Patents Issued in March 14, 2013
  • Publication number: 20130063062
    Abstract: An electric power steering system includes short-circuit determination means for determining whether a short-circuit between an energization failure phase and one of the two phases other than the energization failure phase has occurred while assist force is being generated using the two phases other than the energization failure phase as energization phases. When the short-circuit determination means determines that the short-circuit has occurred, generation of the assist force is stopped.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hidenori ITAMOTO, Hirozumi EKI, Gempei NAKASONE
  • Publication number: 20130063063
    Abstract: Proposed is a parallel inverter drive system including includes a plurality of inverter drives connected in parallel with each other, in which each inverter drive includes a switch; a PWM controller connected to the switch for controlling switching operations of the switch device according to a duty cycle signal; and a circulating current suppressor for collecting current information associated with the current of each inverter drive and a summation current, and generating an index according to the collected current information and the desired circulating current quantity. A zero-sequence voltage is generated for each phase of a three-phase voltage command according to the index and the voltage command and the operating mode of the inverter drive, thereby injecting the zero-sequence voltage into the voltage command with a feed-forward configuration so as to fix the voltage command. The PWM controller can generate the duty cycle signal according to the fixed voltage command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Chien-Yu Chi, Lon-Jay Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130063064
    Abstract: There are provided a first notch filter disposed in a feedback control system, an oscillation extracting filter for outputting signal x1 containing an oscillation component, a second notch filter for inputting signal x1, a notch control portion for changing a notch center frequency based on signal x1 and second notch filter output signal x2, a notch depth control portion for changing a notch depth of the first notch filter based on signal x1, and a control determining portion for carrying out control to operate either the notch control portion or the notch depth control portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Fujiwara, Toru Tazawa
  • Publication number: 20130063065
    Abstract: Automated shade systems comprise motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures, shadow information, reflectance information, lighting and radiation information, ASHRAE clear sky algorithms, log information related to manual overrides, occupant preference information, motion information, real-time sky conditions, solar radiation on a building, a total foot-candle load on a structure, brightness overrides, actual and/or calculated BTU load, time-of-year information, and microclimate analysis. Modeled brightness information may be utilized to control shades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: MECHOSHADE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: MechoShade Systems, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130063066
    Abstract: A method of operating an electrical machine is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a brushless excitation system including a diode rectifier having at least one diode, sensing heat energy generated by at least one resistor connected in parallel with the at least one diode, wirelessly transmitting a signal representative of the heat energy, detecting a deviation of generated heat energy from the at least one resistor, and generating a signal indicating an error if the deviation in generated heat energy exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: William Earl Fish
  • Publication number: 20130063067
    Abstract: A pair of elements that includes a Si-MOSFET and a Si-FWD connected in inverse parallel and operates as a positive side arm of an electric-power conversion apparatus and a pair of elements that operates as a negative side arm of the electric-power conversion apparatus are provided, where the first and second pairs of elements are accommodated in one power semiconductor module to compose a 2-in-1 module, and terminals are included which enables series connection of the pairs of elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20130063068
    Abstract: A motor-control-device main unit includes a pressure-command-signal generating section, a pressure control section, a speed control section, a current control section, and a parameter-adjusting section. With respect to a parameter for a control computation by the pressure control section, the parameter-adjusting section includes an information-acquiring section and a parameter-calculating section. The information-acquiring section acquires, from an exterior, each of pieces of information including an elastic constant of a pressurized target, a reaction-force constant indicating information of a reaction force, a transfer characteristic from a motor torque to a motor speed, and parameters of the speed control section. The information-acquiring section previously acquires information of a control law of the speed control unit. The parameter-calculating section calculates a parameter for the pressure control section based on the information acquired by the information-acquiring section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Ueda, Hidetoshi Ikeda
  • Publication number: 20130063069
    Abstract: There are provided an apparatus and a method for driving a motor with initial compensation. The apparatus for driving a motor includes a current detecting part detecting a voltage of a driving current flowing in the motor through an inverter supplying the driving current to the motor; a peak value detecting part detecting a peak value of the voltage detected by the current detecting part; an A/D converting part converting the voltage from the peak value detecting part into a digital signal; and a driving controlling part driving the motor for a predetermined initial driving period to compensate for an offset in the driving current based on the digital signal from the A/D converting part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Joo Yul KO
  • Publication number: 20130063070
    Abstract: The present invention provides a medium voltage variable frequency driving system, including a three-phase switch-mode rectification module, a multilevel inverter and a high-capacity capacitor module. The three-phase switch-mode rectification module is coupled with a three-phase electrical grid, for converting an AC voltage input with a fixed operating frequency on the three-phase electrical grid into a DC voltage. The multilevel inverter is used for converting the DC voltage into an AC voltage with a required variable frequency, so as to drive an induction motor. The high-capacity capacitor module is coupled between the three-phase switch-mode rectification module and the multilevel inverter, for temporarily storing the DC voltage. In the present invention, a three-phase switch-mode rectification technology is used at the front-end rectifier, and a diode-clamped three-level inverter is adapted correspondingly at the rear-end inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yi Zhang, Wei Chen, Bo-Yu Pu
  • Publication number: 20130063071
    Abstract: An electric vehicle for transporting individuals may include an electric motor for powering the electric vehicle, a turbine blade to rotate and being connected to the electric vehicle, a motor/alternator being connected to the turbine blade to generate electric power from the rotation of the turbine blade, a first battery to receive the electric power from the motor/alternator, a second battery to receive the electric power from the motor/alternator and a controller to control the electric power received by the first battery and to control the electric power received by the second battery. The first battery may be only connected to power the electric motor and the second battery may be only connected to receive the electric power from the motor/alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Donnell Lee Walters
  • Publication number: 20130063072
    Abstract: In a fuel cell system, regeneration-time voltage fixed control is implemented where during regeneration or when regeneration is expected to occur, output voltage of a fuel cell is set to a voltage value outside an oxidation reduction progress voltage range, and the amount of reactant gas supplied to the fuel cell is changed based on the amount of electric power remaining in an energy storage device. In the regeneration-time voltage fixed control, it is determined whether or not regeneration occurs while a moving body equipped with the fuel cell system is moving down a slope, and in the case where it is determined that regeneration occurs while the moving body is moving down a slope, the amount of the reactant gas supplied to the fuel cell is decreased in comparison with the case where it is determined that regeneration occurs while the moving body is not moving down a slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuya SHIRASAKA, Hibiki Saeki, Kazunori Watanabe, Shuichi Kazuno
  • Publication number: 20130063073
    Abstract: A battery cartridge and kiosk apparatus, system and method, which enables consumers to conveniently exchange depleted rechargeable batteries for fully-charged batteries, and to recycle used primary batteries. The system includes a self-contained, typically automated kiosk designed for high volume battery exchange at low cost, and also includes re-usable battery trays for convenient, safe, and standardized handling and transport of rechargeable consumer batteries. A kiosk of the invented system may also be configured to utilize renewable-energy mechanisms to provide power for operation and/or recharging. Rechargeable batteries are stored and managed in a high-density, simple yet reliable storage rack wherein they are recharged in parallel while preserving long battery life. Batteries may be “keyed” to prevent recharging via third-party charging devices, enabling operating efficiencies and cost reductions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Charles N. Kawasaki, Mark P. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130063074
    Abstract: A battery charge/discharge management system and method charge a battery according to an operation state of the battery. The system includes a reading module that reads a parameter of the battery; an analysis module that analyzes the parameter of the battery and determines the operation state of the battery according to the parameter of the battery so as to obtain a discharge parameter and record a discharge curve at that time; and a charging module having a mapping table that maps a plurality of discharge curve models and a plurality of charge modes, the charging module obtaining a discharge curve model according to the discharge curve and charging the battery based on a charge mode to which the mapping table maps the discharge curve model. As such, the battery is prevented from staying under high temperature and protected from being damaged by over charging/discharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicants: ASKEY COMPUTER CORPORATION, ASKEY TECHNOLOGY (JIANGSU) LTD.
    Inventors: Lantion Lin, Ching-Feng Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20130063075
    Abstract: A system for connecting an electric vehicle to a high voltage power source. The system including electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) having an electrical plug compatible with a high voltage power outlet, the plug connected to a power cord. The power cord is connected to a housing containing a number of electrical components configured to control the power flow to an electric vehicle to recharge the vehicle's batteries. The housing includes a plurality of light emitting diodes configured to indicate a status of the EVSE. The LEDs can flash, illuminate a solid color, not illuminate a solid color or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Service Solutions U.S. LLC.
    Inventors: Garret Miller, Michael Muller, Charles K. Yankitis
  • Publication number: 20130063076
    Abstract: A charging device for a mobile terminal and a mobile terminal are disclosed. The charging device includes a motor for power generation, a drive module, a charge pump module, a filtering and voltage regulation module and a control unit. The drive module is connected with an input end of the motor and is configured to obtain swing kinetic energy of the mobile terminal. The charge bump module is connected with an output end of the motor and is configured to boost a voltage output by the motor. The filtering and voltage regulation module is configured to perform direct current filtering and voltage regulation processing on a voltage output by the charge pump module, so as to output a charging voltage matching with a battery. The control unit is configured to accumulate charging current so as to adapt to the battery, and to control a charging process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shaowu Shen
  • Publication number: 20130063077
    Abstract: A charging system includes a charging cap having a cradle with first and second electrodes; and a rechargeable unit including a charging end having third and fourth electrodes arranged for engagement by the first and second electrode of the charging cap when the rechargeable unit is received in the charging cap and thereby provide electrical contact to enable charging of the rechargeable unit. At least one recess in the rechargeable unit is arranged to receive one or more clamping members of the charging cap for releasably securing the rechargeable unit to the charging cap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: XGLOW P/T, LLC
    Inventors: Richard S. Popper, Jensen Jorgensen
  • Publication number: 20130063078
    Abstract: A charging circuit includes a power path control unit which switches a first switch connected between a system connection terminal and a battery connection terminal on while not charging, and switches the first switch on and a second switch connected between an external power supply input terminal and the system connection terminal on while charging so as to supply power to a system and charge a battery. A voltage difference between the external power supply input terminal and the battery connection terminal is detected, a current flowing between the external power supply input terminal and the system connection terminal is detected, and it is determined that an external power supply is disconnected based on the detection results of the voltage differences and the current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Junji NISHIDA
  • Publication number: 20130063079
    Abstract: A charger includes an output circuit unit to output a charging current to a secondary battery, a voltage detection unit to detect a voltage of the secondary battery, and a control unit to control the output circuit unit, whereby constant current charging and constant voltage charging are performed. The control unit decreases a constant current value of the charging current by stages during the constant current charging and determines that the secondary battery has deteriorated by using a first voltage drop value of the secondary battery occurring upon first conversion and a second voltage drop value of the secondary battery occurring upon second conversion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akira KAWAI, Masaki IKEDA, Masaaki SAKAUE, Toshiharu OHASHI
  • Publication number: 20130063080
    Abstract: An electric storage device management apparatus is provided for monitoring an electric storage device assembly including a plurality of electric storage devices connected in series. The apparatus includes a voltmeter, a discharging circuit, and a controller. The discharging circuit is configured to discharge the electric storage devices individually. The controller is configured to: determine whether a unit time variation in voltage of a first electric storage device has increased to a reference value and a unit time variation in voltage of a second electric storage device has increased to the reference value; measure an elapsed time period since the unit time variation of the first electric storage device has increased to the reference value; and control the discharging circuit to discharge the electric storage devices based on the elapsed time period such that capacities of the electric storage devices are equalized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeyuki SHIRAISHI
  • Publication number: 20130063081
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing power through a Universal Serial Bus connector are provided. A charging system comprises an interface configured to receive power, a power converter coupled to the power source interface, the power converter configured to use the received power to generate power output, and a charging controller configured to control an amount of power provided at the USB connector on the power lines derived from the power output, and configured to generate an identification signal on the USB connector's two data lines, the identification signal usable to indicate the charger is not subject to standard USB power limitations, the identification signal provided through the use of a resistance between the D+ and D? data lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Research In Motion Limited
  • Publication number: 20130063082
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for controlling a wireless power receiver for wirelessly receiving power. A drive power for driving the wireless power receiver is received from a wireless power transmitter. A communication network is established with the wireless power transmitter. A wireless power network that is controlled by the wireless power transmitter is joined. A charge power is received from the wireless power transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyung-Woo LEE, Eun-Tae Won, Young-Min Lee, Se-Ho Park, Noh-Gyoung Kang, Kang-Ho Byun
  • Publication number: 20130063083
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transmission and reception of signals. A signal is received that includes at least one of a power supply signal for wireless charging from a wireless power supplier and a power communication signal from at least one external wireless power receiver. The received signal is analyzed to determine whether the power communication signal is included with the power supply signal in the received signal. A transmission frequency of a transmission signal is determined based on whether the power communication signal is included with the power supply signal in the received signal. Transmission data for control of the wireless charging is modulated, and the modulated transmission data is output as the transmission signal over the transmission frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Kweon PARK, Ki Hyun KIM, Kil-Soo KO, Kyung-Woo LEE, Jin-Hyoung PARK
  • Publication number: 20130063084
    Abstract: There is provided a wireless power transfer device comprising an input interface configured to receive a primary magnetic flux in a first direction, an output interface configured to output a secondary magnetic flux in a second direction different from the first direction, wherein the input interface and the output interface form a closed electric circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: POLAR ELECTRO OY
    Inventors: Marko Tilvis, Seppo Korkala
  • Publication number: 20130063085
    Abstract: Movable body equipment is provided with: a secondary-side resonance coil, which receives power from a primary-side resonance coil of power supply equipment; a rectifier, which rectifies the power received by the secondary-side resonance coil; and a secondary battery, to which to which the power rectified by the rectifier is supplied. A resonance-type non-contact power supply system is provided with: state of charge detection units, which detect the state of charge of the secondary battery; and an impedance estimation unit, which estimates an impedance estimation value for the secondary battery on the basis of the state of charge of the secondary battery. When the absolute value of the difference between the impedance estimation value and the current impedance value of the secondary battery exceeds a threshold, a determination unit determines that a foreign body is present between the primary-side resonance coil and the secondary-side resonance coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Takada, Sadanori Suzuki, Shimpei Sakoda, Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shinji Ichikawa, Toru Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20130063086
    Abstract: Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: John Kenneth Hooker, Scott Jeffrey Hall, Denis Alagic, Prerana Gajanan Kulkarni, Cecilia Maria Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130063087
    Abstract: A charging circuit includes first and second input terminals connecting the circuit to first and second supply terminals, respectively, of a DC power source, first and second output terminals providing an output voltage to a load to be charged, a first switch between the first and second input terminals, a current sensor between the first input terminal and the first output terminal in series with the first switch, a connecting element having first and second inductance connectors for connecting an inductance, the first inductance connector connected to the switch and the second inductance connector connected to the first output terminal, and a diode element connected to the first inductance connector and the second output terminal. The first switch and the current sensor are arranged to be connected to a control circuit arranged for controlling operation of the first switch in response to a signal received from the current sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: V2 PLUG-IN HYBRID VEHICLE PARTNERSHIP HANDELSBOLAG
    Inventor: Jesper Martaeng
  • Publication number: 20130063088
    Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for charging a battery pack. The system uses a recovery vehicle to quickly charge a vehicle battery pack. The system includes a charging power supply module equipped in the recovery vehicle, quick charging power lines placed in the vehicle battery pack, a quick charge switch placed in the quick charging power lines, and a control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: LG CHEM, LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130063089
    Abstract: An electric storage device management apparatus is provided for monitoring an electric storage device assembly charged and discharged by a charger/discharger. The electric storage assembly includes a plurality of electric storage devices connected in series. The electric storage device management apparatus includes a voltmeter, a discharging circuit, and a controller. The voltmeter is configured to measure voltages of the electric storage devices respectively. The discharging circuit is configured to discharge the electric storage devices individually. The controller is configured to: determine whether a voltage of each electric storage device has reached a reference voltage during charging or discharging of the electric storage device assembly; and control the discharging circuit to discharge each electric storage device if the voltage of the electric storage device has reached the reference voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeyuki SHIRAISHI
  • Publication number: 20130063090
    Abstract: A battery protection circuit to protect secondary batteries coupled in parallel, includes an overdischarge detection part provided for each of the secondary batteries and to output an abnormality signal when an overdischarge is detected from a corresponding one of the secondary batteries, an overcurrent detection part provided for each of the secondary batteries and to output an abnormality signal when an overcurrent is detected from a corresponding one of the secondary batteries, and a discharge control part to prohibit a discharge of at least one secondary battery when the abnormality signal is output from at least one of the overdischarge detection part and the overcurrent detection part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Junji TAKESHITA, Takashi Takeda
  • Publication number: 20130063091
    Abstract: A battery system includes a first battery and a second battery connected in parallel and performing charge and discharge. A first relay is switched between an ON state in which the charge and discharge of the first battery are allowed and an OFF state in which the charge and discharge of the first battery are prohibited. A second relay is switched between an ON state in which the charge and discharge of the second battery are allowed and an OFF state in which the charge and discharge of the second battery are prohibited. A controller controls the ON state and the OFF state of each of the first relay and the second relay. The controller also changes the order in which the first relay and the second relay are switched to the ON state, in performing the charge and discharge of the first battery and the second battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji Nishi, Shunsuke Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130063092
    Abstract: Electrochemical cells that use electrolytes made from new polymer compositions based on poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) and other high-softening-temperature polymers are disclosed. These materials have a microphase domain structure that has an ionically-conductive phase and a phase with good mechanical strength and a high softening temperature. In one arrangement, the structural block has a softening temperature of about 210° C. These materials can be made with either homopolymers or with block copolymers. Such electrochemical cells can operate safely at higher temperatures than have been possible before, especially in lithium cells. The ionic conductivity of the electrolytes increases with increasing temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SEEO, INC
    Inventors: Jin Yang, Hany Basam Eitouni, Mohit Singh
  • Publication number: 20130063093
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the cold end switch battery management control method, a battery generates an output voltage at a positive terminal thereof. A first control voltage is also generated by an integrated circuit. A gate of a field effect transistor (FET) receives the first control voltage, wherein the FET comprises a drain and a source with the source coupled to a negative terminal of the battery. The FET transmits current towards the battery in response to the gate receiving the first control voltage, wherein the first control voltage is greater than the output voltage, and wherein the first control voltage is less than a breakdown voltage of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Tetsuo Sato, Tsutomu Kawano, Koji Kashimoto, Takao Hidaka, Tsuyoshi Ota, Ryoji Kato
  • Publication number: 20130063094
    Abstract: A method and system for use with a vehicle battery pack having a number of individual battery cells, where the method estimates, extrapolates or otherwise determines individual cell resistances. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system use a voltage and temperature reading for each of the individual battery cells, as well as a voltage and current reading for the overall battery pack to determine one or more cell resistance values, such as a minimum and maximum cell resistance for the battery pack. This approach relies upon temperature deviations in the battery pack to make assumptions or estimates regarding individual battery cell resistances. By having individual cell resistance values—instead of using an overall pack resistance value and building in a buffer to account for cell variations—better and more accurate cell-level data can be obtained that, in turn, can improve charging, discharging, cell balancing and/or other battery-related processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: James C. Gibbs, Joseph Bisbing, Kurt M. Johnson, Damon R. Frisch, Brian J. Koch
  • Publication number: 20130063095
    Abstract: Provided is a power supply device integrally combined with an electrical device body including a motor, comprising a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the motor, a microcomputer for detecting a residual capacity and a battery voltage of the battery, and a switching element provided between the battery and the microcomputer. The microcomputer stops charging the battery when the detected residual capacity has become 100%, and when the detected value of the battery voltage has become lower than a peak value after the value of the battery voltage passes the peak value, making it possible to prevent overcharging of the battery. The microcomputer also controls to turn off the switching element to stop the power supply from the battery to the microcomputer when the residual capacity becomes less than a predetermined threshold value, making it possible to reduce power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazunori WATANABE, Koji ASAKAWA
  • Publication number: 20130063096
    Abstract: A method for controlling the maximum charge rate during a charging process or discharging process of an electrochemical energy store device is generally characterised by current intensity. Said current intensity is dependent on the operating state of the electrochemical energy store device and on a group of boundary conditions. Said group typically comprises, for example, the temperature of at least one region of the electrochemical energy store device. The maximum charge rate may crucially depend on the mode of operation of the electrochemical energy store device, and therefore a distinction should be made in particular as to whether energy is being supplied to or withdrawn from said device. The electrochemical energy store device can heat up during charging or discharging processes, and therefore in particular the duration of the energy withdrawal and/or energy supply can influence the level of the current intensity which can be withdrawn and/or which can be supplied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Li-Tec Battery GmbH
    Inventor: Tim Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20130063097
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that monitors a battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a state of charge of the battery while the battery is powering the portable electronic device. Next, when the state of charge of the battery reaches a predetermined reserve capacity, the system monitors a voltage of the battery. Then, when the monitored voltage of the battery reaches a predetermined termination voltage, the system puts the portable electronic device into a low power usage state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Val Valentine
  • Publication number: 20130063098
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and system for temperature regulation of a power switch during charging of a portable device. The method includes the steps of establishing a connection between the portable device and a charging circuit, monitoring a charging current supplied from the charging circuit to the portable device, monitoring a temperature of the power switch, while the portable device is being charged, comparing the monitored temperature with a predefined threshold temperature, and restricting the charging current, based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: STANDARD MICROSYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy J. Knowlton, Christopher Fischbach
  • Publication number: 20130063099
    Abstract: A high electrical field driver for producing high electrical field is invented based on the switching circuit. The inventive high electrical field driver can produce at least one high electrical field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Yen-Wei Hsu, Whei-Chyou Wu
  • Publication number: 20130063100
    Abstract: A DC/DC converter includes a switch mode converter for providing an output voltage based on an input voltage and a drive signal generator configured to to provide a drive signal for the switch mode converter. The drive signal generator is configured to switch between a non-pulse-skipping mode and a pulse-skipping mode. Moreover, the drive signal generator is configured to adapt a setting of a pulse generation such that a length of a first pulse following a pulse skipping is larger than a minimum length of a pulse in the non-pulse-skipping mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Intel Mobile Communications GmbH
    Inventor: Stephan Henzler
  • Publication number: 20130063101
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a power converter includes a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and ramp generator for generating a reference current command. The DAC is configured to decrement (or increment) to a next state after a fixed number of clock pulses have occurred. The reference current command controls an output of the power converter. Means are provided for delaying an output of the DAC for a number of clock pulses less than the fixed number to increase a resolution of the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Hrishikesh Ratnakar NENE
  • Publication number: 20130063102
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a constant time controller, controlling method thereof, and a switching regulator. In one embodiment, a controlling method for a switching regulator, can include: (i) detecting an output voltage and an inductor current of the switching regulator; (ii) determining if there is a transient change on a load of the switching regulator by using the output voltage and a first reference voltage; (iii) generating a control signal using the output voltage, the inductor current, and a second reference voltage; (iv) controlling a switch of the switching regulator to maintain the output voltage substantially constant when no transient change is determined on the load; and (v) deactivating the control signal to keep the inductor current changing along with a variation tendency of an output current of the switching regulator when a transient change is determined on the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: SILERGY SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY (HANGZHOU) LTD
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Publication number: 20130063103
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes generating a drive current. Generation of the drive current results in a first leakage current, and the drive current and first leakage current each flow into a first node. The method also includes generating a second leakage current and amplifying the second leakage current to generate a leakage-compensation current. The leakage-compensation current flows away from the first node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventor: Lourans Samid
  • Publication number: 20130063104
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device and a method for DC-DC-conversion. The electronic device includes energizing switch and a commutating switch coupled at a switching node. The switching node is configured to be coupled to an inductor. The electronic device is configured to repeatedly suspend the regular synchronous switching of the commutating switch during a load detection period, to sense the voltage at the output node during the load detection period and to determine a high-load condition or a light-load condition of the DC-DC-conversion based on the sensed voltage at the output node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
    Inventor: Neil Gibson
  • Publication number: 20130063105
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switches, including a first feedback circuit; a second feedback circuit; a synthesis circuit to add a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter and a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component thereof to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a comparison result; and an on-time adjusting circuit to adjust on/off time of the switches based on the comparison result for outputting a control signal depending on the adjusting result. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Junji Nishida, Masaya Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130063106
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Junji NISHIDA, Masaya UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20130063107
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switches, including a first feedback circuit; a second feedback circuit; a synthesis circuit to add a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current based on an output current of the DC-DC converter and a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component thereof to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a comparison result; and an on-time adjusting circuit to adjust on/off time of the switches based on the comparison result for outputting a control signal depending on the adjusting result. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Junji NISHIDA, Masaya Uchida
  • Publication number: 20130063108
    Abstract: A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output current of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Junji NISHIDA, Masaya UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20130063109
    Abstract: A power regulation scheme includes a first voltage regulation portion having a first voltage regulator, a second voltage regulator, and a switching system. The first voltage regulation portion is connected in parallel with a second voltage regulation portion. The second voltage regulation portion regulates an input voltage if an open condition occurs within the first voltage regulation portion. The switching system forces the second voltage regulator to regulate the input voltage if a short condition occurs within the first voltage regulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick K. Egan, Jordan R. Keuseman, Michael L. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130063110
    Abstract: A method is provided. A low dropout regulator (LDO) is disabled during a first mode, and a first reference voltage is selected and applied to a switched-mode converter during the first mode. Also during the first mode, a first output voltage is generated by the switched-mode converter from a power supply, and a first capacitor is overcharged with the first output voltage. The LDO is then enabled during a second mode. During a first portion of a startup period for the second mode, a second capacitor is charged from the first capacitor, and a second reference voltage is selected and applied to the switched-mode converter. Then, during a second portion of the startup period for the second mode, the second capacitor is charged with the switched-mode converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vadim V. Ivanov, Harish Venkataraman, Daniel A. King
  • Publication number: 20130063111
    Abstract: A method is provided. A first reference voltage during an idle mode is selected, and the first reference voltage is applied to a switched-mode converter. A first output voltage is then generated by the switched-mode converter from a power supply, and a capacitor is overcharged with the first output voltage. The first output voltage is regulated to generate a second output voltage during the idle mode. Then, a second reference voltage during a quiet mode, where the second reference voltage to the buck converter. During the quiet mode, a third output voltage is generated from the switched-mode converter and from discharging the overcharged capacitor, and the third output voltage is regulated to generate the second output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Vadim V. Ivanov, Harish Venkataraman, Daniel A. King