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).
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Patent number: 10804751Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 30, 2018Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Philips I.P. Ventures B.V.Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
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Patent number: 10673281Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: June 2, 2020Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
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Publication number: 20190123589Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Michael Craig STEVENS, Alexander Charles KNILL, John Robert DUNTON
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Publication number: 20180375389Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Michael Craig STEVENS, Alexander Charles KNILL, John Robert DUNTON, Julian Andrew John FELLS
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Patent number: 10158255Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Philips IP Ventures B.V.Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
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Patent number: 10069350Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: PHILIPS IP VENTURES B.V.Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
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Patent number: 9835661Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Eiichiro Kubota, Antonio Avitabile, Costantino Cristiano Mariella, Christopher Michael Rutherford, Edward Grellier Colby, Nicholas George Bailey, Alexander Charles Knill, Harshul Deepak Mehta
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Patent number: 9836032Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Eiichiro Kubota, Antonio Avitabile, Costantino Cristiano Mariella, Christopher Michael Rutherford, Edward Grellier Colby, Nicholas George Bailey, Alexander Charles Knill, Harshul Deepak Mehta
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Publication number: 20170085135Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
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Patent number: 9544022Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 18, 2013Date of Patent: January 10, 2017Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
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Publication number: 20160241088Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
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Patent number: 9356444Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: SONY CORPORATIONInventors: Eiichiro Kubota, Antonio Avitabile, Costantino Cristiano Mariella, Christopher Michael Rutherford, Edward Grellier Colby, Nicholas George Bailey, Alexander Charles Knill, Harshul Deepak Mehta
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Patent number: 9350265Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Alexander Charles Knill, Joseph John Nathaniel Adam, Mark Christopher Wells, Andrew Henry John Larkins
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Patent number: 9331526Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 26, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
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Patent number: 8971063Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Alexander Charles Knill
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Patent number: 8891253Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Alexander Charles Knill
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Publication number: 20140077615Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton
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Publication number: 20140009981Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: SONY CorporationInventors: Alexander Charles Knill, Joseph John,Nathaniel Adam, Mark Christopher Wells, Andrew Henry,John Larkins
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Publication number: 20140001877Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2013Publication date: January 2, 2014Inventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton, Julian Andrew John Fells
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Patent number: 8610400Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: December 17, 2013Assignee: Access Business Group International LLCInventors: Michael Craig Stevens, Alexander Charles Knill, John Robert Dunton