Patents by Inventor Dominique Weyen
Dominique Weyen 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: 11747378Abstract: A method and device for monitoring insulation between a DC bus and protective earth, wherein the bus is connected with a DC source. Terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a first electrical network during a first timespan, and transient first electrical values related to the first network at a plurality of time steps in the first timespan are measured. A first steady state value is calculated using a plurality of first measurement points at the plurality of first time steps. Further, the terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a second electrical network, during a second timespan, and transient second electrical values related to the second network at a plurality of second time steps in the second timespan are measured. A second steady state value is calculated using a plurality of second measurement points at the plurality of second time steps.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: VITO N.V.Inventors: Dominique Weyen, Peter Coenen
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Publication number: 20230152358Abstract: A method and device for monitoring insulation between a DC bus and protective earth, wherein the bus is connected with a DC source. Terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a first electrical network during a first timespan, and transient first electrical values related to the first network at a plurality of time steps in the first timespan are measured. A first steady state value is calculated using a plurality of first measurement points at the plurality of first time steps. Further, the terminals of the source are connected to protective earth by a second electrical network, during a second timespan, and transient second electrical values related to the second network at a plurality of second time steps in the second timespan are measured. A second steady state value is calculated using a plurality of second measurement points at the plurality of second time steps.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2019Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Dominique WEYEN, Peter COENEN
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Patent number: 10897145Abstract: Reconfiguration of a rechargeable energy storage system into two or more new capacitor or battery or fuel cell packs arranged in “connections”, e.g. series or parallel strings. Each pack of rechargeable energy storage devices includes rechargeable energy storage modules. In each rechargeable energy storage module, which can include one or more capacitors or fuel cells or battery cells, there is arranged a network of banks of switches. A first bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a first series connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A second bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a second connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A first bypass switch is arranged to exclude a rechargeable energy storage module from the first series connection string when the first bypass switch is activated.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: VITO NVInventors: Sven De Breucker, Dominique Weyen, Rafael Ponnette, Peter Coenen
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Patent number: 10236695Abstract: A connectivity check for a rechargeable energy storage system including a string of rechargeable energy storage cell modules in series. Each cell module has an individual rechargeable energy storage cell or plurality of rechargeable energy storage cells, a switch for use in a connection check, a monitoring and control circuit adapted for measuring a cell module voltage, a single common connection between a terminal of a rechargeable energy storage cell and the monitoring and control circuit within each module. To perform the connectivity check the switch is opened in one module, a cell voltage is measured in the module to give a first measured value, the switch is closed. The cell voltage is measured again to provide a second measured value, and a determination is made if there is a difference between the first and second measured values which would indicate a bad connection.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: VITO NVInventor: Dominique Weyen
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Publication number: 20190013681Abstract: Reconfiguration of a rechargeable energy storage system into two or more new capacitor or battery or fuel cell packs arranged in “connections”, e.g. series or parallel strings. Each pack of rechargeable energy storage devices includes rechargeable energy storage modules. In each rechargeable energy storage module, which can include one or more capacitors or fuel cells or battery cells, there is arranged a network of banks of switches. A first bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a first series connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A second bank of switches is arranged to connect a rechargeable energy storage module in a second connection string with other rechargeable energy storage modules. A first bypass switch is arranged to exclude a rechargeable energy storage module from the first series connection string when the first bypass switch is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2016Publication date: January 10, 2019Applicant: VITO NVInventors: Sven DE BREUCKER, Dominique WEYEN, Rafael PONNETTE, Peter COENEN
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Publication number: 20180375348Abstract: A connectivity check for a rechargeable energy storage system including a string of rechargeable energy storage cell modules in series. Each cell module has an individual rechargeable energy storage cell or plurality of rechargeable energy storage cells, a switch for use in a connection check, a monitoring and control circuit adapted for measuring a cell module voltage, a single common connection between a terminal of a rechargeable energy storage cell and the monitoring and control circuit within each module. To perform the connectivity check the switch is opened in one module, a cell voltage is measured in the module to give a first measured value, the switch is closed. The cell voltage is measured again to provide a second measured value, and a determination is made if there is a difference between the first and second measured values which would indicate a bad connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: VITO NVInventor: Dominique WEYEN
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Publication number: 20180364311Abstract: Systems, methods and component parts for portable or handheld measuring of a characteristic of batteries or other energy storage devices, in particular, for measuring a characteristic of high voltage batteries, e.g. 0.1 to 1 kV and/or automotive batteries as used in electric or hybrid automobiles or vehicles. The systems, methods and component parts are used to perform a battery diagnostic test, for example on high voltage batteries, e.g. 0.1 to 1 kV and/or automotive batteries as used in electric or hybrid automobiles. One such characteristic or diagnostic parameter is the impedance of such batteries and one such method is impedance spectroscopy testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Applicant: VITO NVInventors: Sven DE BREUCKER, Dominique WEYEN, Peter COENEN
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Patent number: 9768978Abstract: A method and system for providing pulsed power and data from a main control unit to slave units via a first bus. The main control unit has an AC signal generator for providing a plurality of first pulses (P1) on the bus for providing the power to the slave units. Each slave unit is AC-coupled to the bus via a first series capacitor arranged for converting the first pulses (P1) into second pulses (P2). Data communication from the main control unit to the slave units is established by modulating the first pulses (P1), and by demodulating the second pulses (P2). The modulation may be based on Pulse Position Modulation, Pulse Width Modulation, Pulse Count Modulation, Pulse Amplitude modulation. Zero, one or more bits may be communicated per first pulse. Optionally the slave units may communicate to the main control unit via a second bus.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK (VITO) NVInventors: Peter Coenen, Dominique Weyen
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Publication number: 20160269195Abstract: A method and system for providing pulsed power and data from a main control unit to slave units via a first bus. The main control unit has an AC signal generator for providing a plurality of first pulses (P1) on the bus for providing the power to the slave units. Each slave unit is AC-coupled to the bus via a first series capacitor arranged for converting the first pulses (P1) into second pulses (P2). Data communication from the main control unit to the slave units is established by modulating the first pulses (P1), and by demodulating the second pulses (P2). The modulation may be based on Pulse Position Modulation, Pulse Width Modulation, Pulse Count Modulation, Pulse Amplitude modulation. Zero, one or more bits may be communicated per first pulse. Optionally the slave units may communicate to the main control unit via a second bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2014Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: VLAAMSE INSTELLING VOOR TECHNOLOGISCH ONDERZOEK (VITO) NVInventors: Peter COENEN, Dominique WEYEN
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Patent number: 9270127Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for charge balancing over a plurality of rechargeable energy storage devices coupled in series, said system comprising a plurality of balancing units each assigned to one of the rechargeable energy storage devices, an AC signal generator for providing an AC signal to the plurality of balancing units, and a capacitive coupling between the AC signal generator and each of the plurality of balancing units for common mode rejection. A first balancing unit comprises a plurality of switches for transferring, on the one hand, charge from the AC signal generator or from an energy storage device assigned to another balancing unit for charging the energy storage device assigned to the first balancing unit, and, on the other hand, for transferring charge to the AC signal generator or to an energy storage device assigned to another balancing unit for discharging the energy storage device assigned to the first balancing unit.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: VITO N.V.Inventors: Peter Coenen, Dominique Weyen
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Patent number: 9162637Abstract: An ultracapacitor energy storage system and in particular a system for packaging and connecting ultracapacitors (15) for energy storage purposes is described which is applicable in automotive and stationary applications. The ultracapacitors (15) in the system can be in series or parallel or a combination of both. A controller, relays, voltage monitoring and isolation fault detection are used to regulate the system. The mechanical construction of frame and different pluggable modules (2 and 7) lead to an easy in- and de-installation of the different parts. The different constructions are designed with a safe handling by the operator in mind.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: VITO NVInventors: Filip Leemans, Johan De Smet, Dominique Weyen
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Publication number: 20130082520Abstract: An ultracapacitor energy storage system and in particular a system for packaging and connecting ultracapacitors (15) for energy storage purposes is described which is applicable in automotive and stationary applications. The ultracapacitors (15) in the system can be in series or parallel or a Combination of both. A controller, relays, voltage monitoring and isolation fault detection are used to regulate the system. The mechanical construction of frame and different pluggable modules (2 and 7) lead to an easy in and de-installation of the different parts. The different constructions are designed with a safe handling by the operator in mind.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: April 4, 2013Applicant: VITO NVInventors: Filip Leemans, Johan De Smet, Dominique Weyen
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Patent number: 7227310Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and devices for controlling at least one load connected to an AC power line. The method is based on the introduction of interruptions in the line voltage, which correspond to data being sent. The method centers on interruptions of variable length, yielding the opportunity of sending more data with a reduced number of interruptions. The invention is further related to a particular design of the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is equipped with a means for measuring the line current. The receiver is equipped with a comparator with a feedback connection. The receiver is also capable of increasing momentarily the line current, which creates the possibility of sending information back towards the transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2002Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Vlaamse Instelling Voor Technologisch Onderzoek (VITO)Inventors: Paul Van Tichelen, Dominique Weyen
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Publication number: 20040164688Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and devices for controlling at least one load connected to an AC power line. The method is based on the introduction of interruptions in the line voltage, which correspond to data being sent. The method centres on interruptions of variable length, yielding the opportunity of sending more data with a reduced number of interruptions. The invention is further related to a particular design of the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter is equipped with a means for measuring the line current. The receiver is equipped with a comparator with a feedback connection. The receiver is also capable of increasing momentarily the line current, which creates the possibility of sending information back towards the transmitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventors: Paul Van Tichelen, Dominique Weyen