Patents by Inventor Steven Cong

Steven Cong 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: 11380480
    Abstract: An induction coil is described for wireless charging of a vehicle battery. The induction coil includes a first electrically conductive strip, a second electrically conductive strip, and a first electrically insulative strip between the first and second electrically conductive strips. The first electrically insulative strip electrically isolates the first electrically conductive strip from the second electrically conductive strip. The first electrically conductive strip, the first electrically insulative strip, and the second electrically conductive strip are integrated into stack, where the stack is configured as multiple windings. The first and second electrically conductive strips are adapted to conduct an alternating current. Alternating current flow through the first and second electrically conductive strips and the plurality of windings generates a magnetic field for wireless inductive charging of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ajmal Imran Ansari, Steven Cong
  • Patent number: 11313917
    Abstract: An electric current sensor for detecting a leakage current from an electric vehicle charger. The current sensor includes a magnetic core having a gap formed therein, a first conductor wound around the magnetic core to form a first coil, a second conductor wound around the magnetic core to form a second coil, and a tunnel-magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor element arranged in the gap of the magnetic core. A difference between electric current flow in the first and second conductors produces a magnetic field in the gap of the magnetic core proportional to a leakage current, and the magnetic field produces a voltage in the TMR sensor element indicative of a value of the leakage current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A Hein, Ajmal Imran Ansari, Anthony Armento, Arthur Hurlburt, Ryan Cleveland, Matthew Zamieski
  • Publication number: 20210356531
    Abstract: An electric current sensor for detecting a leakage current from an electric vehicle charger. The current sensor includes a magnetic core having a gap formed therein, a first conductor wound around the magnetic core to form a first coil, a second conductor wound around the magnetic core to form a second coil, and a tunnel-magnetoresistance (TMR) sensor element arranged in the gap of the magnetic core. A difference between electric current flow in the first and second conductors produces a magnetic field in the gap of the magnetic core proportional to a leakage current, and the magnetic field produces a voltage in the TMR sensor element indicative of a value of the leakage current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: STEVEN CONG, DAVID A HEIN, AJMAL IMRAN ANSARI, ANTHONY ARMENTO, ARTHUR HURLBURT, RYAN CLEVELAND, MATTHEW ZAMIESKI
  • Publication number: 20210335535
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a transformer assembly including a bobbin, a first winding and a second winding is provided. The bobbin defines a first chamber, a second chamber, and a gap. The first winding is positioned in the first chamber. The second winding is positioned in the second chamber. The gap separates the first chamber from the second chamber to cause the first winding and the second winding to generate a leakage inductance such that the leakage inductance and a capacitance of a capacitor that is operably coupled to the transformer assembly generate a resonant frequency to enable inductive mode charging with a vehicle pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: Steven CONG, Ajmal ANSARI, Anthony ARMENTO, Shane LUERSMAN
  • Publication number: 20210012956
    Abstract: An induction coil is described for wireless charging of a vehicle battery. The induction coil includes a first electrically conductive strip, a second electrically conductive strip, and a first electrically insulative strip between the first and second electrically conductive strips. The first electrically insulative strip electrically isolates the first electrically conductive strip from the second electrically conductive strip. The first electrically conductive strip, the first electrically insulative strip, and the second electrically conductive strip are integrated into stack, where the stack is configured as multiple windings. The first and second electrically conductive strips are adapted to conduct an alternating current. Alternating current flow through the first and second electrically conductive strips and the plurality of windings generates a magnetic field for wireless inductive charging of the vehicle battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Ajmal Imran ANSARI, Steven Cong
  • Patent number: 10622826
    Abstract: A wireless charging unit for an electric vehicle is provided with a metal enclosure to shield a high-power switching noise environment enclosed within the unit. A wireless power transfer system includes the wireless charging unit on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. In addition to a high-power switching network, the wireless charging unit may include a wireless communication system for wirelessly communicating control messages to the charging base. The metal enclosure may include a cutout region having a plastic cover underneath which an antenna may be mounted to establish wireless communication with the charging base from within the metal enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A. Hein, Ajmal Imran Ansari, Eric Salem
  • Patent number: 10594157
    Abstract: A wireless charger output protection system and method is provided for protecting a battery in an electric vehicle during wireless charging. A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless charger on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. The wireless charger output protection system and method shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps energy in a receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when a charging error is detected before the charging base can be shut down. The system and method employs a zero-voltage switching (ZVS) scheme to shut down the wireless charger output, in response to the charging error, to protect the switching devices and enhance overall reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A Hein, Ryan Cleveland, Eric Salem
  • Patent number: 10483772
    Abstract: A wireless charger output protection system and method is provided for protecting a battery in an electric vehicle during wireless charging from both a desired power source and a stray power source. A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless charger on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. The wireless charger output protection system and method shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps energy in a receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when a low-voltage battery connected to the wireless charger is lost. The wireless charger output protection system and method also shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps unwanted energy in the receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when power is transferred from a stray power source coupled to the receive antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A. Hein, Ryan Cleveland, Eric Salem
  • Publication number: 20190288546
    Abstract: A wireless charger output protection system and method is provided for protecting a battery in an electric vehicle during wireless charging. A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless charger on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. The wireless charger output protection system and method shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps energy in a receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when a charging error is detected before the charging base can be shut down. The system and method employs a zero-voltage switching (ZVS) scheme to shut down the wireless charger output, in response to the charging error, to protect the switching devices and enhance overall reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Steven CONG, David A HEIN, Ryan CLEVELAND, Eric SALEM
  • Patent number: 10333335
    Abstract: A wireless charger output protection system and method is provided for protecting a battery in an electric vehicle during wireless charging. A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless charger on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. The wireless charger output protection system and method shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps energy in a receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when a charging error is detected before the charging base can be shut down. The system and method employs a zero-voltage switching (ZVS) scheme to shut down the wireless charger output, in response to the charging error, to protect the switching devices and enhance overall reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A. Hein, Ryan Cleveland, Eric Salem
  • Patent number: 10304621
    Abstract: An assembly includes a metallic housing, an electromagnetic (EM) device, and a bobbin in which the EM device is supported. The bobbin has a non-metallic, inner bobbin body, a non-metallic, outer bobbin body, and a metallic shield sandwiched between the inner and outer bobbin bodies. The EM device and the bobbin are mounted in the housing with the bobbin being between the EM device and the housing for heat from the EM device to thermally conduct through the inner and outer bobbin bodies and the shield to the housing while the shield shields noise of the EM device from the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ajmal Imran Ansari, David A. Hein, Steven Cong, Allen Leo Mott
  • Publication number: 20190131803
    Abstract: A wireless charger output protection system and method is provided for protecting a battery in an electric vehicle during wireless charging from both a desired power source and a stray power source. A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless charger on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. The wireless charger output protection system and method shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps energy in a receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when a low-voltage battery connected to the wireless charger is lost. The wireless charger output protection system and method also shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps unwanted energy in the receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when power is transferred from a stray power source coupled to the receive antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Steven CONG, David A. HEIN, Ryan CLEVELAND, Eric SALEM
  • Publication number: 20190131816
    Abstract: A wireless charger output protection system and method is provided for protecting a battery in an electric vehicle during wireless charging. A wireless power transfer system includes a wireless charger on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. The wireless charger output protection system and method shuts down the wireless charger output and dumps energy in a receive antenna (e.g., a vehicle pad) when a charging error is detected before the charging base can be shut down. The system and method employs a zero-voltage switching (ZVS) scheme to shut down the wireless charger output, in response to the charging error, to protect the switching devices and enhance overall reliability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Steven CONG, David A. HEIN, Ryan CLEVELAND, Eric SALEM
  • Publication number: 20190118658
    Abstract: A wireless charging unit for an electric vehicle is provided with a metal enclosure to shield a high-power switching noise environment enclosed within the unit. A wireless power transfer system includes the wireless charging unit on the electric vehicle side that receives power wirelessly from a charging base. In addition to a high-power switching network, the wireless charging unit may include a wireless communication system for wirelessly communicating control messages to the charging base. The metal enclosure may include a cutout region having a plastic cover underneath which an antenna may be mounted to establish wireless communication with the charging base from within the metal enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Cong, David A. Hein, Ajmal Imran Ansari, Eric Salem
  • Publication number: 20180211766
    Abstract: An assembly includes a metallic housing, an electromagnetic (EM) device, and a bobbin in which the EM device is supported. The bobbin has a non-metallic, inner bobbin body, a non-metallic, outer bobbin body, and a metallic shield sandwiched between the inner and outer bobbin bodies. The EM device and the bobbin are mounted in the housing with the bobbin being between the EM device and the housing for heat from the EM device to thermally conduct through the inner and outer bobbin bodies and the shield to the housing while the shield shields noise of the EM device from the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ajmal Imran Ansari, David A. Hein, Steven Cong, Allen Leo Mott
  • Patent number: 9673816
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to transform a first control signal to produce an isolated second control signal, to receive a pair of floating power supply voltages at opposing ends of a totem-pole series of driver metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), and to clamp an output of a driver apparatus to one of the pair of floating power supply voltages. The isolated second control signal may operate to control current flow through the driver MOSFETs. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Cong, Thomas Jones
  • Publication number: 20160301409
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and an article, may operate to transform a first control signal to produce an isolated second control signal, to receive a pair of floating power supply voltages at opposing ends of a totem-pole series of driver metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs), and to clamp an output of a driver apparatus to one of the pair of floating power supply voltages. The isolated second control signal may operate to control current flow through the driver MOSFETs. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Cong, Thomas Jones