Patents by Inventor Masaaki Kuranuki

Masaaki Kuranuki 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).

  • Publication number: 20240337698
    Abstract: In a sign detection system, a battery data acquisition unit acquires battery data including current data obtained by periodically measuring a current flowing through a battery pack. When the current data in a period of charging the battery pack by a charger include a section temporarily having a current value of zero, a determination unit determines that the occurrence of the section having the current value of zero is a sign of unavailability of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2022
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Masaaki KURANUKI, Masaaki TAKEGATA
  • Patent number: 12088129
    Abstract: Controller transitions from a first state of controlling first wiring side switch and second wiring side switch connected to nodes on both sides of discharge cell to be discharged of n cells to be in on state and clamp switch to be in off state to a second state of controlling first wiring side switch and second wiring side switch connected to the nodes on the both sides of discharge cell to be in off state and clamp switch to be in on state. Controller inserts a dead time between the first state and the second state, the dead time being for controlling first wiring side switch and second wiring side switch connected to the nodes on both sides of discharge cell to be in off state and clamp switch to in off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Kuranuki
  • Patent number: 12062932
    Abstract: Controller (12) of power storage pack (10) communicates with controller (32) of electric moving body (30) in a state where power storage pack (10) is mounted to the electric moving body. Communication wiring (Lc1) connects a node of power line (Lp1) on power source terminal (Tp) side relative to first switch (RYp) and controller (12) of power storage pack (10). Overvoltage protection circuit (19) turns off second switch (SWc) inserted into communication wiring (Lc1) upon detecting an overvoltage of power line (Lp1) during communication between controller (12) of power storage pack (10) and controller (32) of the electric moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Kuranuki, Katsuaki Hamamoto, Ryosuke Nagase
  • Patent number: 12051921
    Abstract: Cell selection circuit includes a plurality of first wiring switches, that selectively connect one of both ends of a selected cell to first wiring and at least one second wiring switch that selectively connects the other end of both the ends of the selected cell to second wiring. Clamp circuit includes clamp switches for forming a closed loop including inductor in a state where cell selection circuit does not select any cell. Controller turns on all of a plurality of switching elements forming a discharge path after the clamp state is ended, and then turns on a part of a plurality of switching elements constituting clamp switch before the state is switched to a next clamp state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Kuranuki
  • Patent number: 11989070
    Abstract: An electric movable body transmits a signal including identification information identical to identification information retained in a first power storage pack via near-field communication when the first power storage pack is detached from the electric movable body. A charging device wiredly transmits the identification information received from the electric movable body to a second power storage pack. The second power storage pack transmits via near-field communication a signal including the identification information received from the charging device. The electric movable body collates whether or not the identification information included in the received signal matches the identification information retained in the first power storage pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Hamamoto, Masaaki Kuranuki, Ryosuke Nagase
  • Publication number: 20240116522
    Abstract: An obtainer obtains travel data of an electric vehicle. A predictor predicts a failure due to aging in a drive circuit of a motor which drives a driving wheel of the electric vehicle, based on the travel data of the electric vehicle. The travel data includes position data of the electric vehicle and data relating to power consumption of the electric vehicle. The predictor predicts the failure due to aging in the drive circuit based on a change in an increase of power consumption generated when the electric vehicle travels a same route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2022
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Inventor: MASAAKI KURANUKI
  • Patent number: 11894702
    Abstract: The controller controls a cell selection circuit to electrically connect both ends of a cell to be discharged among n cells connected in series and both ends of the inductor for a predetermined time. Next, the controller controls the cell selection circuit to electrically cut off the n cells and the inductor, and turn on the clamp switch. Next, the controller turns off the clamp switch, and controls the cell selection circuit to electrically connect both ends of a cell to be charged among the n cells and both ends of the inductor for a predetermined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masaaki Kuranuki
  • Publication number: 20230155401
    Abstract: Controller (12) of power storage pack (10) communicates with controller (32) of electric moving body (30) in a state where power storage pack (10) is mounted to the electric moving body. Communication wiring (Lc1) connects a node of power line (Lp1) on power source terminal (Tp) side relative to first switch (RYp) and controller (12) of power storage pack (10). Overvoltage protection circuit (19) turns off second switch (SWc) inserted into communication wiring (Lc1) upon detecting an overvoltage of power line (Lp1) during communication between controller (12) of power storage pack (10) and controller (32) of the electric moving body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: MASAAKI KURANUKI, KATSUAKI HAMAMOTO, RYOSUKE NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20230095740
    Abstract: Controller of power storage pack performs communication for authentication with controller of an electric moving body according to the pattern of a current flowing through a power line in a state where power storage pack is mounted to electric moving body. Controller of power storage pack measures contact resistance between power storage pack and the electric moving body based on voltage of the power line on power storage pack side, voltage of the power line on the electric moving body side received from controller of the electric moving body, and current when communication for authentication is performed according to the pattern of a current flowing through the power line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: MASAAKI KURANUKI, KATSUAKI HAMAMOTO, RYOSUKE NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20230062322
    Abstract: An electric movable body transmits a signal including identification information identical to identification information retained in a first power storage pack via near-field communication when the first power storage pack is detached from the electric movable body. A charging device wiredly transmits the identification information received from the electric movable body to a second power storage pack. The second power storage pack transmits via near-field communication a signal including the identification information received from the charging device. The electric movable body collates whether or not the identification information included in the received signal matches the identification information retained in the first power storage pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Katsuaki HAMAMOTO, Masaaki KURANUKI, Ryosuke NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20230046158
    Abstract: A charging device wiredly transmits identification information to a power storage pack after the power storage pack is mounted. The power storage pack transmits via near-field communication a signal including the identification information received from the charging device. The charging device collates whether or not the identification information included in the received signal matches the identification information wiredly transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: KATSUAKI HAMAMOTO, MASAAKI KURANUKI, RYOSUKE NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20230050076
    Abstract: A first power storage pack wiredly transmits identification information retained in the first power storage pack to a charging device when the first power storage pack is detached from an electric movable body. The charging device wiredly transmits the identification information received from the first power storage pack to a second power storage pack. The controller of the second power storage pack transmits via near-field communication a signal including the identification information received from the charging device. The electric movable body collates whether or not the identification information included in the received signal matches the identification information retained in the first power storage pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: KATSUAKI HAMAMOTO, MASAAKI KURANUKI, RYOSUKE NAGASE
  • Publication number: 20220285949
    Abstract: Cell selection circuit is provided between n cells connected in series, where n is an integer of 2 or more, and inductor, and is provided at both ends of the selected cell and both ends of inductor can be conductive. Clamp circuit includes at least one clamp switch for forming a closed loop including inductor in a state where cell selection circuit does not select any cells. Current detection circuit detects the value of the current flowing through inductor. Low-pass filter band-limits the detection value. Overcurrent detection circuit activates the protection of inductor when the band-limited detection value exceeds the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: MASAAKI KURANUKI
  • Patent number: 11437828
    Abstract: An equalization circuit includes a cell selection circuit that is provided between n cells and an inductor, and that can electrically connect both ends of any cell of the n cells to both ends of the inductor. An energy holding-consuming circuit can form a closed loop including the inductor when the cell selection circuit does not select any cell. The energy holding-consuming circuit also can form a closed loop of a first pattern with a small resistance component of the closed loop and a closed loop of a second pattern with a large resistance component of the closed loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masaaki Kuranuki
  • Publication number: 20220216703
    Abstract: Cell selection circuit includes a plurality of first wiring switches, and that selectively connect one of both ends of a selected cell to first wiring and at least one second wiring switch that selectively connects the other end of both the ends of the selected cell to second wiring. Clamp circuit includes clamp switches for forming a closed loop including inductor in a state where cell selection circuit does not select any cell. Controller turns on all of a plurality of switching elements forming a discharge path after the clamp state is ended, and then turns on a part of a plurality of switching elements constituting clamp switch before the state is switched to a next clamp state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Inventor: MASAAKI KURANUKI
  • Publication number: 20210351598
    Abstract: Controller (13) transitions from a first state of controlling first wiring side switch (S1) and second wiring side switch (S4) connected to nodes on both sides of discharge cell (C1) to be discharged of n cells C1 to C4 to be in on state and clamp switch (Sc) to be in off state to a second state of controlling first wiring side switch (S1) and second wiring side switch (S4) connected to the nodes on the both sides of discharge cell (C1) to be in off state and clamp switch (Sc) to be in on state. Controller (13) inserts a dead time between the first state and the second state, the dead time being for controlling first wiring side switch (S1) and second wiring side switch (S4) connected to the nodes on both sides of discharge cell (C1) to be in off state and clamp switch (Sc) to in off state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: MASAAKI KURANUKI
  • Publication number: 20210313813
    Abstract: The controller controls a cell selection circuit to electrically connect both ends of a cell to be discharged among n cells connected in series and both ends of the inductor for a predetermined time. Next, the controller controls the cell selection circuit to electrically cut off the n cells and the inductor, and turn on the clamp switch. Next, the controller turns off the clamp switch, and controls the cell selection circuit to electrically connect both ends of a cell to be charged among the n cells and both ends of the inductor for a predetermined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventor: MASAAKI KURANUKI
  • Publication number: 20210305816
    Abstract: An equalization circuit includes a cell selection circuit that is provided between n cells and an inductor, and that can electrically connect both ends of any cell of the n cells to both ends of the inductor. An energy holding-consuming circuit can form a closed loop including the inductor when the cell selection circuit does not select any cell. The energy holding-consuming circuit also can form a closed loop of a first pattern with a small resistance component of the closed loop and a closed loop of a second pattern with a large resistance component of the closed loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventor: MASAAKI KURANUKI
  • Patent number: 11056886
    Abstract: In a power storage system, a three-phase AC wire is connected to a three-phase AC power system. Power storage blocks, each of which includes a power storage module and a power conditioner, are connected in parallel to the three-phase AC wire. A system controller individually controls power storage blocks. The power storage modules each includes: a power storage unit; and a management unit that manages the power storage unit. The power conditioner includes a power converter and a controller. The power converter converts DC power discharged into single-phase AC power and outputs the converted AC power to two lines of the three-phase AC wire, or converts single-phase AC power received from the two lines of the three-phase AC wire into DC power and charges the power storage unit. The controller is connected to the system controller via a communication line and the management unit via a communication line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Kato, Naohisa Morimoto, Masaaki Kuranuki, Jun Yamasaki, Yohei Ishii, Koichi Sawada
  • Publication number: 20200127458
    Abstract: In a power storage system, a three-phase AC wire is connected to a three-phase AC power system. Power storage blocks, each of which includes a power storage module and a power conditioner, are connected in parallel to the three-phase AC wire. A system controller individually controls power storage blocks. The power storage modules each includes: a power storage unit; and a management unit that manages the power storage unit. The power conditioner includes a power converter and a controller. The power converter converts DC power discharged into single-phase AC power and outputs the converted AC power to two lines of the three-phase AC wire, or converts single-phase AC power received from the two lines of the three-phase AC wire into DC power and charges the power storage unit. The controller is connected to the system controller via a communication line and the management unit via a communication line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: MASAKI KATO, NAOHISA MORIMOTO, MASAAKI KURANUKI, JUN YAMASAKI, YOHEI ISHII, KOICHI SAWADA