Patents Examined by Richard V. Muralidar
  • Patent number: 11121559
    Abstract: A method is provided comprising: detecting a connection between an electronic device and a battery charger; transmitting to the battery charger a first request for at least one of a first voltage level and a first current level; receiving from the battery charger a signal; and charging a battery of the electronic device with the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Fairchild Korea Semiconductor Ltd.
    Inventors: Ku-Chul Jung, Erik Wilson Maier, Oscar Freitas, Kisun Lee, Chul-Eun Yun, Kwang-Sub Lee
  • Patent number: 11117477
    Abstract: A device for charging an energy storage device includes a controller to initiate a charging operation for the energy storage device and control, during a first stage of the charging operation, a thermal control system to direct a first volume of the thermal mass along a first flow path to heat the energy storage device to a first desired temperature. The controller controls, during a second stage of the charging operation, the thermal control system to direct a second volume of the thermal mass along a second flow path to cool the energy storage device from the first desired temperature towards a second desired temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander J. Smith, Rick Rajaie
  • Patent number: 11110812
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for mobile charging of an electric vehicle are described herein. An example electric vehicle includes a battery and a first charge interface for the battery disposed on an exterior surface of the electric vehicle. The first charge interface is configured to be engaged with a second charge interface on an articulating arm of a mobile charge vehicle to transfer energy from an energy source of the mobile charge vehicle to the battery while the electric vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Kenneth James Miller
  • Patent number: 11095141
    Abstract: A battery charge controller is configured to optimize battery charging from a power source, particularly a renewable power source like a photovoltaic panel. The battery charge controller includes a processing unit that intelligently switches between battery banks being charged to maximize electrical power applied to charging and help maintain even battery bank voltages. The battery charge control can also include a starting circuit allowing electrical power to be applied directly to the processing unit from the power source when the battery bank banks are too depleted to power on the processing unit to commence battery charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Glow Energy Group Corp.
    Inventor: Victor Santos
  • Patent number: 11088559
    Abstract: A device includes a battery current sense circuit configured to generate a battery current feedback voltage based on a current provided to a battery, a current regulation feedback loop configured to regulate the current provided to the battery based on the battery current feedback voltage and a configurable battery current reference voltage, and a precharge regulation feedback loop configured to regulate the current provided to the battery based on the battery current feedback voltage and a configurable precharge reference voltage. The device also includes a processor configured to set the battery current reference voltage to a first value and set the precharge current reference voltage to a second value. The first value is less than the second value during a transition state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Karthik Nandimandalam Venkata, Siew Kuok Hoon, Daniel Andrew Mavencamp, Jairo Daniel Olivares
  • Patent number: 11077763
    Abstract: Herein is disclosed a vehicle-to-vehicle charge transfer system, comprising a charging cable, configured to connect a first electric vehicle to a second electric vehicle; and a donation control unit, configured to receive one or more vehicle charge transfer parameters from the second vehicle; and transfer an electric charge from the first electric vehicle to the second electric vehicle along the charging cable according to the one or more received vehicle charge transfer parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Oleg Pogorelik
  • Patent number: 11061495
    Abstract: A mouse pad structure having wireless charging coil and a manufacturing procedure thereof are provided. The mouse pad structure having wireless charging coil includes: a covering layer, formed with an injection molding means and having a seat member and plural accommodation slots; a first fabric layer, disposed on the seat member, and arranged on a lateral surface opposite to the accommodation slots; a coil layer having coils accommodated in the accommodation slots; and a silicone layer, filled in the accommodation slots for covering the coils. Accordingly, the mouse pad structure having wireless charging coil is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: HADES-GAMING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hung-Jen Chou
  • Patent number: 11063458
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for charging a battery. An example embodiment may include a battery, a battery charger device and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the battery charger device to charge the battery with a plurality of pulses and rests. Each pulse includes a respective pulse duration and a respective pulse current. Each rest includes a respective rest duration. While in a first charge phase, the controller is configured to adjust at least one of: the respective pulse duration, the respective pulse current, or the respective rest duration based on at least one sample of a characteristic voltage of the battery. Subsequently, the controller is configured to initiate a second charging phase. The controller is further configured to cause the battery charger device to charge the battery according to a second charge waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Tai Sup Hwang, Ramesh C. Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 11052843
    Abstract: A battery arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a first electrical energy store, a second electrical energy store, a charging connection, and a supply connection. The arrangement further includes first through seventh switches. The battery arrangement is switchable into four operating states via respective opening and closing of the first through seventh switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doersam, Andreas Eichinger, Rainer Falsett, Heiko Hachtel, Frieder Herb, Oliver Lehmann, Christian Ohms
  • Patent number: 11050270
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile charging station for at least one ball game device, in particular in the form of a golf ball, comprising at least one internal energy source and at least one holding means for holding and fixing at least one ball game device having integrated electronics, wherein the at least one held ball game device can be charged or can be supplied with energy by the at least one internal energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Renatus Zilles, Lennart Jürges
  • Patent number: 11038366
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing including an inner space, a hole formed through the housing to the internal space, a stylus pen insertable into the internal space through the hole, wherein the stylus pen includes a first wireless communication circuit and a wireless charging receiver circuit, a wireless charging transmitter circuit positioned inside the housing and configured to provide charging to the wireless charging receiver circuit when the stylus pen is inserted into the inner space, a second wireless communication circuit positioned inside the housing, at least one processor operatively connected to the wireless charging transmitter circuit and the second wireless communication circuit, and at least one memory operatively connected to the at least one processor, wherein when executed, cause the at least one processor to detect whether the stylus pen is inserted into the inner space, start to provide charging for a first duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byunghoon Kang, Joohoon Lee, Changbyung Park, Jongwu Baek, Hyunsuk Choi
  • Patent number: 11031803
    Abstract: A start-up apparatus for a battery management circuit and a battery management system having the same are provided. The start-up apparatus for the battery management circuit includes a transformer, a switch circuit, a control circuit, and a rectifier circuit. The transformer includes a primary winding, an auxiliary winding, and a secondary winding. A first terminal of the primary winding is coupled to a first external power path. A first terminal of the switch circuit is coupled to a second terminal of the primary winding, and a second terminal of the switch circuit is coupled to a second external power path. The control circuit is coupled to the auxiliary winding for receiving power and controls a conduction state of the switch circuit. The rectifier circuit is coupled to the secondary winding of the transformer and supplies power to the battery management circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: VIA LABS, INC.
    Inventor: Tze-Shiang Wang
  • Patent number: 11031826
    Abstract: Inductive power transfer flux coupling apparatus includes a first coil arranged in a first layer and configured to generate or receive a magnetic coupling flux in a flux coupling region, and a second coil. At least part of the second coil being arranged in a second layer and is configured to generate a magnetic flux that reflects flux from the first coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Auckland Uniservices Limited
    Inventors: John Talbot Boys, Grant Anthony Covic, Abiezer Tejeda Marquez, Matthew Pearce, James Duncan Deans Gawith
  • Patent number: 11031795
    Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Velderman, Daniel J. White, Andrew E. Seman, Jr., David A. Miller, Nathan J. Cruise, Geoffrey S. Howard
  • Patent number: 11011919
    Abstract: A system including a carrier having a plurality of receptacles configured to receive rechargeable, removable battery packs, an AC power input connector for connecting to an AC power supply, a power output connector, a discharge/charge mode switch for switching between (1) a charging mode of operation that charges the battery packs using electrical power input through at least one of the power input connectors and (2) a discharging mode of operation that outputs electrical power from the battery packs through the power output connector, the charge/discharge control module controlling a plurality of charging switches to provide a charging current to the battery packs and an inverter electrically connected to the power output connector for providing an AC output signal at the power output connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Velderman, Daniel J. White, Andrew E. Seman, David A. Miller, Nathan J. Cruise, Geoffrey S. Howard
  • Patent number: 11005278
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and associated systems for managing energy storage devices positioned in a device-exchange station. The method includes, for example, (1) receiving, by the device-exchange station from a server, information indicative of at least one characteristic associated with the energy storage devices; (2) selecting, by the device-exchange station, at least one energy storage device based on the at least one characteristic; and (3) adjusting the swapping priority of the at least one selected energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Gogoro Inc.
    Inventors: Yun-Chun Lai, Chien-Chung Chen, I-Fen Shih
  • Patent number: 11005276
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a reconfigurable variable voltage battery. One or more variable voltage battery (VVB) modules are connected in series to form a stacked variable voltage battery (SVVB or Stacked VVB). A variable voltage battery module may comprise at least one battery cell and processor controlled switches adapted to vary the output of the variable voltage battery module. By separately configuring the switches of each VVB module, the output of the stacked VVB module can produce any voltage up to the full sum of the voltages of all the cells in the individual VVB modules. In addition, charge balancing can easily be achieved with a stacked VVB configuration, as some VVB modules can be bypassed (e.g., by setting select switches to simulate a short condition) either to prioritize the discharging of stronger VVB modules, or to prioritize the charging of weaker VVB modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Solsona Enterprise, LLC
    Inventors: Chong Uk Lee, Edward A. Krause
  • Patent number: 11005274
    Abstract: A sensing apparatus includes a sensor configured to sense a physical quantity of a battery, a memory configured to store one or both of physical quantity data corresponding to the sensed physical quantity and status information of the battery, a first interface configured to transmit one or both of the physical quantity data and the status information to a master processor and a second interface configured to provide an interface between a slave processor and the memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyosun Hwang, DongKee Sohn
  • Patent number: 10998742
    Abstract: A fixing connector with a charging module which is an assembling structure of a fixing seat and a fixing stand, wherein the fixing seat comprises a seat and a charging module; the seat has a concave portion, the charging module is arranged in the concave portion and comprises a body, a plurality of first conductive terminals and at least an elastic piece; the body has a plane and at least an anti-misinsertion key arranged on the plane, the first conductive terminals are arranged on the body and may be protruded out from the plane, the elastic piece is arranged between the body and the seat; the fixing connector with the fixing seat and the fixing stand includes the said fixing seat and a fixing stand comprising a convex portion to assemble the fixing stand onto the fixing seat by inserting the convex portion in the concave portion. Thereby, the charging module may perform charging when the fixing stand is assembled onto the fixing seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: T-CONN PRECISION CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chien-Yi Yu
  • Patent number: 10998936
    Abstract: Disclosed is a control method of a wireless power transmitter, including transmitting power to a plurality of wireless power receivers based on a first power value required by a first wireless power receiver from among the plurality of wireless power receivers, and before reaching a threshold condition in which a system error occurs in the wireless power transmitter, transmitting a power adjust command to reduce the power to a lower percentage of a maximum received power level, to at least one wireless power receiver from among the plurality of wireless power receivers, wherein the power adjust command is a control command for reducing power consumption of the at least one wireless power receiver from among the plurality of wireless power receivers, and wherein the system error comprises at least one of an over-temperature error, an over-current error, and an over-voltage error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Inventors: Kyung-Woo Lee, Hee-Won Jung, Keum-Su Song