Vehicle Mounted Systems Patents (Class 307/9.1)
  • Patent number: 12043119
    Abstract: A timing control circuit is applied to the in-vehicle center console, and includes a hub, a first resistor, a capacitor, and a voltage conversion circuit. The hub is configured to be coupled to an on board unit, and a power supply control terminal of the hub is coupled to a first terminal of the first resistor. A second terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a first terminal of the capacitor and an input terminal of the voltage conversion circuit, a second terminal of the capacitor is grounded, and an output terminal of the voltage conversion circuit is used to connect an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignees: Faurecia Clarion Electronics Co., Ltd., Subaru Corporation
    Inventors: Qingyun Lin, Yanxiang Chen, Jicu Zhang, Xionghui Lai
  • Patent number: 12043102
    Abstract: An electrified vehicle backup battery system includes a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle, and a backup battery assembly that is removably mounted to the electrified vehicle. The backup battery assembly is configured to recharge the traction battery pack through a charge port of the electrified vehicle. A traction battery pack charging method includes recharging a traction battery pack of an electrified vehicle from a backup battery assembly that is mounted above a roof of the electrified vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: J. Elias Ruiz, Sergio Becerril, Veronica Garza, Jose Uriel Hernandez
  • Patent number: 12046946
    Abstract: A vehicle, an electrical system of the vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle. The electrical system includes a battery, an electrical load that draws power from the battery, a switch between the battery and the electrical load, and a processor. The processor is configured to measure a power drawn from the battery by the electrical load and open the switch to disconnect the battery from the electrical load when the power drawn by the electrical load matches a selected criterion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Norman K. Bucknor, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, David W. Walters
  • Patent number: 12030479
    Abstract: A military vehicle includes an engine configured to drive a front-end accessory drive and a tractive element, an energy storage system including a battery and a controller configured to control the flow of electricity to and from the energy storage system, a first motor/generator, and a second motor/generator. The first motor/generator is electrically coupled to the energy storage system and configured to selectively draw power from the energy storage system to drive the front-end accessory drive and be driven by the front-end accessory drive to generate electricity and supply electricity to the energy storage system to charge the battery. The integrated motor/generator is electrically coupled to the energy storage system and configured to selectively draw power from the energy storage system to drive the tractive element and be driven by the engine to generate electricity and supply electricity to the energy storage system to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Defense, LLC
    Inventors: Chad Smith, Nader Nasr, Rachell Harsh, Mike J. Bolton, Bradon Zeitler, Ryan Crabtree
  • Patent number: 12028007
    Abstract: A method for driving electric motors using a pulse-width-modulated signal, wherein the pulse-width-modulated signal is a square-wave pulse consisting of successive pulses whose impulse duration is adjustable, as a result of which it is possible to change a duty cycle, which is the ratio of the impulse duration and the period of the square-wave pulse, wherein the reciprocal of the period of the square-wave pulse is the PWM frequency at which the impulses follow one another, wherein, during operation of the electric motor, the PWM frequency within a frequency band, without the duty cycle changing, is changed repeatedly and in accordance with a predefined scheme or randomly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Hella GmbH & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Manfred Fuisting, Jan Schmaeling
  • Patent number: 12021402
    Abstract: A method includes turning on a first group of switches of a switched capacitor converter in a battery charging system to establish a first conductive path, and configuring a system voltage at a system bus to charge a first flying capacitor to a predetermined voltage level through the first conductive path, wherein the predetermined voltage level is less than the system voltage, and turning on a second group of switches of the switched capacitor converter in the battery charging system to establish a second conductive path to charge a battery, wherein a sum of a voltage across the first flying capacitor and the system voltage is applied to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Halo Microelectronics International
    Inventor: Rui Liu
  • Patent number: 12015361
    Abstract: A motor control device includes: a step-down device including a DC-output power conversion device having a first mode for outputting first voltage and a second mode for outputting second voltage lower than the first voltage; a power supply device; and a control device, and controls a motor. When a flying object takes off, the control device controls the power conversion device in the first mode. When the control device judges that flight information which is one or both of information of a motor parameter obtained along with control for the motor and information of an environmental factor relevant to the flight altitude of satisfies a predetermined condition, or when the control device has received an mode signal for which the second mode is selected on the basis of the flight information during control for the motor, the control device controls the power conversion device in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION, JAPAN AEROSPACE EXPLORATION AGENCY
    Inventors: Kenji Fujiwara, Hisatoshi Fukumoto, Tomoki Takegami, Tetsuya Kojima, Akihiko Iwata, Masahiro Sugahara, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Mari Nishiyama, Akira Nishizawa
  • Patent number: 12014888
    Abstract: Provided is a circuit assembly including: a main relay that is to be electrically connected between a load and a battery; a pre-charge circuit connected in parallel with the main relay; and a heat transfer member, wherein the pre-charge circuit includes current-carrying portions that are to be connected to the main relay, and the heat transfer member and the current-carrying portions are in contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Isaji, Ryoya Okamoto, Hitoshi Takeda
  • Patent number: 12006048
    Abstract: The power system can include: a plurality of batteries, a plurality of electric propulsion units, flight computers, and power connections. The propulsion assemblies can include a motor, a propeller, and one or more inverters. The power system can optionally include a plurality of flight actuators. However, the power system can include any other suitable set of components. The power system functions to provide aircraft propulsion and/or aircraft control authority during flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Joby Aero, Inc.
    Inventors: JoeBen Bevirt, Alex Stoll, Martin van der Geest, Scott MacAfee, Jason Ryan
  • Patent number: 12009689
    Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a material includes a circuit in communication with a battery and a rechargeable energy storage device. The circuit places the battery and the rechargeable energy storage device in series during a dispense event such that an actuator that facilitates dispensing the material during the dispense event receives power from the battery and the rechargeable energy storage device during the dispense event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: GOJO Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jackson William Wegelin, Chip W. Curtis
  • Patent number: 11999509
    Abstract: A system for an aircraft includes an electric energy module and a connector module operatively connected to the electric energy module. The connector module is: structured to attach the electric energy module to the aircraft when the connector module is in an engaged mode while in use, and operable between the engaged mode and a disengaged mode. The connector module in the disengaged mode while in use disengages the electric energy module from the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventor: Daniel Mackay
  • Patent number: 11999263
    Abstract: A system for controlling propulsion in a vehicle includes a switching system connected to a battery system and a propulsion system. The battery system includes a first battery assembly and a second battery assembly, the propulsion system includes a first drive unit and a second drive unit, and the switching system includes a first switching device configured to selectively connect the first drive unit to the battery system and a second switching device configured to selectively connect the second drive unit to the battery system. The first switching device and the second switching device are independently operable. The system also includes a controller configured to operate the switching system to vary a voltage applied to at least one of the first drive unit and the second drive unit during vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Orgun A. Guralp, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Chunhao J. Lee, Muhammad Hussain Alvi
  • Patent number: 11993457
    Abstract: A refuse vehicle includes a chassis supporting a plurality of wheels, a battery configured to provide electrical energy to drive at least one of the plurality of wheels, a vehicle body supported by the chassis and defining a receptacle for storing refuse therein, and an electric power take-off module removabley coupled to the vehicle body, wherein the electric power take-off module includes an electric power take-off system including a motor configured to receive electrical energy from the battery and provide power to a hydraulic system in response to receiving the electrical energy from the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Oshkosh Corporation
    Inventors: Ross Turner, Jerrod Kappers, Quincy Wittman, Logan Gary, Derek Wente, Jason Rice, Jacob Wallin, Emily Davis, Joshua Rocholl
  • Patent number: 11993245
    Abstract: A method tar operating a vehicle where at least one comfort function is offered to at least one vehicle user for activation. The at least one comfort function is offered to the at least one vehicle user for activation after a start of an electrical charging process of at least one energy storage device of the vehicle. The comfort function is offered to the vehicle user depending on an expected necessary charging time of the electrical charging process of the energy storage device of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Gudrun Schoenherr
  • Patent number: 11979055
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply system includes: a main power supply system provided with a main low-voltage power supply; and a backup power supply system provided with a backup low-voltage power supply. The backup power supply system includes a backup power supply controller. When the vehicle power supply system is turned off and a state of the vehicle satisfies a predetermined condition, the backup power supply controller executes a backup low-voltage power supply state estimation processing of estimating whether the backup low-voltage power supply is in a state in which the backup low-voltage power supply is able to supply electric power for operating the emergency important load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hayahito Ukai
  • Patent number: 11972888
    Abstract: An inductor for a converter of an electric machine includes a core defining a channel configured to receive transmission fluid on an outer surface of the core. Coils made of windings are wrapped on the core. The windings enclose an open side of the channel to define an oil flow passage, wherein oil flowing through the oil flow passage is in direct contact with both the windings and the core to absorb heat from the windings and the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Moon Young Lee, Baoming Ge, Fan Wang, Lihua Chen
  • Patent number: 11963772
    Abstract: A system includes: a light source that emits pulsed light that illuminates a user's head portion; a photodetector that detects at least part of pulsed light returning from the head portion and that outputs one or more signals corresponding to an intensity of the at least part; electrical circuitry; and a memory that stores an emotion model indicating a relationship between the one or more signals and emotions. Based on a change in the one or more signals, the electrical circuitry selects an emotion by referring to the model. The one or more signals include a first signal corresponding to an intensity of first part of the reflection pulsed light and a second signal corresponding to an intensity of second part of the reflection pulsed light. The first part incudes part before a falling period is started; and the second part includes at least part in the falling period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masato Suzuki, Takamasa Ando
  • Patent number: 11967894
    Abstract: A power converter includes: plural inverter units connected in parallel to a DC power supply, including a storage battery, on a DC side and a DC fuse in each of current paths between the DC power supply and the inverter units, the DC fuse configured to, when a short-circuit failure occurs in any of the inverter units, be blown in the current path between the DC power supply and the inverter unit having the short-circuit failure. The number of the inverter units is a number with which a condition that, when the DC fuse between the DC power supply and the inverter unit having the short-circuit failure is blown, none of a plurality of the DC fuses between the DC power supply and a plurality of other inverter units that do not have the short-circuit failure are blown is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshinori Tsuruma
  • Patent number: 11958578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply system, especially for a floating vessel, comprising at least two segregated power sections, each constituting a main redundancy group, and each comprising at least one of a power generator adapted to generate an electrical power to a main switchboard and a power consumer, such as a propulsion unit, drawing power from said switch board, and a bus-tie connecting the main switch boards of each redundancy group. The system also comprises at least to segregated directly powered thruster redundancy groups, each including a thruster drive, each being connected to the main switch board of a corresponding one of the main redundancy groups, respectively, the thruster redundancy groups including AC/DC converter means and a DC interconnection connecting the thruster redundancy groups thus proving a loop structure, the thruster redundancy groups being able to draw power from both main switchboards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kongsberg Maritime AS
    Inventor: Rune Van Ravens
  • Patent number: 11958630
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include an aircraft with auxiliary components that are powered by an external power supply. Auxiliary components may include components that are used while the aircraft is grounded. Auxiliary components may be off while the aircraft is in flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventor: Herman Wiegman
  • Patent number: 11955837
    Abstract: A power system includes at least one generator driven by at least one of a number (N) of prime movers, at least one energy storage device, and at least one control device, wherein the generator and the energy storage device provide electrical energy to a power grid having an external load. The power system includes at least one first measuring device for determining at least one first signal for a computer to determine what amount of electrical power (?PG,i) has to be generated by the at least one generator to meet a power requirement (Pload) of the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Innio Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG
    Inventors: Johannes Huber, Ingo Walch
  • Patent number: 11954954
    Abstract: To reduce the bulk of the acquisition systems embedded onboard an aircraft and dedicated to predicting failures, an acquisition system is provided comprising an avionics rack and at least one recording device, in which the avionics rack comprises a front panel provided with at least one test connector configured to be connected to all or some of the data buses of the aircraft, each recording device comprises a housing and an acquisition port, the acquisition port being provided on an outer face of the housing, the acquisition port of each recording device is engaged with a corresponding test connector of the avionics rack, each recording device is configured to acquire at least some signals applied to the acquisition port by the corresponding test connector, and to store the acquired signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignees: Airbus SAS, Airbus Operations SAS
    Inventors: Alain Lagarrigue, David Cumer, Subodh Kumar Keshri
  • Patent number: 11945592
    Abstract: An aircraft propelled by at least one turbojet engine on which power can be bled or injected via a high-pressure and/or low-pressure turbine shaft and including at least one gas turbine to provide power transients, having a system for converting and transporting electrical energy wherein each of the high-pressure and/or low-pressure turbine shafts is connected to a first doubly-fed asynchronous machine delivering, a first three-phase AC voltage over an AC distribution grid and a second polyphase AC voltage for a first AC/DC bidirectional converter supplying a DC voltage over a DC distribution grid, at least one second DC/AC bidirectional converter connected to the DC distribution grid converting this DC voltage into a third polyphase AC voltage supplying at least one second doubly-fed asynchronous machine engaged with a rotation shaft of the gas turbine, the second doubly-fed asynchronous machine further delivering a fourth polyphase AC voltage over the AC distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: SAFRAN
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Hervé Salanne, Stéphane Petibon, Florent Rougier, René Meunier, Meriem Abdellatif
  • Patent number: 11946668
    Abstract: A system for heating up water for a consumer unit in an aircraft, having a water reservoir and a control unit. The water reservoir has a heating device to heat water held in the water reservoir to a consumer temperature. The control unit controls the heating device so water in the water reservoir is automatically heated to or above a disinfection temperature at which germ formation in the water reservoir is eliminated or suppressed, and a temperature of the water in the water reservoir is maintained at or above the disinfection temperature for a disinfection period, the heating to the disinfection temperature being effected only during flight phases or portions of flight phases of the aircraft during which use of the consumer unit by a user is not to be expected. A corresponding method and an aircraft having such a system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Rempe, Frederik Albers, Frank Schneider, Axel Schreiner, Tim Lübbert
  • Patent number: 11945384
    Abstract: A backup power supply system of the present invention includes a first auxiliary power supply and a second auxiliary power supply capable of supplying electric power to a first load when failure of a main power supply occurs. In the backup power supply system, a second duration is shorter than a first duration. The first duration is the duration until the first auxiliary power supply becomes capable of supplying electric power to the first load. The second duration is the duration until the second auxiliary power supply becomes capable of supplying electric power to the first load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yohsuke Mitani, Takeshi Umeda
  • Patent number: 11919665
    Abstract: There is disclosed a system for enhanced aerial delivery capability. In an embodiment, there is provided a system for enhanced aerial delivery capability. The system includes a UAV having a primary battery to provide power to one or more electrical motors for powered flight. The system includes a pod having a cargo portion to selectively carry a payload, the pod having a supplemental battery to selectively supply power to the UAV. The system includes an autonomous mounting system configured to provide selective and autonomous mechanical connection of the pod with the UAV. The mounting system is configured to provide selective and autonomous electrical connection of the supplemental battery of the pod to the UAV. This configuration selectively powers the one or more electrical motors of the UAV with the stored electrical power from the supplemental battery. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: TB2 Aerospace
    Inventor: Frank M. Scott
  • Patent number: 11917798
    Abstract: A charging device module for installation in an electrically driveable vehicle, including a charging device and an internal cooling circuit for cooling the charging device, wherein the internal cooling circuit has connections for connection to a superordinate cooling circuit of the vehicle, wherein the connections comprise at least one inlet and at least one outlet, and a bypass line connects the at least one inlet to the at least one outlet while bypassing the internal cooling circuit, wherein an actuable valve is associated with the at least one inlet, by which valve the flow of coolant through the internal cooling circuit and the bypass line can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Gregory Drew, Detlev Bagung, Jürgen Bock
  • Patent number: 11916429
    Abstract: A power system includes a bidirectional power transfer inverter that receives grid power and can be electrically connected with electric vehicle supply equipment, and an auxiliary battery electrically connected with the bidirectional power transfer inverter and that supplies power to the bidirectional power transfer inverter and electric vehicle supply equipment while the grid power is unavailable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Harris, Stuart C. Salter, Ryan O'Gorman, Peter Phung, Katherine Howard-Cone
  • Patent number: 11904712
    Abstract: Foreign objects impinging on a ground transceiver assembly (GTA) of a wireless power transfer (WPT) station are detected using a two-stage foreign object detection system. In a first stage, at least one camera is positioned to observe a charging position of the GTA and an area surrounding the charging position. In a second stage, an impedance measurement circuit measures an impedance of a wireless power transfer coil of the GTA. An imaging processor analyzes images from the at least one camera to identify changes or features indicative of introduction of a foreign object onto an exposed surface of the GTA or in the area surrounding the charging position. A foreign object detection (FOD) controller triggers an impedance inspection of the GTA by the impedance measurement circuit and initiates a failsafe operation when movement of an object crossing into or over the charging position is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: InductEV Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Ward, Jorge E. Rivé
  • Patent number: 11909256
    Abstract: A switching module includes mechanical relays, semiconductor switches, voltage detectors to detect an input voltage to a power converter, and a controller. When the controller determines that the waveform of the input voltage is abnormal during a first determination period, the controller outputs an open command signal to mechanical relays corresponding to a power source electrically coupled to the power converter. When the controller subsequently determines that the waveform of the input voltage is normal during a second determination period, the controller outputs a close command signal to the mechanical relays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kazuo Hattori
  • Patent number: 11904707
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a rail transport vehicle electric energy storage and charging system is presented. The system may include an energy storage sub-system and a charging system having a charging rail which only charges a vehicle when the rail is covered. The system may also include a battery-powered rail vehicle having a rail-contacting charging shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: First Greater Western Limited
    Inventor: Mason Peter
  • Patent number: 11900779
    Abstract: A power distribution equipment personnel safety system includes a vicinity sensor and a power distribution equipment sensor. An outer envelope having a door or cover to an interior of the power distribution equipment is monitored by a vicinity sensor data and a processing unit determines a position of a person in the area outside of the door/cover using vicinity sensor data. When the outer envelope is disturbed where one or more doors or one or more covers are open or not correctly closed or one or more covers are removed, the processing unit determines a personnel safety state and at least one action comprising utilization of the personnel safety state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Tomas Kozel, Jiri Pokorny, Marco Egman, Callisto Gatti, Bilal Sarfraz
  • Patent number: 11890999
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power storage device, a discharging port, a power conversion circuit, and a controller. The discharging port includes a first output terminal, a second output terminal and a ground terminal. Each of the first output terminal and the second output terminal is not grounded to a body of the vehicle. The controller is configured to obtain a requested voltage value of a discharging connector connected to the discharging port. When the discharging connector is connected to the discharging port, the controller controls the power conversion circuit such that a voltage corresponding to the requested voltage value of the discharging connector is applied between the first output terminal and the second output terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Kinomura
  • Patent number: 11881804
    Abstract: Provided is a drive device for a rotating electric machine, including: a power conversion unit configured to convert DC power supplied from a storage battery into AC power, and to supply the AC power to a rotating electric machine; and a control unit output a switching signal to the power conversion unit. The control unit is configured to set, when the storage battery is to be charged, in a case in which a temperature of the storage battery input from an outside is lower than a set temperature suitable for charging, the switching signal for the power conversion unit so as to be different from the switching signal in a normal drive state of the rotating electric machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Hideaki Kawamoto, Tomoya Tachibana, Matahiko Ikeda, Yoshihiko Kimpara
  • Patent number: 11878591
    Abstract: A power distribution includes first and second inputs, first and second outputs, and a third output configured to connect to a low-voltage vehicle power supply, a high-voltage distributor is connected to the first input and forms the connection between the energy storage and further components of the power distribution. A controller monitors at least the high-voltage distributor and can control components of the power distribution. At least one inverter is arranged in the current path between the high-voltage distributor and at least one of the contacts for the first output, the second output or the second input, a first converter is arranged between the high-voltage distributor and the third output and converts a DC voltage provided by the high-voltage distributor to a lower DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Frank Seemann, Andre Ehrsam, Martin Mach, Zbynek Stepan, Vladimír Dvojak, Gabriel Scherer
  • Patent number: 11872997
    Abstract: A device for decoupling and/or protecting against compensation currents when at least one electric actuator is used jointly by a plurality of independently voltage-supplied control unit devices in redundant systems for autonomous driving. The electric actuator has, in each case, a common connection, via which the electric actuator can be coupled and switched to a common connection of other electrical actuators, and has at least one dedicated connection via which the at least one electric actuator can be individually supplied with current. A number of switching devices corresponding to the common connection and the number of dedicated connections of all the electric actuators is arranged to apply or not apply a switched current in the at least one electric actuator. Provided is at least one current flow blocking device configured to prevent an unwanted current flow to a non-active electronic control unit of the first and second control unit devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KNORR-BREMSE SYSTEME FUER NUTZFAHRZEUGE GMBH
    Inventors: Felix Hoos, Thorsten Beyse, Dieter Winz, Frank Scholl, Kai-Sven Becker, Guenter Herrmann, Christian Kaufmann, Alexander Rammert, Michael Belling
  • Patent number: 11865984
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply device includes a voltage decrease circuit, a control unit, and a voltage increase power supply unit. The voltage decrease circuit includes multiple MOSFETs as switching elements, receives a voltage supplied from a battery, decreases, by turning on and turning off the switching elements, the received voltage to an operation voltage of an operation target device, and outputs the decreased voltage to the operation target device. The control unit controls an operation of the voltage decrease circuit. The voltage increase power supply unit is connected with the voltage decrease circuit in parallel, receives the voltage supplied from the battery, increases the received voltage, and outputs the increased voltage to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiya Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 11866031
    Abstract: An improved discretionary current input circuit includes a switch sensing an operating condition of a tractor and having a first state if the operating condition is not satisfied and a second state if the operating condition is satisfied, and a microcontroller that deactivates at least one function of the tractor if the switch is in the first state. The switch draws a nominal current except during specified time intervals that are shorter than the time for drawing the nominal current. A power transistor is connected through a diode and resistor to the switch. The power transistor normally is in an off condition, and is powered during the specified time intervals to an on condition to increase current above the nominal current to a threshold through the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohit Dhawan, Namritha H Shenoy, Kirk N. Eisenbeis, Sean M. Kennelly
  • Patent number: 11865929
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling charging of an electric vehicle is configured to calculate a rotor torque expected to occur during charging based on an angle of a rotor provided in a driving motor before charging is performed by multiple input voltages, and allow charging to be performed after inducing the rotor torque to be less than a reference torque by moving the electric vehicle a specified distance to correct the rotor angle when the calculated rotor torque is greater than the reference torque so as to avoid deterioration or damage to a parking sprag. As a result, it is possible to prevent the parking sprag from being damaged by the rotor torque generated during charging so as to avoid the occurrence of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Seung Hyeon Bin, Han Hee Park, Ho Sun Jang, Ho Rim Choi, Tae II Yoo, Seong Min Kim
  • Patent number: 11863085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a converter assembly for converting a DC voltage from a DC voltage source, e.g. a battery, a fuel cell or a DC voltage intermediate circuit, into an N-phase AC voltage, e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Reisinger, Martin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 11855482
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides energy control systems for whole home and partial home backup with integrated breaker spaces and metering. The energy control system includes a grid interconnection electrically coupled to a utility grid, a backup power interconnection electrically coupled to a backup power source, a backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one backup load, and a non-backup load interconnection electrically coupled to at least one non-backup load. The energy control system includes a microgrid interconnection device that switches between an on-grid mode to electrically connect the grid interconnection and the backup power interconnection with the backup and non-backup load interconnections and a backup mode to electrically disconnect the grid interconnection and the non-backup load interconnection from the backup power interconnection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Brian Kuhn, Kevin C. Fischer, Udo Uebel, Marc A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 11854729
    Abstract: A vehicle, a vehicle electronics power assembly, and a method for providing and cooling an inductor assembly are provided. The vehicle has provided with a vehicle electrical system with a variable voltage converter (VVC) and an inductor assembly with a core and a winding. A housing is provided with a first housing member and a second housing member. The first and second housing members cooperate to encapsulate the winding and at least a portion of the core of the inductor assembly. The first housing member defines a first inlet and a first outlet, and the second housing member defines a second inlet and a second outlet. A fluid system is connected to the first inlet, the second inlet, the first outlet, and the second outlet to provide pressurized fluid to the first and second inlets to circulate fluid through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lihua Chen, Fan Wang
  • Patent number: 11855457
    Abstract: The present invention provides novel designs and improved methods for the construction and operation of a gravity powered energy storage facility. This facility might also be called a gravity battery or a gravitational potential energy storage device. The device converts electricity into gravitational potential energy, and vice versa, by raising and lowering massive modules between a higher elevation and a lower elevation. These modules could maximize their mass with weight container units consisting of any heavy medium, such as water, stone, metal, concrete, compacted earth, etc. The present invention includes such designs and design optimizations which can achieve such scale. To accomplish this, the system's height is optimized by utilizing an underground vertical shaft which can provide a large height differential. And the system's weight is optimized by implementing a modular design which can evenly distribute a very large load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Terrament, INC.
    Inventor: Eric Chaves
  • Patent number: 11855448
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicular control device that is provided with a switching circuit, and for opening/closing a connection between a starter including a capacitor that is to be connected to one end portion of the switching circuit and an in-vehicle battery that is to be connected to another end portion of the switching circuit by controlling an on/off state of the switching circuit. The control device includes a voltage detection unit configured to detect a voltage of the one end portion, and a control unit configured to control the switching circuit to turn off from on, and determine whether there is a failure in the switching circuit, based on a voltage detected by the voltage detection unit when a predetermined time has elapsed from when the switching circuit is controlled to turn off from on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kei Yamada, Ken Furuto, Takanori Ito
  • Patent number: 11851211
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are related unmanned aerial vehicles tethered to ground stations with an expendable airborne fiber-optic link. The tethers may be fiber-optic cables that can be used as a communications conduit between a ground station and a UAV for providing vehicle positioning/control information to the UAV as well as transmitting a large amount of information/data to the UAV. As the information being transmitted between to the UAV the ground station is critical, fiber-optic cables provide the bandwidth and transmission capabilities required with the added benefit of electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio-frequency interference (RFI) immunity, making this an ideal solution for these applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Sanmina Corporation
    Inventors: Max Edward Klein, David Porter, Walter Thomas Castleberry
  • Patent number: 11845345
    Abstract: An electrically driveable vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle, includes an intermediate DC circuit, an in-vehicle, three-phase on-board electrical system fed by the intermediate DC circuit, at least one drive motor fed by a converter, and at least one coolant pump for pumping a coolant that cools the converter. In addition to the in-vehicle three-phase on-board electrical system, the vehicle also has a second on-board electrical system. The at least one coolant pump is connected to the second on-board electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Mobility GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Stuetzle, Jens Konstantin Schwarzer, Rudolf-Gerhard Volle
  • Patent number: 11843250
    Abstract: A method for operating a microgrid electric power generation system includes delivering energy to an electric power bus at least partially from one or more kinetic generators electrically coupled to the electric power bus, controlling the one or more kinetic generators in response to a change in a load such that a magnitude of a voltage on the electric power bus remains within a predetermined voltage range, and controlling one or more combustion generators electrically coupled to the electric power bus based at least in part on an operating state of the one or more kinetic generators. The one or more kinetic generators are capable of (a) delivering energy stored therein to the electric power bus, and (b) storing energy in kinetic form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: WattsUp Power A/S
    Inventors: John Røn Pedersen, Martin Speiermann
  • Patent number: 11835946
    Abstract: A system for redistributing electrical load in an electric aircraft. The system includes a ring bus and a controller communicatively connected to the ring bus. The ring bus includes a plurality of bus sections including a first bus section and a second bus section. The controller is configured to receive a fault datum indicative of a fault associated with one of a first energy source and a second energy source, actuate, as a function of the fault datum, at least a switch to electrically connect the first bus section and the second bus section so as to form an electrical merger of the first bus section and the second bus section, and redistribute the electrical load to compensate for the fault associated with one of the first energy source and the second energy source. A method of redistributing electrical load in an electric aircraft is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: BETA AIR, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Gerard Richter, Sean Donovan
  • Patent number: 11831193
    Abstract: A power supply system includes: a first power circuit having a first battery and a first power line; a second power circuit having a second battery and a second power line; a voltage converter; a power converter; a first voltage acquisition unit which acquires a first closed circuit voltage lower limit CCVmin1 of the first battery; a second voltage acquisition unit which acquires a second closed circuit voltage lower limit CCVmin2 of the second battery; and a power control unit which operates the second power circuit based on a requested power, in which the power control unit isolates the second battery from the second power lines, in a case of a voltage difference between the first closed circuit voltage lower limit CCVmin1 and the second closed circuit voltage lower limit CCVmin2 becoming less than a first voltage threshold value A while output limitation of the second battery is being requested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Arata Ohishi, Hirokazu Oguma, Yasuo Yamada, Minoru Nagasawa, Yoshihiro Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 11827106
    Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) for use with an electrically powered accessory is disclosed. The PDU includes at least one power input configured to receive electrical power from an electrical supply equipment and/or a second power source. The PDU also includes an accessory power interface configured to provide power to the electrically powered accessory. The PDU further includes a vehicle power interface configured to provide power to a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle. Also the PDU includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the at least one power input to a power bus, and selectively connect the power bus to at least one of the accessory power interface and the vehicle power interface. The PDU also includes a controller configured to control the at least one switch to provide power to the electrically powered accessory and/or the vehicle electrical storage device of the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Mark D. Leasure, Michael James Vanous