Patents Examined by Rexford N. Barnie
  • Patent number: 11888328
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlling an active rectifier of a wireless power receiver. The exemplary methods can include determining a reference value of a current into the rectifier, the reference value being based on a load requirement; determining a required value change in a present input current into the rectifier based on the reference value; transmitting, to a wireless power transmitter, a signal representative of the required value change in the present input current; determining a new value of the present input current after transmitting the signal; and, when the new value is within a predetermined range of the required value change, driving at least one transistor in the rectifier with a PWM signal based on the new value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
  • Patent number: 11888324
    Abstract: A power management apparatus 20 comprises: a plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24; a first energy storage element connection for connecting to an energy storage element 32; an inductor connection 27; and a switching circuit 28. A controller 30 operates the switching circuit to transfer energy between the energy harvesting input channels 21-24 and the first energy storage element connection 25 by a sequence of energy transfer cycles. Each energy harvesting input channel 21-24 is allocated a plurality of the energy transfer cycles. The controller 30 determines operating parameters for operating the switching circuit 28 which transfer a maximum power from the electrical energy harvesting source connected to the energy harvesting input channel and a maximum power inductor utilisation factor. The controller 30 determines a set of adjusted operating parameters for sharing use of the inductor between the plurality of energy harvesting input channels 21-24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Trameto Limited
    Inventors: Mark Ross, Laurence Alan Strong, Robert Robertson
  • Patent number: 11888383
    Abstract: A method for controlling an electric load is described herein. In accordance with one embodiment the method includes collecting ambient energy using an energy harvesting circuit and using the collected ambient energy to charge a buffer capacitor. The method further includes alternatingly connecting and disconnecting an electrical load and the buffer capacitor, wherein a capacitor voltage provided by the buffer capacitor is applied to the electrical load in a discharging phase, in which the electrical load is connected to the buffer capacitor and the capacitor voltage decreases, and wherein the buffer capacitor is recharged in a charging phase, in which the electrical load is disconnected from the buffer capacitor in a charging phase in which the capacitor voltage again increases. The durations of the charging phase and the discharging phase are designed such that the capacitor voltage stays above a minimum supply voltage of the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Qi Zhu, Doris Keitel-Schulz, Natasha Novik, Helmut Sochor
  • Patent number: 11888331
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: wirelessly transmitting power to a receiving coil from a transmitting coil, where the receiving coil is in a wireless power transmission space of the transmitting coil; measuring an output of a sensor during a first time to generate a first measurement; measuring the output of the sensor during a second time to generate a second measurement, the second time being after the first time; and when a magnitude of a difference between the first measurement and the second measurement is higher than a predetermined threshold, stopping wirelessly transmitting power to the receiving coil with the transmitting coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Spark Connected LLC
    Inventors: Petru Emanuel Stingu, Yulong Hou, Kenneth Moore, Ruwanga Dassanayake
  • Patent number: 11888341
    Abstract: A control apparatus controlling a power output apparatus that generates, based on input power from one of an electrical grid and a power storage, output power to another of the electrical grid and the power storage is provided. The control apparatus includes: a communicator to receive a grid frequency of the electrical grid and a state of charge of the power storage, or information allowing the grid frequency and the state of charge to be calculated; and a processor to determine an output destination and an output rate of the output power, based on a function of calculating the output destination and the output rate according to the grid frequency. The output destination and the output rate are adjusted according to the state of charge, by the processor changing, according to the state of charge, the function used to determine the output destination and the output rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroshi Uno, Qiang Lin, Tetsu Shijo, Yasuhiro Kanekiyo
  • Patent number: 11888327
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides wireless power transfer systems and methods. One such system includes a transmitter comprising a transmitter coil coupled to a power source and a transmitter metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the transmitter coil that is configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards a receiver in a non-contact manner. In such a system, the receiver comprises a receiver coil coupled to a load and a receiver metasurface slab positioned on a front side of the receiver coil configured to amplify and focus a magnetic field generated by the transmitter coil towards the receiver coil in a non-contact manner. Other systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Kyu Yoon, Woosol Lee
  • Patent number: 11875963
    Abstract: A device for connecting to a high-voltage grid carrying an AC voltage and having a plurality of phases, includes an active part having at least one phase connection for connecting to a phase of the high-voltage grid, at least one step winding connected downstream of one of the phase connections and having a plurality of taps, a tap changer having, for each step winding, a selector for currentlessly switching over from a current to a desired tap of the step winding, and a load changeover switch connected downstream of the selector in series for commutating the current from the current to the desired tap, for avoiding a high short-circuit current in the step winding or in the tap changer. An impedance unit, having an impedance to be switched between a low impedance and a high impedance, is disposed between each selector and each load changeover switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Siemens Energy Global GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Matthias Spaeth
  • Patent number: 11876367
    Abstract: Embodiments of a modular direct current interconnection device (MDCID) include at least three operation branches, at least one transient branch, and a local controller. Each of the operation branches includes a first terminal coupled to a common node and configured to transmit DC current in a normal mode. The transient branch is coupled between second terminals of different ones of the at least three operation branches and configured to provide a transient DC current path in a fault clearance mode. The local controller is coupled to the operation branches and the transient branch, and the local controller is configured to control operation of the operation branches and the transient branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: ABB SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventors: Chunming Yuan, Xiaobo Yang, Xing Huang
  • Patent number: 11876376
    Abstract: An inverter (200) connected to an energy source (100) and configured to supply power to a load network (300) comprising at least one controllable load, said inverter (200) comprising a processor (201) adapted to control the at least one controllable load of the load network (300) is disclosed. The processor (201) comprising: a net load detector (201a) detects a net load of the load network (300); a power export analyzer (201b) determines an inverter power transfer of the inverter and a grid power transfer of a grid (400); characterized in that a power manager (201c) varies the power output of the inverter (200) and a power consumption of the at least one controllable load based on the inverter power transfer, the grid power transfer, an export condition violation and a derating state of the energy source (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Fronius International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Krösswang-Ridler, Markus Brandstötter
  • Patent number: 11876435
    Abstract: This DC/DC conversion system is provided between a plurality of DC power supplies and a common DC bus, and includes, for each of the plurality of DC power supplies: a DC/DC converter provided between the DC power supply and the DC bus; and a control unit configured to control the DC/DC converter. The control unit corrects a voltage detection value for the DC bus by taking in an individual voltage detection deviation for the DC bus compared to an entirety of a plurality of the DC/DC converters present in parallel, and controls the corresponding DC/DC converter in accordance with a voltage command value having droop characteristics with respect to output power. The DC/DC conversion system as described above can uniform outputs while operating the plurality of DC/DC converters in parallel without the need of fast communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Naoki Ayai
  • Patent number: 11870250
    Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to methods for connecting power devices prior to deployment in a photovoltaic installation, for cost savings and easy deployment. Some embodiments disclosed herein include manufacturing a chain of power devices already coupled by conductors, and providing a mechanical assembly for convenient storage and deployment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Ilan Yoscovich, Tzachi Glovinsky, Ofir Bieber
  • Patent number: 11866031
    Abstract: An improved discretionary current input circuit includes a switch sensing an operating condition of a tractor and having a first state if the operating condition is not satisfied and a second state if the operating condition is satisfied, and a microcontroller that deactivates at least one function of the tractor if the switch is in the first state. The switch draws a nominal current except during specified time intervals that are shorter than the time for drawing the nominal current. A power transistor is connected through a diode and resistor to the switch. The power transistor normally is in an off condition, and is powered during the specified time intervals to an on condition to increase current above the nominal current to a threshold through the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohit Dhawan, Namritha H Shenoy, Kirk N. Eisenbeis, Sean M. Kennelly
  • Patent number: 11870277
    Abstract: Provided is a back-data transmission circuit generating a sensing signal using an arbitrary sensor, generating an input signal by digitally converting the sensing signal, generating a modulation signal by performing a modulation operation when there is a change in the input signal, inducing the modulation signal and transmitting the modulation signal to the transmitting terminal, measuring an induction signal induced from a receiving terminal to the transmitting terminal, and generating an output signal by calculating a slope of a voltage change represented by the induction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Korea University Research and Business Foundation
    Inventors: Hyung-Min Lee, Hyun-Su Lee
  • Patent number: 11870273
    Abstract: A wireless charging device includes a casing, a circuit board and at least one wireless charging module. The casing includes a bottom plate and a plurality of mounting pillars protruding from the bottom plate. The circuit board includes a substrate and at least one support assembly, and the substrate is stacked on the plurality of mounting pillars. The support assembly includes a plurality of support pillars protruding from the substrate. The wireless charging module includes a mounting frame and a charging coil. The mounting frame has a plurality of first assembling parts. The plurality of first assembling parts are respectively mounted on the plurality of support pillars. The charging coil is disposed on the mounting frame. Projections of the plurality of mounting pillars on the bottom plate at least partially overlap projections of the plurality of support pillars on the bottom plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: INVENTEC (PUDONG) TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chi-Cheng Hsiao
  • Patent number: 11865929
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling charging of an electric vehicle is configured to calculate a rotor torque expected to occur during charging based on an angle of a rotor provided in a driving motor before charging is performed by multiple input voltages, and allow charging to be performed after inducing the rotor torque to be less than a reference torque by moving the electric vehicle a specified distance to correct the rotor angle when the calculated rotor torque is greater than the reference torque so as to avoid deterioration or damage to a parking sprag. As a result, it is possible to prevent the parking sprag from being damaged by the rotor torque generated during charging so as to avoid the occurrence of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seung Hyeon Bin, Han Hee Park, Ho Sun Jang, Ho Rim Choi, Tae II Yoo, Seong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 11869707
    Abstract: An IPT track arrangement including a power supply and conductor electrically connected to the power supply, the conductor includes a plurality of loops located substantially adjacent one another, wherein the polarity in adjacent portions of the loops is the same, and wherein the power supply includes a one or more inverters which share the track load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITED
    Inventors: Grant Anthony Covic, Stefan Raabe
  • Patent number: 11865926
    Abstract: An apparatus in which electric power is generated for an electrical load from differentials in electric field strengths within a vicinity of powerlines includes: a plurality of electrodes separated and electrically insulated from one another for enabling differentials in voltage resulting from differentials in electric field strength experienced there at; and electrical components electrically connected therewith and configurable to establish one or more electric circuits whereby voltage differentials cause a current to flow through the established electric circuit for powering the electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: NXP Aeronautics Research, LLC
    Inventors: Steven J. Syracuse, Chad D. Tillman
  • Patent number: 11858355
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply system mounted on a vehicle is provided. The vehicle power supply system includes a main battery, a power converting apparatus configured to convert DC power of the main battery into AC power, a switch configured to switch a state between energization and cutoff between the main battery and the power converting apparatus, a first DC-DC converter connected to a power supply wiring between the switch and the power converting apparatus, and a second DC-DC converter connected to a power supply wiring between the switch and the main battery. The first DC-DC converter and the second DC-DC converter are mounted at positions distant from each other in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeo Hirashima
  • Patent number: 11863009
    Abstract: In some examples, an apparatus is to adjust charge termination voltage. The apparatus includes a controller to adjust a charge termination voltage of a charger of a rechargeable energy storage device based on a comparison of a first threshold level with the voltage of the rechargeable energy storage device during peak load. The charge termination voltage is a voltage at which the rechargeable energy storage device has capacity to support peak load of a system. The controller is to adjust the charge termination voltage based on a comparison of a second threshold level with an end voltage of the rechargeable energy storage device after peak load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Matsumura, Aaron Gorius
  • Patent number: 11862979
    Abstract: An improved “3-in-1” BESS that performs three functions: (1) improving the transient stability in a hybrid AC/DC microgrid (HMG) system during any fault; (2) improving power quality in the HMG during any sudden load change; and (3) mitigating power and frequency fluctuations due to variations in wind speed and solar irradiance in the HMG. The same control and structural design is used for all three functions, and the improved BESS thus is adaptive to the changing operating situations within the HMG, and eliminates the requirement for a number of higher cost auxiliary control devices. The control structure of the improved BESS is simple, so it is easier and cheaper to manufacture, and can be easily implemented in practice, and retro-fit into existing HMGs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Inventors: Mohd Hasan Ali, Morteza Davirankeshararzi