Patents by Inventor Mikaela ÖHMAN
Mikaela ÖHMAN 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: 12286023Abstract: A system for positioning a vehicle at a charging station. The system comprises: a wireless communication arrangement comprising a first communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a second communication device by a wireless protocol; a vehicle positioning arrangement comprising a transmitting antenna configured to transmit a detection signal, and a receiving antenna configured to receive the detection signal. The transmission of the detection signal by the transmitting antenna and/or the detection of the detection signal by the receiving antenna is controlled to determine an angle between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, which angle is used to guide the vehicle to a predetermined position at the charging station. The first communication device comprises one of the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna of the vehicle positioning arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2021Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Victor Sandgren, Jingxu Gu, Mikaela Öhman
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Patent number: 12176748Abstract: A charging system for an energy storage in a vehicle comprising: a plurality of parallelly arranged charging switch units, each charging switch unit having an input terminal configured to be connected to a common charging port, and an output terminal configured to be connected to the energy storage, wherein each charging switch unit comprises a contactor configured to control a flow of current from the charging port to the energy storage, the contactor being configured to have a controllable contact force; for each charging switch unit, a measurement device configured to determine a parameter indicative of a resistance in a current path through the charging switch unit; and a charging control unit connected to each of the charging switch units and configured to, if a difference in resistance between any two of the plurality of current paths is higher than a predetermined difference threshold value, control the contact force of a contactor in a charging switch unit in the current path having the lowest resistaType: GrantFiled: December 14, 2021Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Victor Sandgren, Mikaela Öhman
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Patent number: 11712969Abstract: The present invention relates to a current collector device (420) arranged mounting on a vehicle (100) to transmit electric power between current conductors (140) located in the surface of a road (110) and the vehicle (100). The current collector device (420) comprises, a first and second elongated current collector arm (150a, 150b) that are in operable connection with a base (170), the first and second elongated current collector arms (150a, 150b) are spaced apart from each other, and a first and second current collector pick-up heads (161, 162) are attached to the first and second elongated current collector arms (150a, 150b), respectively, and the elongated current collector arms (150a, 150b) are made of conducting material and arranged to conduct electrical current from conductors (140) located in the 10 surface of a road (110) and the vehicle (100).Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Mikaela Öhman, Sten Engström
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Publication number: 20230139046Abstract: A monitoring circuit for monitoring of a PE connection in a vehicle charging interface of a vehicle. The vehicle is at least partly electrically powered. The monitoring circuit is connected to a first line of a communication circuit. The monitoring circuit and the communication circuit are separate circuits. The monitoring circuit comprises a current source, a current measuring unit and the PE connection. The current source is adapted to generate a current running through the monitoring circuit. The current measuring unit is adapted to measure the current running through the monitoring circuit and thereby monitoring the PE connection.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Victor SANDGREN, Jingxu Gu, Mikaela ÖHMAN
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Publication number: 20230017046Abstract: A method for orienting a power receiving coil of a vehicle relative to a power emitting coil of a wireless charging system for a vehicle. The method includes detecting a positioning of the vehicle at a charging location in which the power receiving coil detects reception of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the power emitting coil, performing a calibration sequence in which the orientation of the power receiving coil and/or the power emitting coil is varied according to a predetermined scheme, while registering the electromagnetic radiation reception of the power receiving coil, in response to the calibrations sequence, determining a desired relative orientation including relative angle between the power receiving coil and the power emitting coil for which the electromagnetic radiation reception of the power receiving coil is in a top range of the registered electromagnetic radiation reception.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Mikaela ÖHMAN, Håkan RUNDSTRÖM
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Patent number: 11541768Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for active alignment control of a contact element (110) of a charging device (104) for a vehicle (1) for driving on an electrical road system (ERS) comprising a charging surface (3) configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle via the charging device. The arrangement comprises the charging device (104) comprising a base (106), a linkage arm (108), and an electrical contact element (110) and a pivot joint (107) arranged for allowing a movement of the contact element around an axis (105). A control unit is configured to activate an actuator module to align said contact element (110) with said trajectory of said charging surface based on trajectory data and an angle between the vehicle heading and the charging surface. The invention further relates to a method and to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2017Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Mikaela Öhman, Sten Engström
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Patent number: 11524584Abstract: The invention relates to a current collector arrangement arranged to be mounted on a vehicle and to transmit electric power between a current conductor (130; 230; 330; 430; 530) located in the surface of a road and the vehicle, wherein the current collector arrangement comprises a current collector arm (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850; 950; 1050) that is arranged to be controllable for at least vertical displacement relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in order to position the current collector arm relative to the current conductor (130; 230; 330; 430; 530). The current collector arrangement comprises controllable actuators arranged to effect at least the vertical displacement the current collector arm (150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650; 750; 850; 950; 1050).Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Sten Engstrom, Richard Sebestyen, Mikaela Öhman
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Patent number: 11526176Abstract: The invention relates to a sensing arrangement (100) for determining a displacement of a vehicle with respect to an electrical road system, comprising a first sensor (102) configured to detect the electrically energized path and to determine a first signal indicative of the distance between the first sensor and the electrically energized path; a second sensor (104) configured to determine a second signal indicative of the distance between the second sensor and the electrically energized path, the second sensor is separated a distance (106) from the first sensor in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. A control unit (108) is configured to determine an angular displacement of the vehicle with respect to the electrically energized path based on the first signal, the second signal and the distance between the first sensor and the second sensor.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Richard Sebestyen, Mikaela Öhman, Carl-Johan Hoel
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Publication number: 20220388418Abstract: A control system configured to control electrical power distribution of a vehicle formation is provided. The vehicle formation includes a gateway vehicle comprising a gateway prime mover for propelling the gateway vehicle, and a target vehicle comprising a target electric motor for propelling the target vehicle. The gateway vehicle includes a charging component electrically connectable to a charge surface along a road operable by the vehicle formation, the gateway vehicle further comprising a power distribution unit connected to the charging component and the target vehicle. The control system includes control circuitry connected to the gateway vehicle, the target vehicle and the power distribution unit, the control circuitry being configured to receive a signal indicative of a current energy requirement for the gateway vehicle and the target vehicle; and control, based on the current energy requirement, the power distribution unit to distribute electric power within the vehicle formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2022Publication date: December 8, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Mikaela ÖHMAN
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Publication number: 20220200315Abstract: A charging system for an energy storage in a vehicle comprising: a plurality of parallelly arranged charging switch units, each having an input terminal configured to be connected to a common charging port, and an output terminal configured to be connected to the energy storage, wherein each charging switch unit comprises a contactor configured to control a flow of current from the charging port to the energy storage; for each charging switch unit, a measurement device configured to determine a parameter indicative of a resistance in a current path through the charging switch unit, and a variable resistor configured to control the resistance in the current path; and a charging control unit connected to each of the charging switch units and configured to, if an estimated difference in resistance between any two of the plurality of current paths through a charging switch unit is higher than a predetermined difference threshold value, control the variable resistor of a charging switch unit in the current path haType: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Mikaela ÖHMAN, Victor SANDGREN
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Publication number: 20220200320Abstract: A charging system for an energy storage in a vehicle comprising: a plurality of parallelly arranged charging switch units, each charging switch unit having an input terminal configured to be connected to a common charging port, and an output terminal configured to be connected to the energy storage, wherein each charging switch unit comprises a contactor configured to control a flow of current from the charging port to the energy storage, the contactor being configured to have a controllable contact force; for each charging switch unit, a measurement device configured to determine a parameter indicative of a resistance in a current path through the charging switch unit; and a charging control unit connected to each of the charging switch units and configured to, if a difference in resistance between any two of the plurality of current paths is higher than a predetermined difference threshold value, control the contact force of a contactor in a charging switch unit in the current path having the lowest resistaType: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Victor SANDGREN, Mikaela ÖHMAN
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Publication number: 20220194244Abstract: A system for positioning a vehicle at a charging station. The system comprises: a wireless communication arrangement comprising a first communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with a second communication device by a wireless protocol; a vehicle positioning arrangement comprising a transmitting antenna configured to transmit a detection signal, and a receiving antenna configured to receive the detection signal. The transmission of the detection signal by the transmitting antenna and/or the detection of the detection signal by the receiving antenna is controlled to determine an angle between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna, which angle is used to guide the vehicle to a predetermined position at the charging station. The first communication device comprises one of the transmitting antenna and receiving antenna of the vehicle positioning arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Victor SANDGREN, Jingxu GU, Mikaela ÖHMAN
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Publication number: 20220200319Abstract: A charging system for an energy storage in a vehicle comprising: a plurality of parallelly arranged charging switch units, each charging switch unit having an input terminal configured to be connected to a common charging port, and an output terminal configured to be connected to the energy storage, wherein each charging switch unit comprises a contactor configured to control a current flow from the charging port to the energy storage; at least one current meter configured to determine a current flowing through each charging switch unit; at least one temperature sensing unit configured to determine a temperature of each charging switch unit; and a charging control unit connected to each of the charging switch units and configured to: if a difference in temperature and/or current between any two of the plurality of charging switch units exceed a predetermined difference threshold value, and if a current in any of the charging switch units exceeds a predetermined current threshold value, control the charging syType: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Mikaela ÖHMAN, Victor SANDGREN
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Patent number: 11163313Abstract: A vehicle and a method for controlling a vehicle including a current collector transmitting electric power from a current conductor located in a predetermined position in the surface of a road a distance from one side of the road; a first detecting means generating a signal indicative of the position of the current collector relative to a current conductor reference point; where the current collector is displaceable to track the current conductor in response to the signal; and a second detecting means detecting the position of the current collector are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Mikaela Öhman
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Patent number: 11027626Abstract: A method for controlling electrical power transmission to a vehicle is provided, the vehicle including a charging component receiving electrical charge current from individually controlled charge segments along a road for the vehicle, wherein the method includes the steps of receiving a signal indicative of a charge current mode for the charge segments along the road; determining if at least one charge segment ahead of the vehicle is provided in a disabled charge mode and currently not being able to provide an electrical charge current; calculating a time period until the vehicle arrives at the charge segment provided in the disabled charge mode; and shutting off the electrical power transmission to the vehicle within a predetermined time period of the calculated time period.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Mikaela Öhman
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Patent number: 10870352Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a vehicle safety system in a vehicle provided with a current collector arranged to transmit electric power from a current conductor in the surface of a road. The current collector is controllable for vertical and transverse displacement relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle to contact and track the current conductor. The method involves performing the steps of detecting that an obstacle is located in the path of the current collector; transmitting data from the forward looking data collecting system to the electronic control unit; performing an object classification to determine a damage level for the dynamic charging system; determining an action to be taken by the safety system based on the determined damage level; and initiating the action in dependence of at least the determined damage level.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2015Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventors: Mikaela Öhman, Richard Sebestyen
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Patent number: 10593204Abstract: A method for detecting an upcoming road situation for a vehicle is provided, the vehicle including a control unit having a receiver configured to receive transmitted data from road system components along a road for the vehicle, wherein the method includes the steps of: receiving a signal from at least one electrical charge segment along the road, the signal being indicative of a present operational status of the at least one electrical charge segment; comparing the present operational status of the at least one electrical charge segment with a predetermined set of rules; and determining that the upcoming road situation at the at least one electrical charge segment ahead of the vehicle constitutes an increased safety risk for the vehicle if the present operational status of the at least one electrical charge segment ahead of the vehicle fails to fulfil at least one of the predetermined set of rules.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2015Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATIONInventor: Mikaela Öhman
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Publication number: 20200009976Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement (100) for active alignment control of a contact element (110) of a charging device (104) for a vehicle (1) for driving on an electrical road system (ERS) comprising a charging surface (3) configured to provide electrical power to the vehicle via the charging device. The arrangement comprises the charging device (104) comprising a base (106), a linkage arm (108), and an electrical contact element (110) and a pivot joint (107) arranged for allowing a movement of the contact element around an axis (105). A control unit is configured to activate an actuator module to align said contact element (110) with said trajectory of said charging surface based on trajectory data and an angle between the vehicle heading and the charging surface. The invention further relates to a method and to a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: January 9, 2020Inventors: Mikaela Öhman, Sten Engström
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Publication number: 20190359210Abstract: The invention relates to a sensing arrangement (100) for determining a displacement of a vehicle with respect to an electrical road system, comprising a first sensor (102) configured to detect the electrically energized path and to determine a first signal indicative of the distance between the first sensor and the electrically energized path; a second sensor (104) configured to determine a second signal indicative of the distance between the second sensor and the electrically energized path, the second sensor is separated a distance (106) from the first sensor in a front-rear direction of the vehicle. A control unit (108) is configured to determine an angular displacement of the vehicle with respect to the electrically energized path based on the first signal, the second signal and the distance between the first sensor and the second sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: November 28, 2019Inventors: Richard Sebestyen, Mikaela Öhman, Carl-Johan Hoel
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Publication number: 20190263267Abstract: The present invention relates to a current collector device (420) arranged mounting on a vehicle (100) to transmit electric power between current conductors (140) located in the surface of a road (110) and the vehicle (100). The current collector device (420) comprises, a first and second elongated current collector arm (150a, 150b) that are in operable connection with a base (170), the first and second elongated current collector arms (150a, 150b) are spaced apart from each other, and a first and second current collector pick-up heads (161, 162) are attached to the first and second elongated current collector arms (150a, 150b), respectively, and the elongated current collector arms (150a, 150b) are made of conducting material and arranged to conduct electrical current from conductors (140) located in the 10 surface of a road (110) and the vehicle (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2016Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Mikaela Öhman, Sten Engström