Patents Examined by Thai H Tran
  • Patent number: 10450000
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes a vehicle speed sensor configured to detect a vehicle speed, a motor driving circuit configured to supply power to an electric motor, a main power supply and a capacitor that can supply power to a driving circuit, a charging circuit configured to charge the capacitor based on the main power supply, and an ECU for power source control that controls the charging circuit. The ECU for power source control drives the charging circuit to charge the capacitor only when the vehicle speed is lower than a first predetermined value and an inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor is lower than a second predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Toyoki Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 10434882
    Abstract: A track-bound vehicle converter comprises a block-wave generator (20) configured to be connected to a direct voltage source (21) and connected to a series resonance link (34), or to an inductive link, for providing the input of a direct converter (41) with semi sinusoidal current pulses. The direct converter has at least one phase leg (42-44) having on one hand one switch (45-47) connected to the link (34) and able to block voltages in both directions thereacross and conduct current in both directions therethrough and on the other a capacitor (48-50) connected in series therewith. The voltage across the capacitor (48-50) of the direct converter is used to provide a converter output with an alternating voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Bombardier Transportation GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Bängtsson, Lennart Kruse, Luyu Wang
  • Patent number: 10439391
    Abstract: A domestic appliance includes a mains connection at which an electrical mains voltage can be applied relative to a reference potential, a main supply unit supplying an electrical operating voltage from the mains voltage at its output, and at least one electrical consumer receiving the operating voltage. An electrical switch electrically isolates at least the output of the main supply unit from the mains connection, when the domestic appliance is in a standby mode. Provided separate from the main supply unit is a voltage supply which is coupled to the mains connection and which taps the mains voltage at the mains connection in the standby mode and supplies a supply voltage from the mains voltage for switching the electrical switch to an electrically conducting switching state to thereby switch the domestic appliance from the standby mode to an operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Anton Falcon, Claudio Carretero Chamarro, Ignacio Garde Aranda, Pablo Jesus Hernandez Blasco, Javier Herrera Rodriguez, Sergio Llorente Gil, Oscar Lucia Gil, Ignacio Millan Serrano, Daniel Palacios Tomas
  • Patent number: 10424931
    Abstract: A storage battery system relating to the present invention includes first and second PCSes. The first PCS performs charge and discharge to/from a first storage battery. The second PCS performs the charge and the discharge to/from a second storage battery. The second storage battery has a shorter service life than the first storage battery. A controllers controls the first and second PCSes on the basis of a charge/discharge request and storage battery information. The controller includes an SOC correction unit and a charge/discharge command unit. The SOC correction unit calculates SOCs of the first and second storage batteries, corrects the SOC of the second storage battery upwards in the case that the charge/discharge request is a charge request, and corrects the SOC of the second storage battery downwards in the case of a discharge request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Hanada, Daisuke Tsurumaru
  • Patent number: 10418819
    Abstract: This power control system (100) includes a power generation apparatus (33) that generates, while a current sensor (40) detects forward power flow equal to or greater than a threshold, power corresponding to a value detected by the current sensor, and a power control apparatus (20) that controls distributed power sources. The power control apparatus is connected to a dummy current output unit capable of supplying the current sensor with dummy current. The control method includes, in a state of constant current flowing to a load from the power generation apparatus and the power control apparatus for a predetermined time, a first step of the power control apparatus increasing the dummy current from the dummy current output unit stepwise, and after the first step, a second step of storing, as the threshold, a minimum of the forward power flow when output voltage of the power generation apparatus rises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: KYOCERA Corporation
    Inventor: Takanobu Nishigai
  • Patent number: 10411585
    Abstract: An inverter system includes an inverter apparatus and a smoothing capacitor charging-power apparatus. The inverter apparatus includes a transformer and an inverter cell. The transformer includes primary windings and secondary windings. Each of the inverter cells includes a converter circuit, a smoothing capacitor, and an inverter circuit. The converter circuit is configured to convert an intermediate alternating-current voltage to a direct-current voltage. The smoothing capacitor is configured to smooth the direct-current voltage. The inverter circuit is configured to at least partially generate a phase voltage of a variable alternating-current voltage from the direct-current voltage smoothed by the smoothing capacitor. Electric power is to be supplied from a second power supply different from a first power supply to the smoothing capacitor charging-power apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA YASKAWA DENKI, YASKAWA AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Taisuke Katayama, Eiji Yamamoto, Kenji Mitsuda, Hiroshi Takagi, Thomas Bryan Sasada
  • Patent number: 10404181
    Abstract: A modular power conversion device includes at least one first-type energy storage device (ESD) configured to induce a first direct current (DC) voltage, and at least one active power link module (APLM) string coupled to the at least one first-type ESD. The at least one APLM string includes a plurality of APLMs coupled to each other. Each APLM of the plurality of APLMs has a plurality of switching devices including a first switching device and a second switching device coupled to each other in electrical series. Each APLM of the plurality of APLMs also has at least one second-type ESD coupled in electrical parallel with both of the first switching device and the second switching device. The at least one second-type ESD is configured to induce a second DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhi Zhou, Di Zhang, Dong Dong, Tomas Sadilek
  • Patent number: 10404070
    Abstract: Photovoltaic apparatus comprising an auxiliary power supply arrangement which is adapted to feed an electric load of the photovoltaic apparatus itself and comprises: first electronic means connected with a DC power source and comprising a first electronic unit adapted to receive a first feeding voltage and provide a first output voltage of DC type; second electronic means connected with an AC power source and comprising a second electronic unit adapted to receive a second feeding voltage and provide a second output voltage of DC type; and third electronic means connected with the first and second electronic means and adapted to reversibly switch among different operation states based on the status of the electric power sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Macerini Sauro, Matti Jussila, Mikko Myller, Tomi Riipinen
  • Patent number: 10381841
    Abstract: A method for controlling decentralized power generation plants comprises the steps of receiving control commands and/or measuring supply network parameters, processing the received control commands and/or the measured supply network parameters, generating control signals in response to the received control commands and/or the measured supply network parameters for controlling a first power inverter, transmitting the generated control signals to an inverter interface for being output to a first power inverter, adjusting plant parameters, for example the power output of the decentralized power generation plant using the first power inverter in response to the control signals received from the inverter interface. A power generation plant including a power generation plant controller for performing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Oesselke, Björn Sauer, Hans-Peter Pircher
  • Patent number: 10381691
    Abstract: A battery network is disclosed. The battery network may include a plurality of battery blades. Each battery blade may include a plurality of battery cells; a connection mechanism configured to establish an adjustable connection between the plurality of battery cells; and a processor in communication with the connection mechanism and the plurality of battery cells. The processor may be configured to control the connection mechanism at least partially based on a state of charge of at least one of the plurality of battery cells, and the processor of each battery blade of the plurality of battery blades may be further configured to communicate with each other to support operation of the battery network as an integrated electric power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Nova Greentech, Inc.
    Inventor: Song Ci
  • Patent number: 10374428
    Abstract: A storage battery system relating to the present invention includes first and second PCSes. The first PCS performs charge and discharge to/from a first storage battery. The second PCS performs the charge and the discharge to/from a second storage battery. The second storage battery has a shorter service life than the first storage battery. A controllers controls the first and second PCSes on the basis of a charge/discharge request and storage battery information. The controller includes an SOC correction unit and a charge/discharge command unit. The SOC correction unit calculates SOCs of the first and second storage batteries, corrects the SOC of the second storage battery upwards in the case that the charge/discharge request is a charge request, and corrects the SOC of the second storage battery downwards in the case of a discharge request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI—ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masato Hanada, Daisuke Tsurumaru
  • Patent number: 10355524
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein provide an electronic device to allow wireless charging of the electronic device when it is operated in various operation modes. The electronic device can include a base member comprising a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and a display member rotatably connected to the base member. The electronic device can include a rechargeable battery and a receiver to wirelessly charge the rechargeable battery when the bottom surface of the base member is to be placed atop a transmitter. As an example, the bottom surface of the base member is to remain atop the transmitter while the electronic device is in different operation modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Hewiett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Monji G Jabori, David Isaac Blatt
  • Patent number: 10355495
    Abstract: A non-contact power feeding device includes a power receiving element in a power receiving-side device, a power receiving circuit that converts power received by the power receiving element, generates a motive power voltage and outputs to a motive power load, and generates a control voltage and outputs to a control load, a power feeding element that is provided in a power feeding-side device, an power supply that switches between an operational frequency during driving of the motive power load and the control load and a standby frequency during driving of the control load only, and supplies power to the power feeding element, frequency detecting sections that detect a power reception frequency of the power received by the power receiving element, and a motive power shutoff section that shuts off output of the motive power voltage when the power reception frequency changes from the operational frequency to the standby frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shinji Takikawa, Takeshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 10343540
    Abstract: A non-contact power supply system supplies power in a non-contact manner between a power transmission coil of a power supply device and a power reception coil of a vehicle. A vehicle side communication unit permits power transmission from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil with respect to one of several power supply devices and transmits a permission signal including identification information of the power supply device. A determination unit determines if a paired communication has been established between the vehicle and the power supply device. The power supply device has a communication unit that receives the permission signal. A controller controls power from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil when the identification information of a power supply device and the identification information in a permission signal match. The determination unit determines that a paired communication has been established when power is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yukinori Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10326316
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system has a wireless power receiving device that is located on a charging surface. The wireless power transmitting device has an array of wireless power transmitting coils that overlap the charging surface. The wireless power transmitting device uses inductance measurement circuitry that is coupled to the coil array to measure coil inductances for the wireless power transmitting coils. The wireless power receiving device may contain a communications integrated circuit, display circuitry, or other sensitive components. The location and orientation of the wireless receiving device on the charging surface can be determined by analyzing the coil inductances. This information and information on the location of the sensitive component within the wireless power receiving device can be used to select a wireless power transmitting coil to transmit wireless power signals to the wireless power receiving device without exposing the sensitive component to excessive wireless power signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Heng Yang, Weihong Qiu, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 10321526
    Abstract: An LED driving circuit for driving an LED unit includes a power source, a detection circuit, a charging-discharging circuit, and a control circuit. The power source is coupled to the input node of the LED unit. The detection circuit is coupled to the output node of the LED unit, wherein the detection circuit is arranged to generate a detection signal according to an output signal of the LED unit. The charging-discharging circuit includes a resistive circuit, a first diode and an energy storing circuit. When a charging path is enabled, the energy storing circuit is charged by the power source. When a discharging path is enabled, the energy storing circuit is discharged to the LED unit. The control circuit is coupled to the detection circuit, the charging path and the discharging path, for selectively enabling the charging path or the discharging path according to the detection signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: EDISON OPTO (DONGGUAN) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yu-Chen Lin, Tsung-Heng Lin, Jin-Ping Liu
  • Patent number: 10320234
    Abstract: A wireless power receiver comprises a resonant tank configured to generate an AC power signal responsive to an electromagnetic field, a rectifier configured to receive the AC power signal and generate a DC output power signal, and control logic configured to control the resonant tank to reconfigure and adjust its resonant frequency responsive to a determined transmitter type of a wireless power transmitter. The control logic may operate the wireless power receiver as a multimode receiver having a first mode for a first transmitter type and a second mode for a second transmitter type. The resonant tank may exhibit a different resonant frequency for each of the first mode and the second mode. A method comprises determining a transmitter type for a wireless power transmitter desired to establish a mutual inductance relationship, and adjusting a resonant frequency of a resonant tank of a wireless power receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Integrated Device Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Ovidiu Aioanei
  • Patent number: 10305322
    Abstract: When three phase AC voltages (Vi1 to Vi3) from a commercial AC power supply (51) become abnormal, a control circuit (6) of an uninterruptible power supply device provides an OFF command signal to first to third switches (1a to 1c), and causes first to third power converters (2a to 2c) to output first to third direct currents, respectively, and quickly extinguish arcs in the first to third switches (1a to 1c). On this occasion, polarities of the first to third direct currents are the same as polarities of currents (Is1 to Is3) flowing into the first to third switches (1a to 1c), respectively, and the sum of values of the first to third direct currents is 0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihide Nakano, Yousuke Ooura
  • Patent number: 10300796
    Abstract: A drive device includes a first energy storage, a second energy storage, a voltage converter, a driver, and circuitry. The first energy storage has a first power weight density and a first energy weight density. The second energy storage has a second power weight density higher than the first power weight density and a second energy weight density lower than the first weight density. The voltage converter converts a voltage output from the second energy storage. The driver is driven with power supplied from at least one of the first energy storage and the second energy storage. The circuitry is configured to interrupt current from the driver or from the second energy storage to the first energy storage. The circuitry is configured to control the voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ito, Daijiro Takizawa, Kenji Kikuchi