Patents by Inventor Robert F. Wentink
Robert F. Wentink 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: 9851407Abstract: The invention relates to a power management system for supplying backup DC power to peak and/or high current demand battery applications, such as motor starting or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) used to power a critical load, such as, a data bus or other critical load, after an event, such as loss of primary AC or DC input, during relatively cold ambient temperatures. Two or more heaters can be provided; for example, a low power heater and a high-power heater. In a maintenance mode, the low power heater is used to maintain batteries at a predetermined temperature. In this mode, a battery charger is used to power the low power heater. In a boost mode, after the primary AC or DC input is restored, and battery temperature is too low to back up the critical load, the battery charger supplies power to one or both of the heaters.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: ICC-NEXERGY, INC.Inventors: Joseph Keating, I, Chris Turner, Robert F. Wentink, Tai-Guang Huang
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Publication number: 20150318589Abstract: The invention relates to a power management system for supplying backup DC power to peak and/or high current demand battery applications, such as motor starting or an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) used to power a critical load, such as, a data bus or other critical load, after an event, such as loss of primary AC or DC input, during relatively cold ambient temperatures. Two or more heaters may be provided; for example, a low power heater and a high power heater. In a maintenance mode, the low power heater is used to maintain the batteries at a predetermined temperature. In this mode, the battery charger is used to power the low power heater. In a boost mode, after the primary AC or DC input is restored, and the battery temperature is too low to back up the critical load, the battery charger supplies power to one or both of the heaters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: November 5, 2015Inventors: Joseph Keating, I, Chris Turner, Robert F. Wentink, Tai-Guang Huang
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Publication number: 20150111431Abstract: Briefly, the present invention relates to a cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) configured to be received in a CLA socket in a vehicle. The CLA includes a positive contact and a negative contact and housing, for example, a plastic housing. The negative contacts are formed as springs, which extend from the housing and are configured to exert spring force against an interior wall of a socket to assure a solid connection. The positive contact is also formed as a spring and is connected in series with a thermal sensor. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the thermal sensor, for example, a bi-metallic strip, is in thermal contact with a tip, which is serially connected to the positive contact and which extends outwardly from the plastic housing, the thermal sensor causes the CLA to be disconnected from the socket when an excessive temperature is sensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: ICC-NEXERGY, INC.Inventors: ROBERT F. WENTINK, HUANG TAI GUANG, CAO XINLIANG, JOSEPH KEATING
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Patent number: 8860372Abstract: A multiple cell battery charger with a parallel topography is disclosed which requires fewer active components than known battery chargers and protects the battery cells from overcharge and discharge. The charger that includes a regulator for providing a regulated source of direct current (DC) voltage to the battery cells to be charged. Each battery cell is connected in series with a switching device, such as a field effect transistor (FET) and optionally a current sensing device. In a charging mode, the serially connected FET conducts, thus enabling the battery cell to be charged. Battery voltage is sensed by a microprocessor. When the microprocessor senses that the battery cell is fully charged, the FET is turned off, thus disconnecting the battery cell from the circuit. Since the battery cell is disconnected from the circuit, no additional active devices are required to protect the battery cell from discharge.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: ICC-Nexergy, Inc.Inventors: Haung Tai Guang, Li Wen Hua, Robert F. Wentink
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Patent number: 8436583Abstract: A multiple cell battery charger configured with a parallel topography is disclosed. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the multiple cell battery charger requires fewer active components than known battery chargers while at the same time protecting multiple battery cells from overcharge and discharge. The multiple cell battery charger in accordance with the present invention is a constant voltage battery charger that includes a regulator for providing a regulated source of direct current (DC) voltage to the battery cells to be charged. In accordance with the present invention, each battery cell is connected in series with a switching device, such as a field effect transistor (FET) and optionally a current sensing device. In a charging mode, the serially connected FET conducts, thus enabling the battery cell to be charged. The battery voltage is sensed by a microprocessor.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: ICC-Nexergy, Inc.Inventors: Huang Tai Guang, Li Wen Hua, Robert F. Wentink
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Patent number: 7898220Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: ICC-Nexergy, Inc.Inventors: Huang Tai Guang, Robert F. Wentink, Xia Ju Jie, Li Wen Hua
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Patent number: 7876068Abstract: The resistors R1 and R2 are applied to terminals 1 and 8, respectively, of the switched-mode power supply 26. These resistors R1 and R2 are current-limiting resistors and function to control the output power and current. A standard buck regulator may be coupled to terminal 5 of the switched-mode power supply 26. The buck regulator includes a diode D7 and an inductor L1. The diode D7 and inductor L1 provide DC rectification and filtering of the high-frequency switch voltage from the switched-mode power supply 26.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Rita L. Faunce, Joseph A. Laurx, Robert F. Wentink
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Patent number: 7683574Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Huang Tai Guang, Robert F. Wentink, Xia Ju Jie, Li Wen Hua
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Publication number: 20100033137Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2009Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventors: Huang Tai Guang, Robert F. Wentink, Xia Ju Jie, Li Wen Hua
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Patent number: 7626362Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2005Date of Patent: December 1, 2009Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Huang Tai Guang, Robert F. Wentink, Xia Ju Jie, Li Wen Hua
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Patent number: 7598709Abstract: A rapid charging circuit for a lithium ion battery. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention compensates for the voltage drops across the various resistance elements in the battery circuit by setting the charging voltage to a level to compensate for the initial resistance of the series resistances in the circuit and an additional resistance selected to take into account the anticipated increase in resistance of the various circuit elements over time. The battery charger in accordance with the present invention periodically monitors the open-circuit voltage of the battery cell and reduces the charging voltage to when the battery cell voltage reaches the optimal value. Thus, during a constant current charging mode, the battery cell is driven at a relatively optimal charging current to reduce the charging time.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2007Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Huang Tai Guang, Robert F. Wentink, Xia Ju Jie, Li Wen Hua
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Patent number: 7508089Abstract: An over speed control circuit for a wind turbine generator is disclosed which optimizes the time that the wind turbine generator is operational and thus maximizes the power output over time. The over speed control circuit forms a closed feedback loop which periodically measures the output voltage of the wind turbine generator in order to regulate its speed by electronically controlling the load on the generator. The over speed control circuit in accordance with the present invention is adapted to work in conjunction with known over speed protection lock out relays. More particularly, the over speed control circuit causes a short circuit to be placed the generator terminals when the generator voltage reaches a threshold value, relatively less than the threshold value used to trigger the over speed lockout relay.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Huang Tai Guang, Liu Jian Fei, Brian Gaza, Robert F. Wentink
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Patent number: 6984138Abstract: A housing for a Cigarette Lighter Adapter (CLA) or accessory adapter plug facilitates insertion of the plug into a CLA or accessory adapter receptacle. In one embodiment of the invention, the housing is formed in a generally cylindrical shape with an expanded diameter portion defining a gripping portion which facilitates the gripping of the device. The housing may be used to house circuitry for a battery charger and include an indicator light to indicate the state of charge of the battery being charged.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2004Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Rita L. Faunce, Joseph A. Laurx, Robert F. Wentink
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Patent number: D495656Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: International Components CorporationInventors: Rita L. Faunce, Joseph A. Laurx, Robert F. Wentink