Patents by Inventor Thomas Fries
Thomas Fries 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: 12003120Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described to detect when a power transmitting and receiving system is in an inefficient position, which may cause a thermal response that less desirable than a more efficient position. The system may power transmitting device configured to wirelessly transfer electromagnetic energy to a power receiving device. Processing circuitry of the system may compute a target output power deliverable by the power transmitting device for a first duration and control the power transmitting device to output the target output power based in part on a heat limit. The processing circuitry may further calculate an energy transfer efficiency to the power receiving unit, update an adjustment factor based on the calculated energy transfer efficiency, and apply the adjustment factor to the heat limit for a subsequent duration.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2023Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Douglas W. Brown, Charles M. Nowell, Robert J. Monson, Venkat R. Gaddam, Brett Otteson
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Publication number: 20240097499Abstract: A system that includes a power transmitting antenna (124) with a coiled conductor defined by a first axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, where a single plane comprises the first axis and the second axis. The system includes a support layer (140, 142) comprising: a substantially planar top surface and a substantially planar bottom surface opposite the substantially planar top surface arranged parallel to the plane. The support layer also comprises a material with a predetermined resiliency. The support layer is configured to support a mass of a user and maintain a predetermined spacing between the plane of the power transmitting antenna and the user during compression of the material from the mass of the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2022Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Venkat R. Gaddam, Brett Otteson, Robert J. Monson, Ashutosh Mehra, Jacob P. Komarek, Sandra L. Hawley, Derek J. Olmschenk, Jacob L. Hammond
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Publication number: 20240014694Abstract: A charging device is described. One example of a charging device described herein includes at least one coil contained in a housing, where the at least one coil wirelessly transfers energy to an implantable medical device. The charging device may further include a coil manipulator that adjusts a configuration of the at least one coil within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: January 11, 2024Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Robert J. Monson
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Publication number: 20230352988Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described to detect when a power transmitting and receiving system is in an inefficient position, which may cause a thermal response that less desirable than a more efficient position. The system may power transmitting device configured to wirelessly transfer electromagnetic energy to a power receiving device. Processing circuitry of the system may compute a target output power deliverable by the power transmitting device for a first duration and control the power transmitting device to output the target output power based in part on a heat limit. The processing circuitry may further calculate an energy transfer efficiency to the power receiving unit, update an adjustment factor based on the calculated energy transfer efficiency, and apply the adjustment factor to the heat limit for a subsequent duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Douglas W. Brown, Charles M. Nowell, Robert J. Monson, Venkat R. Gaddam, Brett Otteson
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Publication number: 20230310869Abstract: A charging device includes a coil configured to wirelessly transfer energy to an implantable medical device. The charging device includes a phase change material. The charging device may include a ground plane. The phase change material is incorporated in the charging device, and a flexibility of the charging device is associated with a state of the phase change material. The ground plane is conformable to one or more surfaces of a target subject. The charging device may include a heat reduction assembly. The heat reduction assembly includes a material disposed in contact with the coil. The phase change material absorbs at least a portion of heat generated by the coil.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2022Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Robert J. Monson
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Patent number: 11705763Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described to detect when a power transmitting and receiving system is in an inefficient position, which may cause a thermal response that less desirable than a more efficient position. The system may power transmitting device configured to wirelessly transfer electromagnetic energy to a power receiving device. Processing circuitry of the system may compute a target output power deliverable by the power transmitting device for a first duration and control the power transmitting device to output the target output power based in part on a heat limit. The processing circuitry may further calculate an energy transfer efficiency to the power receiving unit, update an adjustment factor based on the calculated energy transfer efficiency, and apply the adjustment factor to the heat limit for a subsequent duration.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Douglas W. Brown, Charles M. Nowell, Robert J. Monson, Venkat R. Gaddam, Brett Otteson
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Publication number: 20230045477Abstract: A wireless power transfer system in which the driver and control circuitry are located within the electromagnetic field of the power transmission antenna, e.g., a charging coil. The power transfer system may be contained in a flexible housing, which change shape using one or more hinges, be formed of a conformable material and so on. Changes in the relative location of the antenna and the circuitry may cause interference in the circuitry and loading of the antenna, which in turn may impact the electromagnetic field output by the antenna. The wireless power system may include sensors that provide an indication of an amount of deformation of the system. The driver circuitry of this disclosure may receive an indication of the relative location of the circuitry to the antenna and compensate for changes in the output electromagnetic field caused by changes in the relative location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2021Publication date: February 9, 2023Inventor: Andrew Thomas Fried
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Patent number: 11482888Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques to provide antennae configured to harvest radio-frequency (RF) energy from the nearby environment to provide electrical energy to an electrically powered device. Antennae may be configured in different shapes, lengths, locations, and materials to efficiently collect RF energy to be converted to electrical power. In some examples, RF energy may be harvested from existing sources, such as FM radio transmissions, communication transmissions such as Wi-Fi and BLUETOOTH, and similar existing sources. In other examples, antennae may be configured to collect energy from a source specifically designated to recharge the device. In some examples, the harvested RF energy may be sufficient to power the device. In other examples, the harvested RF energy may provide enough power to reduce the amount of recharging required by other means, such as by inductive recharging.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: MEDTRONIC, INC.Inventors: Robert J. Monson, Andrew Thomas Fried, Bruce T. Peacock
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Publication number: 20220271575Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described to provide consistent power transfer from a power transmitting unit to power receiving unit. In an example of recharging an electrical energy storage device, e.g., a battery, consistent power transfer may result in consistent recharge durations. A system may include a training mode in which a user may change a location of the power transfer unit relative to the power receiving unit. The system may provide an output to the user with a relative for a consistent power transfer. In other examples, a power transfer system may include a learning algorithm that measures and stores the power transfer during power transfer for a number of sessions over time. The learning algorithm may provide an output to a user of a relative location and/or relative orientation of the power transfer unit and power receiving unit that provides a consistent power transfer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Charles M. Nowell, Andrew L. Schmeling, Reid K. Bornhoft, Tressa Marie Norden, Pooja Raghavan
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Publication number: 20220271574Abstract: Devices, systems, and techniques are described to detect when a power transmitting and receiving system is in an inefficient position, which may cause a thermal response that less desirable than a more efficient position. The system may power transmitting device configured to wirelessly transfer electromagnetic energy to a power receiving device. Processing circuitry of the system may compute a target output power deliverable by the power transmitting device for a first duration and control the power transmitting device to output the target output power based in part on a heat limit. The processing circuitry may further calculate an energy transfer efficiency to the power receiving unit, update an adjustment factor based on the calculated energy transfer efficiency, and apply the adjustment factor to the heat limit for a subsequent duration.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Andrew Thomas Fried, Douglas W. Brown, Charles M. Nowell, Robert J. Monson, Venkat R. Gaddam, Brett Otteson
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Publication number: 20210399584Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques to provide antennae configured to harvest radio-frequency (RF) energy from the nearby environment to provide electrical energy to an electrically powered device. Antennae may be configured in different shapes, lengths, locations, and materials to efficiently collect RF energy to be converted to electrical power. In some examples, RF energy may be harvested from existing sources, such as FM radio transmissions, communication transmissions such as Wi-Fi and BLUETOOTH, and similar existing sources. In other examples, antennae may be configured to collect energy from a source specifically designated to recharge the device. In some examples, the harvested RF energy may be sufficient to power the device. In other examples, the harvested RF energy may provide enough power to reduce the amount of recharging required by other means, such as by inductive recharging.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2021Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Robert J. Monson, Andrew Thomas Fried, Bruce T. Peacock
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Patent number: 9448017Abstract: The present invention refers to a temperature control system for an electrochemical voltage source. It is planned that the temperature control system comprises a fluid moving device for moving a fluid for controlling the temperature of the voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: GENTHERM GMBHInventors: Thomas Fries, Hauk Yingqiu Hou, Andy (Jianming) Liu, Jonathan Yu Zhang, Hans-Georg Rauh
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Patent number: 9415712Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a ventilation system for a “climate object”, in particular all components with which the user of a vehicle may come in contact in a passenger compartment such as, for example, a steering mechanism for a vehicle, a dashboard, an armrest, a door paneling, a seat cover, a heating blanket, a padding, a cover or a seat, all which include at least one air flow device to guide air through the climate object.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: GENTHERM GMBHInventors: Andreas Stoll, Jonathan Zhang, Thomas Fries, Eric (Tong) Yu, Denise Philipp
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Publication number: 20140333101Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a ventilation system for a “climate object”, in particular all components with which the user of a vehicle may come in contact in a passenger compartment such as, for example, a steering mechanism for a vehicle, a dashboard, an armrest, a door paneling, a seat cover, a heating blanket, a padding, a cover or a seat, all which include at least one air flow device to guide air through the climate object.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Andreas Stoll, Jonathan Zhang, Thomas Fries, Eric (Tong) Yu, Denise Philipp
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Patent number: 8777320Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a ventilation system for a “climate object”, in particular all components with which the user of a vehicle may come in contact in a passenger compartment such as, for example, a steering mechanism for a vehicle, a dashboard, an armrest, a door paneling, a seat cover, a heating blanket, a padding, a cover or a seat, all which include at least one air flow device to guide air through the climate object.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive Systems AGInventors: Andreas Stoll, Johnathan Zhang, Thomas Fries, Yu Tong, Denise Philipp
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Publication number: 20140194959Abstract: The present invention relates to a treatment device for the therapeutic temperature management of parts of the body. It is provided that the treatment device comprises at least one fluid conveyance device for transporting a cooling fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Inventors: Thomas Fries, Jonathan (Yu) Zhang, Felix (Dali) Zhang
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Publication number: 20100327636Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a ventilation system for a “climate object”, in particular all components with which the user of a vehicle may come in contact in a passenger compartment such as, for example, a steering mechanism for a vehicle, a dashboard, an armrest, a door paneling, a seat cover, a heating blanket, a padding, a cover or a seat, all which include at least one air flow device to guide air through the climate object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Andreas Stoll, Johnathan Zhang, Thomas Fries, Yu Tong, Denise Philipp