Patents by Inventor Alexander Charles Knill

Alexander Charles Knill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10804751
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
  • Patent number: 10673281
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
  • Publication number: 20190123589
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Craig STEVENS, Alexander Charles KNILL, John Robert DUNTON
  • Publication number: 20180375389
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Craig STEVENS, Alexander Charles KNILL, John Robert DUNTON, Julian Andrew John FELLS
  • Patent number: 10158255
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
  • Patent number: 10069350
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
  • Patent number: 9835661
    Abstract: Information to be displayed on a display is generated in such a way that a gateway processes a measured value (with a time stamp) transmitted from a power meter, an appliance monitor, a solar module, and a battery center through a wireless LAN. In the gateway, information relating to the consumed electric energy is synchronized with each other by the time stamp. Further, an integrated value of the consumed electric energy is calculated with respect to time. The information can be secured by obtaining the integrated value of data even if breakdown of devices and the like occurs due to power failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichiro Kubota, Antonio Avitabile, Costantino Cristiano Mariella, Christopher Michael Rutherford, Edward Grellier Colby, Nicholas George Bailey, Alexander Charles Knill, Harshul Deepak Mehta
  • Patent number: 9836032
    Abstract: Control of supplying power to a storage device is performed based on carbon emission strength or a power rate. A battery center 13 that constitutes a storage device 11 performs radio communication with a gateway 4 and is controlled by the gateway 4. The gateway 4 collects a measured value of power consumed by electric appliances in a home and obtains the carbon emission strength in real time. A solar panel 9 is provided and a battery of the storage device 11 is charged with an output of the solar panel. The battery is also charged with direct current power obtained from power from outside. The power is stored in the storage device 11 based on the carbon emission strength by charging control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichiro Kubota, Antonio Avitabile, Costantino Cristiano Mariella, Christopher Michael Rutherford, Edward Grellier Colby, Nicholas George Bailey, Alexander Charles Knill, Harshul Deepak Mehta
  • Publication number: 20170085135
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
  • Patent number: 9544022
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
  • Publication number: 20160241088
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
  • Patent number: 9356444
    Abstract: To solve problems arising when a power conditioner equivalent to that connected to a solar panel is connected to a power storage device. Direct-current power generated by the solar panel 9 is supplied to a DC-DC converter 51 and output as a predetermined direct-current voltage. The output voltage of the converter 51 is supplied to a DC-AC inverter 52. Direct-current power generated by the power storage device 11 is supplied to a DC-DC converter 55. Predetermined direct-current power from the converter 55 is supplied to a DC-AC inverter 56. Alternating-current power output by the inverter 56 is supplied to an alternating-current power system at home. The converter 55 is configured to have two output voltages. The first output voltage is a standby voltage. The second voltage is a voltage at which the inverter 56 starts power supply to outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eiichiro Kubota, Antonio Avitabile, Costantino Cristiano Mariella, Christopher Michael Rutherford, Edward Grellier Colby, Nicholas George Bailey, Alexander Charles Knill, Harshul Deepak Mehta
  • Patent number: 9350265
    Abstract: An AC tied inverter connectable to an AC source, the AC tied inverter including a DC to DC current fed push-pull converter operable to generate a current waveform from a DC voltage source, the current waveform being substantially synchronized to the AC source, the push-pull converter including a transformer including a first side connectable to a battery and a second side connectable to the AC source, wherein each of the two primary sides is connected to ground via a switching transistor; and respective voltage clamps are connected between the respective primary side of the transformer and the respective switching transistor, the voltage clamp commutating the current from the respective primary side of the transformer when the switching transistor is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Charles Knill, Joseph John Nathaniel Adam, Mark Christopher Wells, Andrew Henry John Larkins
  • Patent number: 9331526
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
  • Patent number: 8971063
    Abstract: A grid tied inverter connectable to an electricity grid, the grid tied inverter comprising a DC to DC current fed push-pull converter operable to generate a current waveform from a DC voltage source, the current waveform being substantially synchronised to the electricity grid, and a transformer having a first side connected to the DC to DC current fed converter and a second side having an output line connectable to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Charles Knill
  • Patent number: 8891253
    Abstract: A grid tied inverter connectable to an electricity grid, the grid tied inverter comprising a DC to DC current fed push-pull converter operable to generate a current waveform from a DC voltage source, the current waveform being substantially synchronized to the electricity grid, the push-pull converter comprising a transformer having a first side connectable to a battery and a second side connectable to the grid, wherein each of the two primary sides is connected to ground via a switching transistor; and respective voltage clamps are connected between the respective primary side of the transformer and the respective switching transistor, the voltage clamp commutating the current from the respective primary side of the transformer when the switching transistor is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Charles Knill
  • Publication number: 20140077615
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
  • Publication number: 20140009981
    Abstract: An AC tied inverter connectable to an AC source, the AC tied inverter including a DC to DC current fed push-pull converter operable to generate a current waveform from a DC voltage source, the current waveform being substantially synchronized to the AC source, the push-pull converter including a transformer including a first side connectable to a battery and a second side connectable to the AC source, wherein each of the two primary sides is connected to ground via a switching transistor; and respective voltage clamps are connected between the respective primary side of the transformer and the respective switching transistor, the voltage clamp commutating the current from the respective primary side of the transformer when the switching transistor is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SONY Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander Charles Knill, Joseph John,Nathaniel Adam, Mark Christopher Wells, Andrew Henry,John Larkins
  • Publication number: 20140001877
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit operable to generate an electromagnetic field and at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit, and adapted to couple with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit so that power can be received inductively by the secondary device from the primary unit without direct electrical conductive contacts therebetween. The system detects if there is a substantial difference between, on the one hand, a power drawn from the primary unit and, on the other hand, a power required by the secondary device or, if there is more than one secondary device, a combined power required by the secondary devices. Following such detection, the system restricts or stops the inductive power supply from the primary unit. Such a system can detect the presence of unwanted parasitic loads in the vicinity of the primary unit reliably.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
  • Patent number: 8610400
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system comprises a primary unit, having a primary coil and an electrical drive unit which applies electrical drive signals to the primary coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field. The system also comprises at least one secondary device, separable from the primary unit and having a secondary coil which couples with the field when the secondary device is in proximity to the primary unit. A control unit causes a circuit including said primary coil to operate, during a measurement period, in an undriven resonating condition. In this condition the application of the drive signals to the primary coil by the electrical drive unit is suspended so that energy stored in the circuit decays over the course of the period. A decay measurement unit takes one or more measures of such energy decay during the measurement period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Access Business Group International LLC
    Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton