Patents by Inventor Steven Schulz

Steven Schulz 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).

  • Publication number: 20240109448
    Abstract: Monitoring isolation resistance to validate vehicle charger functionality is provided. A system can include a first one or more resistors connected to a first terminal of a first direct current bus of a charger. The charger can be configured to deliver power to a first electric vehicle. The system can include a controller comprising circuitry. The controller can be configured to determine a resistance at the first one or more resistors. The controller can control delivery of power to the first electric vehicle responsive to a comparison of the resistance at the first one or more resistors with a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Aashiv Vij, Steven Schulz, Ming Li, Lixiang Wei
  • Patent number: 11923713
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and methods for performing vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-load charging. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a multi-function DC power unit and an interface unit configured to perform battery recharging between a donor battery-powered device and a receiver battery-powered device. The interface unit is configured to removably receive the multi-function DC power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler Erikson, Steven Schulz, Kyle Underhill, Silva Hiti
  • Patent number: 11916424
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller modules, direct current (DC) fast charging devices, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller module for a DC-DC converter includes a controller and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive an input voltage Vin to the DC-DC converter, receive an output DC voltage Vo from the DC-DC converter, generate control signals configured to control a charging output of the DC-DC converter responsive to the received input voltage Vin and output voltage Vo, and output the generated control signals to the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven Schulz, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 11870352
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter are disclosed herein. An output voltage of a dual active bridge converter is sensed. Based at least in part on the output voltage, a target intra-bridge phase shift amount between two bridges of the dual active bridge converter is computed. A plurality of switch control signals, which are provided to respective switches of the dual active bridge converter, are caused to switch according to a time-based switching sequence based on the target intra-bridge phase shift amount to compensate for variations in the output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Vishnu Mohan, Younes Sangsefidi, Chia-Chou Yeh, Yang Liu, Steven Schulz
  • Publication number: 20230396157
    Abstract: Methods and systems for mitigating EMI for electric vehicle chargers are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system comprises a power cabinet comprising a first PEM for charging a first electric vehicle and a second PEM for charging the first vehicle or a second electric vehicle. The first PEM and second PEM may be switched at different frequencies. In some embodiments, a difference between a first frequency of the first PEM and a second frequency of the second PEM is greater than a noise sampling frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Ming LI, Lixiang WEI, Steven SCHULZ
  • Publication number: 20230387812
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter are disclosed herein. An environmental condition associated with an electric charger for an electric vehicle may be determined, where the electric charger comprises a dual active bridge converter. Based on the environmental condition associated with the electric charger, the dual active bridge converter may be caused to enter a heat generation mode that causes the dual active bridge converter to generate heat to ameliorate the environmental condition associated with the electric charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Inventors: Steven Schulz, Zahra Mohajerani, Tyler Erikson, Silva Hiti
  • Patent number: 11827113
    Abstract: A charge coupler adapted to be coupled to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the charge coupler including: a housing including a first portion adapted to be disposed around a first plurality of contacts and a second portion adapted to be disposed around a second plurality of contacts; a conductive member disposed between the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing; and a control system coupled to the conductive member and operable for sensing a break in the conductive member indicating damage to one or more of the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing or that the second portion of the housing is detached from the first portion of the housing. Optionally, the conductive member includes a conductive loop disposed around an inner periphery of the housing, the first plurality of contacts, and the second plurality of contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Robert Underhill, Steven Schulz, Silva Hiti, Tyler Erikson
  • Publication number: 20230318871
    Abstract: A low-voltage distribution board and a direct current fast charging (DCFC) system including the low-voltage distribution board are provided. The DCFC system includes a power supply and a plurality of loads connected by a serial bus. The low-voltage distribution board includes a first input connector configured to receive power from the first power supply, and a first plurality of output connectors configured to be connected to the first plurality of loads. The low-voltage distribution board further includes a first current distribution circuit configured to provide, through the first plurality of output connectors, the received power from the first power supply to the first plurality of loads, and an identification (ID) assignment circuit configured to provide, through the first plurality of output connectors, different ID values to each of the first plurality of loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Ming Li, Steven Schulz, Yang Liu, Tyler Erikson
  • Publication number: 20230219431
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller units, direct current fast charging (DCFC) units, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller unit includes a controller and a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the controller to determine status of a power electronics module (PEM) of a direct current fast charging (DCFC) unit, and instruct the PEM to control power quality of a three-phase alternating current (AC) grid power signal in response to the determined status being available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven Schulz, Ming Li
  • Patent number: 11628732
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller units, direct current fast charging (DCFC) units, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller unit includes a controller and a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the controller to determine status of a power electronics module (PEM) of a direct current fast charging (DCFC) unit, and instruct the PEM to control power quality of a three-phase alternating current (AC) grid power signal in response to the determined status being available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven Schulz, Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20230066489
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter or other type of DC-DC converter are disclosed herein. An output voltage of the dual active bridge converter is detected. Based at least in part on the output voltage, a first target duty ratio of a primary bridge of the dual active bridge converter and a second target duty ratio of a secondary bridge of the dual active bridge converter are retrieved from a table. Based on the output voltage, a target phase shift between the primary bridge and the secondary bridge is determined. Based on the first target duty ratio, the second target duty ratio, and the target phase shift, a plurality of switch control signals is caused to be provided to respective switches of the primary bridge and the secondary bridge, to switch according to a time-based switching sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Shenli Zou, Maziar Mobarrez, Steven Schulz, Zahra Mohajerani
  • Publication number: 20230037022
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller units, direct current fast charging (DCFC) units, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller unit includes a controller and a memory configured to store computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions are configured to cause the controller to determine status of a power electronics module (PEM) of a direct current fast charging (DCFC) unit, and instruct the PEM to control power quality of a three-phase alternating current (AC) grid power signal in response to the determined status being available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven Schulz, Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20220399819
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a dual active bridge converter are disclosed herein. An output voltage of a dual active bridge converter is sensed. Based at least in part on the output voltage, a target intra-bridge phase shift amount between two bridges of the dual active bridge converter is computed. A plurality of switch control signals, which are provided to respective switches of the dual active bridge converter, are caused to switch according to a time-based switching sequence based on the target intra-bridge phase shift amount to compensate for variations in the output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 15, 2022
    Inventors: Vishnu Mohan, Younes Sangsefidi, Chia-Chou Yeh, Yang Liu, Steven Schulz
  • Publication number: 20220379749
    Abstract: A charge coupler adapted to be coupled to a charging inlet of an electric vehicle, the charge coupler including: a housing including a first portion adapted to be disposed around a first plurality of contacts and a second portion adapted to be disposed around a second plurality of contacts; a conductive member disposed between the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing; and a control system coupled to the conductive member and operable for sensing a break in the conductive member indicating damage to one or more of the first portion of the housing and the second portion of the housing or that the second portion of the housing is detached from the first portion of the housing. Optionally, the conductive member includes a conductive loop disposed around an inner periphery of the housing, the first plurality of contacts, and the second plurality of contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Kyle Robert Underhill, Steven Schulz, Silva Hiti, Tyler Erikson
  • Publication number: 20220385090
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controller modules, direct current (DC) fast charging devices, and methods. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller module for a DC-DC converter includes a controller and computer-readable media configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the controller to receive an input voltage Vin to the DC-DC converter, receive an output DC voltage Vo from the DC-DC converter, generate control signals configured to control a charging output of the DC-DC converter responsive to the received input voltage Vin and output voltage Vo, and output the generated control signals to the DC-DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Steven Schulz, Ming Li
  • Publication number: 20220247185
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative apparatuses and methods for performing vehicle-to-vehicle and/or vehicle-to-load charging. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a multi-function DC power unit and an interface unit configured to perform battery recharging between a donor battery-powered device and a receiver battery-powered device. The interface unit is configured to removably receive the multi-function DC power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Tyler Erikson, Steven Schulz, Kyle Underhill, Silva Hiti
  • Publication number: 20220234472
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative drive unit controllers, drive units, and vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a drive unit controller includes a first component configured to receive heat request and vehicle status information. A second component is configured to initiate a battery heat generation mode responsive to the received heat request and the vehicle status information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Inventors: Boru Wang, Chia-Chou Yeh, Kang Wang, Dang Dang, Steven Schulz, Silva Hiti
  • Patent number: 11291154
    Abstract: A seed treatment apparatus provides for minimal waste of products for treating seeds, in that it is precisely controllable and automatically adjustable. A volume of seeds to be treated and a flow rate of treatment product for treating the seeds can both be sensed. At least one of the flow rate of the treatment product and the volume of seeds can automatically be adjusted if it is determined that a ratio of the flow rate of treatment product to the volume of seeds is not the same as a predetermined flow rate to volume ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: BAYER CROPSCIENCE LP
    Inventors: Greg A. Reineccius, Steven Schulz
  • Publication number: 20190075712
    Abstract: A seed treatment apparatus provides for minimal waste of products for treating seeds, in that it is precisely controllable and automatically adjustable. A volume of seeds to be treated and a flow rate of treatment product for treating the seeds can both be sensed. At least one of the flow rate of the treatment product and the volume of seeds can automatically be adjusted if it is determined that a ratio of the flow rate of treatment product to the volume of seeds is not the same as a predetermined flow rate to volume ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Greg A. REINECCIUS, Steven SCHULZ
  • Patent number: 10165723
    Abstract: A seed treatment apparatus provides for minimal waste of products for treating seeds, in that it is precisely controllable and automatically adjustable. A volume of seeds to be treated and a flow rate of treatment product for treating the seeds can both be sensed. At least one of the flow rate of the treatment product and the volume of seeds can automatically be adjusted if it is determined that a ratio of the flow rate of treatment product to the volume of seeds is not the same as a predetermined flow rate to volume ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Bayer CropScience LP
    Inventors: Greg A. Reineccius, Steven Schulz