Patents by Inventor Martin Sukup

Martin Sukup 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: 11919411
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has an electric conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end. The cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the electric conductor. The cable assembly includes a leak detection module to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit. The leak detection module includes a power source to generate an input voltage signal which is applied at a first node contact with the fluid. The leak detection module includes a controller to monitor an output voltage signal at the first node and to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit based on the output voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal-Andre Fortin, Martin Sukup, Tim Murphy, Chuen Chou, Aria Tedjarati
  • Publication number: 20230150377
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has an electric conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end. The cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the electric conductor. The cable assembly includes a leak detection module to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit. The leak detection module includes a power source to generate an input voltage signal which is applied at a first node contact with the fluid. The leak detection module includes a controller to monitor an output voltage signal at the first node and to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit based on the output voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Pascal-Andre Fortin, Martin Sukup, Tim Murphy, Chuen Chou, Aria Tedjarati
  • Patent number: 11548398
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has an electric conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end. The cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the electric conductor. The cable assembly includes a leak detection module to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit. The leak detection module includes a power source to generate an input voltage signal which is applied at a first node contact with the fluid. The leak detection module includes a controller to monitor an output voltage signal at the first node and to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit based on the output voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Pascal-Andre Fortin, Martin Sukup, Tim Murphy, Chuen Chou, Aria Tedjarati
  • Patent number: 11043823
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a system for conditioning rechargeable battery cells. The system can include a cell-group conditioning module. The cell-group conditioning module can include a cell interface block that includes a cell contact module and a circuit module. The circuit module can be configured to supply power to cells and can be positioned adjacent to the cell contact module. The cell-group conditioning module can further include a cell platform configured to accommodate a number of cells and an actuation mechanism coupled to the cell interface block or the cell platform and configured to reduce a distance between the cell interface block and cell platform, thereby allowing the cell contact module to establish electrical contact with the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Matthews, Turner Caldwell, Martin Sukup
  • Publication number: 20210148780
    Abstract: A cable assembly includes a cable having a first end and a second end. The cable has an electric conductor and a cooling conduit, each of which extends from the first end to the second end. The cooling conduit is adapted to convey a fluid that cools the electric conductor. The cable assembly includes a leak detection module to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit. The leak detection module includes a power source to generate an input voltage signal which is applied at a first node contact with the fluid. The leak detection module includes a controller to monitor an output voltage signal at the first node and to detect a leak of the fluid from the cooling conduit based on the output voltage signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Pascal-Andre Fortin, Martin Sukup, Tim Murphy, Chuen Chou, Aria Tedjarati
  • Publication number: 20180294657
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a system for conditioning rechargeable battery cells. The system can include a cell-group conditioning module. The cell-group conditioning module can include a cell interface block that includes a cell contact module and a circuit module. The circuit module can be configured to supply power to cells and can be positioned adjacent to the cell contact module. The cell-group conditioning module can further include a cell platform configured to accommodate a number of cells and an actuation mechanism coupled to the cell interface block or the cell platform and configured to reduce a distance between the cell interface block and cell platform, thereby allowing the cell contact module to establish electrical contact with the cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin Matthews, Turner Caldwell, Martin Sukup
  • Patent number: 9787112
    Abstract: An inter-protocol charging adapter for equipment to be charged via a bus includes: first connectors corresponding to a first charging protocol that requires the bus to be energized before the equipment closes onto the bus; second connectors corresponding to a second charging protocol that does not energize the bus before the equipment closes onto the bus; and a boost converter coupled to the bus and to at least one of the second connectors, wherein the boost converter uses energy from the second connector to energize the bus before the equipment closes onto the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Sukup, Troy A. Nergaard, Kristoffer J. Donhowe
  • Publication number: 20160036256
    Abstract: An inter-protocol charging adapter for equipment to be charged via a bus includes: first connectors corresponding to a first charging protocol that requires the bus to be energized before the equipment closes onto the bus; second connectors corresponding to a second charging protocol that does not energize the bus before the equipment closes onto the bus; and a boost converter coupled to the bus and to at least one of the second connectors, wherein the boost converter uses energy from the second connector to energize the bus before the equipment closes onto the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin SUKUP, Troy A. NERGAARD, Kristoffer J. Donhowe
  • Patent number: 8810198
    Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • Patent number: 8643330
    Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • Publication number: 20130057210
    Abstract: A method of distributing charging power among a plurality of charge ports of a battery charging station is provided, where the battery charging station includes a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, the method comprising the steps of (i) monitoring battery charging station conditions and operating conditions for each charging port; (ii) determining current battery charging station conditions, including current operating conditions for each charging port; (iii) determining power distribution for the battery charging station and the charging ports in response to the current battery charging conditions and in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules; and (iv) coupling the power stages to the charging ports in accordance with the power distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • Publication number: 20130057209
    Abstract: A battery charging station is provided that includes a plurality of charge ports, a plurality of power stages where each power stage includes an AC to DC converter and where each power stage provides a portion of the charging station's maximum available charging power, a switching system that is used to couple the output of the power stages to the charging ports, a system monitor that determines current charging station and vehicle conditions, and a controller that controls operation of the switching system in accordance with a predefined set of power distribution rules and on the basis of the current charging station and vehicle conditions. Current charging station and vehicle conditions may include vehicle arrival time, usage fees, vehicle and/or customer priority information, battery pack SOC, and/or intended departure time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Troy Adam Nergaard, Martin Sukup, Kristoffer John Donhowe, Christopher Hugo Van Dyke, Warwick Ka Kui Wong
  • Publication number: 20130027049
    Abstract: A method for measuring and calculating the isolation resistance of a battery pack is provided, the method being invulnerable to changes in the bus voltage that may take place between measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Sukup
  • Publication number: 20070273359
    Abstract: A modular current sensing system for a servo control system that includes a magnetic core with an open center portion and a connection plate that includes at least three wire connectors, wherein the wire connectors are capable of connecting at least two wires electrically in series. The system also includes a plurality of wires, including a first wire with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first wire is electrically connected to a first power source, and the second end of the first wire is connected to the connection plate at the first wire connector and wherein the first wire passes through the open portion defined by the magnetic core at least once. A first motor current flowing through the first wire induces a core current to flow in the magnetic core, causing the magnetic core to emit a magnetic field. A Hall effect sensor detects the magnetic field, produces an output current, and delivers the output current to a control device within a servo control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Timothy Grupa, Lane Woodland, Stephen Stocker, Martin Sukup, Bret Bartness, David Badzinski, Jeffrey Shoemaker, Keith Walters