Patents Examined by Win Htun
  • Patent number: 9849789
    Abstract: An operation mode selection unit selects an efficiency priority mode for minimizing the overall loss in a power supply system based on a load request voltage obtained in accordance with the condition of a load and on the conditions of DC power supplies, and generates a mode selection signal in accordance with the selection result. When SOC and/or output power have/has reached power supply restriction values in any DC power supply, an operation mode modification unit generates a final mode selection instructing signal so as to modify selection of the efficiency priority mode by the mode selection signal to select an operation mode in which power distribution between the DC power supplies can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO, TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shuji Tomura, Masanori Ishigaki, Naoki Yanagizawa, Masaki Okamura
  • Patent number: 9831714
    Abstract: A battery storage system includes: an energy converting unit configured to generate electrical power; a power converter including a control circuit, and a circuit that is controlled by the control circuit to generate electrical power to be supplied from an output of the energy converting unit to a load and electrical power to be supplied to the control circuit; a power supply source including a battery storage cell and a commercial power system; and a host control circuit configured to perform control such that electrical power is supplied from the power supply source to the control circuit when an output of the energy converting unit is between a first value and a second value larger than the first value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Suguru Sekita
  • Patent number: 9819398
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit that wirelessly supplies power to an electronic apparatus, a communication unit that performs wireless communication for acquiring status information from the electronic apparatus, a detection unit that detects an external apparatus different from the electronic apparatus, and a control unit that causes the communication unit to disconnect wireless communication with the electronic apparatus in response to a detection of the external apparatus by the detection unit if the power supply unit is wirelessly supplying power to the electronic apparatus based on the status information acquired from the electronic apparatus, and causes the communication unit to perform wireless communication with the external apparatus to determine whether the external apparatus is able to wirelessly receive power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Tsukamoto, Marie Tateno
  • Patent number: 9815373
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine; a traction battery; and a controller or a vehicle control system having a controller. The controller is programmed to respond to a state of charge (SOC) of the traction battery. When the SOC is greater than a predicted SOC the controller is programmed to decrease a SOC threshold at which the engine is shut down to reduce the SOC. The SOC threshold is defined by a difference between a maximum SOC and an expected change in the SOC associated with predicted regenerative energy for a drive cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Paul Perkins, Kenneth James Miller, Douglas Raymond Martin, Stephen R. Burke
  • Patent number: 9796281
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission apparatus includes a plurality of transmission (TX) resonators configured to resonate with at least one reception (RX) resonator, and wirelessly transmit power to the at least one RX resonator; and a frequency controller configured to control the input frequency so that power is stably supplied to the at least one RX resonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Hyun Park, Young Ho Ryu, Sang Wook Kwon, Ki Young Kim, Nam Yun Kim, Dong Zo Kim, Bong Chul Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Keum Su Song, Chi Hyung Ahn, Byoung Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 9780567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
  • Patent number: 9762061
    Abstract: Methods for transferring electrical power in the sea include: generating AC power; and guiding, at least partially underwater, the AC power through a cable from a first end of the cable to a second end of the cable. A first reactor is connected near the first end of the cable and a second reactor is connected near the second end of the cable. Inductances of the first reactor and the second reactor are selected to at least partially compensate for reactive power generated in the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ove Boe, Espen Haugan
  • Patent number: 9748797
    Abstract: Key interlock systems and methods are described for safely carrying out a closed-transition procedure in an electric power distribution system in which two load busses that can be separately powered by the same power source or by two different power sources can be connected together via one or more bus tie breakers and in which a static transfer switch is used to selectively deliver power from one of the two different power sources to at least one of the load busses. Embodiments described herein prohibit access to a key that is required to close a bus tie breaker that connects the two load busses until at least a determination is made that a particular bypass breaker of the static transfer switch has been closed, thereby ensuring that both load busses are connected to the same power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Steven R. Steinert, Daniel N. McManus, Joseph L. Soroka, Vincent Karczewski, Shu-Kuen Raymond Chiu, Kris S. Redding, Scott T. Seaton
  • Patent number: 9742220
    Abstract: An auxiliary power supply device can include an auxiliary power source configured to provide auxiliary power. An auxiliary power state detection circuit electrically can be coupled to an input or an output of the auxiliary power source and an auxiliary power supply circuit that can be electrically coupled to the output of the auxiliary power source, where the auxiliary power supply circuit can be configured to provide the auxiliary power to a target system when power supplied to the target system by a main power source is abnormal. Related systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-hun Jeon, Ik-sung Park, Cheol Kwon
  • Patent number: 9742202
    Abstract: A power-receiving structure is provided in a ship and includes a power-receiving coil capable of wirelessly receiving electric power from a power-supplying coil on a land-side and an outer wall surface-forming section forming an outer surface of side of the ship, and the power-receiving coil is provided on an inside of the ship from the outer wall surface-forming section, and an electromagnetic field-transmissive section formed of a material through which an electromagnetic field propagates is provided in an opposing portion to the power-receiving coil in the outer wall surface-forming section. According to the present invention, the power-receiving coil is not protruded from the outer surface of side of the ship and can wirelessly receive electric power from the power-supplying coil on the land-side through the electromagnetic field-transmissive section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: IHI CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motonao Niizuma
  • Patent number: 9735573
    Abstract: A DC-power system including a main DC bus, a power generating unit arranged to feed the main DC bus, an isolator switch arranged between the main DC bus and the power generating unit for isolating the power generating unit from the main DC bus in case of a main DC bus fault, a drive unit arranged to be fed by the main DC bus, wherein the drive unit includes a drive unit bus system, converter units connected to the drive unit bus system, and fuses arranged between the drive unit bus system and the converter units for protecting the converter units in case of a drive unit fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: John Lindtjorn
  • Patent number: 9735619
    Abstract: A power conversion device connected between a storage battery and AC system charges the storage battery with power from the AC system and discharges power from the storage battery to the AC system. The power conversion device includes a DC/DC conversion circuit performing conversion between a storage battery voltage and DC bus voltage, a DC/AC conversion circuit performing conversion between the DC bus voltage and AC voltage of the AC system, and control circuits controlling the DC/DC and DC/AC conversion circuits. The control circuits select either step-up control or step-down control for the DC/DC conversion circuit based on the storage battery voltage, the storage battery charge state, and a control range of the DC bus voltage, set a control target value of the DC bus voltage, and control the DC/DC and DC/AC conversion circuits by the selected control method so the DC bus voltage becomes the control target value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Sadayuki Inoue
  • Patent number: 9705362
    Abstract: A power converter can include an inverter including, connected in series, switching elements, the inverter circuit being connected to both ends of a DC power source series circuit resulting from connecting in series a DC power source and a DC power source. Also included can be an AC output terminal that is connected to a connection point of the switching element and the switching element, an AC output terminal that is connected to a connection point of the DC power source and the DC power source, a bidirectional switch element one end of which is connected to the AC output terminal and the other end of which is connected to a terminal of an AC power source and a bidirectional switch element one end of which is connected to the AC output terminal and the other end of which is connected to the AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Fujita, Ryuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9701211
    Abstract: A resonant wireless energy transfer system comprises first and second antennas made up of dual parallel wire helixes wherein the wires are terminated by short wires. Voltage controlled variable capacitors are connected into the antennas to permit progressive variation between folded dipole and normal dipole operating modes such that optimum energy transfer can be achieved between the antennas over a wide range of antenna separation distances. A vehicle battery charging system using the above-described antennas is provided including an installation which allows purchase of battery charging power by members of the general public. In-vehicle energy transfer for sensors, computers, cell phones and the like is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideo Iizuka, Jae Seung Lee, Paul Donald Schmalenberg, Brian Joseph Robert
  • Patent number: 9705338
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a power transmission antenna, receiver circuits, and a control circuit. The power transmission antenna transmits high-frequency power at each of frequencies to wireless power reception apparatuses. Each of the receiver circuits obtains, from a corresponding one of the wireless power reception apparatuses, the value of a required voltage of the wireless power reception apparatus and the value of a power reception voltage received by the wireless power reception apparatus from the wireless power transmission apparatus. The control circuit obtains the required voltage value and the power reception voltage value from each of the receiver circuits, and controls the frequency of the high-frequency power. The control circuit changes the frequency of the high-frequency power so that the sum total of errors between the required voltage and the power reception voltage is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Kanno
  • Patent number: 9701205
    Abstract: A power cut off device includes a case and an actuator disposed in the case. The actuator includes a driver movable relative to the case. Specifically, the driver can move relative to the case between a first driver position and a second driver position. The power cut off device also includes a cutter defining a conductor receiving opening. The cutter is movably disposed in the case. Consequently, the cutter can move relative to the case between a first cutter position and a second cutter position. The cutter is operatively coupled to the actuator such that the driver is configured to drive the cutter from the first cutter position to the second cutter position when the driver moves from the first driver position to the second driver position in order to cut an electrical conductor disposed in the conductor receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Anthony A. Bosco, Mark C. Graebner
  • Patent number: 9701264
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for coupling a power converter to a fuse tap. By coupling a power converter directly to a fuse tap, the wiring associated with the power converter and an electronic accessory may be positioned behind a dashboard of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventor: Andrew Aboudaoud
  • Patent number: 9692310
    Abstract: A power converter that can supply constant voltage to a load even upon fluctuation of voltage of an AC power source includes an inverter circuit resulting from connecting switching elements in series, the inverter circuit being connected to both ends of a DC power source series circuit resulting from connecting in series two DC power sources; an AC output terminal that is connected to a connection point of the switching elements; another AC output terminal that is connected to a connection point of the DC power sources; and a bidirectional switch element including one end connected to the AC output terminal U and another end connected to a terminal of an AC power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: FUJI ELECTRIC CO, LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Fujita, Ryuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 9680465
    Abstract: A switching circuit is provided by using an FET with a low gate-source breakdown voltage. The switching circuit includes a PLDMOS with a gate-source breakdown voltage that is lower than a gate-drain breakdown voltage and an impedance converting circuit coupled to the source of the PLDMOS and configured to output substantially the same voltage as an input voltage from the source of the PLDMOS. An input impedance of the converting circuit is higher than an output impedance thereof. The switching circuit further includes a gate voltage generating circuit configured to switch voltage applied to the gate of the PLDMOS between a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is substantially the same as an input voltage from the converting circuit, and wherein a difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is lower than the gate-source breakdown voltage of the PLDMOS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Otani, Yasushige Ogawa
  • Patent number: 9672979
    Abstract: A power transmitting apparatus includes a power transmission or reception circuit, a first coil connected to the power transmission or reception circuit through wires, a plurality of resonance coils having respective, different diameters one of which is selectively coupled to the first coil through electromagnetic induction, and a position control apparatus configured to control the positions of the resonance coils, wherein the position control apparatus is configured to selectively align an axial direction of one of the resonance coils with an axial direction of the first coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Kiyoto Matsui, Satoshi Shimokawa