Patents Examined by Robert Grant
  • Patent number: 12294303
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a switching buck-boost converter configured to operate an inductor, so as to convert an input power at a first node to a first output power at a second node, wherein first output voltage of the first output power is higher than, lower than or equal to an input voltage of the input power; a battery coupled to a third node; a first transistor coupled between the first node and the third node; and a second transistor coupled between the second node and the third node. The switching buck-boost converter, the first transistor and the second transistor operate to supply power to a load circuit and/or to charge the battery, wherein the load circuit is coupled to the second node in a removable manner to receive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Lun Liu
  • Patent number: 12288995
    Abstract: Disclosed are a wireless charging apparatus, a wireless charging method, and a wireless charging system. The wireless charging apparatus includes: a charging interface; a wireless transmitting circuit configured to convert electric energy outputted from a power supply apparatus into an electromagnetic signal and transmit the electromagnetic signal to wirelessly charge a device to be charged; and a control module configured to determine a wireless charging mode to be adopted as a first wireless charging mode or a second wireless charging mode through communication between the wireless transmitting circuit and the device to be charged, periodically detect whether a condition for exiting the first wireless charging mode has occurred when in the first wireless charging mode, and adjust a current wireless charging mode to the second wireless charging mode in response to detecting that the condition for exiting the first wireless charging mode has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventors: Shangbo Lin, Shiming Wan, Jun Yang
  • Patent number: 12285849
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides various embodiments of a fastener-driving tool that includes a battery-charged supercapacitor as a power source. The fastener-driving tool includes first and second spaced-apart, conductive rails and a partially conductive piston slidably mounted on the rails. The rails and the piston are electrically connected to one another. The supercapacitor is electrically connected to the first rail. When the supercapacitor discharges electrical current, the electrical current flows from the supercapacitor, into the first rail, through the piston into the second rail, and from the second rail. The electrical current induces magnetic fields in the rails and the piston, and the combination of the electrical current and the magnetic fields induce a Lorentz force that acts on the piston to move the piston toward a nosepiece to drive a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Chinbay Q. Fan, Patrick Talano
  • Patent number: 12282069
    Abstract: Systems and methods for diagnosing health of a battery using in-vehicle impedance analysis. The method includes receiving a sensed current measurement for a cell of the battery; generating a current profile as a function of the sensed current measurement, including pulses to a peak current, the pulses having a pulse frequency (w); applying a current with the current profile to the cell; for each pulse in the current profile, receiving a voltage measurement for the cell that is responsive to the pulse, calculating an impedance for the cell responsive thereto, the impedance comprising a real component at the pulse frequency (RZw), and an imaginary component at the pulse frequency (IZw), identifying a battery health problem when either RZw exceeds a preprogrammed first threshold for the pulse frequency, or when IZw exceeds a preprogrammed second threshold for the pulse frequency, and storing the RZw and the IZw for the cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Yue-Yun Wang, Steven Earl Muldoon, Lei Hao, Michael P Barker
  • Patent number: 12283841
    Abstract: Various modular systems including a power unit are shown. In one example, a power unit includes a solar panel, a power storage device and one or more power outlet interfaces. One of the surfaces of the power unit includes a coupling mechanism that permits that power unit to couple with modular storage units. In one embodiment, the modular system includes a frame and wheels coupled to the frame to permit the power unit to be more easily transported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2025
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Truettner, Kyle C. Fassbender, Joseph Marco, Timothy Nowak, Sean Roberts, Steven Zipparro, Samuel Feldner, Caleb Nathaniel Hille
  • Patent number: 12279343
    Abstract: A portable hand warmer charging case includes a case body. A placement chamber configured to place a hand warmer unit for charging is provided on the case body. The case body is provided with a first circuit board, a first charging unit, and a first battery. The first battery and the first charging unit are electrically connected to the first circuit board. When the hand warmer unit is placed in the placement chamber, the first circuit board is configured to output electrical energy, which is output by the first battery, from the first charging unit; and the first charging unit is configured to be adapted to a second charging unit on the hand warmer unit for use and transmit the electrical energy output by the first circuit board to the second charging unit on the hand warmer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2025
    Inventor: Xueping Zhu
  • Patent number: 12257913
    Abstract: A power transmitting device includes a power transmitting coil for providing output power to a power receiving coil, a thermal sensor that detects a temperature around the power transmitting coil, and a power transmission control circuit that controls the power transmitting device. The power transmission control circuit causes the power transmitting coil to provide first output power, the power transmitting coil to provide second output power to the power receiving coil for charging a battery connected to the power receiving coil, the thermal sensor to detect the temperature around the power transmitting coil, and, if the detected temperature is equal to or higher than a threshold because of existing a metal foreign object, the power transmitting coil to reduce a level of the output power or stop the output power. The level of the first output power is lower than the level of the second output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Matsuo, Tetsuro Sawai
  • Patent number: 12261475
    Abstract: A system for engaging cinematography battery packs with a cinematography device includes two cinematography battery packs, and a fastening plate. A first cinematography device includes a first magnetic member for magnetically connecting with a third magnetic member of a second cinematography device, and a second magnetic member for magnetically connecting with a fourth magnetic member of the fastening plate. The first cinematography device also includes a first electrical connection configured to electrically connect with a fourth electrical connection of the fastening plate, and a second electrical connection configured to electrically connect with a third electrical connection of the second cinematography battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2024
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2025
    Assignee: Core SWX, LLC
    Inventor: Ross Kanarek
  • Patent number: 12255473
    Abstract: A mobile system includes a first mobile device configured to output a signal having a level less than or equal to a reference level on the basis of a charged state of a battery in the first mobile device and a second mobile device configured to receive the signal and to selectively provide power to the first mobile device on the basis of a duration time for which a level of the signal is maintained to be less than or equal to the reference level and a toggle time for which the signal is toggled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangun Bang, Duseung Oh, Youngsoo Lee, Dongjo Kim, Dongjoon Kim, Sungeun Lee, Jinsoo Lee, Woonhyung Heo
  • Patent number: 12255482
    Abstract: A plug-in type energy storage system is proposed. The system includes: a plurality of battery racks configured to store power; and a panel configured to control charging or discharging of the plurality of battery racks, where each battery rack includes: a plurality of battery modules configured to store the power; a control module connected to each battery module and the panel to control the charging or discharging of each battery module according to a control signal received from the panel; a conversion module connected to the control module to convert waveforms of the power into direct current or alternating current according to a control signal received from the control module; and a casing configured to accommodate each battery module, the conversion module, and the control module. In addition, the plurality of battery modules and the battery power management unit integrally constitute each battery rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: SK ON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Hwa Han, Yong Uk Kim
  • Patent number: 12244162
    Abstract: A battery system includes: at least two battery modules, where each of the at least two battery modules includes three strings of battery cells; and a switch control module configured to: determine state of charges (SOCs) of the strings of battery cells, respectively; determine, using model predictive control based on the SOCs, periods of phases, respectively; determine, using model predictive control based on the SOCs, periods for the strings, respectively, to be connected to a second positive terminal and a negative terminal during the phases, the determination of the periods for the strings including: setting the period for one of the strings of one of the battery modules to end before the end of a phase; and setting the periods for the other two strings of the one of the battery modules to end at the end of the phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2025
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jun-mo Kang, Charles W. Wampler, II, Dave G. Rich
  • Patent number: 12227095
    Abstract: A system for supplying electrical energy to an energy-absorber mobile device having two electrically conductive secondary terminals includes a power-source base with electrically conductive primary terminals configured to be arranged in contact with the two secondary terminals when the mobile device is positioned on the base; a supply and control subsystem having a line selector whose outputs are connected to the primary terminals, a rectifier and programmable power supply providing energy, and a mini-processor connected to the line selector and to the rectifier and programmable power supply. The line selector has two input lines, between which a voltage difference higher than zero is applied and which is configured to apply the voltage difference cyclically to all possible pairs of output lines based on the commands received from the mini-processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Inventor: Leo Puiatti
  • Patent number: 12230986
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a charging circuit, a control circuit, a first battery branch circuit, a second battery branch circuit, a first accommodation space, and a second accommodation space. The first battery branch circuit and the second battery branch circuit are connected in parallel. The first battery branch circuit includes a first battery and a first switch that are connected to each other in series. The second battery branch circuit includes a second battery. The first battery is disposed in the first accommodation space, and the second battery is disposed in the second accommodation space. The first accommodation space and the second accommodation space are connected through a bendable member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuezeng Kang
  • Patent number: 12221862
    Abstract: A logging system and method for operating a logging system are typically used in a wellbore. The logging system may include a logging instrument including a rechargeable energy storage and logging electronics, and a cable configured to trickle charge the rechargeable energy storage. The rechargeable energy storage may include an ultracapacitor. The rechargeable energy storage may be trickle charged through the cable from a remote power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: FASTCAP ULTRACAPACITORS LLC
    Inventors: John J. Cooley, Riccardo Signorelli, Morris Green, Ira M. Turner, Jenna McGrath, Padmanaban Sasthan Kuttipillai
  • Patent number: 12224617
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: first and second external path selection circuits respectively controlling first and second powers at first and second nodes to be electrically connected to first or second system ports; and an internal path selection circuit controlling a third power at a third node or a fourth power at a fourth node to be electrically connected to one or more power conversion modules. The first and the second external path selection circuits, the internal path selection circuit and the power conversion modules perform one of the following operations: (1) receiving at least one external power from one or more of the first and second system port, to generate third power at the third node and/or generate fourth power at the fourth node; or (2) converting power from a battery, to generate at least one output power at the first and/or second system port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jian-Zhong Huang, Kuan-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 12224601
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to a battery pack, detachably connected to an external device for charging or discharging. The battery pack includes a control module, and a communication terminal. The communication terminal is connected to the control module and the external device, and the control module detects the signal from the communication terminal to decide the pattern to determine the type of the external device. The battery pack further includes a state indication terminal, which is connected to the control module and the external device, and the control module detects at least one operating parameter of the battery, and generates a state parameter related to the operating parameter according to the operating parameter. The control module sends the state parameter to the outside by using the communication terminal, and the control module sends an abnormality signal to the outside by using both of the communication terminal and the state indication terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Qing Zhang, Qiang Deng
  • Patent number: 12218536
    Abstract: A mobile system includes a first mobile device configured to output a signal having a level less than or equal to a reference level on the basis of a charged state of a battery in the first mobile device and a second mobile device configured to receive the signal and to selectively provide power to the first mobile device on the basis of a duration time for which a level of the signal is maintained to be less than or equal to the reference level and a toggle time for which the signal is toggled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangun Bang, Duseung Oh, Youngsoo Lee, Dongjo Kim, Dongjoon Kim, Sungeun Lee, Jinsoo Lee, Woonhyung Heo
  • Patent number: 12216175
    Abstract: A storage battery monitoring system and method are provided. The system includes n cell monitoring cells (CMCs), a control module (11), and several daisy chain buses. The n CMCs are configured to monitor a plurality of cell modules electrically connected in a storage battery, and each CMC is configured to monitor at least one of the cell modules. The n CMCs are connected to the control module (11) through each daisy chain bus. The control module is configured to receive monitoring data of the plurality of cell modules uploaded by the n CMCs through a transmission path formed by at least one daisy chain bus. The control module (11) is further configured to identify a fault location according to the monitoring data when a fault occurring to the transmission path is detected, and adjust the transmission path according to the fault location so as to receive the monitoring data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventors: Huixiu Luo, Yu Liu, Qidong Lou, Qiandeng Li
  • Patent number: 12218543
    Abstract: A hybrid battery charger is disclosed that includes a linear charger circuit for providing vehicle starting current and battery charging and a high frequency battery charging circuit that provides battery charging current. The linear charger circuit and the high frequency battery charging circuits are selectively enabled to provide vehicle starting current, maximum charging current and optimum efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Schumacher Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Xiao Ping Chen, Matthew Adam Heins, Shenzhong Zhu
  • Patent number: 12218530
    Abstract: Discussed is a system for managing a battery, the system including a wireless communication unit that communicates with a first upper-level battery management system performing communication using a first communication channel, a communication abnormality detection unit that detects a communication abnormality of the first upper-level battery management system, and a channel change unit that changes the communication channel of the wireless communication unit to a second communication channel different from the first communication channel when the communication abnormality of the first upper-level battery management system is detected by the communication abnormality detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Seong Yeol Yang, Ji Won Hwang, Chan Ha Park