Patents by Inventor Jeffrey M. Alves
Jeffrey M. Alves 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: 11456669Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for supplying voltage to a load and battery. In one implementation, a first regulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to a first energy source to down convert a first voltage supplied by the first energy source. A load is electrically connected to the first regulated DC-to-DC converter to receive the down converted first voltage. A second regulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to the first regulated DC-to-DC converter to regulate the down converted first voltage to a second voltage. A second power source is electrically connected to the second regulated DC-to-DC converter to charge the second power source using the second voltage, and the second power source is switchably connectable to the load.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peng Wu, Yehonatan Perez, Kisun Lee, Philip Juang
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Publication number: 20220185138Abstract: Systems and methods for modular charging of vehicles are described. For example, a method may include connecting a vehicle to a charger using a charging plug interface that includes a first pair of conductors connected to alternating current terminals of an on-board alternating current-to-direct current converter of the vehicle and a second pair of conductors connected to terminals of a battery of the vehicle; and charging the battery of the vehicle via direct current flowing through the second pair of conductors concurrent with charging of the battery via alternating current flowing through the first pair of conductors to power the on-board alternating current to direct current converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2022Publication date: June 16, 2022Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peteris K. Augenbergs
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Patent number: 11267360Abstract: Systems and methods for modular charging of vehicles are described. For example, a method may include connecting a vehicle to a charger using a charging plug interface that includes a first pair of conductors connected to alternating current terminals of an on-board alternating current-to-direct current converter of the vehicle and a second pair of conductors connected to terminals of a battery of the vehicle; and charging the battery of the vehicle via direct current flowing through the second pair of conductors concurrent with charging of the battery via alternating current flowing through the first pair of conductors to power the on-board alternating current to direct current converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2020Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peteris K. Augenbergs
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Publication number: 20210402888Abstract: Systems and methods for modular charging of vehicles are described. For example, a method may include connecting a vehicle to a charger using a charging plug interface that includes a first pair of conductors connected to alternating current terminals of an on-board alternating current-to-direct current converter of the vehicle and a second pair of conductors connected to terminals of a battery of the vehicle; and charging the battery of the vehicle via direct current flowing through the second pair of conductors concurrent with charging of the battery via alternating current flowing through the first pair of conductors to power the on-board alternating current to direct current converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peteris K. Augenbergs
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Patent number: 10879745Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2018Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Publication number: 20200366205Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for supplying voltage to a load and battery. In one implementation, a first regulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to a first energy source to down convert a first voltage supplied by the first energy source. A load is electrically connected to the first regulated DC-to-DC converter to receive the down converted first voltage. A second regulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to the first regulated DC-to-DC converter to regulate the down converted first voltage to a second voltage. A second power source is electrically connected to the second regulated DC-to-DC converter to charge the second power source using the second voltage, and the second power source is switchably connectable to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peng Wu, Yehonatan Perez, Kisun Lee, Philip Juang
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Patent number: 10737586Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for supplying voltage to a load and battery. In one implementation, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to a first energy source to down convert a first voltage supplied by the first energy source. A load is electrically connected to the unregulated DC-to-DC converter to receive the down converted first voltage. A regulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to the unregulated DC-to-DC converter to regulate the down converted first voltage to a second voltage. A second power source is electrically connected to the regulated DC-to-DC converter to charge the second power source using the second voltage, and the second power source is switchably connectable to the load.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peng Wu, Yehonatan Perez, Kisun Lee, Philip Juang
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Patent number: 10594159Abstract: Methods and systems for improved efficiency when an inductive power transmitter associated with an inductive power transfer system experiences a low-load or no-load condition. More particularly, methods and systems for detecting when an inductive power receiver is absent or poorly connected to an inductive power transmitter. The inductive power transmitter includes, in one example, a current peak monitor coupled to an inductive power transmit coil. The current peak monitor waits for a current peak resulting from spatial displacement of a magnetic field source within the inductive power receiver, indicating to the inductive power transmitter that the inductive power receiver is moving, or has moved, toward the inductive power transmitter. Other examples include one or more Hall effect sensors within the inductive power transmitter to monitor for the magnetic field source of the inductive power receiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Chad A. Bossetti, Jeffrey M. Alves, Albert J. Golko, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Christopher S. Graham, Steven G. Herbst
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Patent number: 10404235Abstract: Power transfer systems including a direct current source and a plurality of outputs operable in several modes. A ground mode may couple an output to circuit ground and a current mode may couple the output to the direct current source. The power transfer system may also include a controller configured to iteratively select a pair of outputs from the plurality of outputs. Once a pair is selected, the controller may set a first output of the pair of outputs to the current mode and the second to ground mode for a determined duration. After the duration has passed, the controller may set the first output to the ground mode and the second output to the current mode for the same duration. Thereafter the controller may select another pair of outputs.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: APPLE INC.Inventors: Brian C. Menzel, Jeffrey M. Alves, Kevin M. Keeler, Zachary C. Rich
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Publication number: 20190210480Abstract: A system such as a vehicle may have control circuitry that controls a steering and propulsion system. The control circuitry may use the steering and propulsion system to park the vehicle in a parking space. Wireless power may be transferred from a wireless power transmitter in the parking space to a wireless power receiver coupled to a vehicle body in the vehicle. The control circuitry may use sensors to make sensor measurements during parking events. The control circuitry may also gather information on wireless power transfer efficiency. Historical vehicle-to-wireless-power-transmitter alignment information may be updated based on the sensor measurements and corresponding wireless power transfer efficiency measurements and may be used to park the vehicle in an optimal location during subsequent parking events. Vehicle parking position may be intentionally varied over a series of parking events to gather additional alignment information.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Zaka Ullah Zahid, Jennifer D. Pollock, Derryk C. Davis, Hunter H. Wu
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Patent number: 10320230Abstract: A thermal management system for an electromagnetic induction-power transfer system. The system may include a charging apparatus including a housing that defines an interface surface. An accessory or induction-power consuming apparatus may be positioned proximate to the interface surface. The housing of the charging apparatus may include a power source and a power-transferring coil coupled to the power source and positioned below the interface surface. A thermal mass may be positioned within the housing and spaced apart from the interface surface. The housing may include a thermal path that is configured to conduct heat from the interface surface to the thermal mass.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Albert J. Golko, Eric S. Jol, Christopher S. Graham, Paul J. Thompson, Jeffrey M. Alves, Stephen E. Yao, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Todd K. Moyer, Daniel Wagman, Micah Lewis-Kraus
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Publication number: 20190157898Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Publication number: 20190089183Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for communicating across an inductive charging interface. Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Steven G. Herbst, David W. Ritter, Chad Bossetti, Terry Tikalsky
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Patent number: 10193372Abstract: A receiver device in an inductive energy transfer system can include a touch sensing device. If the input surface of the touch sensing device is touched, a transmitter device can periodically stop transferring energy to allow the touch sensing device to sense touch samples while inductive energy transfer is inactive. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can produce an averaged duty cycle by transferring energy to the receiver device for one or more periods at a first duty cycle step and for one or more periods at different second first duty cycle step. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can reduce a current level received by a DC-to-AC converter if the current received by the DC-to-AC converter equals or exceeds a threshold. Additionally or alternatively, a transmitter device can ping a receiver device and transfer energy only after a response signal is received from the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Steven G. Herbst, Scott D. Morrison, Jeffrey M. Alves, Brandon R. Garbus, Jim C. Hwang, Robert S. Parnell, Terry L. Tikalsky
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Publication number: 20190006892Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang
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Patent number: 10135303Abstract: A transmitter device in an inductive energy transfer system includes a first transmitter coil operatively connected to a first resonant circuitry. A receiver device includes a first receiver coil operatively connected to a first resonant circuitry. The first transmitter coil and the first receiver coil form a first transformer. The transmitter device, the receiver device, or both the transmitter and receiver devices can also include an auxiliary coil or inductor, which may form an auxiliary transformer. Energy can be transferred from the transmitter device to the receiver device using the first transformer or the auxiliary transformer. The transfer of energy may be adaptively adjusted based on the efficiency of the energy transfer. For example, the transfer of energy can be adjusted based on the operating conditions of the load.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Jeffrey M. Alves
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Patent number: 10116279Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for improved efficiency of power transfer across an inductive charging interface by adaptively changing the impedance of the receive coil in response to changes in load conditions during inductive power transfer are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: David W. Ritter, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, Todd K. Moyer, Jeffrey M. Alves, Steven G. Herbst
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Publication number: 20180301986Abstract: Implementations described and claimed herein provide systems and methods for supplying voltage to a load and battery. In one implementation, an unregulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to a first energy source to down convert a first voltage supplied by the first energy source. A load is electrically connected to the unregulated DC-to-DC converter to receive the down converted first voltage. A regulated DC-to-DC converter is electrically connected to the unregulated DC-to-DC converter to regulate the down converted first voltage to a second voltage. A second power source is electrically connected to the regulated DC-to-DC converter to charge the second power source using the second voltage, and the second power source is switchably connectable to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Jeffrey M. Alves, Peng Wu, Yehonatan Perez, Kisun Lee, Philip Juang
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Patent number: 10027185Abstract: A transmitter device for an inductive energy transfer system can include a DC-to-AC converter operably connected to a transmitter coil, a first capacitor connected between the transmitter coil and one output terminal of the DC-to-AC converter, and a second capacitor connected between the transmitter coil and another output terminal of the DC-to-AC converter. One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the transmitter coil and an interface surface of the transmitter device. A receiver device can include a touch sensing device, an AC-to-DC converter operably connected to a receiver coil, a first capacitor connected between the receiver coil and one output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter, and a second capacitor connected between the receiver coil and another output terminal of the AC-to-DC converter. One or more capacitive shields can be positioned between the receiver coil and an interface surface of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Todd K. Moyer, Albert Lin, Wesley W. Zuber, Yehonatan Perez, Jeffrey M. Alves, Makiko K. Brzezinski, Eric S. Jol, Paul J. Thompson, Priyank D. Patel, Christian M. Sauer, Christopher S. Graham, Jim C. Hwang, Micah Lewis-Kraus
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Patent number: 10014733Abstract: Various techniques for temperature management during inductive energy transfer are disclosed. A transmitter device and/or a receiver device can be turned off during energy transfer based on the temperature of the transmitter device and/or of the receiver device.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Amaury J. Heresztyn, Keith Cox, Eric S. Jol, Jeffrey M. Alves, Jim C. Hwang, Jeffrey J. Terlizzi, John M. Ananny, Nagarajan Kalyanasundaram, Robert S. Parnell, Steven G. Herbst, Todd K. Moyer, Albert J. Golko, Frank Liang