Wind, Solar, Thermal, Or Fuel-cell Source Patents (Class 320/101)
  • Patent number: 11913435
    Abstract: A portable system for converting wind energy into electrical energy is disclosed. The disclosed system may include a frame hosting one or more conversion modules, arranged as desired. A given conversion module may include one or more wind energy conversion devices (WECDs), arranged as desired. The conversion modules may be electrically connected, directly or indirectly, with one or more downstream electrical energy storage elements (e.g., such as a battery or other capacitive element, optionally native to a host platform). In this manner, the disclosed system may be configured for use in storing and/or supplying electric power for downstream consumption by a host platform or otherwise. In a more general sense, the disclosed system may be utilized, for example, for micro-generation of renewable electrical energy from wind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Octavian F. Filoti
  • Patent number: 11916265
    Abstract: A fuel cell system conduit assembly includes a dielectric tube having a first end and a second end, a metallic first flange press-fit to the first end of the dielectric tube, a metallic second flange press-fit to the second end of the dielectric tube, a first snap ring disposed between the first flange and the dielectric tube, and a second snap ring disposed between the second flange and the dielectric tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James Huynh, Michael Petrucha
  • Patent number: 11901534
    Abstract: A battery system of a vehicle may include a main battery pack, a secondary battery pack, and one or more secondary contactors. The main battery pack is integrated into the vehicle and includes a first plurality of battery cells, a first DC bus coupled to the first plurality of battery cells, and main contactors coupled to the first DC bus to form a switched DC bus. The secondary battery pack includes a second plurality of battery cells, and a second DC bus coupled to the second plurality of battery cells. The second DC bus of the secondary battery pack is electrically coupled to the switched DC bus of the main battery pack via the secondary contactors. In some embodiments, the main battery pack includes control circuitry configured to communicate with control circuitry of the secondary battery pack to manage or monitor coupling of the battery packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Kyle Butterfield, Jorge Rodriguez, Nathaniel C. Wynn
  • Patent number: 11894715
    Abstract: A charge control system including a solar panel configured to generate electric power with sunlight, a chargeable and dischargeable first battery, a chargeable and dischargeable second battery, and a charge control unit connected to the solar panel, the first battery and the second battery, and a method of the charge control system are provided. The charge control unit is configured to switch between a first mode (indirect charge mode) in which a process of charging the first battery with electric power generated by the solar panel and a process of charging the second battery with electric power stored in the first battery are repeatedly executed depending on a state of charge of the first battery and a second mode (direct charge mode) in which electric power generated by the solar panel is directly charged into the second battery based on at least electric power generated by the solar panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Koichi Go, Tatsuya Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 11887140
    Abstract: Embodiments for distributing energy for an energy system having an energy generation source, an energy storage system and a load. The method including identifying a risk level for the energy system, the risk level having objectives prioritized relative to one another. Calculating an objective function based on values including energy market values, electricity rates, and power producing, storing and consumption. Identifying an Optimized solution for charging or discharging the energy storage system based on the objective function. Controlling the distribution of energy to the energy storage system for charging according to the Optimized solution based on the objective function and discharging according to the Optimized solution. The objective function is Optimized using feasibility constraints, again Optimized using technical constraints and additional constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Hongbo Sun
  • Patent number: 11888344
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure include a power supply system is provided comprising first and second inputs, an output, a first group of power modules coupled to the inputs and the output, a second group of power modules coupled to the inputs, and at least one controller configured to control, in a reverse mode, the first group of power modules to provide power derived from the second input to the output, wherein a majority of power provided by each power module of the first group of power modules in the reverse mode is provided to the output, and control, in the reverse mode, the second group of power modules to provide power derived from the second input to the first input, wherein a majority of power provided by each power module of the second group of power modules in the reverse mode is provided to the first input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kristian Budde, Flemming Johansen
  • Patent number: 11884172
    Abstract: A battery charging system for a hybrid electric powerplant can be configured to determine a maximum available charging power available from windmilling and/or excess thermal engine power available, and to use up to the maximum available charging power and/or the excess thermal engine power available to charge a battery. In certain embodiments, a control module can be configured to determine the maximum available charging power available from windmilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle Stephen Ives, Stephen Minshull
  • Patent number: 11881781
    Abstract: Provided is a technology that is able to shorten the time required to switch a PWM signal when driving the voltage conversion unit, and that can determine the duty according to a current value and an internal resistance of a power unit. A voltage conversion device has a current detection unit that detects a current value of a conduction path, an internal resistance detection unit that detects an internal resistance of a first power unit, a determination unit that determines a usage duty, and a drive unit that outputs a PWM signal that depends on the usage duty determined by the determination unit as a control signal. The determination unit determines the usage duty, based on the internal resistance detected by the internal resistance detection unit and the current value detected by the current detection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Arata Nakashima
  • Patent number: 11876399
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for offsetting parasitic energy losses of a battery energy storage system (BESS). A method may include determining, by one or more processors of a renewable energy power plant coupled to an energy grid, a condition is satisfied; and responsive to the determination, adjusting, by the one or more processors, a state of a switch from a first state configured to couple a second BESS with a renewable energy source (RES) to a second state configured to couple the second BESS with the BESS. The RES configured to charge the T-BESS when the switch is in the first state and the T-BESS configured to send energy to the devices to satisfy energy requirements of the devices when the switch is in the second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: 8ME NOVA, LLC
    Inventors: Nadim Kanan, Lukas Hansen
  • Patent number: 11863003
    Abstract: A power converting device, such as one used in an energy storage apparatus, comprises a first input terminal to receive a first DC voltage from a battery, a second input terminal to receive a second DC voltage from a power generation device, a switching module including a plurality of upper arm switching elements and a plurality of lower arm switching elements, and to output DC voltage to a DC link by switching the first DC voltage or the second DC voltage, and, a DC link capacitor disposed at the DC link, wherein at least some of the plurality of lower arm switching elements of the switching module operate in a power generation mode of the power generation device, and at least some of the plurality of upper arm switching elements of the switching module operate in a charging mode of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Namyeol Kwon
  • Patent number: 11851198
    Abstract: An example system includes an electrical energy storage system (ESS) comprising: an upper node and a lower node; a first set of battery modules that are connected in series; a second set of battery modules that are connected in series; a DC/DC converter electrically in series with the first set of battery modules between the upper node and the lower node, wherein the DC/DC converter sources electrical energy from the second set of battery modules; and a controller configured to adjust an output voltage of the DC/DC converter such that a voltage across the upper node and the lower node is maintained at a specified output voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Singapore Pte. Ltd., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Chandana Jayampathi Gajanayake, David Russell Trawick
  • Patent number: 11855543
    Abstract: An energy conversion apparatus includes: an inductor, where a first end of the inductor is connected to an external charging port; a bridge arm converter, connected between an external battery and the external charging port, where the bridge arm converter includes a first phase bridge arm, a second phase bridge arm, and a third phase bridge arm connected in parallel, and a second end of the inductor is connected to the first phase bridge arm; a voltage transformation unit, where an input end of the voltage transformation unit is connected to the second phase bridge arm and the third phase bridge arm; and a first bidirectional H-bridge, connected between an output end of the voltage transformation unit and the external battery. The external battery is connected to and drives an external motor. The external charging port is connected to a power supply and charges the external battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Jingcui Teng, Shulin Liang, Yu Liu, Chao Wang
  • Patent number: 11848584
    Abstract: An ultra-compact power bank device implementing a microcontroller based intelligent power routing mechanism for controlling power flowing from a solar panel and a battery to a USB port of a load device. The microcontroller controls a unique combination of simultaneously performed functions. A booster circuit provides higher voltage and fixed power at the output of the power bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Antrish, Inc.
    Inventor: Ankit Gupta
  • Patent number: 11843278
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Powin, LLC
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 11837893
    Abstract: A charging system includes: an interface configured to removably and electrically couple to an external battery; a connector configured to removably and electrically couple to an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port of a vehicle; charge management circuitry electrically coupled to the interface and the connector; and a microcontroller unit (MCU) coupled to the charge management circuitry. The MCU is configured to execute computer readable program code for managing an output of current from the external battery to a vehicle battery of the vehicle through the electrical coupling of the connector and the OBD port. The charging system can be used to prevent a vehicle battery from becoming discharged during extended periods of storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Vector Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ling To Shum
  • Patent number: 11830957
    Abstract: A controlling device has at least a light-based energy harvesting system disposed within the controlling device housing. The light-based energy harvesting system is operative to supply power to at least one of a processing device and a transmitter of the controlling device. The light-based energy harvesting system includes s a substrate having a photovoltaic (PV) active area, a lens disposed over the PV active area, and a mask associated with the lens. The mask provides a finishing to a surface of the lens that functions to allow light to reach the PV active area through the mask while blending the light-based energy harvesting system into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Rex Xu, Ara Gharapetian
  • Patent number: 11824352
    Abstract: A method of controlling a vehicle includes: determining whether a condition for entry into a refresh mode of a battery in the vehicle is satisfied; when the condition is satisfied, predicting an amount of power generated by a solar generator; determining whether to perform the refresh mode based on the predicted amount of power; when the refresh mode is determined to perform, charging the battery using the power generated by the solar generator; identifying a charge amount of the battery; when the identified charge amount is greater than or equal to a first reference charge amount, terminating charging the battery; when an ignition-on command is received, determining whether the charge amount of the battery is greater than or equal to the first reference charge amount; when the charge amount of the battery is less than the first reference charge amount, charging the battery using power generated by an alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: JungHyeon Bae, SangJae Han, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11811334
    Abstract: An electrostatic machine including a rotor plate comprising a plurality of rotor electrodes, and rotatably fixed to a shaft; a stator plate comprising a plurality of stator electrodes; an excitation circuit electrically coupled to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate at a first end, and electrically couplable to exchange power at a second end with a selected one of an electrical power source or an electrical load; wherein the excitation circuit is configured to: in a first motoring mode, provide excitation power to at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate, wherein the shaft provides positive torque to the load; and in a second generating mode, wherein the shaft receives negative torque from the load, operably couple at least one of the rotor plate or the stator plate to the electrical power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: C-Motive Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Kyle Reed, Baoyun Ge, Daniel Colin Ludois, Aditya Nandakumar Ghule
  • Patent number: 11808816
    Abstract: A system for obtaining state information of a battery may be disclosed. The system includes: at least one first harness cable for obtaining, on the basis of a CAN protocol, data indicating state information of the battery from a battery management system of the battery; an analyzer for providing a driving signal for driving the battery management system; and a first junction box for transmitting the data input through the first harness cable to the analyzer, wherein the analyzer may be configured to output the data received from the first junction box to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: MINTECH CO., LTD
    Inventors: Young Jae Lee, Hee Kyung Myung, Seong Joon Hong
  • Patent number: 11798403
    Abstract: A remote control device having capacitive touch controls may be configured to enter a sleep state (or mode). For example, the remote control device may be configured to enter the sleep state upon expiration of an interval of time since a most recent button press. The remote control may be configured to awaken from the sleep state when one or more portions of a housing of the remote control are deflected, for example, when a user grasps the remote control to actuate one or more of the capacitive touch controls. For example, the remote control device may include a switch. The switch may include a carbon structure that may be configured to contact an open circuit pad on a circuit board to close the corresponding circuit when the housing is deflected and awaken the remote control device from the sleep state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Mann, Matthew Philip McDonald, Lawrence R. Carmen, Jr., Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11770019
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for providing electrical charge to residents of a controlled-environment facility. In an embodiment, a charging station may be provided in an area accessible to an inmate to allow charging of in an inmate smart device, such as a phone or tablet. In an embodiment, a portable charger may be provided to an inmate for charging a smart device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Lee Hodge
  • Patent number: 11769218
    Abstract: A system includes a first renewable energy source (RES) configured to provide electrical energy; a first circuit comprising a first energy storage system (ESS) and a point of interconnection (POI) coupled to a power grid; a second circuit comprising a second ESS and a source-sensitive destination; and a first switch configured to selectively connect one of the first circuit or the second circuit to the first RES.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: 8ME NOVA, LLC
    Inventors: Gautham Ramesh, Zeljko Gigio Sakota
  • Patent number: 11764723
    Abstract: A solar tracker system including a tracker apparatus including a plurality of solar modules, each of the solar modules being spatially configured to face in a normal manner in an on sun position in an incident direction of electromagnetic radiation derived from the sun, wherein the solar modules include a plurality of PV strings, and a tracker controller. The tracker controller includes a processor, a memory, a power supply configured to provide power to the tracker controller, a plurality of power inputs configured to receive a plurality of currents from the plurality of PV strings, a current sensing unit configured to individually monitor the plurality of currents, a DC-DC power converter configured to receive the plurality of power inputs powered from the plurality of PV strings to supply power to the power supply, and a motor controller, wherein the tracker controller is configured to track the sun position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: NEXTRACKER LLC
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Chen Li
  • Patent number: 11754239
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a light unit and a controller for providing a controlled humanly visible illumination. A solar converter unit and an energy storage device supply an energy output to enable the light unit to provide the controlled illumination. The solar converter unit is configured to charge the energy storage device during a substantial shade charging condition. The controller includes a processor coupled to manage the controlled illumination, a memory accessible to the processor, and a program stored in the memory for execution by the processor to manage the controlled illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventor: Gary Thomas Osborne
  • Patent number: 11742797
    Abstract: A system for evaluating a power electronics module, such as a photovoltaic (PV) module or an energy-storage system (ESS) module, is provided. The power electronics module may form a component of a multiport autonomous reconfigurable solar (MARS) power plant, which may include a plurality of phase-legs each including an upper arm and the lower arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Shilpa Marti, Rafal P. Wojda, Suman Debnath
  • Patent number: 11742674
    Abstract: A multiple-battery charger includes a switching subsystem and a control element. The switching subsystem is configured to selectively electrically connect each of a plurality of individual batteries one at a time to a constrained energy source having electrical power production that varies over time. The control element is operatively connected to the switching subsystem. The control element is configured to deliver one or more pulse width modulated signals to the switching subsystem. The one or more pulse width modulated signals establish a duty cycle with which each of the plurality of batteries is electrically connected to the constrained energy source to receive electrical power from the constrained energy source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Inventor: Jonathan Matthew Somers
  • Patent number: 11735949
    Abstract: A sheath for convenient charging, comprising: a raised portion with a fixed holder for mobile phone and a bottom portion, and at least a portion of the bottom portion communicating with a body, wherein the fixed holder for mobile phone is extends above a surface of a body, and adjustable to tightly hold different sizes, different shape of mobile phone, wherein the sheath has an opening, the rear side of raised portion receives a wireless charger, and the wireless charger stays inside of the raised portion, and can be removed from the opening of the sheath, wherein the raised portion and the fixed holder are positioned to make the wireless charger and mobile phone communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Inventor: Li Zhijian
  • Patent number: 11715971
    Abstract: A solar powered smartphone case includes an enclosure for housing a smartphone, an internal battery, an overlying solar panel, an underlying solar panel, and a flip-out solar panel. The overlying solar panel and the flip out solar panel are carried back-to-back by a flip-out door, which articulates between a folded position and an extended position. A hinge pivotably attaches the flip-out door to the enclosure. An inductive battery charger is operative for charging the internal battery with electric power generated by the overlying solar panel, the underlying solar panel, and the flip-out solar panel. The case may also include an input port for receiving a first auxiliary power cord connecting one or more auxiliary solar panels to the inductive charger, and an output port for connecting a second auxiliary power cord connecting one or more piggy-back smartphones to be charged by the internal battery of the solar powered smartphone case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: JW Deux Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Josh Hill, John Williams, Michael J. Mehrman
  • Patent number: 11715968
    Abstract: A hybrid electrical power supply control system for providing electrical energy to at least one load. The load may alternate between a first low energy consuming operational modus and a second high energy consuming operational modus. The control system may include a first power source comprising at least one battery unit and a second power source comprising at least one energy harvesting unit and arranged to harvest and convert energy into Direct Current, DC, energy, and wherein the converted DC energy is stored in a charge collecting unit. The control system further includes an operational modus detecting unit and a power source switching unit, connected to the operational modus detecting unit and arranged to alternately connect the first power source and the second power source to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: NOWI ENERGY B.V.
    Inventors: Andre Luis Rodrigues Mansano, Omar Vince Link, Simon Van Der Jagt, Mario Lizana Calvo
  • Patent number: 11703929
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a shelf having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge, a display screen, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuit and the display screen. The controller monitors the period of a waveform of a charging voltage of a storage capacitor of the solar cell circuit, displays an image on the display screen in response to a change in the waveform timing. A system includes a plurality of shelves each having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge of each of the plurality of shelves, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuits. The controller monitors the frequency at which a power transfer of each solar cell circuit occurs, and signals a device in response to a change in the frequency at which the power transfer occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mark W. Duron, Jimmy Chabra
  • Patent number: 11689068
    Abstract: A charger shelf for wireless charging a portable electronic device located thereon is provided. The charger shelf includes a shelf mounted on a holder and configured to move in a direction of at least one of an X, Y or Z axis from a rest position to an optimal charging positional using an internal drive unit mounted in the shelf, and a charging module connected to an electrical power source and positioned inside the shelf and equipped with at least one coil supplying power to the portable electronic device, the charging module determining an area configured to charge the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WBTEC, LLC
    Inventors: Wieslaw Bober, Kamil Sienkiel, Dominik Stanislaw Sienkiel
  • Patent number: 11676883
    Abstract: An Integrated Circuit (IC) assembly, comprising an IC package coupled to a substrate, and a subassembly comprising a thermal interface layer. The thermal interface layer comprises a phase change material (PCM) over the IC package. At least one thermoelectric cooling (TEC) apparatus is thermally coupled to the thermal interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Javed Shaikh, Je-Young Chang, Kelly Lofgreen, Weihua Tang, Aastha Uppal
  • Patent number: 11677087
    Abstract: A rational fuel-cell power following strategy is made according to values such as vehicle fuel-cell power, battery power, and SOC (state of charge) of a lithium-ion battery; in the same time window, effects of different fuel-cell power growth rates on SOC of the lithium-ion battery are tested according to vehicle requirements; and at the same fuel-cell growth rate, effects of different time windows on SOC of the lithium-ion battery are tested according to vehicle requirements; a proper time window and a proper fuel-cell power change rate are found, so that the SOC value of the lithium-ion battery fluctuates within a certain range. The present invention can achieve a good operation mode of power distribution between the fuel cell and the lithium-ion battery, ensuring rational utilization of resources, thereby extending the application range of the lithium-ion battery to the maximum extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: HIGER BUS COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Haimei Fan, Wei Zhang, Jinfeng Xiong, Yushuai Shi
  • Patent number: 11670954
    Abstract: A stationary hybrid battery back-up system incorporates two different battery units that differ in terms of recharging efficiency, cycle life, power capability, depth of discharge threshold, temperature threshold, internal impedance threshold, charger rate efficiency and/or stand-by efficiency. The battery back-up system of the present invention comprises an auxiliary power supply that can be used to charge the first and second batteries and/or provide power to a load. When the operating voltage of the system drops, due to a power failure of a power source, the control system may couple the first and/or second battery unit to a load. The control system may have voltage threshold limits wherein it engages the first and second battery units to support the load demand. The first and second battery units may be charge by the auxiliary power supply when the operating voltage is above a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: FORM ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Ramkumar Krishnan, Shawn Fink
  • Patent number: 11667213
    Abstract: An electromobility system for a vehicle comprising a primary sub-system including at least a first battery pack arrangement to power an electric machine for propelling the vehicle, a secondary sub-system being a high voltage sub-system and including at least a second battery pack arrangement to power an auxiliary equipment, and a DC/DC-converter galvanically separating the primary sub-system from the secondary sub-system. The system, in a first state, powers the electric machine by the first battery pack arrangement of the primary sub-system independently of the secondary sub-system, and powers the auxiliary equipment by the second battery pack arrangement in the secondary sub-system independently of the primary sub-system, and in a second state, powers the auxiliary equipment by the second battery pack arrangement of the secondary sub-system and, via the DC/DC-converter, the first battery pack arrangement of the primary sub-system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jerker Lennevi, Jörgen Kjellberg
  • Patent number: 11658318
    Abstract: A control method for a fuel cell stop mode is provided. The method includes measuring an air flow rate supplied to a fuel cell stack and when a fuel cell stop mode is entered, determining an oxygen distribution state between cells included in the fuel cell stack based on the measured air flow rate. Air supply is then supplied to the fuel cell stack or the air supply to the fuel cell stack is interrupted based on the determined oxygen distribution state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Ki Chang Kim, Soon Woo Kwon, Young Pin Jin
  • Patent number: 11649000
    Abstract: A saddled electric vehicle (1) having a battery (100) that is attachable to and detachable from the vehicle (1) includes a vehicle electronic lock (220) which enables the vehicle (1) to be locked and unlocked, a lock control unit (320) which controls the vehicle electronic lock (220), and a sub battery (327) which supplies electric power to the lock control unit (320), in which the lock control unit (320) enables the vehicle to be unlocked in a state in which the battery (100) is removed from the vehicle (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kuramochi, Yoshitaka Kobayashi, Hiroki Ichikawa, Takafumi Yamaguchi, Kazuo Tsuji
  • Patent number: 11642981
    Abstract: Controlling a charging current while transferring energy from a source battery to a target battery in an electric vehicle (EV) includes operating, by control circuitry, a buck converter at a fixed switching frequency to transfer power from the source battery to the target battery, in a first operational mode; in response to detecting a first trigger event, transitioning from the first operational mode to a second operational mode to operate the buck converter at a variable switching frequency; and in response to detecting a second trigger event, transitioning to a third operational mode to activate a boost converter coupled to the source battery and the target battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: FREEWIRE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Rogers, Nathan Biesterfeld, Nikola Milivojevic
  • Patent number: 11637439
    Abstract: Various arrangements of intelligent battery controller devices are presented herein. A intelligent battery controller device can include a power input interface that receives power from a power source for charging a battery and a power output interface that outputs power from the battery. The intelligent battery controller device can include a power monitor and control system that monitors: an output power output by the battery to one or more external devices via the power output interface; and an input power received by the battery via the power input interface. Based on the output power and the input power, the intelligent battery controller device may determine a power level of a plurality of predefined power levels. A power level message can be transmitted to an external device that receives power from the intelligent battery controller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: DISH Wireless L.L.C.
    Inventor: Richard Reisbick
  • Patent number: 11637450
    Abstract: Various methods relate to digital demodulation for wireless power transmission. A method of operating a wireless power transmitter includes transmitting, with a transmitter coil of a wireless power transmitter, power to a receiver coil of a wireless power receiver. The method also includes sampling one or more electrical signals of the wireless power transmitter. The one or more electrical signals are modulated responsive to alteration of electrical conditions at the wireless power receiver. The method further includes digitally demodulating the sampled one or more electrical signals using a digital filter to obtain a communication from the wireless power receiver. The digital filter includes at least two low pass filter stages that each filter out a fundamental frequency used for the transmission of the power to the receiver coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Santosh Bhandarkar, Alex Dumais
  • Patent number: 11628736
    Abstract: The solar charging system according to the present embodiment includes a solar panel, a drive battery, an auxiliary system including one or more devices, and a controller that controls where to supply power generated by the solar panel. The controller determines whether the solar panel can generate power, and, upon determining that the solar panel can generate power, supplies the power from the solar panel to the auxiliary system to derive the power generated by the solar panel. Upon detecting a fact that the power generated by the solar panel is equal to or greater than a first power, the controller further supplies the power from the solar panel to the drive battery to charge the drive battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuma Miyamoto, Satoshi Shizuka, Akinori Kawamura, Takashi Fukai, Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11629431
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to P-type SnSe crystal capable of being used as thermoelectric refrigeration material and a preparation method thereof. The material is a Na-doped and Pb-alloyed SnSe crystal. A molar ratio of Sn, Se, Pb and Na is (1-x-y):1:y:x, where 0.015?x?0.025 and 0.05?y?0.11. The P-type SnSe crystal provided by the present disclosure is capable of being used as the thermoelectric refrigeration material. A power factor PF of the P-type SnSe crystal at a room temperature is ?70 ?Wcm?1K?2, and ZT at the room temperature is ?1.2. A single-leg temperature difference measurement platform built on the basis of the obtained SnSe crystal may realize a refrigeration temperature difference of 17.6 K at a current of 2 A. The present disclosure adopts a modified directional solidification method and uses a continuous temperature region for slow cooling to grow a crystal to obtain the large-sized high-quality SnSe crystal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: BEIHANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Lidong Zhao, Bingchao Qin, Xiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 11626749
    Abstract: Provided is a photovoltaic system wherein potential induced degradation (PID) is simply and efficiently suppressed. This photovoltaic system is provided with a bypass electric path that connects an inverter and a positive electrode of a solar cell module array to each other by being connected in parallel to a first electric path between the inverter and the solar battery module array. The bypass electric path is provided with a second switching circuit, and a first switching circuit is provided to an electric path between the inverter and a negative electrode of the solar cell module array, the electric path being a part of the first electric path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: KANEKA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Haruo Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 11600986
    Abstract: A safety shutdown apparatus with self-driven control is coupled to a power-supplying path between a power supply apparatus and a load. The safety shutdown apparatus includes a detection unit, a controllable switch, and a drive circuit. The detection unit is coupled to the power-supplying path, and the controllable switch is coupled between a positive node and a negative node of the power-supplying path. The drive circuit is coupled to the detection unit, the power-supplying path, and the controllable switch. The drive circuit receives an output voltage of the power supply apparatus to turn on the controllable switch, and turn off the controllable switch according to whether the detection unit detects a current flowing through the power-supplying path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Lei-Ming Lee, Wen-Yu Huang, Xin-Hung Lin
  • Patent number: 11597355
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for melting snow and/or ice on a vehicle comprises a precipitation sensor, a surface temperature sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, a heater, and a programmable controller. The programmable controller comprises a memory unit and a processor to store and execute a cut-off surface temperature Tc, and program modules, respectively. A heater control module is configured to deactivate the heater based on the surface temperature being greater than the cut-off surface temperature. The heater could be an electric heater and a hydronic heater. The electric heater is electrically coupled to at least any one of, an alternator, an onboard power system, and a remote power source, via a relay. Further, the heater control module is configured to activate the heater based on an ambient temperature being lower than freezing point of water and precipitation being present outside the vehicle, thereby melting snow and/or ice on the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Inventor: John Oskwarek
  • Patent number: 11594907
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes a solar generator; a first battery configured to supply power for driving at least one load; and perform a recharge; a first charge amount detector configured to detect a charge amount of the first battery; and a controller configured to perform charging control on the first battery using electric energy generated by the solar generator in a parked state; determine whether the detected charge amount of the first battery is greater than or equal to a first reference charge amount during the charging control of the first battery; and perform charging termination control on the first battery when the detected charge amount of the first battery is determined to be greater than or equal to the first reference charge amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: JungHyeon Bae, SangJae Han, Jin Kim
  • Patent number: 11584233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery arrangement for an electrically powered industrial vehicle. The battery arrangement comprises a battery and ancillary equipment arranged to connect the battery to the vehicle. The battery is removably connected to the vehicle and comprises a current sensor. The battery is in a first state (A) when a measured current out from the battery exceeds a predetermined first current level. In the first state (A) the battery is prevented from turning power off to the vehicle. The battery is in a second state (B) when a measured current out from the battery is below a predetermined first current level for a predetermined first period of time. In the second state (B) the battery is allowed to turn power off to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Alelion Energy Systems AB
    Inventor: Dag Lundström
  • Patent number: 11588188
    Abstract: A battery unit includes a positive relay switch, a negative relay switch, a first resistor disposed in a third wiring portion extending between a positive external terminal and a negative external terminal, a second resistor serially connected to a portion on more negative side than the first resistor, a third resistor disposed in a second wiring portion and connected in parallel with the negative relay switch, a potential difference detection section capable of detecting a first potential difference which is a potential difference between the portion of the third wiring portion on more negative side than the first resistor and a negative terminal and a failure determination section for determining a failure of the positive relay switch and the negative relay switch respectively, based on the first potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Ito, Tomohiko Hisakuni
  • Patent number: 11573534
    Abstract: A thermoelectric watch including a thermoelectric module including a hot plate and a cold plate connected by semiconductor pillars, wherein the hot plate is thermally connected to the back cover of the watch, the cold plate is thermally connected to the case middle of the watch via a support element with at least two branches, at least two branches have a common end on which is held the cold plate of the thermoelectric module, and at least two branches are flexible to absorb shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd
    Inventors: Alain Jornod, Francois Gueissaz, Yvan Ferri
  • Patent number: 11571983
    Abstract: An example operation includes one or more of determining an estimated arrival time of a first transport to a charging station, determining an estimated remaining stored transport energy at the estimated arrival time of the first transport, notifying the first transport to provide a portion of the determined remaining stored transport energy and when a next transport is delayed to the charging station, notifying the first transport to provide an additional portion of the determined remaining stored transport energy based on the delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventor: Norman Lu