Vehicle Mounted Systems Patents (Class 307/9.1)
  • Patent number: 11777326
    Abstract: A device controls a safety-relevant electronic system and has a power supply. The power supply is supplied with a battery voltage at a first input terminal and supplies a first supply voltage at a first output terminal which is lower than the battery voltage. A microcontroller for generating a first control signal, provided at a first control output of the microcontroller for processing by way of a control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a second input terminal. A monitoring unit for generating a second control signal, provided at a second control output of the monitoring unit for processing by the control unit, is supplied with the first supply voltage at a third supply potential input terminal. The third supply potential input terminal, the second control output and the second data port of the monitoring unit are configured to be voltage-proof with respect to the battery voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Wunderlich, Alfons Fisch
  • Patent number: 11772507
    Abstract: An energy facility, such as a charge station operable for charging electrified vehicles, includes a controller. The controller controls the energy facility to charge at a current time an EV present at the charge station with electricity stored in an onsite battery of the charge station in response to an amount of renewable energy expected to be available at the charge station at a future time during which the EV is expected to not be present at the charge station exceeding an available electricity storage capacity of the onsite battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lan Yu, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 11772508
    Abstract: A transportation refrigeration system including: a transportation refrigeration unit including a compressor, one or more valves, and a controller; an energy storage device configured to provide electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit; and an intelligent charging connector in electrical communication with the energy storage device and/or the transportation refrigeration unit, the intelligent charging connector being connectable to a power grid and being configured to selectively control a provision of electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit from the energy storage device and/or the power grid by transitioning the provision of electrical power to the transportation refrigeration unit from being supplied by the energy storage device or the power grid in response to the intelligent charging connector being connected to the power grid or in conjunction with the intelligent charging connector being disconnected from the power grid, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xu She, Ismail Agirman
  • Patent number: 11760219
    Abstract: A power supply system supplies power from a moving body including a battery and an electric drive source to an external power supply target. The power supply system includes a DC-DC converter circuit provided in an internal power feeding path between the battery and the electric drive source, a connection circuit capable of electrically connecting the DC-DC converter circuit to a power receiving terminal (power supply inlet) of the power supply target, and a control device for controlling the DC-DC converter circuit so as to supply surplus power of the battery to the power supply target via the DC-DC converter circuit and the connection circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koji Saotome
  • Patent number: 11764575
    Abstract: A battery load management system and methods of managing a battery load, e.g., in a vehicle, may be directed to a converter that steps down electrical power from an input voltage to a reduced voltage. An electrical bus in electrical communication with the converter may be configured to supply electrical power received from the converter at the reduced voltage to a plurality of electrical loads. A controller may be configured to detect a load shed trigger, and in response to the detection select one or more low-priority loads included in the plurality of electrical loads. The controller may also be configured to reduce electrical power consumption by the one or more low-priority loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Tae Hoon Park, Tylynn Haddow
  • Patent number: 11752960
    Abstract: A power source supply circuit supplies an output power source of a battery to a vehicle control apparatus that includes a first instrument control portion that selectively receives a voltage applied to a first power source input portion or a voltage applied to a second power source input portion as an operation voltage and a second instrument control portion that receives a voltage applied to a second power source input portion or a third power source input portion as the operation voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Shiomi
  • Patent number: 11750136
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus for furnishing short-term peak loads for an electrical drive system, encompassing an AC voltage source and a DC voltage source; a rectifier and a DC voltage conductor section being arranged between the AC voltage source and a connector configuration for electrical connection of the electrical drive system; the rectifier being connected on the input side to the AC voltage source and on the output side to the DC voltage conductor section; the DC voltage source being connected to the DC voltage conductor section in order to transfer electrical energy wherein the DC voltage source is a battery reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Intrasys Gmbh Innovative Transportsysteme
    Inventors: Tobias Hollmer, Robert Sterff
  • Patent number: 11745610
    Abstract: A power conversion device configured to execute power conversion between a vehicle and an external power supply or an external load includes a DC connector, a charging port, a power supply port, a bidirectional power conversion circuit, a switching circuit configured to execute switching to choose whether to electrically connect the power conversion circuit and the charging port or electrically connect the power conversion circuit and the power supply port, and a control circuit configured to control the power conversion circuit and the switching circuit to selectively execute a charging operation or a power supply operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Murasato, Hironobu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11745601
    Abstract: An auxiliary device system battery and a small electric power load are connected to a first power supply line, and power supply power stepped up by a DC/DC converter in a zone ECU is supplied to a second power supply line. A large electric power load and a capacitor are connected to the second power supply line, and when the large electric power load is driven, the capacitor is connected to supply necessary power supply power, and voltage fluctuation is prevented. When an ignition is OFF, a switch circuit is closed, a dark current is supplied from the capacitor, and electric charge is discharged to prevent deterioration. Alternatively, the auxiliary device system battery is connected to a second power supply line side, and a dark current is supplied to a first power supply line side when the ignition is OFF using a capacitor or a dedicated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kominato, Sadaharu Okuda
  • Patent number: 11724600
    Abstract: An electrical power distribution network of an electric power system of an aircraft is operated in at least one normal operation mode such that it provides for load sharing across electrical power sources (A, B, C, D) with respect to electrical loads (AA, BB, CC, DD), wherein the electrical power distribution network, in case of an electrical fault, is operated in at least one electrical failure mitigating operation mode, which provides for electric fault isolation, such that a network portion of the electrical power distribution network including the electrical fault is isolated from at least one other network portion of the of the electrical power distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Lilium eAircraft GmbH
    Inventors: Ed Culpin, Martin Angerer
  • Patent number: 11718250
    Abstract: A transportation vehicle on-board power supply system, a method, and a fuse device. The transportation vehicle on-board power supply system includes a battery, consumers, a primary fuse and paths via which the primary fuse, is electrically coupled in series with each one of the consumers, wherein each path has at least one secondary fuse. The primary fuse and the secondary fuses are reversible fuses and a control device of the transportation vehicle on-board power supply system accesses the fuses. The control device determines whether a fault has arisen in the transportation vehicle on-board power supply system, the fault satisfying a triggering criterion at least for one of the fuses having at least two of the paths, and selectively actuates the fuses so the fault-free paths are identified and the fuses in the fault-free paths are switched on again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Inventor: Adrian Kreth
  • Patent number: 11715961
    Abstract: A switching-mode power system and method utilizing a rechargeable primary higher-current density energy cell and a rechargeable secondary lower-current density cell are disclosed. The system and method employ a collection of switches that are dynamically actuated so as to selectively interconnect and repurpose a minimal arrangement of components. This facilitates the selective provision of power to a portable device or system from a rechargeable primary high-current density energy cell or a rechargeable secondary lower-current density cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: FUNDAMENTAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventor: Dusan Veselic
  • Patent number: 11708171
    Abstract: A power distribution system 100 is installed in an aircraft, and comprises: a first DC power supply unit 10 including a generator 11; a second DC power source unit 20 including a battery 30, a step-up/down converter 41, a voltage sensor 43, and control unit 44; and a diode 50. When the voltage sensor 43 does not detect regenerative power, the control unit 44 executes a running power processing mode in which generated power generated by the first DC power supply unit 10 is supplied to an electric actuator 80 while charging and discharging the battery 30 using the step-up/down converter 41 so as to keep a charge rate A of the battery 30 within a predetermined range. When the voltage sensor 43 detects regenerative power, the control unit 44 executes a regenerative power processing mode in which the battery 30 is charged with the regenerative power using the step-up/down converter 41.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takaki Inaoka, Yasuto Minamida, Manabu Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11711024
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a power module assembly and a converter. The power module assembly includes a power module and a capacitor module, and the power module and the capacitor module are configured to be detachably connected; the power module includes a first bus bar, and the first bus bar includes a first connection portion and a power installation portion connected to the first connection portion; the capacitor module includes a second bus bar, and the second bus bar includes a second connection portion and a capacitor installation portion connected to the second connection portion, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion extend along a first direction, and the power installation portion and the capacitor installation portion extend along a second direction; the first connection portion and the second connection portion are connected by a fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Delta Electronics (Shanghai) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Bo Feng, Jun Chen, Wei Huang, Shisheng Hou, Yansong Lu, Jingxian Kuang
  • Patent number: 11697403
    Abstract: A device designed for controlling and regulating an electro-pneumatic parking brake circuit includes a manual controller configured to actuate a parking brake via the electro-pneumatic parking brake circuit, the manual controller having a first circuit arrangement and a second circuit arrangement, the first circuit arrangement being a digital, bidirectional circuit arrangement and the second circuit arrangement being an analog circuit arrangement. The device further includes control electronics electrically connected to the manual controller. The first circuit arrangement is connected to the control electronics via a first connection cable and the second circuit arrangement is connected to the control electronics via a second connection cable. The first connection cable is a digital data transmission channel configured to enable a digital data transmission between the digital circuit arrangement and the control electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: ZF CV SYSTEMS EUROPE BV
    Inventors: Alexander Wendlandt, Andreas Malaske, Axel Peuser, Hartmut Schappler
  • Patent number: 11697349
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power distribution architecture for an off-road vehicle. The power distribution architecture includes a work circuit and a propel circuit and is configured for facilitating bi-directional power exchange between the work circuit and the propel circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Danfoss A/S
    Inventors: Meng Wang, Jalpa Shah, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn
  • Patent number: 11697409
    Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus for a vehicle configured to perform parking assist control, the control apparatus including a first power supply device, a second power supply device, and a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit being configured to, when an abnormality occurs in the first power supply device during the performance of the parking assist control, supply an electric power from the second power supply device to a braking device and a shift switching device, and the braking device and the shift switching device being configured to operate such that a timing at which a current flowing from the second power supply device to the braking device reaches a maximum value and a timing at which a current flowing from the second power supply device to the shift switching device reaches a maximum value do not overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kota Inoue
  • Patent number: 11695274
    Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a local energy management system (LEMS) at local mixed power generating sites for providing grid services and grid service applications. The LEMS generally serves as a local power control agent for facilitating energy management at the local site level by controlling and leveraging a plurality of local assets deployed at the local site, and combining a plurality of generated power from each site which acts as its own virtual power plant for delivering grid services to the grid. In addition, the LEMS has the ability to effectively handle and fulfill energy and electrical objectives of the grid services, including regulation or demand response objectives from the grid, by conveying operational set points that control the power charge and discharge at each local asset in order to meet those objectives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Nuvve Corporation
    Inventors: Hamza Lemsaddek, Gregory Poilasne
  • Patent number: 11695293
    Abstract: A power system provides power from a power source to a load via a distribution bus, and includes a DC-DC converter coupled in parallel with a network of switching elements coupled between an output terminal of the power source and the distribution bus. A controller is configured to selectively activate or deactivate the DC-DC converter and each of the switching elements to enable the power source to power the load via the distribution bus. The switching elements may be transistors, and the diodes may be parasitic body diodes of the transistors. The power source may be a battery, such as a rechargeable battery. An output voltage level from the battery may be regulated by the controller as a function of operation of the DC-DC converter and a number of the activated or deactivated transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LiTech Laboratories, LLC
    Inventors: Alexei Tikhonski, Robert L. Myers, James P. Novak
  • Patent number: 11686631
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an electronic temperature sensor connected to a mobile device. The device includes a microprocessor and memory linked to the microprocessor, to store an application coupled to a data entry interface. The temperature sensor is initially placed in a plurality of predetermined environments, where it provides an initial raw temperature value measured in each environment, and, for each of these environments, a predetermined initial temperature value corresponding to the actual temperature of this environment is entered beforehand directly into the application via the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Michel Willemin, Jérôme Stauffer, Thierry Scordilis
  • Patent number: 11671025
    Abstract: Electrical power distribution systems and methods of operating electrical power distribution systems are provided. One electrical power distribution system comprises: an electrical power storage unit; a transformer; a first bidirectional converter circuit connected between the electrical power storage unit and a first winding of the transformer; a first DC bus; a second DC bus; a second bidirectional converter circuit connected between the first DC bus and a second winding of the transformer; a third bidirectional converter circuit connected between the second DC bus and a third winding of the transformer; and a controller connected for control of the first, second and third converter circuits to distribute electrical power between the electrical power storage unit, the first DC bus and the second DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Mohd Tariq, Chandana J Gajanayake, Ali I Maswood, Amit K Gupta
  • Patent number: 11671016
    Abstract: A multi-phase converter for an energy system, as is used in fuel cell vehicles, and methods for operating the multi-phase converter, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventors: Martin Breu, Maximilian Schiedermeier
  • Patent number: 11667202
    Abstract: Some embodiments include a system. The system can comprise an energy source supply hub and an energy source supply appliance. The energy source supply hub can comprise a hub energy source supply system and a hub vehicle configured to transport the hub energy source supply system. Further, the hub energy source supply system can comprise a hub energy source supply subsystem configured to receive an energy source. Meanwhile, the energy source supply appliance can comprise an appliance energy source supply system and an appliance vehicle configured to transport the appliance energy source supply system. Further, the appliance energy source supply system can comprise an appliance energy source supply subsystem configured to receive the energy source from the hub energy source supply subsystem and to make available the energy source received to a receiver vehicle. Other embodiments of related systems, devices, and methods also are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: A3 LABS LLC
    Inventors: David Haberman, Tyler Elm
  • Patent number: 11643032
    Abstract: A seat device for a vehicle includes: a support member detachably attached to a floor of the vehicle; an occupant seat movably supported by the support member and provided with an electrical component; and a wireless power supply mechanism configured to supply electric power to the electrical component. The wireless power supply mechanism includes a power transmitting unit attached to the floor, and a power receiving unit attached to the support member so as to face the power transmitting unit and configured to receive the electric power wirelessly from the power transmitting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chase Hemmelgarn, Steven Johnson
  • Patent number: 11623543
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating an on-board electrical network (4) of a motor vehicle (2), having a first voltage circuit (I) and a second voltage circuit (II), the first voltage circuit (I) having a first operating voltage which is higher than a second operating voltage in the second voltage circuit (II), wherein the first voltage circuit (I) is connected to the second voltage circuit (II), the first voltage circuit (I) having a battery (10) and the second voltage circuit (II) having at least one main battery (12a) and a second main battery (12b), wherein the first main battery (12a) and the second main battery (12b) have essentially the same capacity, and wherein components of the motor vehicle (2) are supplied with electrical operating energy from the first main battery (12a) and/or the second main battery (12b) by means of a switch assembly (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Johann Kirchhoffer
  • Patent number: 11613186
    Abstract: An airport according to the present disclosure is an airport where a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes external supply means for supplying power to outside, and the airport includes power receiving equipment capable of receiving power from the vehicle via the external supply means. The present disclosure provides an airport capable of receiving power from a vehicle provided in the airport in the event of a power failure due to a disaster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kei Nakamuta, Naoya Washio, Tomio Yamanaka, Masayuki Suzuki, Hiroki Iida, Toshiaki Kitai
  • Patent number: 11602029
    Abstract: A lighting circuit turns on multiple semiconductor light sources. Multiple current sources are each coupled in series with a corresponding one from among the semiconductor light sources. A switching converter supplies a driving voltage VOUT across each of multiple series connection circuits formed of the multiple semiconductor light sources and the multiple current sources. A converter controller controls a switching transistor of the switching converter based on a relation between a voltage across one from among the multiple current sources and a reference voltage having a positive correlation with the temperature Tj.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ichikawa, Satoshi Kikuchi, Ryosuke Matsuhana
  • Patent number: 11594912
    Abstract: An energy management system for an off-electric-grid solar house includes a battery pack that outputs a voltage based on load and has a linear relationship between output voltage and remaining capacity, and a solar energy power source that supplies electric power to be stored in the battery pack. One or more electric devices connected to the battery pack produce the load by drawing electric power from the battery pack. One or more sensors monitor conditions in the house. A control circuit is configured to control the one or more electric devices based on the monitored conditions and the remaining capacity in the battery pack, as the battery pack is charged by electricity from the solar energy power and discharged by load from the electric devices. The control circuit manages priority among the electric devices for changing operating status depending on remaining battery capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Abdulaziz Najeeb Mohammad Jundi, Ibrahim Alobaidan, Abdulaziz Al Harbi, Ziyad Althobaity, Ali Bin Ladin
  • Patent number: 11586270
    Abstract: Methods and systems of enabling a storage mode on a telematics device coupled to a vehicle are provided. One method includes detecting a first event or receiving a command for enabling a storage mode, entering the storage mode in which the telematics device is in a sleep mode in response to receiving the first event or the command, and exiting the storage mode in response to detecting a second event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Geotab Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Arthur Walli, James Patrick Howell
  • Patent number: 11561262
    Abstract: A signal transmission device and a battery monitoring device are provided. The signal transmission device is connected to an operation device including an operation circuit for performing an operation based on a first voltage, a measurement circuit for obtaining measurement data based on the first voltage, and a process control circuit for operating based on a lower voltage and control an operation of the operation circuit based on the measurement data, and transmits and receives signals between the process control circuit and the measurement circuit. The signal transmission device includes a power reception circuit for supplying power from the power transmission circuit to the measurement circuit to acquire measurement data, and a power transmission circuit for transmitting the power from a process control circuit to the power reception circuit to receive the measurement data from the power reception circuit and supply the same to the process control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Taya
  • Patent number: 11549651
    Abstract: A laser-based light source includes a laser device configured to generate laser light of a predetermined laser wavelength and emit this laser light as a laser beam. A light-conversion device is configured to convert at least part of the laser light into converted light and a laser-output sensor is configured to determine a laser-output signal proportional to the output of laser light emitted by the laser device. Further, a converted-light sensor is configured to determine a converted-light signal proportional to the output of converted light emitted by the light-conversion device. A controller is configured to receive the laser-output signal and the converted-light signal, to determine a safe-to-operate parameter, based on the laser-output signal and the converted-light signal, and to control the operation of the laser-based light source based on a comparison of the safe-to-operate parameter with a at least one predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Signify Holding B.V.
    Inventors: Marcellinus Petrus Carolus Michael Krijn, Martin Jacobus Johan Jak
  • Patent number: 11548353
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system including: a transportation refrigeration unit configured to provide conditioned air to a refrigerated cargo space; an energy storage device configured to store DC electrical energy to power the transportation refrigeration unit; and a DC-to-AC variable invertor electrically connecting the energy storage device to the transportation refrigeration unit, the DC-to-AC variable invertor being configured to convert the DC electrical energy from the energy storage device to AC electrical energy in a variable continuous energy output to power the transportation refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gael Ducher
  • Patent number: 11549999
    Abstract: The application provides a high voltage interlock circuit and a detection method thereof, the high voltage interlock circuit comprises: a signal isolation conversion module, and a fault detection module. The high voltage interlock device and the detection method thereof provided by the embodiments of the application can avoid the damage to the fault detection module caused by large external voltage, and improve the safety of the high voltage interlock device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Qi Xiao, Yanhui Fu, Xingchang Wang, Changjian Liu
  • Patent number: 11542021
    Abstract: An aircraft propulsion system includes at least first and second electrical generators, each being configured to provide electrical power to a respective first and second AC electrical network. The system further comprises at least first and second AC electrical motors directly electrically coupled to a respective AC network and coupled to a respective propulsor, and a DC electrical network electrically coupled to the first and second AC networks via respective first and second AC to DC converters, and to a further electrical motor, the further electrical motor being coupled to a propulsor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Richard Harwood, Kalyani G. Menon, Joseph Palmer, Ivan Popovic
  • Patent number: 11541873
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for using energy harvesting modules as a means for providing energy to power an electrical load and/or as a means for monitoring an operational state of a component or components to which the energy harvesting module is coupled. In one example, a method includes, via a controller, monitoring an actual amount of energy generated by an energy harvesting module attached to a mounting structure that is used to secure a torque-supplying machine to a frame, comparing the actual amount to an expected amount, and indicating degradation of the mounting structure and/or the torque-supplying machine based on the comparing. In this way, the energy harvesting modules may both power electrical loads and simultaneously serve as a monitor for component degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kristian Ulyses Flores Aviña, Luis Felipe Blas Martínez, Miguel Angel Leon Guerrero, Enrique Lopez Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11541707
    Abstract: A cab chassis vehicle and a method of assembling a cab-chassis vehicle are provided. A chassis is sub-assembled by connecting a mounting bracket for a truck body to a frame rail via a fastener, installing a chassis-side vehicle harness, and installing a chassis-side body wiring harness. A cab is sub-assembled by installing a connector plate to cover an aperture on an outer panel of the cab, installing a cab-side body wiring harness, connecting the cab-side body wiring harness to the connector plate, and installing a cab-side vehicle harness. The cab is assembled to the chassis to provide a cab-chassis vehicle by connecting the chassis-side body wiring harness to the connector plate, connecting the chassis-side vehicle harness to the cab-side vehicle harness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Shem, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Ryan De Smidt, Leonel Teixeira, Jacques Blaauw
  • Patent number: 11529942
    Abstract: The generator control device for vehicle is provided with a boost permission determination circuit capable of controlling the power generation rate, if there is communication between the engine control device and the generator control device for vehicle, the boost permission determination circuit performs the field current control so that the specified power generation rate is achieved by the communication, if there is no communication between the engine control device and the generator control device for vehicle, based on the rotation speed and temperature of the generator for vehicle, the boost permission determination circuit performs the field current control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Norifumi Uno, Hideyuki Imanaka, Junya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 11532937
    Abstract: Electrical systems for connecting rotary electric machines with gas turbine spools are provided. One such electrical system comprises: a first rotary electric machine mechanically coupled with a first gas turbine spool and a second rotary electric machine mechanically coupled with a second gas turbine spool, each said electric machine having an identical even number N?4 of phases, each phase having a respective index n=(1, . . .
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: David F Brookes, Graham P Bruce, Stephen M Husband
  • Patent number: 11529875
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle configured to disconnect a battery from a load, and a corresponding method. An example electrified vehicle includes an array of battery cells and an electrical conductor connecting the array to a load. A disconnect is arranged along the electrical conductor. Further, the electrified vehicle includes an electronic circuit with a switch and an igniter. When a voltage drop across the electrical conductor exceeds a threshold, the switch is configured to permit current to flow from at least one of the battery cells through the igniter to trigger the disconnect thereby disconnecting the array of battery cells from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Wesley Edward Burkman, Thomas Joseph Wand
  • Patent number: 11529885
    Abstract: The electrical discharge circuit (106) includes: —two interface terminals (BA, BB), to which the capacitor (C) is intended to be connected and across which a capacitor voltage (uC) is intended to be present; —a current-consuming electrical circuit (108) connected between the two interface terminals (BA, BB) and designed to consume a discharge current (i) from the capacitor (C); and—an electrical control circuit (110) for controlling the current-consuming electrical circuit (108), the electrical control circuit (110) being connected between the two interface terminals (BA, BB) so as to receive the capacitor voltage (uC). The electrical control circuit (110) is designed: —to deactivate the current-consuming electrical circuit (108) when the capacitor voltage (uC) is above a predefined threshold; and—to activate the current-consuming electrical circuit (108) when the capacitor voltage (uC) across the two interface terminals (BA, BB) is below the predefined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Valeo Equipements Electriques Moteur
    Inventor: Philippe Loy-Lafond
  • Patent number: 11518244
    Abstract: A control device that controls an in-vehicle battery and a charger in a demand and supply control system is configured to obtain total demand for electric power or the like generated in in-vehicle equipment, determine whether or not the total demand is able to be satisfied with electric power or the like suppliable from the in-vehicle battery, when the total demand is not able to be satisfied solely with the in-vehicle battery, and bring the charger into a drive state in a case where the total demand is able to be satisfied with total electric power or the like suppliable from the in-vehicle battery and the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noritake Mitsutani
  • Patent number: 11515808
    Abstract: Systems and methods relating to an electrical system comprising at least two modules, each module comprising at least one switching element. A first module comprises a first switching element made of a first semiconductor material and the second module comprises a second switching element made of a second semiconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Schneider
  • Patent number: 11515741
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining, by a transport, an energy transfer condition exists along a route, routing, by the transport, to a location on the route based on the energy transfer condition exceeding an energy transfer value and based on one or more traffic conditions, aligning, by the transport, a position of the transport at the location to wirelessly receive an energy transfer, and receiving, by the transport, the energy transfer while the transport is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Norman Lu, Maximilian Parness
  • Patent number: 11508508
    Abstract: A vehicle, an inductor assembly for power electronics in a vehicle, and a method of providing and cooling an inductor assembly are provided. According to one example, the vehicle is provided with an inductor assembly in a vehicle electrical system with a variable voltage converter (VVC). The inductor assembly includes a core formed from a plurality of core segments spaced apart from one another to define gaps therebetween, with each of the plurality of core segments forming an internal fluid passage extending therethrough. The inductor assembly has a winding surrounding at least one of the plurality of core segments. A fluid system is connected to the core to provide pressurized fluid to the fluid passages of the plurality of core segments to circulate fluid through the core of the inductor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Boris Curuvija, Baoming Ge, Lihua Chen, Serdar Hakki Yonak
  • Patent number: 11505233
    Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel is provided that includes a rim having a core structure, a plurality of heaters surrounding at least a portion of the core structure to define a plurality of heating zones, at least one sensor for sensing location of a user's hand on the steering wheel, and a controller controlling the plurality of heaters to activate one or more of the heaters based on the sensed location of the hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Manfred Koberstein, Michael Blischke, Katherine Howard-Cone, James Robert Chascsa, II, Daniel J. Martin, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 11498691
    Abstract: Redundant electrochemical systems and methods for vehicles are described. The systems include a first electrochemical device located at a first position on the vehicle wherein the first electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power and a second electrochemical device located at a second position on the vehicle wherein the second electrochemical device is configured to generate at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power. The first electrochemical device is configured to operate in a first mode during normal operation of the vehicle and a second mode when the second electrochemical device fails, wherein in the second mode, the first electrochemical device provides the at least one of inert gas, oxygen, and electrical power for at least one vehicle critical system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew Pess, Jonathan Rheaume, John S. Murphy, Peter AT Cocks
  • Patent number: 11498443
    Abstract: A system comprises an EVSE and an electric vehicle having a precharge mode. To charge a battery, the vehicle is connected to the EVSE. In some cases, the battery is unable to energize power buses. For example, if the battery is too cold and has insufficient charge, then the battery will not energize the power buses. If the battery cannot energize the power buses, then a precharge mode is enabled. During the precharge mode, charge is pumped onto two power buses until a setpoint voltage is reached. For example, a precharge circuit pumps charge onto one power bus and a power converter pumps charge from that bus onto a second bus. Once the setpoint voltage is reached, a current source charger is enabled, and energy stored on both buses is used to facilitate the turn-on of the charger, the precharge mode is disabled, and the EVSE charges the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Motiv Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sowmya Akella, James Michael Castelaz, Venkatesh Prasad Hanglur Narasimha, Joshua Sealand
  • Patent number: 11486480
    Abstract: An electronic locking differential includes a lock ring and a coil that moves the lock ring to engage gears of the electronic locking differential, an energy storage capacitor that powers the coil during at least a portion of engagement of the lock ring with the gears, and a controller. The controller charges the energy storage capacitor to a first predefined voltage prior to the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Brian James Andonian, Gustavo Luis Garcia, Jihong Guo, Andrew Monticello, Joseph Daniel
  • Patent number: 11482957
    Abstract: Systems for a cascaded multiple feedback generator controller are provided. Aspects include a direct current (DC) power supply comprising a generator and a rectifier circuit connected to a load, a first voltage sensing device coupled to a first point of regulation, a second voltage sensing device coupled to a second point of regulation, a generator controller configured to receive a first voltage signal from the first voltage sensing device, receive a second voltage signal from the second voltage sensing device, determine an adjustment for the generator, the adjustment comprising a transient performance response and a voltage droop response, wherein the transient performance response is determined based on the first voltage signal, and wherein the voltage droop response is determined based on the second voltage signal, and operate the generator based on the adjustment for the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kyle Stephen Ives, Michael C. Harke, Robert L. Seagren
  • Patent number: 11465575
    Abstract: An increase in the capacity of a power storage unit is effectively suppressed. An in-vehicle backup power source control apparatus includes a discharge unit, a control unit, and a temperature obtaining unit. The control unit controls a discharge operation such that an output voltage of the discharge unit reaches a target voltage. The temperature obtaining unit obtains the temperature of a power storage unit. When the temperature obtained by the temperature obtaining unit is within a predetermined first temperature range, the control unit sets the target voltage to a first target voltage, and when the temperature obtained by the temperature obtaining unit is within a predetermined second temperature range that is higher than the first temperature range, the control unit sets the target voltage to a second target voltage that is higher than first target voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisanori Kambara, Yuuki Sugisawa