of the circuit and the insulating stage so that the capacitors of the insulating stage are in a circuit portion that has flowing through it an AC current at a frequency that is greater than that of the AC network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: VALEO SYSTEMES DE CONTROLE MOTEUR
    Inventor: Nicolas Allali
  • Patent number: 11890899
    Abstract: A pneumatic tire includes a planar-shaped receiver coil in a cavity region, and configured to receive a magnetic field through a carcass ply layer and generate a signal, and an element to receive power converted from the signal. A receiving region of the receiver coil is interposed between an outermost side of a bead core in the radial direction and an innermost side of a belt layer in the radial direction, and the receiving region faces in the width direction. When a maximum dimension of the receiving region along the radial direction of the receiver coil is a length D1, a distance from the receiving region to a nearest portion of the bead core to the receiving region is L1, and a distance from the receiving region to a nearest portion of the belt layer to the receiving region is L2, relationships L1>(D1/4) and L2>(D2/4) are satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventor: Atsushi Tanno