Patents by Inventor Matthew L. Ward

Matthew L. Ward 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: 11904712
    Abstract: Foreign objects impinging on a ground transceiver assembly (GTA) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) station are detected using a two-stage foreign object detection system. In a first stage, at least one camera is positioned to observe a charging position of the GTA and an area surrounding the charging position. In a second stage, an impedance measurement circuit measures an impedance of a wireless power transfer coil of the GTA. An imaging processor analyzes images from the at least one camera to identify changes or features indicative of introduction of a foreign object onto an exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the charging position. A foreign object detection (FOD) controller triggers an impedance inspection of the GTA by the impedance measurement circuit and initiates a failsafe operation when movement of an object crossing into or over the charging position is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Ward, Jorge E. Rivé
  • Patent number: 11862987
    Abstract: A contactless battery system includes a sealable case, a battery unit disposed within the sealable case, and at least one wireless power transmission coupler connected to the battery unit and disposed within the sealable case. The battery unit includes an arrangement of serially connected battery cells in a fixed number of banks of battery cells to deliver a set voltage and current. The wireless power transmission coupler is disposed with respect to at least one face of the sealable case to enable magnetic inductive signaling for charging, discharging, and communication with the battery unit. A battery management controller communicates bidirectionally with the contactless battery systems and with electrically powered equipment to control charging. A distribution system manages distribution of the contactless battery systems to a plurality of depots adapted to store, charge, or exchange depleted contactless battery systems under control of at least one management unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20230336034
    Abstract: Foreign objects impinging on a ground transceiver assembly (GTA) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) station are detected using a two-stage foreign object detection system. In a first stage, at least one camera is positioned to observe a charging position of the GTA and an area surrounding the charging position. In a second stage, an impedance measurement circuit measures an impedance of a wireless power transfer coil of the GTA. An imaging processor analyzes images from the at least one camera to identify changes or features indicative of introduction of a foreign object onto an exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the charging position. A foreign object detection (FOD) controller triggers an impedance inspection of the GTA by the impedance measurement circuit and initiates a failsafe operation when movement of an object crossing into or over the charging position is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventors: Matthew L. Ward, Jorge E. Rivé
  • Publication number: 20230249559
    Abstract: Modular coil assemblies for wireless charging of vehicles have coil geometries and communications designed to limit electromagnetic field (EMF) levels in regions where humans or other living objects may be present. The modular coil assemblies are designed with the ability to shape the magnetic field to be predominately within shielding provided by the auto chassis by, for example, providing side-by-side phase cancellation or diagonal versus front-to-back (for 1×3, 2×3 array configurations) phase cancellation. The power levels and frequency offset pairwise compensation of the respective coils may be controlled to improve cancellation and thus to reduce magnetic field exposure potential. The phase cancellation of the magnetic flux density from respective coil assemblies varies over a range to provide, for example, ?50% cancellation at 125° offset and up to ?100% cancellation at 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Peter C. Schrafel, Francis J. McMahon, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 11689061
    Abstract: A contactless battery system includes a sealable dustproof and waterproof case that houses a battery unit and at least one wireless power transmission coupler connected to the battery unit. The at least one wireless power transmission coupler is disposed with respect to at least one face of the sealable case to enable magnetic inductive signaling for charging, discharging, and communication with the battery. Without physical contacts, the battery is inherently safe since voltage and current are not available to the touch. The lack of physical contacts also means that contact wear is eliminated and the battery modules have the benefit of inherent galvanic isolation. Since the battery system is sealed, internal intrusion detection systems may be used to detect improper attempts at battery changes or attacks on the electronics containing the usage and charging records in an attempt to increase the battery unit's value on the secondary battery market.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Matthew L. Ward, Francis J. McMahon
  • Publication number: 20230179026
    Abstract: A contactless battery system includes a sealable case, a battery unit disposed within the sealable case, and at least one wireless power transmission coupler connected to the battery unit and disposed within the sealable case. The battery unit includes an arrangement of serially connected battery cells in a fixed number of banks of battery cells to deliver a set voltage and current. The wireless power transmission coupler is disposed with respect to at least one face of the sealable case to enable magnetic inductive signaling for charging, discharging, and communication with the battery unit. A battery management controller communicates bidirectionally with the contactless battery systems and with electrically powered equipment to control charging. A distribution system manages distribution of the contactless battery systems to a plurality of depots adapted to store, charge, or exchange depleted contactless battery systems under control of at least one management unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 11671145
    Abstract: A full duplex, low latency, near field data link controls a resonant induction, wireless power transfer system for recharging batteries. In an electric vehicle embodiment, an assembly is aligned with respect to a ground assembly to receive a charging signal. The vehicle assembly includes one or more charging coils and a first full duplex inductively coupled data communication system that communicates with a ground assembly including one or more charging coils and a second full duplex inductively coupled data communications system. The charging coils of the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly are selectively enabled based on geometric positioning of the vehicle assembly relative to the ground assembly for charging. As appropriate, the transmit/receive system of the ground assembly and/or the vehicle assembly are adjusted to be of the same type to enable communication of charging management and control data between the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly during charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Edward J. Gander, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 11581755
    Abstract: A resonant induction wireless power transfer coil assembly designed for low loss includes a wireless power transfer coil, a non-saturated backing core layer adjacent the wireless power transfer coil, an eddy current shield, a gap layer between the backing core layer and the eddy current shield, and an enclosure that encloses the wireless power transfer coil, backing core layer, gap layer and eddy current shield. The gap layer has a thickness in a thickness range for a given thickness of the backing core layer where eddy current loss in the eddy current shield is substantially flat over the thickness range. A thickness of the backing core layer and a thickness of the gap layer are selected where a total power loss comprising power loss in the backing core layer plus eddy current loss over the gap layer is substantially minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: InductEV, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter C. Schrafel, Francis J. McMahon, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220368161
    Abstract: A contactless battery system includes a sealable dustproof and waterproof case that houses a battery unit and at least one wireless power transmission coupler connected to the battery unit. The at least one wireless power transmission coupler is disposed with respect to at least one face of the sealable case to enable magnetic inductive signaling for charging, discharging, and communication with the battery. Without physical contacts, the battery is inherently safe since voltage and current are not available to the touch. The lack of physical contacts also means that contact wear is eliminated and the battery modules have the benefit of inherent galvanic isolation. Since the battery system is sealed, internal intrusion detection systems may be used to detect improper attempts at battery changes or attacks on the electronics containing the usage and charging records in an attempt to increase the battery unit's value on the secondary battery market.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Matthew L. Ward, Francis J. McMahon
  • Publication number: 20220337977
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for collection and analysis of mobile device data. A geo-profile may be determined based on the mobile device data and utilized to determine associations of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Brian R. Bolon, Larry V. Dodds, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220297553
    Abstract: Modular coil assemblies for wireless charging of vehicles have coil geometries and communications designed to limit electromagnetic field (EMF) levels in regions where humans or other living objects may be present. The modular coil assemblies are designed with the ability to shape the magnetic field to be predominately within shielding provided by the auto chassis by, for example, providing side-by-side phase cancellation or diagonal versus front-to-back (for 1×3, 2×3 array configurations) phase cancellation. The power levels and frequency offset pairwise compensation of the respective coils may be controlled to improve cancellation and thus to reduce magnetic field exposure potential. The phase cancellation of the magnetic flux density from respective coil assemblies varies over a range to provide, for example, ˜50% cancellation at 125° offset and up to ˜100% cancellation at 180°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Inventors: Peter C. Schrafel, Francis J. McMahon, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 11418916
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for collection and analysis of mobile device data. A geo-profile may be determined based on the mobile device data and utilized to determine associations of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Brian R. Bolon, Larry V. Dodds, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20220126710
    Abstract: A system and method of charging an electric vehicle uses a modular ground transceiver station (GTS) having at least two ground transceiver assemblies (GTAs). Each GTA is adapted to align with a vehicle transceiver assembly (VTA) of the electric vehicle, and a guideline extends from at least one of the GTAs a predetermined distance for guiding the electric vehicle to the GTAs. The GTS is selected based on an active GTA configuration of the GTS and a VTA configuration of the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is guided along the guideline for alignment of at least one VTA of the electric vehicle with at least one of the GTAs in response to at least one signal radiated by the guideline. Wireless charging is initiated upon verification of alignment of the at least one VTA of the electric vehicle and the at least one of the GTAs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Matthew L. WARD, Francis J. McMAHON
  • Publication number: 20220037924
    Abstract: A resonant induction wireless power transfer coil assembly designed for low loss includes a wireless power transfer coil, a non-saturated backing core layer adjacent the wireless power transfer coil, an eddy current shield, a gap layer between the backing core layer and the eddy current shield, and an enclosure that encloses the wireless power transfer coil, backing core layer, gap layer and eddy current shield. The gap layer has a thickness in a thickness range for a given thickness of the backing core layer where eddy current loss in the eddy current shield is substantially flat over the thickness range. A thickness of the backing core layer and a thickness of the gap layer are selected where a total power loss comprising power loss in the backing core layer plus eddy current loss over the gap layer is substantially minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Inventors: Peter C. Schrafel, Francis J. McMahon, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20210328626
    Abstract: A full duplex, low latency, near field data link controls a resonant induction, wireless power transfer system for recharging batteries. In an electric vehicle embodiment, an assembly is aligned with respect to a ground assembly to receive a charging signal. The vehicle assembly includes one or more charging coils and a first full duplex inductively coupled data communication system that communicates with a ground assembly including one or more charging coils and a second full duplex inductively coupled data communications system. The charging coils of the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly are selectively enabled based on geometric positioning of the vehicle assembly relative to the ground assembly for charging. As appropriate, the transmit/receive system of the ground assembly and/or the vehicle assembly are adjusted to be of the same type to enable communication of charging management and control data between the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly during charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Edward J. Gander, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 11121740
    Abstract: A full duplex, low latency, near field data link controls a resonant induction, wireless power transfer system for recharging batteries. In an electric vehicle embodiment, an assembly is aligned with respect to a ground assembly to receive a charging signal. The vehicle assembly includes one or more charging coils and a first full duplex inductively coupled data communication system that communicates with a ground assembly including one or more charging coils and a second fill duplex inductively coupled data communications system. The charging coils of the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly are selectively enabled based on geometric positioning of the vehicle assembly relative to the ground assembly for charging. As appropriate, the transmit/receive system of the ground assembly and/or the vehicle assembly are adjusted to be of the same type to enable communication of charging management and control data between the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly during charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: MOMENTUM DYNAMICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Edward J. Gander, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 10826565
    Abstract: A full duplex, low latency, near field data link controls a resonant induction, wireless power transfer system for recharging electric vehicles. An assembly of a vehicle is aligned with respect to a ground assembly to receive a charging signal. The vehicle assembly includes one or more coils, each coil having a full duplex inductively coupled data communication system that communicates with a ground assembly including one or more coils, with each coil also having a full duplex inductively coupled data communications system. The coils of the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly are selectively enabled based on geometric positioning of the vehicle assembly relative to the ground assembly for charging. As appropriate, the transmit/receive system of the ground assembly and/or the vehicle assembly are adjusted to be of the same type to enable communication of charging management and control data between the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly during charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Momentum Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Edward J. Gander, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20200076474
    Abstract: A full duplex, low latency, near field data link controls a resonant induction, wireless power transfer system for recharging batteries. In an electric vehicle embodiment, an assembly is aligned with respect to a ground assembly to receive a charging signal. The vehicle assembly includes one or more charging coils and a first full duplex inductively coupled data communication system that communicates with a ground assembly including one or more charging coils and a second fill duplex inductively coupled data communications system. The charging coils of the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly are selectively enabled based on geometric positioning of the vehicle assembly relative to the ground assembly for charging. As appropriate, the transmit/receive system of the ground assembly and/or the vehicle assembly are adjusted to be of the same type to enable communication of charging management and control data between the ground assembly and the vehicle assembly during charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew W. Daga, Francis J. McMahon, Edward J. Gander, Matthew L. Ward
  • Publication number: 20170374528
    Abstract: Collection and analysis of network transaction information which includes the mobile device's usage, location, and movements coupled with data from non-wireless network sources allow for the automation of analysis for the detection of smuggling or other criminal behaviors and tasking of high-accuracy location surveillance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Brian R. Bolon, Larry V. Dodds, Matthew L. Ward
  • Patent number: 9788165
    Abstract: Collection and analysis of network transaction information which includes the mobile device's usage, location, movements coupled with data from non-wireless network sources allow for the automation of analysis for the detection of smuggling or other criminal behaviors and tasking of high-accuracy location surveillance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Brian R. Bolon, Larry V. Dodds, Matthew L. Ward