Patents Examined by Rexford N. Barnie
  • Patent number: 11804771
    Abstract: A customizable power conversion system (1000) is configured to operate with multiple alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC) power sources (1001,1003) and supplies multiple AC and DC loads (1018,1020,1022,1024). The customizable power conversion system is also configured to be assembled from a plurality of customizable power converters (1004,1006,1008,1010,1012), each of which is configured to function as a building block of the customizable power conversion system. More particularly, each customizable power converter may be configured as any DC/DC, DC/AC, AC/DC, or AC/AC converter, such as any of i) an inverter, ii) a DC/DC converter for use with a photovoltaic (PV) array (or string of PV arrays), and iii) a DC/DC converter for use with an energy storage element (e.g., a battery or battery string).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zheyu Zhang, Ramanujam Ramabhadran, Douglas Carl Hofer, Ahmed Elasser
  • Patent number: 11804714
    Abstract: A system for controlling and monitoring electrical energy loads includes a current transducer configured to monitor values of electrical current in the system, wherein neutral and ground lines are monitored via separate current transducers. Additionally, the system includes a centralized programmable logic controller (PLC) configured to receive measured values from the current transducer in real time and a local PLC configured to receive the measured values from the centralized PLC. Further, the local PLC periodically compares the measured values of the electrical energy with predetermined thresholds and automatically redistributes the electrical energy to electrical energy loads among three phases based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Adel F. Abu-Rejailah, Anas A. AlHamad
  • Patent number: 11799684
    Abstract: Systems and methods for backup power sources and controls for Power over Ethernet light sources are provided. In one example embodiment, a lighting system includes one or more light sources configured to receive power over one or more Ethernet cables. The lighting system also includes a battery pack comprising an energy storage medium. The battery pack can be configured to provide power to the one or more light sources over one or more Ethernet cables. The lighting system can also include an output control circuit configured to manage delivery of power from the battery pack to the one or more light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Pritam Yadav, Douglas Matthew Hamilton
  • Patent number: 11799315
    Abstract: Before power is supplied to a load from a capacitor and a plurality of batteries, a battery for initially supplying power for charging to the capacitor is determined from among the plurality of batteries, based on a result of acquiring the voltage of each battery, and voltage equalization of the plurality of batteries is performed in response to power for charging being supplied to the capacitor from the determined battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuya Ishihara, Daiko Tsutsumi, Takeshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11799328
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a wireless power receiver comprises a wireless-power-receiving antenna configured to receive radio frequency (RF) signals, and convert energy from the received RF signals into an alternating current. The power receiver also comprises a primary rectifier configured to: (i) receive a first portion of the alternating current, and (ii) rectify the first portion of the alternating current into primary direct current having a first power level, the primary direct current used to provide power or charge to an electronic device; and a secondary rectifier configured to: (i) receive a second portion of the alternating current, and (ii) rectify the second portion of the alternating current into a secondary direct current having a second power level. The second power level of the secondary direct current is less than the first power level of the primary direct current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne Eumchan Woo
  • Patent number: 11791667
    Abstract: A power transmitter for wireless power transfer includes a control and communications unit, an inverter circuit, a coil, and a shielding. The control and communications unit is configured to provide power control signals to control a power level of a power signal configured for transmission to a power receiver, receive a receiver power request from a power receiver, provide a power request to an external power supply, based on the receiver power request, determine if a power signal at the coil is compliant with the receiver power request, and, if the power signal at the coil is compliant with the receiver power request, continue to operate for wireless power transmission. The coil is configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver. The shielding comprises a ferrite core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Melone, Andrew Kovacs, Jason Green
  • Patent number: 11787357
    Abstract: A computer includes a processor and memory stores instructions executable by the processor to receive a message sent by a first electronic control unit of a deactivated vehicle via a vehicle network of the deactivated vehicle, the message including a power consumption level indicating a rate of power consumption currently used by the first electronic control unit, send a second message to a user device when the power consumption level of the first electronic control unit exceeds a threshold, the second message including a request to deactivate the first electronic control unit, and deactivate the first electronic control unit upon receiving, in response to the request, user input to deactivate the first electronic control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Enrique Remes
  • Patent number: 11791656
    Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing subunits a multi-unit power distribution network contemplate selectively opening and closing a switch at the power source to disconnect and reconnect the power source to power conductors to send a synchronization signal to one or more remote subunits. Once the remote subunits are synchronized and able to disconnect from the power conductors, leak detection at the power source may be enabled to detect inadvertent loads on the power conductors (e.g., a human touching the power conductors). Further, the remote subunits may power off and on based on the synchronization signal thereby ensuring that an end device may receive power concurrently from multiple remote subunits so as to meet the power requirements of the end device. Enabling the leak detection improves the safety features of the power distribution network and synchronized power delivery to the end device prevents improper shut downs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ami Hazani
  • Patent number: 11791666
    Abstract: The disclosure includes a foreign object detection circuit and a foreign object detection method. The method comprises: step a) establishing a communication link between a transmitter and a receiver in a wireless power transmission system; step b) performing, by the transmitter and the receiver, wireless power transmission based on the magnetic coupling; and step c) measuring a quality factor of a receiver terminal, and determining whether a foreign object exists in the wireless power transmission system or not based on the quality factor. In accordance with a foreign object detection circuit and a foreign object detection method provided by the present invention, the problem that the foreign object cannot be detected effectively in the prior art is solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: NuVolta Technologies (Hefei) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Yang, Bingtao Yu
  • Patent number: 11791658
    Abstract: An IoT wireless power transfer sensor is provided, which includes a sensor circuit, a group of retrodirective searching antennas, a group of energy harvesting antennas and a communication antenna. The sensor circuit includes a switching unit, an energy converting unit, a power management unit and an energy converting and storage unit. The searching antennas are connected to the switching unit. When the switching unit is on, the searching antennas don't harvest the energy of an external device's scanning signal; they reflect the incident energy to the external device. The energy harvesting antenna is connected to the energy converting unit and receives the incident energy to charge the energy converting and storage unit. When the power storage level of the energy converting and storage unit reaches a first threshold value, the switching unit is consecutively switched between on and off to transmit a device information in back-scattered way to the external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: TAMKANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Ching-Lieh Li, Yu-Jen Chi, Hsiu-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 11784584
    Abstract: An automotive power converter may be controlled by detecting a magnitude of current output by a phase leg of the automotive power converter, selecting a mutual off time for switches of the phase leg according to the magnitude, and generating pulse width modulation signals for the switches having the mutual off time to operate the switches to transfer power between a traction battery and electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Boris Curuvija, Baoming Ge, Fan Xu
  • Patent number: 11784495
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods for generating and conserving power for illuminating a space including obtaining energy producing equipment further including a racking system, a direct current to alternating current inverter, a solar module, a light source and connecting the solar module to the racking system, connecting the direct current to alternating current inverter to the solar module, connecting the light source to the solar module through the direct current to alternating current inverter, receiving from the solar module by the inverter a direct current and converting it to alternating current, and causing by the alternating current the light source to visually illuminate the space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Christopher Pawlik
  • Patent number: 11784473
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods pertaining to moving a train rig between locations associated with corresponding different wellsites. Equipment carried by the train rig is operable in conjunction with forming wells each extending beneath a corresponding one of the wellsites. An adjustable swing arm mechanically and electrically connected to the train rig comprises a medium-voltage (MV) cable. The adjustable swing arm extends from the train rig to connect the MV cable to one of a plurality of MV electrical hubs each electrically connected to a remote MV electrical power source via, at least, MV electrical lines suspended above the wellsites. A piece of equipment carried by the train rig is energized by MV electrical power delivered via the adjustable swing arm, and then operated in conjunction with the subterranean well formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacques Orban, Victor Garcia
  • Patent number: 11784496
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for operating an inverter based distributed power generation source with energy storage system, as a Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) deviceā€”a STATCOM. The inverter based distributed power generation source can provide reactive power compensation, voltage regulation, damping enhancement, stability improvement and other benefits provided by FACTS devices. These STATCOM functions are provided when the said energy storage based distributed power generation source is doing at least one of: i) not exchanging active power with said power grid system, or ii) exchanging active power less than a maximum inverter capacity with said power grid system. The present invention thus provides a technological improvement that opens up a new set of applications and potential revenue earning opportunities for energy storage based distributed power generation sources other than simply from exchanging (injecting or absorbing) active power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Inventor: Rajiv Kumar Varma
  • Patent number: 11770025
    Abstract: Provided are a wireless power transmission apparatus and a control method thereof. The apparatus includes a transmitting unit which includes an inverter circuit, a first compensation circuit, and a transmitting coil; a receiving unit which includes a receiving coil, a second compensation circuit, and a rectifier circuit; a power regulation unit configured to regulate an output signal of the wireless power transmission apparatus; and a control unit configured to: acquire a voltage-and-current phase difference of the transmitting unit, a detection signal, and a power detection value of the wireless power transmission apparatus; control an operating frequency of the inverter circuit according to the voltage-and-current phase difference and a preset phase difference, and generate a power derating signal according to the detection signal, and control, according to the power derating signal, the power detection value and a power reference signal, the power regulation unit to regulate the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Qing Jiang, Yongkai Liao, Min Xu, Shunyang Ji
  • Patent number: 11770017
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved wireless recharging efficiency and decreased processing requirements are described. A plurality of duty cycle/input voltage pairs are stored in a recharger, corresponding to three subsets: a first subset corresponding to a constant minimum input voltage and an increasing duty cycle; a second subset corresponding to a constant duty cycle and an increasing input voltage; and a third subset corresponding to a maximum input voltage and an increasing duty cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Otteson, Charles M. Nowell, Jr., Michael J. Hage
  • Patent number: 11770004
    Abstract: A battery inverter system includes a plurality of battery inverter units, wherein each of the battery inverter units includes a multiphase inverter and a battery unit connected to the inverter on the DC side. The battery unit includes a plurality of individual units connected in parallel to one another and protected against overcurrent by means of rack fuses, and the battery inverter units are connected in parallel on the AC side and are configured to operate with a common drive pulse pattern. The battery inverter units are interconnected on the DC side via compensation fuses, wherein the compensation fuses are provided such that in the event of a short circuit in one of the inverters, the compensation fuses are triggered faster than the rack fuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: SMA Solar Technology AG
    Inventors: Dirk Hermeling, Tim Roesinger, Mohamed Mostafa
  • Patent number: 11770029
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wireless power transmission device. A wireless power transmission device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a coil part including a plurality of partially overlapping coils; a coil combination generator configured to generate coil combinations including at least one of the plurality of coils; and a controller configured to transmit a coil selection signal through the coil combinations and to select an operating coil combination from the coil combinations based on a response intensity of a response signal for the coil selection signal and charging efficiency of a wireless power reception device. Accordingly, a high-efficiency charging area can be extended in partially overlapping multiple coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Joonho Park, Bongsik Kwak, Sungkyu Kim, Seonghun Lee, Jihyun Lee
  • Patent number: 11764573
    Abstract: A DC power supply system includes: nodes to connect to a DC bus and constitute a DC grid with the bus; a power management apparatus that manages the power demand of the entire grid; and a starter device that makes the nodes start up and connect to the bus one by one in an order in a state where the bus is down to start up the entire grid. The starter device supplies start-up power through a power supply line to start up each node. The starter device diagnoses nodes to be diagnosed selected from among the nodes before supply of the power to determine the abnormality from a response with respect to a diagnostic signal supplied to the nodes through the start-up power supply line. When the node diagnosed is determined to be normal, the starter device supplies the start-up power thereto and connects it to the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: TDK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masao Ichi
  • Patent number: 11764579
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing an AC backup power source utilizing energy stored in an electric or hybrid vehicle and one or more AC loads powered thereby. The method and apparatus is preferred to be used as a home backup power system comprising a battery contained within an electric or hybrid vehicle providing DC power which is converted to AC backup power, charging the battery, monitoring the amount of power supplied to one or more loads and controlling AC power provided thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Inventor: J. Carl Cooper