Patents by Inventor Patrice Lethellier

Patrice Lethellier 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: 10530178
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first charging coil with one or more conductors arranged in a first winding pattern, a second charging coil with one or more conductors arranged in a second winding pattern, and a ferrite structure with a main section with a top side, a first side section and a second side section. A portion of the top side of the main section is adjacent to a portion of the bottom side of the first side section and the second side section. A portion of the first and second charging coils are positioned adjacent to the top side of the main section interior in between the first and second side sections. A portion of the first charging coil is adjacent to the bottom of the first side section. A portion of the second charging coil is adjacent to the bottom of the second side section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrice Lethellier
  • Publication number: 20190252922
    Abstract: A vault apparatus for wireless power transfer includes a vault comprising an opening for a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad. The opening is located on a top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a junction box formed into the vault. The junction box includes an opening oriented toward the top of the vault. The vault apparatus includes a sealing ring that maintains a WPT pad fixed in the vault where a portion of the sealing ring covers the junction box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, RYAN CALDER, EVANS GRIEGO, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER
  • Publication number: 20190252921
    Abstract: An apparatus for secondary wireless power transfer includes a WPT secondary pad that receives power wirelessly from a WPT primary pad. The secondary pad includes a first winding and a second winding in parallel with the first winding. The apparatus includes a first rectification section that receives power from the first winding and a second rectification section that receives power from the second winding. The first rectification section is connected in parallel with the second rectification section. The parallel connection between the first and second rectification sections form output terminals. The apparatus includes a switch connecting the first winding in series with the second winding and a controller that intermittently opens and closes the switch to control voltage and current at the output terminals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, MARCELLUS HARPER
  • Patent number: 10381883
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ping detection module that detects a ping signal transmitted from a secondary pad to a primary pad. The secondary pad is located on a mobile device and the primary pad located on a stationary WPT device, where the stationary WPT device transmits power through the primary pad to the secondary pad of the mobile device during a wireless power transfer operation. The ping signal includes a mobile device ID and the mobile device ID is unique to the mobile device. The apparatus includes an ID detection module that detects the mobile device ID from the ping signal received at the primary pad and a pairing module that pairs the stationary WPT device with the mobile device in response to detecting the mobile device ID of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: WIRELESS ADVANCED VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION, INC.
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Patrice Lethellier, Hunter Wu
  • Patent number: 10374329
    Abstract: A method for litz wire termination includes placing a ferrule over exposed conductors on an end of litz wire. The exposed conductors include a portion of the litz wire without an external insulation layer, and a portion at the end of the litz wire protrude past the ferrule. The method includes crimping the ferrule to the litz wire and placing the end of the litz wire with the ferrule in molten solder past the end of the ferrule. The method includes maintaining the litz wire in the molten solder until insulation on conductors of the litz wire is removed from the conductors in the molten solder and solder bonds to the conductors that are within in the molten solder. The method includes removing the litz wire from the molten solder and allowing the litz wire to cool until molten solder bonded to the conductors transitions to a solid state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: WIRELESS ADVANCED VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Ruess, Patrice Lethellier
  • Publication number: 20190237219
    Abstract: A transmission cable to reduce radiated electromagnetic radiation includes a first conductor with current flowing in a positive direction, a second conductor with a current flowing in a negative direction, where the negative direction is opposite the positive direction and the current in the first conductor equal to the current in the second conductor, a third conductor with current flowing in the positive direction and a fourth conductor with a current flowing in the negative direction. The current in the third conductor is equal to the current in the fourth conductor. The first conductor, the second conductor, the third conductor, and the fourth conductor are arranged in a symmetrical square pattern and the conductors are each on a corner of the square pattern. The first conductor is opposite the third conductor and adjacent to the second conductor and the fourth conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, RYAN CALDER, MARCELLUS HARPER
  • Publication number: 20190238001
    Abstract: An apparatus for wireless power transfer is disclosed. An alternate apparatus and a system perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad, a secondary circuit with a rectification section that receives power from the WPT pad, a capacitor, and a first rectification device connected to the capacitor. The capacitor and first rectification device are connected in parallel with the rectification section and in parallel with a load. The apparatus includes a second rectification device connected to the rectification section and an intermediate node between the capacitor and first rectification device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventor: PATRICE LETHELLIER
  • Publication number: 20190199134
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad apparatus includes a ferrite structure and four windings adjacent to the ferrite structure. A horizontal surface of the ferrite structure is adjacent to each of the four windings and each of the four windings are wound in a horizontal pattern that is planar to the horizontal surface. The four windings are arranged in a two-by-two square pattern in a north-south-north-south polarity arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Marcellus Harper
  • Patent number: 10284028
    Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (WPT) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the WPT primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the WPT primary pad or WPT secondary pad in response to determining that the WPT secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the WPT primary pad and the WPT secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the WPT primary pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Steve Ball, Marcellus Harper, Michael Masquelier, Hunter Wu
  • Publication number: 20190103767
    Abstract: An apparatus for current sharing for wireless power transfer is disclosed. The apparatus includes two or more power converter apparatuses. Each power converter apparatus is connected to a primary wireless power transfer pad. The apparatus includes one or more ferrite structures where each ferrite structure includes a conductor of at least one power converter apparatus of the two or more power converter apparatuses passing through the ferrite structure and each ferrite structure includes two or more conductors. The conductors passing through a ferrite structure of the one or more ferrite structures are arranged to maintain equal current sharing between the conductors passing through the ferrite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventor: PATRICE LETHELLIER
  • Publication number: 20190074134
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad with a ferrite chimney is disclosed. The WPT pad includes a winding with a conductor where the conductor is wound in a planar configuration. The winding includes a center section about which the winding is wound. The WPT pad includes a ferrite structure with a parallel section located on a side of the winding with at least a portion in parallel with the winding, and a chimney section in magnetic contact with the parallel section and located in the center section of the winding, the chimney section extending perpendicular to the parallel section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: PATRICE LETHELLIER
  • Publication number: 20190074135
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad with a pyramid-shaped ferrite chimney is disclosed. The WPT pad includes a winding comprising a conductor where the conductor is wound in a planar configuration. The winding includes a center point about which the winding is wound. The WPT pad includes a ferrite structure that includes a parallel section located on a side of the winding with at least a portion in parallel with the winding and a chimney section in magnetic contact with the parallel section and located at the center point of the winding. The chimney section extends perpendicular to the parallel section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventor: PATRICE LETHELLIER
  • Publication number: 20190051452
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer (“WPT”) pad includes a plurality of capacitors and a winding shaped for wireless power transfer. The winding is divided into a plurality of winding sections. The plurality of winding sections are connected in series with one or more capacitors of the plurality of capacitors connected in series between winding sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventor: PATRICE LETHELLIER
  • Patent number: 10205384
    Abstract: A resonant AC-to-DC converter apparatus includes an inductance circuit comprising an inductor with a first and connected in series with each phase of an AC power source comprising a fundamental frequency, and a capacitance circuit that includes a capacitance for each phase. Each capacitance is connected between a second end of the inductor of a phase and a neutral connection, and the capacitance and the inductor of the connected phase form a resonant frequency. The apparatus includes a rectification circuit with an input and an output, the input connected, for each phase, in series with the second end of the inductor of the phase. The resonant frequency is related to the fundamental frequency to provide a gain at the fundamental frequency, the gain boosting a voltage of the input to the rectification circuit at the fundamental frequency above an output voltage of the AC source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Marcellus Harper, Ryan Calder
  • Publication number: 20180367030
    Abstract: A resonant AC-to-DC converter apparatus includes an inductance circuit comprising an inductor with a first and connected in series with each phase of an AC power source comprising a fundamental frequency, and a capacitance circuit that includes a capacitance for each phase. Each capacitance is connected between a second end of the inductor of a phase and a neutral connection, and the capacitance and the inductor of the connected phase form a resonant frequency. The apparatus includes a rectification circuit with an input and an output, the input connected, for each phase, in series with the second end of the inductor of the phase. The resonant frequency is related to the fundamental frequency to provide a gain at the fundamental frequency, the gain boosting a voltage of the input to the rectification circuit at the fundamental frequency above an output voltage of the AC source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, MARCELLUS HARPER, RYAN CALDER
  • Patent number: 10148117
    Abstract: An apparatus for wireless power charging includes a first charging coil with a first conductor arranged in a winding pattern with a first winding around a center point and each successive winding of the first charging coil is further away from the center point than the first winding and any previous windings. A second charging coil includes a second conductor wound with respect to the first charging coil where each coil of the second charging coil is arranged between each winding of the first charging coil. The first charging coil and second charging coil are connected in parallel. A ferrite structure is positioned adjacent to the first charging coil and the second charging coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: WIRELESS ADVANCED VEHICLE ELECTRIFICATION, INC.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Hunter Wu
  • Patent number: 10141794
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ping detection module that detects a ping signal transmitted from a secondary pad to a primary pad. The secondary pad is located on a mobile device and the primary pad is located on a stationary wireless power transfer (“WPT”) device. The stationary WPT device transmits power through the primary pad to the secondary pad of the mobile device during a wireless power transfer operation. The apparatus includes a signal strength module that determines a signal strength of the ping signal received at the primary pad, and an alignment module that determines an amount of alignment of the secondary pad with respect to the primary pad based on the determined signal strength of the received ping signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, INC.
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Patrice Lethellier, Hunter Wu
  • Publication number: 20170346348
    Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the primary or secondary pad in response to determining that the secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the primary pad and the secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the primary pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER, MICHAEL MASQUELIER, HUNTER WU
  • Publication number: 20170271861
    Abstract: A method for litz wire termination includes placing a ferrule over exposed conductors on an end of litz wire. The exposed conductors include a portion of the litz wire without an external insulation layer, and a portion at the end of the litz wire protrude past the ferrule. The method includes crimping the ferrule to the litz wire and placing the end of the litz wire with the ferrule in molten solder past the end of the ferrule. The method includes maintaining the litz wire in the molten solder until insulation on conductors of the litz wire is removed from the conductors in the molten solder and solder bonds to the conductors that are within in the molten solder. The method includes removing the litz wire from the molten solder and allowing the litz wire to cool until molten solder bonded to the conductors transitions to a solid state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: JOHN R. RUESS, PATRICE LETHELLIER
  • Publication number: 20170264130
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a first charging coil with one or more conductors arranged in a first winding pattern, a second charging coil with one or more conductors arranged in a second winding pattern, and a ferrite structure with a main section with a top side, a first side section and a second side section. A portion of the top side of the main section is adjacent to a portion of the bottom side of the first side section and the second side section. A portion of the first and second charging coils are positioned adjacent to the top side of the main section interior in between the first and second side sections. A portion of the first charging coil is adjacent to the bottom of the first side section. A portion of the second charging coil is adjacent to the bottom of the second side section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: Patrice LETHELLIER