Magnetic Induction Patents (Class 191/10)
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Patent number: 12221003Abstract: A wireless charging system for a road. The wireless charging system comprises a wireless communication transceiver embedded within the road. The wireless communication transceiver is configured to communicate with a vehicle traveling on the road. The wireless charging system additionally comprises a wireless power charger embedded within the road. The wireless power charger is configured to transmit energy wirelessly to the vehicle. The wireless power charger further comprises at least one control processor in communication with the wireless communication transceiver and the wireless power charge. The control processor is configured to control the wireless power charger based on data regarding the vehicle obtained from the wireless communication transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2022Date of Patent: February 11, 2025Assignee: Integrated Roadways, LLCInventors: Tim Sylvester, Tiziano Pedersoli
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Patent number: 12208514Abstract: A method of inductively coupling a first body and a second body is provided, wherein the first body rotates relative to the second body. During rotation, alignment is maintained between a first and second coil. Signals are sent and received between the coils.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2023Date of Patent: January 28, 2025Assignee: Sphero, Inc.Inventor: Richard Rhodes
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Patent number: 12123782Abstract: A temperature sensor device measures a temperature related to a transport cart system and wirelessly transmits the measured temperature. In the transport cart system a transport cart obtains electric power from the power supply line in a non-contact manner. The temperature sensor device includes an E-shaped core, a sensor body, and a temperature sensing substrate. The E-shaped core obtains electric power from the power supply line in a non-contact manner. The sensor body operates by electric power supplied by the E-shaped core and measures the temperature in the vicinity of the terminal block of the transport cart system. The temperature sensing substrate operates by electric power supplied by the E-shaped core and wirelessly transmits the temperature measured by the sensor body.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Murata Machinery, Ltd.Inventor: Naoki Nishioka
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Patent number: 12115872Abstract: A contactless power supply system is provided for supplying electric power to a vehicle in a contactless manner during traveling of the vehicle. The contactless power supply system includes a plurality of primary coils installed along a traveling direction in a road and a secondary coil mounted to the vehicle. Each of the primary coils is a single-phase coil with the secondary coil being a multi-phase coil, or is a multi-phase coil with the secondary coil being a single-phase coil.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 15, 2024Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Eisuke Takahashi, Nobuhisa Yamaguchi, Koji Mazaki, Shimpei Takita, Hayato Sumiya, Masaki Kanesaki, Takuya Kiguchi, Kazuhiro Uda, Mitsuru Shibanuma, Kazuyoshi Obayashi, Tomoyuki Fujikawa, Masaya Takahashi, Yusei Nakayashiki
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Patent number: 12107433Abstract: A synchronization system for synchronizing phases of alternating currents supplied from a plurality of power supply devices includes a master unit that outputs a synchronization signal having a predetermined period. Each power supply device includes: a power supply circuit that supplies an alternating current to a power feeding line; and a power supply control unit that receives the synchronization signal and controls the power supply circuit. The power supply control unit calculates an adjusted phase by delaying a phase of the received synchronization signal by an amount corresponding to a prescribed delay time and advancing the delayed phase by an amount corresponding to a time required to transmit the synchronization signal from the master unit to the power supply control unit, and controls the power supply circuit in such as manner as to synchronize the phase of the alternating current with the adjusted phase.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2023Date of Patent: October 1, 2024Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Matsubara
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Patent number: 11999252Abstract: An electric vehicle having an electrical storage battery includes an inductive charge receiver configured to inductively couple to a series of charging coils embedded in a roadway over which the vehicle travels in order to transfer charge to the storage battery. A ground penetrating radar transceiver is configured to interrogate the roadway including a region of the roadway toward which the vehicle is heading. The ground penetrating radar transceiver generates reflectance data including reflections from the charging coils and from embedded cabling coupling the charging coils. An object analyzer is responsive to the reflectance data and configured to map the series of charging coils relative to the vehicle. A path controller is configured to determine a steering operation of the vehicle along the roadway for optimizing a charge transfer from the series of charging coils to the inductive charge receiver.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2022Date of Patent: June 4, 2024Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Ryan E. Hanson, John R. Van Wiemeersch, Vivekanandh Elangovan
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Patent number: 11945318Abstract: The power supply apparatus includes a power transmission apparatus configured to transmit power to a power reception apparatus of the vehicle by non-contact and a processor configured to control the power transmission apparatus, detect a pickup/dropoff operation at the vehicle when power is being supplied by non-contact from the power supply apparatus to the vehicle, and detect a number of surrounding vehicles being supplied with power by non-contact in a predetermined range at surroundings of the power supply apparatus. The processor is configured to decrease power transmitted from the power transmission apparatus to the power reception apparatus when detecting a pickup/dropoff operation, and determine an amount of decrease of the transmitted power based on the number of surrounding vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Daiki Yokoyama, Toshiya Hashimoto, Shuntaro Okazaki, Shogo Tsuge, Kazuhisa Matsuda
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Patent number: 11890945Abstract: An electric multi-mode drive system (400), a method for operating the same, a vehicle (110) and a track (401). The system is arranged for operating at one part (402) of the track (401), at a station (410; 411), an electric Linear Doubly Fed Motor, LDFM, (310) for launching the vehicle (110), and for operating at another part (403) of the track (401), between stations (410; 411), a further electric motor (320; 330; 340; 350), not an LDFM, arranged for at least one of accelerating, coasting and restarting movement of the vehicle (110) after launching. Electric power for operating the further electric motor (320; 330; 340; 350), is provided by an on-board rechargeable electrical energy storage device. With the LDFM (310), sufficient power is generated for accelerating the vehicle (110), and recharging the on-board electrical energy storage device during standstill, braking and/or launching.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2019Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: ENGIE ELECTROPROJECT B.V.Inventor: André Veltman
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Patent number: 11831360Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for contactless powering and control of conveyors on shuttles. An example system may include a track, a first transmitter disposed at a first location along the track, the first transmitter configured to transmit power and data wirelessly, and a shuttle configured to move along the track. The shuttle may include a conveyor, and a first receiver configured to wirelessly receive the power and the data from the first transmitter, where the power is used to power the conveyor. The shuttle may not have an onboard power source coupled to the conveyor.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2022Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, Vivek S Narayanan, Rajeev Dwivedi, Michael Alan Bray, Raja Santosh Akella
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Patent number: 11749548Abstract: A transport system, including: a sensor, a controller and a power panel. The sensor determines a zone and sends a quantity information in response to a quantity of vehicles in the zone. The controller is arranged to send an output signal in accordance with the quantity information. The power panel is arranged to output a current in accordance with the output signal for driving vehicles in the zone, wherein the current is outputted to a cable extending through the zone.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Fu-Hsien Li, Chi-Feng Tung, Hsiang Yin Shen
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Patent number: 11652367Abstract: A circuit for energizing a magnetic flux coupling apparatus has a pick-up coil for receiving power inductively, a storage capacitor for storing energy from the received power, and an inverter for supplying electrical energy from the storage capacitor to the magnetic flux coupling apparatus. The circuit allows power transfer to a load to be supplied by the flux coupling apparatus to exceed the power received from the pick-up.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2015Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITEDInventors: John Talbot Boys, Grant Anthony Covic
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Patent number: 11651891Abstract: A roadway powered electric vehicle system includes a power supply (101) which makes power available inductively to one or more modules (111) provided in or under a roadway. Modules (111) make a magnetic field selectively available to one or more vehicles travelling over the roadway corresponding to the location of the vehicle. The presence or strength of the magnetic field provided on the roadway may be dependent upon the vehicle type or category.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: AUCKLAND UNISERVICES LIMITEDInventors: John Talbot Boys, Grant Anthony Covic
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Patent number: 11522389Abstract: An Inductive Power Transfer System pickup provides a controlled AC power supply by controlled variation of the phase angle between the pickup coil induced voltage (jwMI) and the tuning capacitor C voltage. The phase angle can be varied by maintaining the tuning capacitor C voltage substantially constant for a selected time period. Switches S1 and S2 may be used to clamp the tuning capacitor C voltage at substantially zero volts during the selected time period. Switch S1 can be operated to prevent a rise in positive voltage across the tuning capacitor, and switch S2 can be used to prevent the voltage across the tuning capacitor from going negative.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Auckland Uniservices LimitedInventor: John Talbot Boys
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Patent number: 11318845Abstract: A system for wireless power transfer of on-road vehicles is provided herein. The system includes a plurality of base stations; a power transmission line located beneath a surface of a road having a plurality of segments, each segment having at least one pair of coils and at least one capacitor electrically connected via a switch to the coils in the segment; and at least one vehicle having at least one power receiving segment having at least two coils, connected to at least one capacitor, wherein the at least one vehicle further includes a communication transmitter configured to transmit a power requesting signal, wherein the coils of the power transmitting segment are configured to receive the power requesting signal; and wherein each of the base stations is further configured to feed a plurality of the power transmitting segments with current at a resonance frequency, responsive to the power requesting signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Electric Road Ltd.Inventor: Hanan Rumbak
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Patent number: 11285831Abstract: A DC matrix power switch structure mechanically and electrically connects m DC power modules to n charge dispensers for charging electric vehicles. The matrix includes an input structure having m conducting input busbar pairs and an output structure having n conducting output busbar pairs. A first busbar of n output busbar pairs is connected to a positive voltage terminal and a second busbar of n output busbar pairs is connected to a negative voltage terminal of each of n charge dispensers, producing two times m×n busbar crossing points. A power switch is mechanically mounted to a cross point or is moved to a crossing point and, when activated, connects to the associated busbar at the busbar crossing point providing power to the appropriate charge dispenser. A power switch includes one or more actuators to connect an input busbar to an output busbar with a flexible conductor.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: WattEV, Inc.Inventors: Emil Youssefzadeh, Marcelo Barros, Salim Youssefzadeh
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Patent number: 11214163Abstract: In one embodiment, a device associates a charging coil with a coil identifier. The device sends the coil identifier to a communication module of the charging coil. The communication module of the charging coil forwards the coil identifier to an electric vehicle located above the charging coil. The device receives the coil identifier from the electric vehicle. The device associates the electric vehicle with the charging coil.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: Ashok Krishnaji Moghe, John George Apostolopoulos
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Patent number: 11161422Abstract: A wireless charging station for charging an automatic mower including a cutting device, an energy storage unit, a wireless electric energy transmitter and a wireless electric energy receiver electrically connected with the energy storage unit. The wireless charging station is at least partially located in a movement range of the automatic mower, and the top of the wireless charging station is lower than the bottom of the cutting device. An automatic mower matching the wireless charging station and an automatic mowing system using the wireless charging station and the automatic mower is further provided. The wireless charging station, the automatic mower, and the automatic mowing system enable the automatic mower to trim a lawn closer to the charging station, reduce a cutting corner in a movable range of the automatic mower, and improve trimming capability of the automatic mower for the lawn.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2015Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.Inventors: Paolo Andriolo, Fangshi Liu
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Patent number: 11114894Abstract: A charging apparatus for wireless charging of one or more robotic devices includes a power transmitting unit having a plurality of conducting wires each configured to carry a respective alternating current signal and to generate a time-varying magnetic flux when the conducting wire carries the alternating current signal, a processor configured to detect a presence or an absence of an induction coil of a robotic device within a predetermined distance of a conducting wire and to generate control data based on the result of the detection, and a control unit configured to control at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of each respective alternating current signal supplied to each of the conducting wires based on the control data, where the control unit is configured to increase at least one of an amplitude and a frequency of an alternating current signal supplied to a conducting wire in response to control data indicating the presence of the induction coil within the predetermined distance of the conductingType: GrantFiled: May 21, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc.Inventors: Oliver George Hume, Robert Keith John Withey, Michael Eder
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Patent number: 11062588Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a method for detecting, by a device, an increase in temperature at certain parts of an electrical system, and taking appropriate responsive action. The method may include measuring temperatures at certain locations within the system and estimating temperatures at other locations based on the measurements. Some embodiments disclosed herein include an integrated cable combining electrical conduction and heat-detection capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2016Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.Inventors: Yoav Galin, Meir Adest, Israel Gershman, Guy Sella
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Patent number: 11034252Abstract: An electric vehicle charging assembly includes a plurality of charge transmitters that are each embedded into a roadway. The charge transmitters are spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other and are distributed along an entire distance of the roadway. Moreover, each of the charge transmitters broadcasts a charging signal. A charge transceiver is coupled to an electric vehicle and the charge transceiver is in electrical communication with batteries of the electric vehicle. The charge transceiver is in wireless communication with each of the charge transmitters when the electric vehicle is driven on the roadway. The charge transceiver receives the charge signal for charging the batteries in the electric vehicle while driving.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Inventor: Kristopher Barnes
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Patent number: 11034250Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for activating a segment for enabling electrical power delivery to vehicles, the segment being one of a plurality of segments consecutively arranged along a single track line of an electric road system that further comprises a base station, the method comprising: receiving, at the base station, identification data transmitted from a vehicle, the identification data identifying the vehicle; associating an activation key with the identification data with each other; transmitting the activation key from the base station to the segment; receiving, at the segment and via short range radio communication, an activation request sent from the vehicle, wherein the activation request comprises an identification key associated with the identification data; confirming, at the segment, that the received identification key is associated with the received activation key; and upon positive confirmation, activating the segment for enabling power delivery to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: ELONROAD ABInventors: Dan Zethraeus, Andreas Sörensen
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Patent number: 11011933Abstract: A contactless electric power supply device configured to widen a range in which power supply is possible to a moving body in a connection direction by supplying electric power from a supply coil to the moving body provided with the receiving coil in a contactless manner and connecting power supply modules provided with the supply coil, wherein, when at least one of the receiving coils is positioned to be able to receiver power from at least one of the supply coils, the contactless electric power supply device performs communication from the power supply module to an alternating module that supplies alternating current and performs communication from the alternating module to the power supply module, and causes a semiconductor switch provided on the power supply module to conduct electricity.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: FUJI CORPORATIONInventors: Takeshi Nomura, Shinji Takikawa, Shinichi Kato
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Patent number: 11005295Abstract: A non-contact power feeding device includes multiple power feeding elements that are disposed spatially separated from one another in a movement direction, an AC power supply that supplies AC power to the power feeding elements, multiple power receiving elements that are provided in a moving body and that receive AC power in a non-contact manner, and a power receiving circuit that converts the AC power received by the power receiving elements and that outputs to an electrical load. When a length of the power feeding elements in the movement direction is LT, a separation distance between the power feeding elements is DT, a length of the power receiving elements in the movement direction is LR, and a separation distance between the power receiving elements is DR, the relationship DT?DR and the relationship (2×LR+DR)?LT are satisfied.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2015Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: FUJI CORPORATIONInventors: Takeshi Nomura, Shinji Takikawa, Masayuki Oki
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Patent number: 10991505Abstract: A coil unit connection structure is provided which can integrate locations connected to a power cable into one side in an arrangement direction of a plurality of coil units. In a coil unit connection structure that electrically connects a plurality of coil units, each of the coil units includes a coil and a return wire. A plurality of the coils of the plurality of coil units is electrically connected to each other. A plurality of the return wires of the plurality of coil units is electrically connected to each other. A terminal unit is provided which includes a connecting wire that electrically connects the coil and the return wire of the coil unit at the terminal end.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: THK CO., LTD.Inventors: Akihiro Unno, Hirofumi Suzuki
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Patent number: 10967740Abstract: This invention relates to a wireless vehicle recharging apparatus for an energy storage element of a vehicle. The apparatus has at least one drive unit arrangement coupled to at least one drive coil arrangement disposed for generating a magnetic field extending from the drive coil arrangement, and includes a corresponding vehicle-mounted pickup coil arrangement coupled to a power conditioning circuit arrangement for receiving the extending magnetic field. The drive unit arrangement is operable to excite the drive coil arrangement at a fundamental frequency and the drive coil arrangement is implemented to be substantially devoid of ferromagnetic components for providing a path for the extending magnetic field. Additional aspects of the invention relate to vehicle power coupling apparatus including pickup coil arrangements.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Inventors: Andrew Nicholas Dames, Andrew Howe, Timothy Sweyn Norris
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Patent number: 10875413Abstract: A shear panel for a forward structure of a body of a vehicle includes a receiving area having fastening devices for mechanically fastening a secondary coil of an inductive energy transmission system configured to charge an electric energy accumulator of the vehicle. The shear panel may be made of metal.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AktiengesellschaftInventors: Andreas Birkholz, Jochen Muellhaeuser
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Patent number: 10857893Abstract: A ground-side power feeding device includes a ground-side power feeding coil that wirelessly transmits or receives power to or from a vehicle-side power feeding coil mounted in the vehicle via a magnetic field having a first frequency, a light emitting unit that is disposed at any position at least around the ground-side power feeding coil and in an upper portion of the ground-side power feeding coil when the ground-side power feeding coil is seen from above, and a light emitting power transmitting coil that wirelessly transmits power to the light emitting unit. The light emitting unit has a light emitting power receiving coil which wirelessly receives power from the light emitting power transmitting coil via a magnetic field having a second frequency different from the first frequency, and a light emitting body which emits light with power received by the light emitting power receiving coil.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: IHI CorporationInventor: Motonao Niizuma
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Patent number: 10855118Abstract: Wireless power transmitting devices according to embodiments of the present technology may include a contact surface configured to support one or more wireless power receiving devices. The wireless power transmitting devices may include a plurality of coils. The wireless power transmitting devices may also include a shield positioned between the plurality of coils and the contact surface. The shield may include one or more shield members, each shield member axially aligned with a separate coil of the plurality of coils, and may include a multilayer structure exhibiting various conductivities.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: Andro Radchenko, Vaneet Pathak, Martin Schauer, Cheung-Wei Lam, Rahul A. Sabnani
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Patent number: 10770922Abstract: A system that converts between electromagnetic configurations for power transfer including an inductive power supply defining a driver, a primary resonator coil, a secondary resonator coil, a secondary inductive coil and an electromagnetic shield. The primary resonator coil is powered by the driver. The secondary resonator coil is electromagnetically coupled to the primary resonator coil. The secondary inductive coil transfers power to a wirelessly powered device, and the secondary inductive coil is electrically connected to the secondary resonator coil. The electromagnetic shield is positioned to provide electromagnetic shielding of the secondary inductive coil from the secondary resonator coil.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.Inventor: David W. Baarman
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Patent number: 10727693Abstract: A power transmitter module is disclosed. In embodiments, a power transmitter module includes a module LC input filter configured to receive regulated DC current, a module transmitter circuit configured to receive the regulated DC current from the module LC input filter and generate a high-frequency AC current. A power transmitter module further includes a module transmitter coil and compensation circuit comprising a transmitter coil, and a first capacitor in parallel with the transmitter coil. The module transmitter coil and compensation circuit are configured to receive the high-frequency AC current from the module transmitter circuit and generate a time-varying magnetic field emitted from the transmitter coil. Additionally, a power transmitter module further includes a module controller configured to receive a power transmission input signal and further configured to control a state of the module transmitter circuit based on the power transmission input signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: Utah State UniversityInventors: Hongjie Wang, Regan A. Zane
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Patent number: 10714986Abstract: A system for intelligent initiation of an inductive charging process. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a receiver coil or receiver associated with a mobile device, and provided as a separable or after-market accessory for use with the mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more charger coils, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. The base unit and mobile device communicate with each other prior to and/or during charging or powering to determine a protocol to be used to charge or power the mobile device.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2014Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Mojo Mobility, Inc.Inventor: Afshin Partovi
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Patent number: 10699305Abstract: Systems of an electrical vehicle and the operations thereof are provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: 10661662Abstract: The battery charger (1) for electric vehicles comprises a container (2), a first power unit (3) housed inside said container (2), connectable at input to an external power supply line (L) and connectable at output to a battery (B) of an electric vehicle (V), and an electronic control unit (4) housed inside the container (2) and operatively connected to the first power unit (3), and a second power unit (6) housed inside the container (2), operatively connected to the electronic control unit (4), connectable at input to at least an external power supply line (L) and connectable at output to the battery (B) of the electric vehicle (V).Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Meta System S.p.A.Inventor: Cesare Lasagni
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Patent number: 10644544Abstract: A mobile vehicle wirelessly receives AC power from a power transmission device including first and second power transmission electrodes arranged along a road surface. The mobile vehicle includes: a sensor that detects an obstacle located at least either on a route of the mobile vehicle or under the mobile vehicle; a first power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the first power transmission electrode when facing the first power transmission electrode; a second power reception electrode that forms electric field coupling with the second power transmission electrode when facing the second power transmission electrode; an actuator that moves at least the part of the first power reception electrode in a direction of gravity; and a control circuit that controls the actuator based on a result of detection by the sensor to avoid contact between the first power reception electrode and the obstacle.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2017Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroshi Kanno
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Patent number: 10611251Abstract: A control system for a rechargeable vehicle control system, comprises: a processor and a computer readable medium, in communication with the processor, that comprises processor executable instructions. The processor executable instructions comprise: a vehicle tracker that identifies rechargeable electric vehicles currently using a transportation network and tracks a last known position in the transportation network of each rechargeable electric vehicle and a vehicle router that directs the rechargeable electric vehicles to one of plural charging segments located along the transportation routes in the transportation network to receive a charge, thereby load balancing the rechargeable electric vehicles over the plurality of charging segments.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: 10611263Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a wireless power supply apparatus, which has a power pickup core formed to wrap a corner of a power pickup cable to increase an inductive electromotive force induced in a power pickup unit, has a power feeding unit configured to transfer a magnetic flux by only a power feeding cable without a power feeding core, to reduce the enormous cost for materials required to fabricate the power feeding core and thus enhance the price competitiveness, and reduce the weight and volume thereof and thus simplify the installation thereof, and has the power pickup core configured to include a plurality of power pickup core members, to reduce the weight and volume of the power pickup unit and thus increase the operational efficiency of the vehicle under which the power pickup unit is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2015Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYInventors: Dong-ho Cho, Gu-ho Jung, Bo-yune Song, Seung-yong Shin, Chung-hee Lee
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Patent number: 10427530Abstract: A system and method for charging a receiving vehicle, the system comprising: a receiving vehicle comprising an electrical storage unit; a charging panel in electrical communication with the electrical storage unit, the charging panel configured to receive a charge from a charging source and charge the electrical storage unit; and a vehicle controller configured to identify one or more charging sources and further configured to transmit a query to the one or more charging sources and receive at least charging data from the one or more charging sources; and one or more charging sources, each comprising: a charging plate configured to provide a charge to the charging panel; and a charging source controller configured to transmit at least charging data to the vehicle controller in response to the query; wherein if the vehicle controller determines that the charging data received is acceptable, the receiving vehicle is charged.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: 10336194Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to electric vehicle charging systems and associated methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, a system for aligning a charging panel of an electrical vehicle to receive a charge from an external source is provided, the system comprising a charging panel interconnected to the electrical vehicle; an actuator interconnected to the charging panel; a sensor configured to sense an alignment measurement between the charging panel and an external power source; and an alignment controller that receives the alignment measurement and determines a required alignment adjustment, wherein the charging panel may be adjusted to receive the charge from the external power source.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: 10329025Abstract: A rotorcraft including a fuselage, one or more motor-driven rotors for vertical flight, and a control system. The motors drive the one or more rotors in either of two directions of rotation to provide for flight in either an upright or an inverted orientation. An orientation sensor is used to control the primary direction of thrust, and operational instructions and gathered information are automatically adapted based on the orientation of the fuselage with respect to gravity. The rotors are configured with blades that invert to conform to the direction of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: AeroVironment, Inc.Inventors: Matthew Todd Keennon, Karl Robert Klingebiel
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Patent number: 10270289Abstract: The present invention provides a polyphase inductive power transfer (IPT) system comprising a primary power supply comprising a plurality of primary conductors, the primary conductors being individually selectively operable to provide or receive a magnetic field for inductive power transfer; and at least one pick-up comprising one or more pick-up conductors, the one or more pick-up conductors each being individually selectively operable to magnetically couple with a primary conductor to control power transfer between the primary power supply and a load coupled or coupleable with the respective pick-up. The polyphase primary power supply may be used to power a plurality of single-phase pick-ups, one or more polyphase pick-ups, or a combination thereof. Also disclosed are polyphase primary and secondary converters for use in such a system.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Auckland UniServices LimitedInventors: Udaya Kumara Madawala, Duleepa Jayanath Thrimawithana
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Patent number: 10220880Abstract: A vehicle lower section structure includes: a suspension member, formed in a frame shape, including left and right side-rails extending in a vehicle front-rear direction, and front and rear cross members coupling the left and right side-rails together in a vehicle width direction; a contactless charger fastened to both a left side and a right side of a front portion and a rear portion of the suspension member, and being supported by the suspension member; and an electrical component disposed above the contactless charger and is electrically connected to the contactless charger, the electrical component is fastened to both the left side and the right side of the front portion and the rear portion of the suspension member and is supported by the suspension member.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2018Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Tatsuya Ayukawa
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Patent number: 10220963Abstract: An aerial vehicle having a vision based navigation system for capturing an arresting cable situated at a landing site may comprise a fuselage having a propulsion system; an arresting device coupled to the fuselage, the arresting device to capture the arresting cable at the landing site; a camera situated on the aerial vehicle; an infrared illuminator situated on the aerial vehicle to illuminate the landing site, wherein the arresting cable has two infrared reflectors situated thereon; and an onboard vision processor. The onboard vision processor may (i) generate a plurality of coordinates representing features of the landing site using an image thresholding technique, (ii) eliminate one or more coordinates as outlier coordinates using linear correlation, and (iii) identify two of the plurality of coordinates as the two infrared reflectors using a Kalman filter.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: Aurora Flight Sciences CorporationInventors: James Peverill, Terrence McKenna
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Patent number: 10189363Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular to electric vehicle charging systems and associated methods of use are provided. In one embodiment, a system for charging an electric vehicle comprises an electrical storage unit, an external power source, a charging panel, and a vehicle controller configured to determine if the electrical storage unit requires charging and configured to determine if conditions allow for deployment of a charging panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: 10181756Abstract: Disclosed are a wireless power transmitter and a power transmission method thereof. The wireless power transmitter includes a plurality of transmission resonance units, a detection power applying unit applying detection power to the transmission resonance units to detect a location of the wireless power receiver, and a current measuring unit measuring current generating from an inner part of the wireless power transmitter based on the applied detection power. The wireless power transmitter transmits the power through at least one transmitting resonance unit corresponding to the location of the wireless power receiver based on the measured current.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventors: Su Ho Bae, Ki Min Lee
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Patent number: 10164503Abstract: The present invention relates to a power generation system using a vehicle. The power generation system includes: a vehicle, such as an automobile, a train, an airplane, and an escalator, for carrying people or freight; a movement route, such as a road, a railroad, and a runway, formed so that the vehicle can move thereon; and a power generation unit including a magnetic force generation portion and a magnetic force receiving portion alternatively installed in the vehicle and the movement route, and configured to generate electric energy using electromagnetic induction occurring due to relative movement between the magnetic force generation portion and the magnetic force receiving portion according to movement of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Inventor: Hyeon Cheol Moon
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Patent number: 10124690Abstract: Techniques for electric vehicle systems, and in particular for positioning a charging panel of an electrical vehicle to receive a charge, are provided. In one embodiment, a system for positioning a charging panel of an electrical vehicle to receive a charge comprises an armature disposed on an electrical vehicle; a charging panel interconnected to the armature; and an actuator configured to maneuver the armature and position the charging panel relative to an external surface, the external surface in communication with a power source configured to provide a charge to the charging panel, wherein the charging panel is configured to receive the charge from the power source.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: 10116144Abstract: An apparatus includes an enclosure and a coil assembly in the enclosure. The coil assembly includes a magnetic core and a coil disposed on the magnetic core. The magnetic core is positioned adjacent a wall of the enclosure such that a direction of a main flux path in the magnetic core is through at least one portion of the wall having a magnetic permeability greater than air. Such an arrangement may be used for a wireless power receiver unit configured to be installed in an equipment rack in data center applications.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Jun Xu, Xiaojun Wang, Yilei Gu, Qinjie Zheng, Bobby Leonard Compton, Birger Pahl
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Patent number: 10099561Abstract: This disclosure describes a power unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that may generate a current from a conductor of an overhead power line carrying an AC power signal. The power UAV has a receptor that includes a secondary coil. Current is generated by the secondary coil of the receptor from magnetic fields emanating from the overhead power lines while the power UAV is flying. The generated current may be used to fly the power UAV, recharge an energy storage device of the power UAV, or be provided to another UAV. In various implementations, while the power UAV is flying, the power UAV may receive another UAV, recharge the other UAV, and then release the UAV to resume flying. In various implementations, the power UAV may also monitor characteristics of the power delivery system.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Peruvemba Ranganathan Sai Ananthanarayanan, Anuj Dron, Adrian Napoles, Rohit Sammeta, Ming Zheng
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Patent number: 10071641Abstract: A system for charging an electrical storage unit of an electric vehicle through a contact device, the system comprising: the contact device interconnected to the electrical storage unit of an electric vehicle and configured to receive an electrical charge from an external power source; a contact arm interconnected to the contact device, the contact arm configured to position the contact device at a first position relative to the external power source; and a contact device controller interconnected to the contact arm and configured to control the contact arm wherein the first position is maintained; wherein the contact device receives the electrical charge from the external power source; wherein the electrical storage unit of the electric vehicle is charged.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: NIO USA, INC.Inventor: Christopher P. Ricci
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Patent number: RE48475Abstract: Provided is an amplifying repeater to intensify and amplify a magnetic field of electromagnetic waves. Also provided is a wireless power conversion charging device using the magnetic field of electromagnetic waves, which is located between an electromagnetic wave generating source transmitter and a receiving coil or attached to a transmitter and a receiving coil. Accordingly, charging power for various electronic devices can be provided and power can be wirelessly supplied to various loads.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2016Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignees: JC Protek Co., Ltd., Andong National University Industry Academic Cooperation FoundationInventor: Hyung-Joo Lee