Patents Examined by Samuel Berhanu
  • Patent number: 11529880
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a power receiver and a controller. The power receiver is configured to wirelessly receive electric power from power transmission equipment disposed outside the vehicle. The controller is configured to control power transmission from the power transmission equipment to the power receiver. The controller includes a determination processor and a frequency control unit. The determination processor is configured to make a determination, in a case where the power transmission is stopped due to a foreign object present between the power transmission equipment and the vehicle, as to whether the power transmission is restartable with a predetermined frequency after the power transmission is stopped. The frequency control unit is configured to change the frequency with which the determination processor makes the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Moriya, Yuta Totsuka
  • Patent number: 11532941
    Abstract: A method of controlling a battery including a first control circuit and a plurality of modules arranged between first and second terminals. Each module comprises electric cells. The battery further includes a sensor of the current flowing through the first terminal. The method includes the successive steps of: updating a first counter representative of the quantity of charges flowing through the first terminal; for each electric cell, for each connection of the electric cell to the other electric cells, storing into first data the value of the first counter on connection of the electric cell and for each disconnection of the electric cell from the other electric cells, storing a second counter equal to the difference between the value of the first counter on disconnection of the electric cell and the first data of said electric cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives
    Inventors: Rémy Thomas, Sylvain Bacquet, Léandro Cassarino, Ghislain Despesse, Eric Fernandez, Yan Lopez
  • Patent number: 11532840
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an energy storage system comprising a plurality of input ports connectable to receive electrical power from one or more energy sources, a plurality of output ports connectable to deliver electrical power to one or more loads, a plurality of battery modules, a switching matrix connected between the plurality of battery modules and the plurality of inputs, and between the plurality of battery modules and the plurality of outputs, the switching matrix configured to selectively connect each battery module to any number of the plurality of input ports or any number of the plurality of output ports, each input port to any number of battery modules, and each output port to any number of battery modules, and a main battery management controller operably coupled to the switching matrix for controlling connections between each battery module and any number of the plurality of input ports or any number of the plurality of output ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Inventor: Sung Ub Moon
  • Patent number: 11522370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an equalization circuit, a charging device, and an energy storage device connected between a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack comprises a plurality of cells connected in series. The equalization circuit comprises: a detection module used for detecting a voltage, temperature, and/or current of each cell; an auxiliary charging module used for providing a second charging current to the battery pack, wherein the second charging current is less than a first charging current provided by the charger to the battery pack; and a control module used for controlling the detection module and the auxiliary charging module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LIAN ZHENG ELECTRONICS (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qixiao Zhang, Heyi Xu, Yanmei Zhan
  • Patent number: 11522384
    Abstract: A fast charging device for mobile electronic device is disclosed. Particularly, an input-end filtering unit contained in the fast charging device is designed to comprise two first input capacitors, one second input capacitor, and one switch element. By such design, in case of a rated voltage of an input AC power being smaller than 110 Vac, the switch element is controlled to complete a switch-ON operation, so as to make the input-end filtering unit execute a signal filtering process by simultaneously using two first input capacitors and one second input capacitor. Moreover, in case of the rated voltage of the input AC power being in a range between 110 Vac and 264 Vac, the switch element is controlled to complete a switch-OFF operation, so as to make the input-end filtering unit execute the signal filtering process by merely using two first input capacitors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CHANNEL WELL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-An Pan
  • Patent number: 11507893
    Abstract: Method for exploiting a network of electrical charging stations for motor vehicles. The method includes (a) a step in which a station is reserved via a reservation center and the center transmits to the vehicle a response comprising access data providing access to the station, and (b) a step in which, when the vehicle is less than 100 meters from the station, the vehicle requests access to the station and the station provides access to the electrical power available via a socket of the station. In step (b), the communication between the vehicle and the station is a local electromagnetic communication, preferably at a frequency comprised between 2400 and 2500 MHz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: ALL IN FACTORY
    Inventor: Marc Lepage
  • Patent number: 11495974
    Abstract: A modular integrated ultracapacitor-based energy storage and power delivery apparatus (UCAP module) is described. In some embodiments, the UCAP module comprises: at least one ultracapacitor cell coupled together in a series, parallel, or combination of both series and parallel configuration; an integrated charging unit; conductive hardware electrically coupling the ultracapacitors cells together; at least one UCAP terminal rod extending throughout the UCAP module and used to route power within the UCAP module and in some embodiments to other UCAP modules; and a protective casing. In some embodiments the UCAP terminal rod couples the UCAP module to at least one additional UCAP module in a series, parallel, or a combination of both series and parallel configurations. In other embodiments, the UCAP module further comprises connector rods that electrically and mechanically couple the UCAP module to at least one additional UCAP module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: UCAP Power, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Hitt, Troy Brandon, Blaine Bynum, Gordon Schenk
  • Patent number: 11476684
    Abstract: A terminal obtains a parameter from a charger, including at least one of an input voltage value and an output current value of the charger and a temperature value of a charging output port of the charger. When a parameter value is greater than a threshold, the terminal terminates a charging process based on a relationship between a corresponding threshold and at least one of a difference between the output current value of the charger and an input current value of the terminal, a power loss from the charger to the terminal, and a temperature value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fenwei Zhang, Haitao Tian
  • Patent number: 11462943
    Abstract: An apparatus for wireless power transfer is disclosed. An alternate apparatus and a system perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad, a secondary circuit with a rectification section that receives power from the WPT pad, a capacitor, and a first rectification device connected to the capacitor. The capacitor and first rectification device are connected in parallel with the rectification section and in parallel with a load. The apparatus includes a second rectification device connected to the rectification section and an intermediate node between the capacitor and first rectification device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, LLC
    Inventor: Patrice Lethellier
  • Patent number: 11462919
    Abstract: A secondary battery system of connecting secondary batteries includes first output-unit switches, second output-unit switches, series-connection switches, a positive-side discharging output unit connected to second terminals of the first output-unit switches, a negative-side discharging output unit connected to second terminals of the second output-unit switches, a positive-side charging input unit connected between a positive terminal of one of the secondary batteries at one end of the secondary batteries and a first terminal of one of the first output-unit switches associated with the one of the secondary batteries at the one end of the secondary batteries, a negative-side charging input unit connected between a negative terminal of one of the secondary batteries at the other end of the secondary batteries and a first terminal of one of the second output-unit switches associated with the one of the secondary batteries at the other end of the secondary batteries, and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSKIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Shinji Hirose, Toshinari Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 11451070
    Abstract: A charging circuit includes: an interface, a plurality of batteries connected in series, a first charging portion which is connected to the interface and is connected in series with the plurality of batteries, a second charging portion which is connected to the interface and is connected in series with at least one battery, and a first switching circuit which is connected with the second charging portion and is configured to switch a conducting state between the second charging portion and the at least one battery connected in series with the second charging portion, wherein when the first charging portion is in a charging state and the second charging portion is connected with the at least one battery, the charging circuit is switched to an asynchronous charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Changyu Sun, Jie Fan
  • Patent number: 11448176
    Abstract: A portable power pack having a housing, a rechargeable lithium battery positioned in the housing, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a wireless charging coil, a light emitting diode (LED) flash light, a universal serial bus (USB) port, a direct current (DC) port, and a power management circuit. The LCD can be positioned on the housing and configured to display a status of the portable power pack. The wireless charging coil can be positioned in or on the housing and configured to wirelessly couple with an external wireless charging coil of an external device through electromagnetic induction in accordance with, for example, the Qi wireless power transfer standard. The USB port supplies a charging current to charge a portable electronic device, while the DC port supplies a starting current to jump start an engine of a vehicle that is electrically coupled with an external battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Schumacher Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Brian F. Butler, Linh Nguyen, Patrick Clarke, Shenzhong Zhu, Xiao Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 11444465
    Abstract: A charger may be used as a social recharge hub that charges aerosol-generating devices and facilitate social connections. The charger may be able to charge a plurality of batteries concurrently or simultaneously. The charger may capable of associating a battery identifier of one or more batteries to a user. The user may also be associated with an aerosol-generating device and to a mobile user device. The charger may establish a connection with the mobile user device and communicate to the mobile user device using a communication interface. User data, such as preferences, interests, and even music, may be communicated from the mobile user device to the charger and may be used to facilitate social opportunities for the user, particularly in a public or social space with other users, or to make the space around the user more comfortable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Philip Morris Products S.A.
    Inventor: Felix Fernando
  • Patent number: 11440429
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charging device includes a controller configured to generate one of a first activation signal and a second activation signal, based on a start-up signal and a battery state information, a continuous charger configured to output first electric energy of a constant voltage level, based on the first activation signal, a pulse charger configured to alternately output a charging voltage and a discharge voltage as second electric energy depending on a preset ratio, based on the second activation signal, a battery configured to continuously charge by receiving the first electric energy or to pulse-charge by receiving the second electric energy, and a battery state detector configured to detect a state of the battery and to output the detected state of the battery as the battery state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kyung Hyun Lim, Young Ung Kim, Min Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 11437837
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a voltage recognition system of a starting battery and a method of recognizing an off state of an external system using the same, and more particularly, to a driving system of a starting battery and a method of recognizing an off state of an external system using the same, which make it possible to start an engine next time by recognizing the off state of the external system in an overvoltage state according to whether there occurs a difference between values of voltages measured by two ADCs having different positions of ground GND without requiring a current sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Ju Hong, Jeong Wook Kim, Jung Hyun Nam
  • Patent number: 11431178
    Abstract: A battery system includes a solid state switch (SSS), and a battery management system (BMS) including a gate driver and a shunt circuit. The SSS and the BMS share at least one module that is used for both the SSS and the BMS. The at least one module includes at least one of the gate driver and the shunt circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter Kurcik, Maximilian Hofer
  • Patent number: 11424623
    Abstract: A system and method for distributed charging of mobile devices. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a secondary coil or receiver associated with a mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more primary coils, each primary coil having a generally planar shape so that when a current is passed through the primary coil a magnetic field is generated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the primary coil, the perpendicular magnetic field is used to inductively generate a current in the secondary coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. In accordance with various embodiments the system can incorporate efficiency measures that improve the efficiency of power transfer between the charger and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.
    Inventors: Afshin Partovi, Michael Sears
  • Patent number: 11424627
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus may include: batteries; a charger configured to charge the batteries; a switch network electrically connected to the batteries; and a charging controller configured to control the switch network to change a connection relationship between the batteries and to control the charger to charge the batteries while the batteries are in the changed connection relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youngjae Kim
  • Patent number: 11418047
    Abstract: A method for charging a rechargeable battery comprises estimating an initial state of charge of the battery (SOC0), which may be estimated based on a time to polarization or an initial voltage of the battery. The method also comprises charging the battery according to a first charging strategy if the initial state of charge (SOC0) is greater than a threshold state of charge (SOCX) and according to a second charging strategy if the initial state of charge (SOC0) is less than the threshold state of charge (SOCX). The first charging strategy comprises charging, by charging circuitry, the battery at a temperature-independent constant charge voltage (CVXT) and at a first current (I1) with power provided from a power source in electrical communication with the charging circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RIOT ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Duffy, Matthew Fleenor, Reza Pourdarvish, Timothy W. Powers
  • Patent number: 11411408
    Abstract: A charging system in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a battery pack and a charger. The battery pack includes a battery and an information output circuit. The information output circuit outputs faulty state information in response to receiving a faulty state information request. The faulty state information indicates that the battery pack is in a first faulty state. The charger includes a charging power generation circuit, a charging control circuit, and a reception circuit. The charging control circuit transmits the faulty state information request. The reception circuit receives the faulty state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hisakazu Okabayashi, Yoshihiro Ishikawa