Electromagnet Or Highly Inductive Systems Patents (Class 307/104)
  • Patent number: 11551862
    Abstract: An electric field-reducing insulating layer is described for an inductive coil. In some examples, a first coil having at least one first winding is arranged for being driven at a first voltage. A solid insulating layer is adjacent the first coil and has a first surface facing the first coil. The first surface of the solid insulating layer has a first groove between the first winding and the insulating layer, having a width that is smaller than a diameter of the electrical wire. The first groove forms a pocket between the first winding and the solid insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: PRODRIVE TECHNOLOGIES INNOVATION SERVICES B.V.
    Inventors: Jacob Willem Jansen, Nilles Henricus Vrijsen
  • Patent number: 11552504
    Abstract: A wireless power receiver comprises: a power pickup circuit for receiving wireless power from a wireless power transmitter on the basis of a magnetic coupling with the wireless power transmitter, and converting an alternating current signal generated by the wireless power into a direct current signal; and a communication/control circuit for communicating with the wireless power transmitter and controlling the wireless power that is received, wherein the communication/control circuit transmits, to the wireless power transmitter, an end power transfer packet for detecting a foreign object in a primary power transfer step of receiving the wireless power so as to enable the wireless power transmitter to detect the foreign object, receives a ping signal from the wireless power transmitter which has estimated that no foreign object is present, and transmits a data packet, in response to the ping signal, for entering a secondary power transfer step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yongcheol Park
  • Patent number: 11552505
    Abstract: A wireless power system for an implantable device is described. The system includes multiple inductive charging coils to increase an effective area for receiving an electromagnetic charging field from a wireless charging device. The multiple inductive charging coils produce different alternating current signals in response to receiving the electromagnetic charging field. The system includes a rectifying circuit for rectifying the alternating current signals into direct current signals. The system also includes a current combination circuit for combining the multiple direct current signals into a single direct current for powering an operation of the implantable device. Methods and devices for implementing the power system in an implantable device are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: VERILY LIFE SCIENCES LLC
    Inventors: Damiano Patron, Arvind Govindaraj
  • Patent number: 11552508
    Abstract: A method for transmitting wireless power in a wireless charging system and a wireless power transmitting unit (PTU) are provided. The method for transmitting wireless power in a wireless charging system includes receiving information related to a voltage from each of a plurality of power receiving units (PRUs), identifying a voltage ratio of each of the plurality of PRUs based on the received information where the voltage ratio is a current voltage relative to a first voltage, determining a PRU among the plurality of PRUs based on the identified voltage ratio, and adjusting transmission power according to a voltage setting value of the determined PRU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyung-Woo Lee, Hee-Won Jung
  • Patent number: 11545856
    Abstract: A wireless power system may include an electronic device and a removable case. The electronic device and removable case may include wireless charging coils that are inductively coupled when the electronic device and the removable case are physically coupled. In a first mode, while the removable case is inductively coupled to the electronic device and the electronic device is not connected to a wired power source, a coil in the removable case transmits wireless power signals to the electronic device. In a second mode, while the removable case is inductively coupled to the electronic device and the electronic device is connected to a wired power source, the coil in the removable case receives wireless power signals from the electronic device. In a third mode, the removable case receives wireless power with a first coil and transmits wireless power to the electronic device with a second coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Arash Mehrabi, Gianpaolo Lisi, Zaki Moussaoui
  • Patent number: 11545943
    Abstract: A switched capacitor modulator (SCM) includes a RF power amplifier. The RF power amplifier receives a rectified voltage and a RF drive signal and modulates an input signal in accordance with the rectified voltage to generate a RF output signal to an output terminal. A reactance in parallel with the output terminal is configured to vary in response to a control signal to vary an equivalent reactance in parallel with the output terminal. A controller generates the control signal and a commanded phase. The commanded phase controls the RF drive signal. The reactance is at least one of a capacitance or an inductance, and the capacitance or the inductance varies in accordance with the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MKS Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Duy Nguyen, Albert Kuramshin, Aaron T. Radomski, Alexander Jurkov, Hangon Kim, Kelvin Lee
  • Patent number: 11541336
    Abstract: A filter element has a filter body which is closed on at least one end face by an end disc, wherein the end disc is formed from a potting compound, and has a stabilization device which is surrounded at least in some areas by the potting compound. At least one data storage unit is arranged on or in the stabilization device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: MANN+HUMMEL GmbH
    Inventors: Dennis Stark, Duc Cuong Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11539248
    Abstract: A power estimator calculates first estimated power values based on levels of test signals received from power receiver apparatuses, each first estimated power value indicating estimated received power of a corresponding power receiver apparatus when a power transmitter apparatus transmits power to the power receiver apparatuses. A signal transmitting circuit transmits each first estimated power value to a corresponding power receiver apparatus. A signal receiving circuit receives second estimated power values from the power receiver apparatuses, each second estimated power value indicating estimated received power of a corresponding power receiver apparatus when other power transmitter apparatuses transmit power to the power receiver apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akito Murai, Tetsuya Nosaka, Junji Obata
  • Patent number: 11539246
    Abstract: A wireless charging system includes a wireless power transmitter and N wireless power receivers. The wireless power transmitter includes a power input terminal for receiving an input power, and M transmission modules. Each transmission module includes a power controller, a power management unit, a bridge driver, and a transmission unit. The N wireless power receivers are for receiving N wireless power signals from N transmission units of N transmission modules respectively, and wirelessly transmitting the N communication signals to the N transmission units of the N transmission modules respectively. The M power management units of the M transmission modules are coupled to each other and transmit control signals for handshaking communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORP.
    Inventor: Wei-Shuo Wu
  • Patent number: 11539249
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter according to one embodiment of the present disclosure transmits wireless power to a wireless power receiver, receives a first received power packet including an estimated received power value indicating a first calibration data point from the wireless power receiver after a negotiation phase, transmits ACK in response to the first received power packet, receives a second received power packet including an estimated received power value indicating a second calibration data point from the wireless power receiver, transmits ACK in response to the second received power packet, receives a new second received power packet including an estimated received power value indicating a third calibration data point from the wireless power receiver, transmits ACK in response to the new second received power packet, and constructs a power calibration curve using the first received power packet, the second received power packet, and the new second received power packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Yongcheol Park
  • Patent number: 11540223
    Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a terminal device. The apparatus monitors a current charge level of a rechargeable energy storage device of the terminal device and a current energy harvesting state of an energy harvesting device of the terminal device. When the current energy harvesting state corresponds to an energy harvesting state indicative of no energy being harvested, the apparatus causes the terminal device to operate in one of a first, second and third operating modes depending on a value of the current charge level relative to first and second thresholds. The first, second and third operating modes and the first and second thresholds are defined so that the uplink transmission functionality of the terminal device is disabled when the current charge level drops below the first threshold and the downlink transmission functionality of the terminal device is disabled when the current charge level drops below both thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
    Inventors: Muhammad Majid Butt, Rapeepat Ratasuk, Nitin Mangalvedhe
  • Patent number: 11539243
    Abstract: A wireless power receiving system includes two or more electrically small antenna arms and a common antenna ground. The two or more electrically small antenna arms are connected to the same common antenna ground and are close enough to one another to be strongly coupled. In some embodiments, the two or more electrically small antenna arms are tuned to the same functional frequency so that they load one another to create self-resonance. The wireless power receiving system receives the transmitted wireless power wave emitting from a wireless power transmitter without added lossy matching components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventors: Tuomo Katajamaki, Yunhong Liu
  • Patent number: 11532953
    Abstract: A wireless power transfer system comprises a power transmitter (101) wirelessly providing power to a power receiver (105) via an electromagnetic power transfer signal. The power transmitter (101) comprises a transmitter coil (103) generating the power transfer signal and a driver (201) generating a drive signal for the transmitter coil (103) to generate the power transfer signal. A foreign object detector (207) executes a foreign object detection operation arranged to detect a presence of a foreign object in response to a property of the drive signal. A communicator (205) receives a power operating point indication from the power receiver (105) which represents a load power for a load of the power receiver (105). An adapter (209) adapts the foreign object detection operation in response to the operating point indication being indicative of a change in the load power meeting a criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Antonius Adriaan Maria Staring
  • Patent number: 11532955
    Abstract: A charging module includes a low-frequency resonant unit, a high-frequency resonant unit, a first capacitor, a rectifier unit and a voltage conversion unit. The low-frequency resonant unit comprises a low-frequency coil and a low-frequency compensation capacitor connected in series. The high-frequency resonant unit comprises a high-frequency coil and a high-frequency tuning capacitor connected in series. The high-frequency tuning capacitor is used to make the difference between the AC voltage between two terminals of the high-frequency resonant unit when receiving high-frequency wireless power signals and the induced electromotive force between two terminals of the low-frequency coil generated by the current flowing through the high-frequency resonant unit is within a preset interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Halo Microelectronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying Liu, Songnan Yang
  • Patent number: 11532957
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter including a power conversion unit configured to transmit wireless power generated based on magnetic coupling in a power transfer phase and a control unit configured to receive, from the wireless power receiver operating at a first operating point, a first received power packet of the first operating point and a second received power packet of the first operating point based on the first received power packet of the first operating point and the second received power packet of the first operating point and configured to receive a first received power packet of the second operating point and a second received power packet of the second operating point related to power calibration and construct a second power calibration curve based on the first received power packet of the second operating point and the second received power packet of the second operating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongcheol Park, Gyunghwan Yook
  • Patent number: 11529880
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a power receiver and a controller. The power receiver is configured to wirelessly receive electric power from power transmission equipment disposed outside the vehicle. The controller is configured to control power transmission from the power transmission equipment to the power receiver. The controller includes a determination processor and a frequency control unit. The determination processor is configured to make a determination, in a case where the power transmission is stopped due to a foreign object present between the power transmission equipment and the vehicle, as to whether the power transmission is restartable with a predetermined frequency after the power transmission is stopped. The frequency control unit is configured to change the frequency with which the determination processor makes the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fumiyuki Moriya, Yuta Totsuka
  • Patent number: 11527923
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include apparatuses, systems, and methods for transferring electrical power between an electrical power system of a vehicle and another device. In an illustrative embodiment, an apparatus includes a wireless transfer unit electrically coupled with a high voltage system of a vehicle and configured to enable wireless bidirectional power exchange between the high voltage system and an auxiliary device. The high voltage system is operable to power a drivetrain of the vehicle and the auxiliary device is separate from the vehicle and configured to at least one of provide electric power to and receive power from the high voltage system. A transfer control unit is configured to communicate with the wireless transfer unit and control at least one parameter specifying a transfer of electrical power between the high voltage system and the auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Matthew Kenneth Hortop
  • Patent number: 11527914
    Abstract: An electronic device, a wireless charging device and a wireless charging method, which belong to the technical field of charging. The electronic device comprises: a receiving coil, a receiving circuit, a first switch module and a first control module, wherein the first control module is used for controlling, according to a related parameter for the magnetic coupling strength between the receiving coil and a transmitting coil of a wireless charging device, the turning on and off of at least two first switches in the first switch module, so as to adjust the number of turns of subcoils in the receiving coil that effectively work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: VIVO MOBILE COMMUNICATION CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Zhang
  • Patent number: 11527921
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer-readable storage media for performing foreign object detection (FOD) in a wireless power transfer system. A plurality of FOD measurements may be performed and processed to perform FOD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: MediaTek Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir A. Muratov, William Plumb
  • Patent number: 11527925
    Abstract: A wireless transmission system includes a first substrate and a second substrate. A first coil used for wireless power transmission, a first light emitting element that is arranged inside the first coil and that is used for wireless communication, and a first light receiving element arranged on the same circumference as that of the first light emitting element are arranged on the first substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are arranged so as to be opposed to each other so that a second light emitting element and a second light receiving element, which are arranged on the second substrate, are opposed to the first light emitting element and the first light receiving element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Ide
  • Patent number: 11527922
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter is provided. The wireless power transmitter includes an inverter configured to output alternating current (AC) power using direct current (DC) power, a coil configured to receive the AC power, and a control circuitry, wherein the control circuitry is configured to identify an input associated with transmitting the AC power, output the AC power at a specified frequency determined according to the input, using the inverter, transmit the AC power to an external electronic device using the coil, and, while at least partially transmitting the AC power to the external electronic device, transmit information associated with an amount of the DC power input to the inverter to output the AC power to the external electronic device, such that the external electronic device identifies transmission efficiency of the AC power using the information associated with the amount of DC power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Inventors: Wooram Lee, Seho Park, Yusu Kim, Kyungmin Park, Juhyang Lee, Byungyeol Choi
  • Patent number: 11527917
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed of a wireless power transmission system (WPTS) and wireless power receiver client (WPRC). The WPTS may directionally transmit wireless power to a first WPRC while concurrently directionally transmitting wireless data to at least a second WRPC. The WPTS and WPRC may reuse circuitry configured to transmit/receive wireless power to also transmit/receive wireless data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: OSSIA INC.
    Inventors: Hatem I. Zeine, Robert Giometti
  • Patent number: 11524594
    Abstract: The invention relates to a contact system for establishing an electric connection between a vehicle and a power supply having a first pole and a second pole for charging the vehicle, secondary contact surfaces being mounted such that they surround a second insulating surface, wherein the second insulating surface has at least one minimum width which is greater than the peripheral size of one of the contacted primary contact surfaces in the same direction (X, Y, Z).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: EASELINK GMBH
    Inventors: Hermann Stockinger, Manuel Leibetseder
  • Patent number: 11522567
    Abstract: Provided are a matching network, an antenna circuit and an electronic device. The matching network includes a first inductor, a second inductor, and a third inductor, the first inductor having two ends serving as a pair of output terminals, the second inductor having two ends serving as a first pair of input terminals, and the third inductor having two ends serving as a second pair of input terminals, where a first coupling coefficient between the first inductor and the second inductor is greater than a second coupling coefficient between the first inductor and the third inductor. According to the matching network, the matching network can present a rather large resistance value conversion ratio even with a rather small area taken by inductors, the circuit design can be more flexible, and the signal interference can be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Hangzhou Geo-Chip Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sy-Chyuan Hwu
  • Patent number: 11518256
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system for wirelessly charging an electrically chargeable device, in particular a mobile inspection robot, in a potentially explosive environment. The invention also relates to a charging station for use in such a system according to the invention. The invention further relates to an electrically chargeable device, in particular an inspection robot, for use in such a system according to the invention. In addition, the invention relates to a method for wirelessly charging an electrically chargeable device, in particular a mobile inspection robot, by using such a system according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: ExRobotics B.V.
    Inventor: Roelof Schreurs
  • Patent number: 11522392
    Abstract: A power transmitter is configured for transmission of wireless power, to a wireless receiver, at extended ranges, including a separation gap greater than 8 millimeters (mm). The power transmitter includes a control and communications unit and an inverter circuit configured to receive input power and convert the input power to a power signal. The power transmitter further includes a coil configured to transmit the power signal to a power receiver, the coil formed of wound Litz wire and including at least one layer, the coil defining, at least, a bottom face. The power transmitter further includes a shielding comprising a ferrite core and a magnetic backing, the magnetic backing configured to substantially back the bottom face of the coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventor: Md Nazmul Alam
  • Patent number: 11522393
    Abstract: An inductive power transfer system is arranged to transfer power from a power transmitter to a power receiver via a wireless power signal. The system supports communication from the power transmitter to the power receiver based on load modulation of the power signal. The power receiver transmitting a first message to the power transmitter which comprises a standby power signal requirement for the power signal during a standby phase. The power transmitter receives the message, and when the system enters the standby phase, the power transmitter provides the power signal in accordance with the standby power signal requirement during. A power receiver configurable standby phase is provided which may for example allow devices to maintain battery charge or to provide fast initialization of the power transfer phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Andries Van Wageningen, Laurens Henricus Swaans
  • Patent number: 11515466
    Abstract: Systems and methods of providing power to high-voltage sensors in power-limited environments through environmental energy harvesting are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to intermittently power high-voltage sensors by repeatedly releasing stored energy in bursts. An environmental energy harvesting device generates a low-voltage power supply and is coupled to one or more capacitors to charge the capacitors to a high-voltage threshold. After such high-voltage threshold has been reached, the capacitors are discharged to provide a high-voltage power burst to a high-voltage sensor configured to inspect a component and generate an inspection result signal. The inspection result signal is received by an output module, which may further store or transmit to an external receiver a data signal indicating the inspection results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: Morteza Safai
  • Patent number: 11515735
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitting device transmits wireless power signals to a wireless power receiving device. The wireless power receiving device has a wireless power receiving coil in a resonant circuit that resonates at a wireless power receiving circuit resonant frequency. The wireless power transmitting device has coils. The coils are supplied with a drive signal in bursts to detect external objects. Measurement circuitry includes an oscillator for supplying the drive signals and a peak detector and analog-to-digital converter for gathering measurements on the coils to which the drive signals have been supplied. Rate-based-filtering is applied to output signals from the analog-to-digital converter to distinguish between temperature drift effects and object placement effects. The frequency of the drive signals is slightly greater than the wireless power receiving circuit resonant frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jerald Polestico Guillermo, Previn D. Nair, Mikhal S. De Jesus, Antoin J. Russell
  • Patent number: 11509160
    Abstract: A wireless charging device is disclosed, and comprises a microcontroller, a wireless charging module, at least one radiator fan, at least one status light, and a temperature sensor. The microcontroller has a memory unit that stores with a plurality of setting parameters, such that the microcontroller controls the wireless charging module to produce a wireless charging signal with a specific power according to the setting parameters, thereby transmitting the wireless charging signal to a receiver coil of a mobile electronic device under wirelessly charged. According to the setting parameters, the microcontroller also carries out a controlling operation of the radiator fan, such as fan rotation starting, rotation speed raising, rotation speed lowering, and fan rotation stopping. In addition, the microcontroller also controls the status light to exhibits a corresponding lighting scenario according to the setting parameters and an immediate charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: CHANNEL WELL TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yi-An Pan
  • Patent number: 11509170
    Abstract: A wireless power receiving apparatus, according to an example embodiment, may include a receiving coil in which a first wire including a copper core and a second wire not including a copper core are wound around a same axis. The second wire may be located at a pitch of the first wire, and a diameter of the second wire may correspond to the pitch of the first wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: In Kui Cho, Sang-Won Kim, Seong-Min Kim, Jung Ick Moon, Je Hoon Yun, Ho Jin Lee, Dong Won Jang
  • Patent number: 11509131
    Abstract: A wireless power system and method performs wireless power transmission with sensing to detect a distance and/or misalignment of a power receiver from the power transmitter. Power transmission is adjusted in response to the sensing detecting the distance and/or misalignment exceeding a determined threshold, or in response to instructions sent by the receiver based, at least in part, on a duration of the overvoltage condition exceeding a determined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Datalogic IP Tech, S.r.l.
    Inventor: Marco Pifferi
  • Patent number: 11509162
    Abstract: Provided are a voltage generating method and apparatus. A wireless power device includes a boosting circuit configured to generate a high voltage, and a switch arrangement circuit configured to selectively transmit energy to the boosting circuit, for the generating of the high voltage, using an inductor included in a resonator and in response to a build-up request for the high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungchul Jung, JongPal Kim
  • Patent number: 11509174
    Abstract: A power receiving apparatus comprises a power receiving unit that receives power transmitted wirelessly from a power transmitting apparatus, a communication unit that transmits, to the power transmitting apparatus, information regarding a received power received by the power receiving unit, and a control unit that determines whether or not it is necessary to update a reference value which is generated in the power transmitting apparatus on the basis of the information regarding the received power and is used for a detection of an object different from the power receiving apparatus by the power transmitting unit and requests the power transmitting apparatus to update the reference value when it is determined that it is necessary to update the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuo Moritomo
  • Patent number: 11502554
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for online foreign object detection for use with wireless charging systems. In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided that comprises a resonant circuit having a foreign object detection (FOD) coil that is energized by an online power transfer coil. The resonant circuit outputs a time-decaying resonate signal that indicates whether or not a foreign object is present. The apparatus also comprises a determination circuit that determines a decay time from the time-decaying resonate signal, and a detector circuit that outputs a detection signal having a first state when the decay time is greater than a threshold value to indicate that a foreign object is not present. The detector circuit also outputs the detection signal having a second state when the decay time is not greater than the threshold value to indicate that a foreign object is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Inventor: Wen Cai
  • Patent number: 11502551
    Abstract: A method of charging multiple receivers, the method includes: (i) receiving, via the communication radio, first data that allows the transmitter to determine a locations for a first receiver and a second receiver, (ii) determining waveform features used to transmit wireless power waves focused at the location of the first receiver, (iii) determining waveform features used to transmit wireless power waves focused at the location of the second receiver, (iv) causing a first subset of antennas to transmit wireless-power waves having the first waveform features to create focused energy at the location of the first receiver and (v) causing a second subset of antennas to transmit wireless-power waves having the second waveform features to create focused energy at the second location of the second receiver, where transmitting the wireless-power waves having the first waveform features occurs while transmitting the wireless-power waves having the second waveform features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Energous Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Leabman
  • Patent number: 11495999
    Abstract: A wireless power supply system may comprise a wireless power transmitting circuit configured to transmit radio-frequency (RF) signals, and a wireless power receiving circuit configured to convert power from the RF signals into a direct-current (DC) output voltage stored in an energy storage element. The wireless power transmitting circuit may be electrically or magnetically coupled to an antenna and/or electrical wiring of a building for transmitting the RF signals. The wireless power transmitting circuit may be housed in an enclosure that is affixed in a relative location with respect to the wireless power receiving circuit. The antenna may comprise two antenna wires that extend from the enclosure. The wireless power receiving circuit may be electrically or magnetically coupled to an antenna for receiving the RF signals. The wireless power receiving circuit may comprise an RF-to-DC converter circuit for converting the power from the RF signals into a DC output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventor: Sean R. Pearson
  • Patent number: 11490662
    Abstract: A power supply unit for an aerosol inhaler includes: a power supply capable of supplying power to a load capable of generating aerosol from an aerosol source; and a charger capable of controlling charging of the power supply, in which the power supply unit further includes: a power reception coil capable of receiving the power in a wireless manner, a converter configured to convert AC power into DC power, an AC conductive wire connecting the power reception coil and the converter, and a DC conductive wire connecting the converter and the charger and having a length equal to or greater than a length of the AC conductive wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: JAPAN TOBACCO INC.
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Tatsuta, Hajime Fujita
  • Patent number: 11489555
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer systems, disclosed, include one or more circuits to facilitate high power transfer at high frequencies. Such wireless power transfer systems include a damping circuit, configured to dampen a wireless power signal such that communications fidelity is upheld at high power. The damping circuit includes at least a damping transistor that is configured to receive, from the transmitter controller, a damping signal for switching the transistor to control damping during transmission of amplitude shift keying (ASK) wireless data signals. Utilizing such systems enables wireless power transfer at high frequency, such as 13.56 MHz, at voltages over 1 Watt, while maintaining fidelity of in-band communications associated with the higher power wireless power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Peralta, Pavel Shostak
  • Patent number: 11489372
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer systems, disclosed, include one or more circuits to facilitate high power transfer at high frequencies. Such wireless power transfer systems include a damping circuit, configured to dampen a wireless power signal such that communications fidelity is upheld at high power. The damping circuit includes at least a damping transistor that is configured to receive, from the transmitter controller, a damping signal for switching the transistor to control damping during transmission of the wireless data signals. Utilizing such systems enables wireless power transfer at high frequency, such as 13.56 MHz, at voltages over 1 Watt, while maintaining fidelity of in-band communications associated with the higher power wireless power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Peralta, Pavel Shostak
  • Patent number: 11479131
    Abstract: A method for checking a test secondary unit of an inductive test charging system for charging an electrical energy store, wherein the test charging system comprises the test secondary unit having a test secondary coil and a reference primary unit having a reference primary coil, includes recording a plurality of actual primary unit impedance values of the test charging system at the reference primary coil for a corresponding plurality of test combinations of values of operating parameters of the test charging system. The method also includes comparing the plurality of actual primary unit impedance values with a reference value range for a primary unit impedance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marius Hassler, Josef Krammer, Florian Niedermeier
  • Patent number: 11482887
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly charging, via a medium, a device having a receiver coil comprises at least one relay configured to inductively transfer power to the receiver coil of the device and a transmitter configured to inductively transmit, to the at least one relay, power for charging the device. A joint resonance frequencies of a transmitter resonance circuit and a relay resonance circuit have a main resonance frequency (MRF). The transmitter is configured to operate at an operational frequency (OPF) from a range of OPFs. The range of OPFs is different than the MRF. The at least one relay comprises a second relay coil connected in series to the first relay coil. One side of the second relay coil faces the device and a second side of the second relay coil is covered by a relay ferrite layer. The second relay coil is smaller than the first relay coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: POWERMAT TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventors: Itay Sherman, Ilya Gluzman, Elieser Mach, Amir Salhuv
  • Patent number: 11479138
    Abstract: A mobile object apparatus includes an electric power reception unit that receives electric power transmitted in a non-contact manner from, out of a plurality of power feed apparatuses that are allocated to a plurality of small areas within a predetermined area and are capable of transmitting electric power in a non-contact manner, the power feed apparatus allocated to the small area adjacent to the mobile object apparatus, a drive unit that executes a movement operation on the predetermined area, and an electric power storage unit that stores an electric power amount requisite for the movement operation to the small areas located next to the adjacent small area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiji Kadota
  • Patent number: 11483032
    Abstract: A method for operating a wireless power transmission system includes providing a driving signal for driving a transmission antenna of the wireless power transmission system, the driving signal based, at least, on an operating frequency for the wireless power transmission system. The method further includes inverting, by the at least one transistor, a direct current (DC) input power signal to generate an AC wireless signal at the operating frequency, based on provided driving signals. The method includes receiving, at a damping circuit, damping signals configured for switching the damping transistor to one of an active mode and an inactive mode to control signal damping, wherein the damping signals switch to the active mode periodically. The method further includes selectively damping, by the damping circuit, the AC wireless signals, during transmission of the wireless data signals if the damping signals set the damping circuit to the active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Kapolnek, Alberto Peralta, Jason Luzinski
  • Patent number: 11482883
    Abstract: A tile is provided with built in wireless power transfer technology that enables power to be wirelessly transferred from a wireless power transfer resonator of the tile to a wireless power receiver device of the tile. The wireless power receiver device includes, or is electrically coupled to, one or more electrical devices disposed on a front surface of the tile that are to be power by the receiver device. An array of the tiles may be provided in which case each tile has a wireless power transfer resonator. At least one of the tiles of the array is electrically coupled to an RF power source. The EM field generated by each tile is inductively coupled from that tile to a nearest-neighbor tile of the array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: ETHERDYNE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Robert A. Moffatt
  • Patent number: 11483033
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a transmitter antenna, transmission controller, and an amplifier. The transmitter controller is configured to provide a driving signal for driving the transmitter antenna based on, at least, an operating mode for transmission of AC wireless signals and determine the operating mode for transmission of the AC wireless signals, wherein the operating mode includes a power level for the wireless power signals and a data rate for the wireless data signals, the power level chosen from a series of available power levels and the data rate chosen from a series of available data rates, each of the series of available power levels corresponding to one of the series of available data rates, wherein corresponding pairs of available power levels and available data rates are inversely related.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Kapolnek, Alberto Peralta, Jason Luzinski
  • Patent number: 11476727
    Abstract: A wireless power transmission system includes a receiver position identifier unit configured to determine the positions of receiver apparatuses; a signal transmitter unit comprising antennas arrayed in a pre-designated pattern and configured to radiate wireless power signals by forming a beam in a pattern corresponding to signals supplied respectively to the antennas; and a beamforming unit configured to improve a wireless power transmission efficiency by temporarily setting a frequency vector, which is for designating frequencies of the signals supplied to the antennas, and a beamforming vector, which is for designating phases and gains of the signals, based on the positions of the receiver apparatuses and alternatingly iteratively estimating the other vector to enhance power transmission efficiency such that a multi-lobe beam pattern radiated simultaneously in the directions of the receiver apparatuses is formed in the antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, Yonsei University
    Inventors: Chung Yong Lee, Chae Hun Im, Sang Won Jung
  • Patent number: 11476897
    Abstract: Wireless power transfer systems, disclosed, include one or more circuits to facilitate high power transfer at high frequencies. Such wireless power transfer systems include a damping circuit, configured to dampen a wireless power signal such that communications fidelity is upheld at high power. The damping circuit includes at least a damping transistor that is configured to receive, from the transmitter controller, a damping signal for switching the transistor to control damping during transmission of the wireless data signals. Utilizing such systems enables wireless power transfer at high frequency, such as 13.56 MHz, at voltages over 1 Watt, while maintaining fidelity of in-band communications associated with the higher power wireless power signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: NuCurrent, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Peralta, Pavel Shostak
  • Patent number: 11476893
    Abstract: A transmission device of the present disclosure includes: a driver unit that transmits a data signal with use of a first voltage state, a second voltage state, and a third voltage state interposed between the first voltage state and the second voltage state, and is configured to make a voltage in the third voltage state changeable; and a controller that changes the voltage in the third voltage state to cause the driver unit to perform emphasis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Group Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Hayashi
  • Patent number: 11476717
    Abstract: An example system includes a power collection engine. The power collection engine is to convert wireless electromagnetic energy into wired electrical energy. The system also includes a connection management engine. The connection management engine is to communicate with a first transmitter to cause the first transmitter to provide first power to the power collection engine. The connection management engine is to communicate with a second transmitter to cause the second transmitter to provide second power that avoids interference with the first power to the power collection engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Syed S Azam, Chi So