Wind, Solar, Thermal, Or Fuel-cell Source Patents (Class 320/101)
  • Patent number: 10915128
    Abstract: Method and system for facilitating auditing of power generation and allocation thereof to consumption loads, and a method and system of certifying generation and consumption transactional pairings over a contiguous power grid network. The method of facilitating auditing of power generation and allocation thereof to consumption loads comprises determining respective power generation time series for one or more power sources connected to a power grid; pairing the generation time series with one or more consumption loads connected to the power grid such that one generation time series is paired with one or more consumption loads and vice versa; and publishing publication data representing power generated by the power sources according to the measured power generation time series and an allocation of the generated power to the consumption loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew Peloso, Jean-Francois Vezina
  • Patent number: 10910867
    Abstract: An electricity recharging device includes a motor provided with an elongated shaft, a coil unit mounted on the motor, a rotary disk secured on the elongated shaft of the motor, a rectifier connected with the coil unit, and a storage battery connected with the rectifier. The coil unit includes at least one coil pole. The rotary disk encompasses the coil unit and has an interior provided with at least one magnet. Thus, when the motor is operated, the elongated shaft drives and rotates the rotary disk relative to the coil unit to produce a magnetic force and to generate an electric current that flows into the storage battery to prolong the usage time of the storage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Inventor: Yu-Kun Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10899242
    Abstract: An exemplary charging assembly includes, among other things, a charge port within a vehicle wheel. The charge port intersects a rotational axis of the vehicle wheel. An exemplary charging method includes, among other things, coupling a charger to a charge port at a position that intersects a rotational axis of a vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mario Contreras Sosa, Enrique Emanuel Farias
  • Patent number: 10899234
    Abstract: A power source ECU transmits a first message for inquiring whether or not a vehicle is parked at a location provided with a power transmission device, after full-scale power transmission is completed. A vehicle ECU transmits a second message for informing that the vehicle is parked, when it receives the first message. When the power source ECU does not receive the second message for informing that the vehicle is parked after transmitting the first message, the power source ECU determines that the vehicle is not parked at the location provided with the power transmission device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shinji Ichikawa, Satoshi Taniguchi, Shinpei Takita
  • Patent number: 10903780
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery powered generator for quiet, off-grid power production includes a housing having a front panel separated from a rear panel, a top panel separated from a bottom panel, and a left panel separated from a right panel forming an inner compartment. A plurality of solar panels is coupled to the top panel. A plurality of batteries, a generator, and an electrical system are coupled to the housing. A plurality of outlets is coupled to the housing. The electrical system converts energy from the plurality of solar panels to charge the plurality of batteries, powers the generator from the plurality of batteries, and converts power from the plurality of batteries and the generator to the plurality of outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Inventor: Bill Wilson
  • Patent number: 10900260
    Abstract: A portable protective case for the safe transport and storage of measuring devices and other electrical equipment. The protective case is designed to protect a valuable and sensitive measuring device located inside it against theft, unauthorized use and/or potentially harmful environmental influences. The case comprises communication means for sending and receiving data via a wireless network, as well as for receiving localization data, which enable the communication unit to provide at least a rough location of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: LEICA GEOSYSTEMS AG
    Inventors: Thomas Harring, Katherine Broder, Burkhard Böckem
  • Patent number: 10889196
    Abstract: An architecture that can autonomously service a vehicle, such as an autonomous, battery powered electric car, in a manner that can be environmentally conscious, expeditious, efficient, and cost-effective. For example, the vehicle can be cleaned, repaired, maintained, or otherwise serviced, and charged by autonomous apparatuses of a point of distribution (POD) station. The autonomous apparatuses can be controlled by procedures developed by machine learning techniques. The charging can be accomplished by drawing power from an energy storage device that is charged in response to a determination that a demand for energy is below a defined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Inventors: Dirk Michels, Nathan Hightower, Alexander von Welczeck
  • Patent number: 10879738
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus including a hand-held electronic device and a platform device is provided. The platform device is detachably connected to the hand-held electronic device. The platform device includes a power supply, a power management device, a wireless power management circuit and an antenna. The power supply is used to provide a supply power. The power management device generates at least one operation power according to the supply power. The wireless power management circuit generates a wireless power according to the at least one operation power. The antenna of the platform device performs a charging operation on at least one to-be-charged device through an electromagnetic induction according to the wireless power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yi-Fang Yang, Wei-Cheng Chiu, Wen-Hsin Hsiao
  • Patent number: 10879740
    Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving near-field wireless power at an electronic device. An electronic device includes a receiver with one or more receiving antenna elements formed by respective conductive lines in a meandering pattern. Each receiving antenna element is configured to receive near-field radio-frequency signals radiated from a transmitting antenna element of a near-field power transmitter. The receiving antenna elements are configured to receive the near-field radio-frequency signals radiated from the transmitting antenna element of the near-field power transmitter when the electronic device is on a surface of the near-field power transmitter, and the transmitting antenna element is formed by respective conductive lines in a meandering pattern. The transmitting antenna element is selectively activated from among a plurality of available transmitting antenna elements of the near-field transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alister Hosseini
  • Patent number: 10873197
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a power storage device configured to be charged with electric power supplied from an external electric power installation, and a human machine interface (HMI) device having a display. On the HMI device, a state of charge (SOC) of the power storage device is displayed distinguishably for each derivation of electric power stored in the power storage device. Specifically, on the HMI device, a SOC indicator is displayed for a user to visually recognize the SOC of the power storage device. In the SOC indicator, a solar electric power area indicative of the SOC indicating electric power derived from solar electric power and a grid electric power area indicative of the SOC indicating electric power derived from grid electric power are distinguishably displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shinji Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10873192
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes a first energy storage device having a first energy storage chemistry, a second energy storage device having a second energy storage chemistry different than the first energy storage chemistry, and a link device. The link device is configured to facilitate electrically coupling the second energy storage device to the first energy storage device, regulate a first power profile of first power provided by the first energy storage device to the second energy storage device such that the first energy storage device can selectively charge the second energy storage device, and regulate a second power profile of second power provided by the second energy storage device to the first energy storage device such that the first energy storage device can selectively draw power from the second energy storage device to increase a power capacity thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Goal Zero LLC
    Inventors: Keyvan Vasefi, Robert Kerback, Sterling Robison, Evan Price
  • Patent number: 10862317
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for a Battery Management System (BMS) for the controlling of the charging and discharging of a plurality of battery cells (12). Each battery cell has an associated plurality of control circuits (32, 36) which monitor and control the charging of individual battery cells. These units are controlled by a central microcontroller (14) which shunts current around the battery cell if fully charged and stops discharge if a battery cell is fully discharged in order to prevent damage to the other cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: LITHIUM BALANCE A/S
    Inventor: Ivan Loncarevic
  • Patent number: 10857892
    Abstract: A system includes processor. The system includes a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor to identify, in a vehicle at a first location, a second location receiving reflected light. The memory stores instructions executable by the processor to navigate the vehicle from the first location to the second location receiving the reflected light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Aed M. Dudar
  • Patent number: 10857897
    Abstract: A system for energy conversion with electric vehicle (EV) charging capability includes a hybrid inverter comprising a DC/DC converter stage for receiving power from a photovoltaic array, a capacitor bank, and a DC-AC inverter coupled to the capacitor bank. The DC-AC inverter includes a battery pack connection for supplying energy to or receiving energy from a battery pack, an AC grid connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an AC grid, a connection for supplying power to a load, and an EV connection for supplying power to or receiving power from an EV battery. The system also includes a controller for generating control signals to control the flow of power within the hybrid inverter, which converts power received from at least one of the photovoltaic array and the battery pack and provides the converted power to charge the EV battery via the EV connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SolarCity Corporation
    Inventor: Sandeep Narla
  • Patent number: 10853596
    Abstract: An intelligent positioning system includes at least one lamp apparatus and a handheld electronic apparatus. The handheld electronic apparatus includes an optical code receiving unit and an artificial intelligence positioning algorithm unit. The at least one lamp apparatus wirelessly transmits an optical code signal to the optical code receiving unit. The optical code receiving unit analyzes the optical code signal to obtain an optical identification code of the optical code signal and a light intensity value of the optical code signal. The optical code receiving unit transmits the optical identification code of the optical code signal and the light intensity value of the optical code signal to the artificial intelligence positioning algorithm unit. The artificial intelligence positioning algorithm unit converts the optical identification code of the optical code signal and the light intensity value of the optical code signal into a positioning information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: UNITECH ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuan-Ying Hsu, Miao-Tsung Wu, Bo-Cheng Huang, Rong-Huei Chen
  • Patent number: 10852037
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and devices related to fixed and transportable structures and vehicles utilizing the integration of solar and wind technologies for generation of electricity. The system generates electricity using solar panels (and/or solar thermal units) and wind turbines, stores and converts electricity, and can be located in various locations either as fixed or portable embodiments including on land, on water, underwater, air and space and may also be housed in a structure to provide electricity for various facilities and uses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: SPECTRA SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Sant'Anselmo, Arnold Stephen Arch
  • Patent number: 10855097
    Abstract: A method, an information handling system, and a thermal management system providing a power and thermal solution are provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, the information handling system includes a battery having a low temperature cell configured to operate over a lower temperature range and a high temperature cell configured to operate over a higher temperature range, a computational electronic circuit operable to dissipate waste heat as a consequence of performing computation, and a thermal conductor thermally coupled to the high temperature cell and to the computational electronic circuit but not to the low temperature cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Rick C. Thompson, Mitchell A. Markow, Travis C. North
  • Patent number: 10854960
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy harvesting device includes an emitting body at least partially embedded within a dielectric medium, and a receiving antenna disposed in proximity to the emitting body, where the receiving antenna is configured to collect thermal electromagnetic energy emitted by the emitting body. The device also includes a rectifier electrically coupled to the receiving antenna, where the rectifier is configured to convert the thermal electromagnetic energy to direct current electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Inventor: Richard A. Bean
  • Patent number: 10847993
    Abstract: A portable charging device is built into a watch and watch band. A foldable flexible solar panel array is stored under the watch band in a thin flat condition allowing the user to wear the solar panel and watch band together. The charging electronics and rechargeable battery are located within the watch housing under a standard watch assembly. A charging cable can be extended from the side of the watch housing and can be plugged into a smart phone or other electronic device for the purpose of recharging. The solar panel array can be folded out in a lit environment to recharge the battery located within the watch housing. In this way, a person can recharge their phone or other electronic device while on the go by plugging it into the wearable watch and watch band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Inventor: Jovans R. Thelusma
  • Patent number: 10848203
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present specification, an NFC device can comprise: a loop antenna disposed on a first surface of a substrate and transmitting and receiving a wireless signal, wherein an antenna area defined by the outer perimeter or the inner perimeter of the loop antenna is positioned within a first area on the first surface; at least one input interface disposed on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the input interface is positioned within a second area on the first surface, and the first area and the second area are different from each other; and a processor connected to the loop antenna and the input interface. when a user input for the input interface is detected in a communication mode in which the processor can communicate with the external NFC device, the processor can transmit, to an external NFC device through the loop antenna, an RF response signal including control information for executing a function corresponding to the input interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Daamdaam Samuso
    Inventor: Junhee Han
  • Patent number: 10840743
    Abstract: An example integrated circuit includes: (i) a processing subsystem configured to control operation of the integrated circuit, (ii) a waveform generator, operatively coupled to the processing subsystem, configured to generate radio frequency (RF) power transmission signals using an input current, (iii) a first digital interface that couples the integrated circuit with a plurality of power amplifiers that are external to the integrated circuit, and (iv) a second digital interface, distinct from the first digital interface, that couples the integrated circuit with a wireless communication component that is external to the integrated circuit. The processing subsystem is configured to: receive, via the second digital interface, an indication that a receiver is within transmission range of a transmitting device controlled by the circuit, and in response to receiving the indication: provide, via the first digital interface, the RF power transmission signals to at least one of the plurality of power amplifiers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: ENERGOUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Cesar Johnston, Brian Bosso
  • Patent number: 10833302
    Abstract: A power storage and generation system is modular, portable, stackable, electrically connectable, interchangeable, and customizable with respect to interconnections among one another. The electrical connections are arranged in such a manner that they are not exposed to the user when in use, thus preventing accidental short circuits or electrical shocks. The power storage and generation systems can be used together or separately to provide both D/C power then converts to A/C power supply for electrical equipment at remote locations. Different configurations allow for the adaptation of the system to different voltage and amperage requirements for various applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventor: Benjamin Ngoc Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10819248
    Abstract: Technologies for provisioning power controllers for grid services are disclosed. In at least one illustrative embodiment, a method for estimating real-time available peak power (APP) of a power plant may comprise determining whether an inverter of the power plant electrically coupled to at least one solar panel array of the power plant is operating in a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mode, obtaining a measured output of the at least one solar panel array in response to determining that the inverter is operating in the MPPT mode, estimating an expected output of the inverter as a function of the measured output of the solar panel array using an inverter production model, and estimating the APP of the power plant as a function of the expected output of the inverter using a site compensation model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventor: Mirrasoul J. Mousavi
  • Patent number: 10807495
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electricity storage control device includes a setting unit, and a control unit. The setting unit sets, for each time zone, a target state of charge (SOC) of electric energy to be stored in an electricity storage device in the time zone. The control unit controls at least charging or discharging of the electricity storage device based on the set target SOC for each time zone, a SOC detected from the electricity storage device, and a voltage of a supply destination of electric power from the electricity storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Masakuni Akashi, Masaaki Saito, Masahiko Murai, Yumi Hanashima, Hiroyuki Kaneko, Miyako Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 10804745
    Abstract: A non-contact power reception apparatus is provided, in which a power reception coil for a charging system and a loop antenna for an electronic settlement system are mounted on a battery pack and a cover case of a portable terminal such that the power reception coil is arranged in the center thereof and the loop antenna is disposed outside the power reception coil, so that a mode of receiving a wireless power signal and a mode of transmitting and receiving data are selectively performed, thereby preventing interference from harmonic components and enabling non-contact charging and electronic settlement using a single portable terminal. A jig for fabricating a core to be mounted to the non-contact power reception apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: GE Hybrid Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chun-Kil Jung, Yoon-Sang Kuk
  • Patent number: 10793449
    Abstract: A reactor for water splitting or water treatment includes a first electrode, a second electrode electrically coupled to the first electrode, and a proton exchange membrane separating the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first optical fiber coated with a photocatalytic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Paul K. Westerhoff, Kiril D. Hristovski, Shahnawaz Sinha
  • Patent number: 10784527
    Abstract: A controller-executed method for conditioning a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) in a fuel cell for use in a fuel cell stack includes humidifying a fuel inlet to the stack to a threshold relative humidity level, and maintaining a current density and cell voltage of the fuel cell at a calibrated current density level and hold voltage level, respectively, via the controller in at least one voltage recovery stage. The recovery stage has a predetermined voltage recovery duration. The method includes measuring the cell voltage after completing the predetermined voltage recovery duration, and executing a control action with respect to the fuel cell or fuel cell stack responsive to the measured cell voltage exceeding a target voltage, including recording a diagnostic code via the controller indicative of successful conditioning of the MEA. A fuel cell system includes the fuel cell stack and controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Swaminatha P. Kumaraguru, Jingxin Zhang, Nagappan Ramaswamy, Pinkhas A. Rapaport
  • Patent number: 10778022
    Abstract: A housing of a power bank includes fasteners for coupling the power bank to a mobile phone. The housing comprises a illumination element and a charging element for wirelessly charging the mobile phone. An added benefit, which convinces users to carry a mobile phone and the power bank connected to one another is that the illumination element can be controlled manually and/or wirelessly by a wireless connection through the mobile phone, such that light can be emitted from the power bank front side in the direction of a transverse axis, and the fasteners are designed to be permanently magnetic and/or mechanically designed such that a releasable attachment, that can be pivoted about a transverse axis, of the power bank is achieved relative to the mobile phone, such that the housing is mounted to be pivotable between a neutral coupling position and a pivoted selfie position relative to the mobile phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: TECFLOWER AG
    Inventor: Sascha Reinger
  • Patent number: 10763685
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for regulating a charging rate of a battery module for an autonomous vehicle. In some aspects, the method comprises measuring a first battery cell temperature using a first temperature sensor located at a first battery cell of a plurality of batter cells in a battery module, determining whether the first battery cell temperature corresponds to a lowest temperature of the plurality of battery cells, determining a first charging rate corresponding to the first battery cell temperature, determining a first charging current and a first charging voltage corresponding to the first charging rate, and adjusting a charging current to the first charging current and a charging voltage to the first charging voltage for the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: HADAL, INC.
    Inventors: Ben Kfir, Doug Traeger, Robert S. Damus, Richard J. Rikoski
  • Patent number: 10756564
    Abstract: An electronic device and a charging method includes a photovoltaic power generation unit configured to charge a battery of the electronic device by using electric energy generated by a photovoltaic material included in the photovoltaic power generation unit. The charging method includes detecting light intensity applied to the photovoltaic material; and when the detected light intensity is always greater than a first preset threshold within a second preset duration, and a maximum variation within the second preset duration exceeds a second preset threshold, sampling an open-circuit voltage of the photovoltaic material, and setting a power generation parameter of the photovoltaic material according to the open-circuit voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Muyun Qin, Ruimin Wang, Rongan Peng, Shaomin Qi
  • Patent number: 10749374
    Abstract: An electric power supply device including: a first interposed between an electric power system and a predetermined load; a power storage system having a secondary battery, a first charging and discharging unit interposed between the secondary battery and the electric power system, and a second charging and discharging unit interposed between the secondary battery and the predetermined load; and a controller configured to control the first switch, the first charging and discharging unit, and the second charging and discharging unit, in which when system abnormality occurs, the controller causes the switch to open to disconnect between the electric power system and the predetermined load, causes the first charging and discharging unit to perform reverse power flow for a prescribed time, and causes the second charging and discharging unit to supply electric power to the predetermined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masami Okada, Atsushi Minami
  • Patent number: 10739410
    Abstract: A battery control apparatus is applied to a power supply system that includes a storage battery including a plurality of battery cells, an electrical apparatus connected to the storage battery, and a cell monitoring apparatus connected to each battery cell of the storage battery. In the battery control apparatus, a total cell voltage calculating unit calculates a sum of the voltages of battery cells detected by a cell monitoring apparatus as a total cell voltage. A voltage acquiring unit acquires a voltage of the cell monitoring apparatus side of a resistor that is provided on a conduction path. A consumed current calculating unit calculates a consumed current that is consumed by the cell monitoring apparatus based on the total cell voltage and the voltage acquired by the voltage acquiring unit. A residual capacity calculating unit calculates the residual capacity based on the charge-discharge current and the consumed current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masahiro Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 10735846
    Abstract: A storage system includes a protective housing member configured to mate with a handheld electronic device. The protective housing member includes at least one accessory station. The accessory station is configured to form between a surface of the protective housing member and a surface of at least one accessory item of the handheld electronic device. The protective housing member includes at least s wireless transmitter and/or an IC chip. The wireless transmitter is configured to facilitate a wireless connection between wireless components of the handheld electronic device and the protective housing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: ADVANCED ACCESS TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventor: John T. Merenda
  • Patent number: 10727554
    Abstract: When an overvoltage is generated in one converter and an overvoltage is not generated in another converter, the whole system continues to operate using a power source connected to the other converter. Here, it is determined whether a reason for an overvoltage is an open-circuit fault in a relay connecting the two converters or a fault in an overvoltage detecting circuit of one converter, and system control suitable for the fault is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryosuke Oya
  • Patent number: 10727777
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating electricity comprises a solar panel having a plurality of photovoltaic cells and a MPPT device alone or in combination with a DC/AC inverter connected directly thereto, and a plurality of heat sink tiles and a heat exchanger. The heat sink tiles are disposed between the solar panel and the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is connected to a circulation system which allows coolant fluid to flow through the heat exchanger. Each of the heat sink tiles having a first side in direct thermal contact with a respective one of the photovoltaic cells and an opposite second side in contact with the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger having a plurality of coolant chambers disposed adjacent to the heat sink tiles. The first heat exchanger has at least one second coolant chamber disposed adjacent to said MPPT device and/or DC/AC inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Qingdao Austech Solar Technology Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Roger Clyde Webb, Maria Anna Webb
  • Patent number: 10727686
    Abstract: A power bank includes, in part, a rechargeable battery, a wireless power recovery unit adapted to receive power wirelessly, a battery charging circuit adapted to deliver the power recovered by the power recovery unit to the rechargeable battery, an output interface, and a voltage reconditioning circuit adapted to supply power from the rechargeable battery to the output interface for delivery to an external device. The wireless power recovery unit may include one or more of a multitude of photodiodes adapted to convert a coherent optical signal to electrical power, an acoustic transducer adapted to convert acoustic waves to an electrical power, an inductive coupling circuit adapted to convert time varying magnetic flux to electrical power, and an RF power recovery unit adapted to convert an RF signal to electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Behrooz Abiri, Florian Bohn, Seyed Ali Hajimiri
  • Patent number: 10719098
    Abstract: A system for providing on-demand renewable energy. The system includes at least one power unit for converting environmental energy into electrical power; a global positioning system (GPS) unit that provides current location coordinates for the system; and a regulator for controlling an amount of the electrical power drawn from the at least one power unit based on a first authorization rule and at least one second authorization rule, wherein the first authorization rule is a misuse event requirement for detecting that the current location coordinates indicate that the system has not been moved from an authorized location; wherein the system is independent from any grid and is initially installed at the authorized location; wherein failure to meet the misuse event requirement results in a denial of supply of electrical power by the regulator; and wherein the at least one second authorization rule is a purchase requirement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: Nova Lumos Ltd.
    Inventors: Nir Marom, David Vortman
  • Patent number: 10715032
    Abstract: The invention concerns a circuit for charging a battery by means of a photovoltaic module, including: input and output terminals intended to be respectively coupled to the module and to the battery; a converter including input and output terminals respectively coupled to the input and output terminals of the charging circuit; a control circuit including power supply terminals coupled to the output terminals of the charging circuit; a switch coupling one of the output terminals of the converter to one of the output terminals of the charging circuit; and a detection circuit configured, when the voltage between output terminals of the charging circuit exceeds a threshold, to send an order to turn off the switch and stop the converter for a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT À L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Mark Vervaart
  • Patent number: 10714766
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to allow a precise and quick regulation of the influencing variables in the operation of a fuel cell. A regulator is used for the regulation, said regulator being designed on the basis of a model of the gas conditioning unit in the form of a coupled nonlinear multivariable system in that the coupled nonlinear multivariable system is decoupled and linearized using Lie derivatives, and the regulator is designed for the decoupled linear multivariable system. The regulator calculates the control variables (uG, uS, uN, Q) for at least three present actuators of the influencing variables of the gas conditioning unit at each sampling time of the regulation using specified target variables (yj,dmd), and at least the three actuators of the gas conditioning unit adjust the calculated control variables (uG, uS, uN, Q) at each sampling time of the regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Kügele, Stefan Jakubek, János Kancsár
  • Patent number: 10698461
    Abstract: An electronic device according to an embodiment includes a battery supplying power to the electronic device, at least one circuit board having one or more components disposed thereon, a first temperature sensor disposed in a first region of the circuit board that is adjacent to one of the one or more components, a second temperature sensor disposed in a second region away from the first region, and a processor configured to measure a first temperature corresponding to the first region using the first temperature sensor, measure a second temperature corresponding to the second region or the outside of the electronic device using the second temperature sensor, determine a third temperature for the battery based at least on the first and second temperatures, and control the use of a resource of the electronic device when the third temperature satisfies a specified condition. Other various embodiments are also possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ki Youn Jang, Kyung Ha Koo, Kun Tak Kim, Hyun Tae Jang, Chi Hwan Jeong, Chi Hyun Cho
  • Patent number: 10700556
    Abstract: Techniques are described herein for enabling, among other features, more effective wireless charging of devices in wireless power delivery environments through enhanced signal focusing over multiple paths in a multipath wireless power delivery environment. More specifically, the systems and methods discussed herein describe techniques for increasing effective charging of devices, including enhanced ability to focus charging utilizing multiple pathways, phase detection of incoming signals allowing for movement detection in a wireless environment, phase synchronization, and directional arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Ossia Inc.
    Inventors: Hatem Zeine, Siamak Ebadi
  • Patent number: 10693415
    Abstract: A method for testing a photovoltaic panel connected to an electronic module. The electronic module includes an input attached to the photovoltaic panel and a power output. The method activates a bypass to the electronic module. The bypass provides a low impedance path between the input and the output of the electronic module. A current is injected into the electronic module thereby compensating for the presence of the electronic module during the testing. The current may be previously determined by measuring a circuit parameter of the electronic module. The circuit parameter may be impedance, inductance, resistance or capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Solaredge Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Meir Adest, Guy Sella, Lior Handelsman, Yoav Galin, Amir Fishelov, Meir Gazit, Tzachi Glovinsky, Yaron Binder
  • Patent number: 10693315
    Abstract: This invention is a DC-coupled, non grid-tied system comprising a solar panel, or an array of panels, a storage battery, a battery charger, an inverter, and optionally, a connection to an electric vehicle via both the regular AC charging connection and a DC connection. Unlike conventional grid-tied solar systems there is no possibility of solar or battery energy being fed back to the grid by virtue of the one-directional flow of energy through the battery chargers. The system can utilize all of the energy produced by the solar panels to provide power to critical household loads by storing electric energy in the storage battery. In the event of a grid outage, the system maintains power to the critical loads to the limits of the capacity of the batteries and the inverter, supplemented by whatever solar power is available. The energy available in an outage can be supplemented by using the main propulsion battery of an electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Paul Harriman Kydd
  • Patent number: 10693165
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an environmental sensor array monitors pre-filter airflow to a fuel cell with an air filter, and senses amounts of filter exposure of air contaminants in the monitored pre-filter airflow. The environmental sensor array may then correlate the sensed amounts of filter exposure over time to a long-term adsorption limit of the air contaminants for the air filter, determining a lifetime usage level of the air filter. Accordingly, the environmental sensor array may provide an indication of the lifetime usage level of the air filter. In another embodiment, the environmental sensor array may also monitor post-filter airflow to the fuel cell, and senses instantaneous levels of post-filter air contaminants. In response to the instantaneous level of any particular air contaminant of the post-filter air contaminants being above a respective threshold level, the environmental sensor array may protect the operation of the fuel cell (e.g., de-rate, shut down, etc.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: University of Hawai'i
    Inventors: Scott Robert Higgins, James Michel Ewan
  • Patent number: 10693311
    Abstract: A charging device is provided, which is capable of starting up a control circuit without any separate power supply so as to start an appropriate charge operation even when a secondary battery is in an overdischarged state. A charging device to charge a secondary battery with electric power generated by a solar cell includes: a charging control unit that controls the electric power generated by the solar cell to have a current value and/or a voltage value suitable for charging, and that supplies the controlled electric power to the secondary battery; and a start-up control unit that supplies, to the charging control unit, a boosted power source by boosting the electric power from the solar cell when charging is started, and that starts up the a charging control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: MIRAI-LABO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Toshio Hiratsuka
  • Patent number: 10673259
    Abstract: An IC card has an IC chip, a rechargeable battery that supplies electrical power to the IC chip, a card main body that houses the IC chip and the rechargeable battery, and charging terminals for charging the rechargeable battery. The charging terminals include a positive terminal arranged on one of the front surface and the rear surface of the card main body, and a negative terminal arranged on the other one.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: J.S.T. MFG. CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Kyogoku, Yoshifumi Nishida
  • Patent number: 10673251
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus that can receive power from an external apparatus connected via an interface and comprises an interface having a first terminal and a second terminal. The apparatus determines whether or not a time difference between a time of detection of a first voltage at a first terminal and a time of detection of a second voltage at a second terminal is smaller than or equal to a predetermined value, determines a type of the external apparatus by executing first connected device detection if the time difference is smaller than or equal to the predetermined value, and executing second connected device detection different from the first connected device detection if the time difference is larger than the predetermined value, and performs power reception control based on a result of determination of a type of the external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuya Kaechi
  • Patent number: 10673380
    Abstract: An energy storage system includes a photovoltaic energy field, a stationary energy storage device, an energy converter, and a controller. The photovoltaic energy field converts solar energy into electrical energy and charges the stationary energy storage device with the electrical energy. The energy converter converts the electrical energy stored in the stationary energy storage device into AC power at a discharge rate and supplies a campus with the AC power at the discharge rate. The controller generates a cost function of the energy consumption of the campus across a time horizon which relates a cost to operate the campus to the discharge rate of the AC power supplied by the stationary energy storage device. The controller applies constraints to the cost function, determines a minimizing solution to the cost function which satisfies the constraints, and controls the energy converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Wenzel, Kirk H. Drees, John I. Ruiz, Matthew J. Ellis, Mohammad N. ElBsat, John H. Burroughs, Juan Esteban Tapiero Bernal
  • Patent number: 10673377
    Abstract: A solar power generator has a lens through which to receive radiant energy from the sun, a drive shaft positioned near the lens, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft to rotate the drive shaft. A number of solar modules are coupled to the drive shaft, such that as the motor rotates the drive shaft, each one of the solar modules receives radiant energy as it rotates by the lens and produces therefrom a voltage signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Neotec Energy Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: Christoph Karl LaDue
  • Patent number: 10666055
    Abstract: A hand carryable apparatus comprising a first power system, a second power system, a mechanical coupling, and an electrical coupling. The first power system comprises a first enclosure, a photovoltaic panel, a first power inverter, and a first alternating current interface coupled to the first output of the first power inverter. The second power system comprises a second enclosure, a battery, a second power inverter, and a second alternating current interface coupled to the second output of the second power inverter. The mechanical coupling and the electrical coupling removably couple the first power system to the second power system. The electrical coupling is capable of passing power between the first power system and the second power system. The second power system is capable of operating independently of the first power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Garrity Power Services LLC
    Inventors: Paul Garrity, Aaron Jungreis