Vehicle Battery Charging Patents (Class 320/104)
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Patent number: 11165274Abstract: The portable, motor-driven alternator for use in recharging a battery is configured for use with a battery. The portable, motor-driven alternator for use in recharging a battery comprises the modified chainsaw, an AC/DC converter, a selectable voltage regulator, a jumper cable, and a diode. The modified chainsaw generates electrical energy. The AC/DC converter converts the electrical energy from an AC voltage to an unregulated DC voltage. The selectable voltage regulator regulates the unregulated DC voltage from the AC/DC converter into a regulated voltage. The selectable voltage regulator generates a voltage level selected from a plurality of voltage levels. The jumper cable transfers the electrical energy from the selectable voltage regulator to the battery. The diode prevents the backflow of electrical energy from the battery into the selectable voltage regulator.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2019Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Inventor: Jay Dee Ruybal
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Patent number: 11164439Abstract: A vehicle includes a transceiver configured to communicate with a user terminal, a power supply device including a first battery configured to supply a driving current to at least one electronic device and a second battery, and a controller configured to generate a state information based on whether the first battery or the second battery is at risk of discharge determined based on a state of charge of the power supply device and to control the transceiver to transmit the generated state information to the user terminal.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Jeong-gi Yun, Jinwon Park
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Patent number: 11165275Abstract: A charging system and a charging method using a motor driving system are disclosed which may enable charging between vehicles each having a battery for providing power to a vehicle driving motor, such as electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 2, 2021Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Yong Jae Lee, Jae Ho Hwang, Joo Young Park, Su Hyun Bae
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Patent number: 11139693Abstract: A contactless power transmission apparatus includes a receiver that includes a resonant circuit that receives electric power from a transmitter. The receiver causes, in response to a measurement value of an output voltage of electric power output from the resonant circuit being out of a predetermined allowable range of voltages, a short circuit to short-circuit the resonant circuit and transmits determination information indicating that the contactless power transmission apparatus is not outputting a constant voltage. In response to the determination information, the transmitter in the contactless power transmission apparatus detects a switching frequency of alternating current power to be supplied to a transmitter coil from a power supply circuit at which the contactless power transmission apparatus outputs a constant voltage in accordance with a measurement value of a current through the transmitter coil.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: OMRON CorporationInventors: Goro Nakao, Yusuke Kawai, Atsushi Nomura, Toshiyuki Zaitsu
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Patent number: 11124077Abstract: A novel automobile charger which comprise a direct current voltage, wherein a positive pole of the direct current voltage is connected with one end or lead of a DC to DC module, one end of a battery voltage detection module and one end of a load module simultaneously, while a negative pole of the battery is connected with the other end of the DC to DC module, one end of a microcontroller, one end of the automobile start control module and the other end of the battery voltage detection module simultaneously. A third end of the DC to DC module is connected with the other end of the microcontroller, the other three ends of which are connected with the third end of the battery voltage detection module, the other end of the automobile start control module and one end of the load detection module respectively. The other end of the load detection module is connected with the third end of the automobile start control module and the other end of the load module simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2021Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: PILOT INC.Inventors: Calvin Shiening Wang, Chung-Hsin Wang
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Patent number: 11124083Abstract: A periodic supplementary charge method of an auxiliary battery of a vehicle may include: estimating, by a controller, an available capacity of the auxiliary battery; measuring, by the controller, dark currents of the auxiliary battery; determining, by the controller, a supplementary charging execution time based on the estimated available capacity of the auxiliary battery; determining, by the controller, a supplementary charging execution period based on the estimated available capacity and information about the measured dark currents; and supplementarily charging, by the controller, the auxiliary battery by providing a charging current to the auxiliary battery based on the determined supplementary charging execution time and the determined supplementary charging execution period.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATIONInventors: Young Jin Jang, Han Shin Youn, Ho Joong Lee
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Patent number: 11121540Abstract: A multi-port power converter includes a housing that includes a plurality of ports structured to electrically interface to a plurality of loads, the plurality of loads having distinct electrical characteristics. The multi-port power converter also includes a plurality of solid state components configured to provide selected electrical power outputs and to accept selected electrical power inputs and a plurality of solid state switches configured to provide selected connectivity between the plurality of solid state components and the plurality of ports.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power LimitedInventors: Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Justin Keith Griffiths
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Patent number: 11117473Abstract: A bicycle power supplying device is configured to easily obtain the power needed to drive a subject electric component and a bicycle electric device that includes the bicycle power supplying device. The bicycle power supplying device includes a holder and a power storage unit. The holder holds a dry cell so that the dry cell is attachable to and removable from the holder. The dry cell includes a body, a first electrode arranged on the body, and a second electrode arranged on the body. The power storage unit is configured to store power of the dry cell and supply the stored power to a subject electric component.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2017Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventors: Takafumi Suzuki, Yoshinori Iino
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Patent number: 11110813Abstract: A charging method includes that after receiving a charging request, a master control device arranges a parking space for an electric vehicle to be charged and sends a traction device a movement instruction generated from the charging request; the traction device drives, according to the movement instruction, a charging controller to move along a guide rail to above the electric vehicle to be charged; the master control device sends a cable transferring instruction to a cable transferring device and the cable transferring device starts to lower a cable; after the cable transferring device lowers the cable to a preset position, the master control device sends a stop instruction to the cable transferring device and the cable transferring device stops lowering the cable; and the cable charges the electric vehicle to be charged.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2017Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Inventors: Xingzhe Hou, Bin Zhu, Jianguo Wang, Guojun He, Zhi Li, Yongxiang Liu, Hongliang Sun, Yi Long, Jing Zhang, Huicai Wang, Tingting Xu, Li Zhou, Lin Gong, Yongliang Ji
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Patent number: 11114707Abstract: A monitoring apparatus for an energy storage device provided at a movable body and electrically connected to a load of the movable body via a switch, the monitoring apparatus comprising: a monitoring unit supplied with power from the energy storage device; wherein the monitoring unit executes monitoring operation of bringing the switch from a closed state into an opened state under a condition that the energy storage device has voltage not more than a discharge voltage threshold, and bringing the switch from the opened state into the closed state under a condition that the switch is in the opened state and the energy storage device satisfies a predetermined discharge recovery condition, and extends an interval of the monitoring operation when the movable body is parked while the switch is in the opened state, in comparison to a case where the movable body is not parked.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: GS YUASA INTERNATIONAL LTD.Inventors: Ryo Matsubara, Takeyuki Shiraishi
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Patent number: 11104243Abstract: A method for operating a vehicle charging apparatus for charging a vehicle battery. A particular line on the decoupling-point side is initially assigned to the first line on the charging-apparatus side by changing the charging current of a particular line on the charging-apparatus side and evaluating the line on the decoupling-point side in which a change can likewise be determined. This process is repeated for at least one second line on the charging-apparatus side.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: AUDI AGInventors: Johann Krammer, Gerhard Paris, Axel Vogel, Heiko Stephan
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Patent number: 11077754Abstract: An in-vehicle control apparatus includes: a first inverter; a second inverter; and a voltage conversion part configured to increase or decrease an operation voltage of one of the first inverter and the second inverter by an open-close control of a switch and supply the increased or decreased operation voltage as an operation voltage of another of the first inverter and the second inverter. The voltage conversion part includes: a reference voltage line; a low-voltage-side switch that is connected to and between the reference voltage line and a high-voltage-side power line of the second inverter; and a high-voltage-side switch that is connected to and between a high-voltage-side power line of the first inverter and a high-voltage-side power line of the second inverter.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Jiro Fukui
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Power circuit for power supply in an electrically driven vehicle and stationary energy supply system
Patent number: 11072253Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power circuit for power supply in an electrically driven vehicle. The power circuit includes a direct voltage connection, an electrical traction drive, and a DC/AC converter. The converter includes an alternating voltage side connected to the traction drive. A DC/DC converter of the power circuit includes two converter sides. The first converter side is connected to a direct voltage side of the DC/AC converter via a coupling point. The direct voltage connection is likewise connected to the coupling point. The disclosure further relates to a stationary energy supply system designed to be complementary and to connect to the power circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbHInventors: Franz Pfeilschifter, Martin Brüll, Hans-Peter Feustel, Klaus Mühlbauer, Thomas Röhrl, Edmund Schirmer, Martin Spornraft, Matthias Töns -
Patent number: 11066027Abstract: An in-vehicle power supply apparatus includes a converter that outputs DC power. A first power storage device and a second power storage device are charged via the converter. A first switch selects on/off between the converter and the first power storage device. A second switch selects on/off between the converter and the second power storage device. A voltage monitoring circuit detects a DC voltage on the output side of the converter, at a point closer to the converter than are the first switch and the second switch.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2016Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignees: AutoNetworks Technologies, Ltd., Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Hiromichi Yasunori
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Patent number: 11067050Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an isolation switch disposed between a first bus that is electrically coupled to a starter for an engine and a second bus that is electrically coupled to a power converter and accessory loads. The hybrid vehicle includes a controller programmed to normally command the switch closed, and, in response to expiration of a predetermined time interval without starting the engine, command the switch to open for a predetermined duration to perform diagnostics on the isolation switch.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2017Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mark Shields, Josephine S. Lee, Jagmohan Singh, William David Treharne, George Hart Vrampas
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Patent number: 11059376Abstract: A vehicle includes: an inner panel; a side surface portion that defines a vehicle cabin; and a lock release mechanism disposed outside the vehicle cabin with the inner panel interposed between the lock release mechanism and the vehicle cabin, the lock release mechanism configured to release locking of a lock device provided at a charging port. The side surface portion has an opening, the inner panel has a hole, and the lock release mechanism is provided so as to be operable from an interior of the vehicle cabin through the opening and the hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masaru Sasaki, Hironobu Hashimoto
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Patent number: 11063459Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a charge pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charging operation, measure a plurality of voltages of the battery which are in response to the first charge pulse, determine a charge pulse voltage (CPV) of the battery, wherein the charge pulse voltage is a peak voltage which is in response to the first charge pulse, determine whether the CPV of the battery is within a predetermined range or greater than a predetermined upper limit value and adapt one or more characteristics of a charge packet if the CPV is outside the predetermined range or is greater than a predetermined upper limit value.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2019Date of Patent: July 13, 2021Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf
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Patent number: 11046189Abstract: A controller of a vehicle power system closes a pre-charge contactor and one of a pair of main contactors to electrically connect a battery and inverter such that current flows through a pre-charge resistor. The controller also opens the pair to electrically disconnect the battery and inverter, and closes a switch configured to complete a circuit such that charge acquired by a capacitor of the inverter is dissipated via the pre-charge resistor.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Boris Curuvija, Lihua Chen, Baoming Ge, Fan Xu
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Patent number: 11047163Abstract: A vehicle door system is disclosed. The system comprises an actuator, a power source, and a controller. The actuator is configured to adjust a position of a door. The controller is configured to control the actuator with energy provided by the power source. The controller is further configured to identify a charge level of the power source and compare the charge level to at least one threshold. In response the charge level being less than the at least one threshold, the controller is configured to output a warning signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Larry Dean Elie, John Wayne Jaranson, Timothy J. Potter, Robert F. Novak, Jeff A. Wallace, Michael M. Azzouz, Gerald J. Heath, Evangelos P. Skoures
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Patent number: 11043723Abstract: A battery cut-out device (11) has a housing (13) which interposes between a battery terminal and the vehicle lead that connected to the battery terminal. At one end (17) of the housing a first high current capacity termination (18) to connect to the battery terminal, and at the other end (21) of the housing (13) a second high current capacity termination (22) connects to the battery lead. A fly lead (25) extends from the housing (13) which connects to the other battery terminal to provide power to electronics in the housing. Also located at one end of the housing is a press-to-make momentary push button switch (27) which is provided to perform a reset function, and an LED indicator (29) which is provided to show the operational status of the battery cut-out device (11). The reset function electrically connects terminations (18) and (22), and the electronics disconnects these terminations if the battery voltage falls below a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2017Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Inventor: Robert Mason
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Patent number: 11040635Abstract: Set forth herein are systems and methods for determining when to heat a battery, and under what conditions to do so, The methods include using input parameters to predict when to heat a battery and how to heat that battery. For example, the methods predict when to heat a battery so that the battery has a specific power output and performance level when used in an electric or hybrid vehicle application.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: June 22, 2021Assignee: QuantumScape Battery, Inc.Inventors: Kevin Hettrich, Tomasz Wojcik
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Patent number: 11035895Abstract: A signal acquisition apparatus has a vehicle state sensor that outputs measurement results in current form, an overcurrent interrupter connected downstream of the vehicle state sensor, which interrupts an overcurrent due to a short from the output connection of the vehicle state sensor to a battery voltage, and a shunt, connected downstream of the overcurrent interrupter, across which an output voltage corresponding to the output current of the aforementioned overcurrent interrupter is dropped. A control part is provided that controls the operation of the overcurrent interrupter according to the output voltage dropped across the shunt and assesses the measurement results of the vehicle state sensor on the basis of the output voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2017Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Vitesco Technologies GmbHInventors: Myongsoo Ha, Insun Baek, Jaemin Jung, Euncheol Seong
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Patent number: 11024917Abstract: A retaining element provided for two-stage fastening to an accumulator or which is part of an accumulator, safeguards against removal from a retaining device. The retaining device is oriented toward the retaining element and is fastened in an interior of tubes of a bicycle frame of an electrically driven bicycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Christian Trif, Christoph Schumacher, Frank Hummel, Martin Tenzer, Volker Jabs
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Patent number: 10994628Abstract: A charging system includes a charging station, at least one first charging column, which has one or more charging plugs, a buffer store for storing energy, a mains connection for providing energy to the charging station and a switching apparatus, which is configured to conduct the flow of energy from the buffer store and/or from the mains connection to the first charging column. The system can also have a second charging column, which has one or more charging plugs. The switching apparatus is provided in such a way that it distributes the flow of energy from the buffer store and/or the mains connection over the two charging columns or conducts the flow of energy to one of the two charging columns. Furthermore, a method for charging one or more electric vehicles by the charging system at the charging station is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Inventors: Raoul Heyne, Florian Joslowski
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Patent number: 10978757Abstract: Disclosed is a power storage unit which can safely operate over a wide temperature range. The power storage unit includes: a power storage device; a heater for heating the power storage device; a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the power storage device; and a control circuit configured to inhibit charge of the power storage device when its temperature is lower than a first temperature or higher than a second temperature. The first temperature is exemplified by a temperature which allows the formation of a dendrite over a negative electrode of the power storage device, whereas the second temperature is exemplified by a temperature which causes decomposition of a passivating film formed over a surface of a negative electrode active material.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.Inventors: Minoru Takahashi, Shunpei Yamazaki, Masaaki Hiroki, Kei Takahashi, Junpei Momo
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Patent number: 10967748Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a battery that stores electric power for traveling, a sensor that detects the temperature of the battery, a communication circuitry configured to communicate with a server configured to collect information as to a plurality of vehicles, a temperature adjusting circuitry configured to adjust the temperature of the battery, and a control circuitry configured to control the temperature adjusting circuitry. The information as to the vehicles includes at least an ambient temperature in a surrounding area of each vehicle. The control circuitry selectively switches the mode of operation of the temperature adjusting circuitry by using the temperature of the battery and the ambient temperature collected in the server.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: April 6, 2021Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Shinji Ichikawa
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Patent number: 10960836Abstract: Provided is a power supply unit capable of simplifying a structure of a temperature adjustment mechanism. Electric component power supplies and DC/DC converters and a junction box are accommodated in the same accommodating unit as a drive power supply, and thus the drive power supply and the box and the electrical component power supplies are arranged close to each other. As a result, a cooling unit for cooling the drive power supply and the electrical component power supplies can be made common. Further, heat can be transferred between parts housed in the accommodating unit, omitting the heating unit and lowering the capacity thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: YAZAKI CORPORATIONInventor: Shuuji Satake
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Patent number: 10960780Abstract: The disclosure relates to a charging device that supplies electrical charging energy for electrical energy stores of mobile electrical consumer units. The mobile electrical consumer units have at least one electrical energy storage unit and at least one charging interface via which electrical charging energy can be transferred from the energy storage unit to an energy store of a mobile electrical consumer unit. In order to improve the availability of electrical charging energy for energy stores of mobile electrical consumer units, the charging device takes the form of a self-driving motor vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christoph Voigts, Erika Tsubaki
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Patent number: 10953756Abstract: An exemplary braking method includes monitoring for an upcoming deceleration of an electrified vehicle, permitting an amount of regenerative braking if the upcoming deceleration is detected, and reducing the amount of regenerative braking if the upcoming deceleration is not detected.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Seth Anthony Bryan, Bryan Michael Bolger
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Patent number: 10953726Abstract: A method for managing thermal energy of a vehicle having a battery and an electric propulsion system is provided. The system monitors a current battery temperature, after the vehicle is connected to an outside power source at a plug time, and determines an outside air temperature. The system predicts a cabin heating temperature for a subsequent drive cycle. The subsequent drive cycle occurs when the vehicle is no longer connected to the outside power source. If the predicted cabin heating temperature is greater than the outside air temperature, the system heats the battery to a thermal storage temperature that is greater than a target operating temperature of the battery. Therefore, thermal energy is stored within the battery, and may be transferred to heat the cabin.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael H. Carlson, Eugene V. Gonze, Lawrence P. Ziehr, Tanner E. Goeson, Kyle Holihan, Cameron Smith, Michele Bilancia
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Patent number: 10953761Abstract: A connector includes: a terminal including a base portion and a cylindrical portion, an outer circumferential surface thereof contacting a counterpart terminal; and a heat transfer member which contacts an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion, absorbs a portion of heat generated at the cylindrical portion, and transports the absorbed heat to a base portion side. The heat transfer member is configured to satisfy Q1>Q2, where Q1 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during conduction, using the heat transfer member, and Q2 is defined as a heat transfer amount transported to the base portion side during the conduction, using another heat transfer member constituted of a member having a heat conductivity identical to that of the cylindrical portion, when the other one is arranged to fill a space formed on an inner circumferential surface side of the cylindrical portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 23, 2021Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kunihiko Arai
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Patent number: 10946852Abstract: A method may include predicting an acceleration event of a vehicle. The method may further include predicting a maximum speed of the predicted acceleration event. The method may also include determining an engine start time based on the predicted maximum speed. The method may still further include starting an engine of the vehicle at the engine start time.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2018Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Colorado State University Research FoundationInventors: Joshua Payne, Heraldo Stefanon, Benjamin Geller, Takanori Aoki, Thomas Bradley, Zachary Asher, David Trinko
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Patent number: 10944278Abstract: A battery system with a large-format Li-ion battery powers attached equipment by discharging battery cells distributed among a plurality of battery packs. The discharging of the battery cells is controlled in an efficient manner while preserving the expected life of the Li-ion battery cells. Each battery pack internally supports a battery management system and may have identical components, thus supporting an architecture that easily scales to higher power/energy. Battery packs may be added or removed without intervention with a user, where one of battery packs serves as a master battery pack and the remaining battery packs serve as slave battery packs. When the master battery pack is removed, one of the slave battery packs becomes the master battery pack. Charging and discharging of the battery cells is coordinated by the master battery pack with the slave battery packs over a communication channel such as a controller area network (CAN) bus.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2020Date of Patent: March 9, 2021Assignee: Inventus Power, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Kang, William Tenorio, Chris Turner
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Stand-alone module that optimizes energy consumption while monitoring both temperatures and voltages
Patent number: 10933765Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to a Sleep Manager Module (“SLM”). In one case, the present invention provides a stand-alone Sleep Manager Module. The Sleep Manager Module is capable of optimizing electric vehicle power consumption based on external temperature. It has one or more interfaces that are electrically connected to a microcontroller. The microcontroller is operably connected to memory, and the one or more interfaces is selected from a group of interfaces consisting of a fast charge connector, a level II Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, and temperature/battery voltage sensors. The microcontroller is connected to a Vehicle Integration Manager through a Wake-Up line and Vehicle Communication Line.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2017Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: Phoenix Motorcars LLCInventors: Gustavo Cerochi, Will Hamada -
Patent number: 10926643Abstract: An electric system to charge a battery on a vehicle provides for a three-phase alternating-direct converter comprising input terminals connected to an outside power grid, a high output terminal and a low output terminal, a direct-direct converter made up of two direct-direct converter circuits, a first converter circuit having a high input terminal connected to the high output terminal of the alternating-direct converter and a second converter circuit having a low input terminal connected to the low output terminal of the alternating-direct converter, the low input terminal of the first direct-direct converter circuit being connected to the high input terminal of the second direct-direct converter circuit, and the high output terminal of the first converter circuit being connected to the high output terminal of the second converter circuit and the low output terminal of the first converter circuit being connected to the low output terminal of the second converter circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: VALEO SIEMENS EAUTOMOTIVE FRANCE SASInventors: Gang Yang, Boris Bouchez
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Patent number: 10919464Abstract: In general, one or more loads, such as a sensor suite of an autonomous (or semi-autonomous) vehicle, may be configured to draw power from a supercapacitor. A switching mechanism can selectively connect or disconnect the one or more loads and the supercapacitor from a voltage source of a vehicle power system. By systematically disconnecting the voltage source from the supercapacitor and the one or more loads, the exposure of the voltage source to the one or more loads is minimized. Accordingly, the exposure of the voltage source of the vehicle power system to potentially damaging short circuits or power surges that may arise in relation to the one or more loads can also be minimized.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Lyft, Inc.Inventors: Chen-yu Hsieh, Catalin Popovici
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Patent number: 10923921Abstract: The disclosure features wireless energy transfer sources that include at least two source resonators and a power source, where: each of the at least two source resonators has a nominal impedance when a device resonator is not positioned on or near any of the at least two source resonators, the nominal impedances of each of the at least two source resonators varying by 10% or less from one another; and the at least two source resonators are configured so that during operation of the wireless energy transfer source, when a device resonator is positioned on or near a first one of the at least two source resonators: (a) the impedance of the first source resonator is reduced to a value smaller than the nominal impedances of each of the other resonators by a factor of 2 or more.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Alexander P. McCauley, Arunanshu M. Roy, Noam Katz, Andre B. Kurs, Morris P. Kesler
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Patent number: 10915310Abstract: Provided is a control apparatus configured to control updating of a control program of an on-vehicle control device that controls a target device installed in a vehicle including a plurality of power supplies. The control apparatus includes: a detection unit configured to detect states of the plurality of power supplies that supply power to the target device; and a determination unit configured to determine that updating of the control program is possible, when the states of the plurality of power supplies detected by the detection unit indicate that at least two of the plurality of power supplies are able to output power required for updating the control program.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2017Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Ryusuke Seki
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Wireless power receiver with improved power transmission efficiency and power control method thereof
Patent number: 10903687Abstract: A method of supplying power in a wireless power receiver can include receiving an AC power via a reception coil in the wireless power receiver; rectifying the AC power to a DC power; transferring the DC power to a load during a charging mode when a voltage of the DC power is equal to or greater than a first threshold voltage corresponding to a target charging power for charging the load; and when the DC power being transferred to the load is less than the target charging power, maintaining the load in the charging mode while the voltage of the DC power is equal to or greater than a second threshold voltage in a state of the charging mode, in which the first threshold voltage is greater than the second threshold voltage.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: LG INNOTEK CO., LTD.Inventor: Su Ho Bae -
Patent number: 10903695Abstract: A power reception control device provided in a power reception device of a non-contact power transmission system includes a power-reception-side control circuit that controls an operation of the power reception device, and a power supply control signal output terminal that supplies a power supply control signal to a charge control device, the power supply control signal controlling power supply to a battery. The power-reception-side control circuit controls a timing at which the power supply control signal (ICUTX) is output from the power supply control signal output terminal. The operation of the charge control device is compulsorily controlled using the power supply control signal (ICUTX).Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2019Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATIONInventors: Kentaro Yoda, Takahiro Kamijo, Kota Onishi, Masayuki Kamiyama, Nobutaka Shiozaki
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Patent number: 10894482Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein provide for receiving internal hybrid vehicle information, external static information, and external dynamic information; determining a propulsion power for the hybrid vehicle at a particular location at a particular time based on at least one of the internal hybrid vehicle information, the external static information, and the external dynamic information; determining a current state of charge of a battery, wherein the battery is operatively coupled to an electric motor in the hybrid vehicle; and managing a state of charge of the battery at the particular location at the particular time based on the current state of charge and the determined propulsion power.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Cummins, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth M. Follen, Arun Prakash Thunga Gopal, Vivek A. Sujan, Pinak Jayant Tulpule, Mugdha S. Sane
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Patent number: 10886671Abstract: An electronic power connector. The electronic power connector includes at least one contact configured to electrically connect a power supply to a load, an insulating sleeve, and an electronic assembly. The insulating sleeve includes a sensor slot configured to receive a sensor and is configured to receive the at least one contact. The electronic assembly including a transformer winding configured to receive the at least one contact and sense a current.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Hubbell IncorporatedInventors: Shadi Alex AbuGhazaleh, Ryan Papageorge, Thomas Scanzillo, Matthew Samojeden
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Patent number: 10879710Abstract: An apparatus for preventing a battery from being over-discharged according to the present invention includes: a latch relay which connects or disconnects the load of the vehicle; a voltage measuring circuit which measures a voltage of the auxiliary battery for every predetermined period when a ignition of the vehicle is off, and compares the measured voltage of the auxiliary battery with one or more over-discharge reference values that serve as references for determining whether the auxiliary battery is over-discharged; and a control unit which turns off the latch relay when the voltage of the auxiliary battery is equal to or less than the over-discharge reference value as a result of the comparison by the voltage measuring circuit, in which the voltage measuring circuit outputs an enable signal for operating the control unit when the voltage of the auxiliary battery is equal to or less than the over-discharge reference value.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Hyundai Autron Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jae Seong Park
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Patent number: 10877537Abstract: System, methods, and other embodiments described herein relate to managing electrical power delivery to a peripheral device in a vehicle. In one embodiment, a method includes, receiving, at a vehicle-side controller via a communication channel, a request from the peripheral device to modify the electrical power delivery to the peripheral device. The method includes, in response to identifying that the request is for an increase to the electrical power delivery, determining an electrical loading of the vehicle. The method also includes communicating a message over the communication channel to the peripheral device that causes the peripheral device to manage the electrical power delivery according to whether the electrical loading satisfies a loading threshold of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.Inventors: Sibu Varughese, Christopher Abrego, Martin Nespolo, Gareth Webb
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Patent number: 10873200Abstract: Methods and supercapacitor-emulating fast-charging batteries are provided. Methods comprise configuring a fast-charging battery to emulate a supercapacitor with given specifications by operating the fast-charging battery only within a partial operation range which is defined according to the given specifications of the supercapacitor and is smaller than 20%, possibly 5% or 1%, of a full operation range of the fast-charging battery. Devices are provided, which comprise control circuitry and a modified fast-charging lithium ion battery having Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material and designed to operate at 5 C at least and within a range of 5% at most around a working point of between 60-80% lithiation of the Si, Ge and/or Sn-based anode active material, wherein the control circuitry is configured to maintain a state of charge (SOC) of the battery within the operation range around the working point.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: STOREDOT LTD.Inventor: Daniel Aronov
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Patent number: 10864592Abstract: A welding system includes an engine configured to drive a generator to produce a first power output. The welding system also includes a battery configured to discharge energy to produce a second power output. In addition, the welding system includes an auxiliary charger coupled to the battery and the generator. The auxiliary charger is configured to maintain a float charge of the battery when the first and second power outputs are reduced from a base load.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: James F. Ulrich, Allen Raymond Sykes
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Patent number: 10858014Abstract: A vehicle control system of an embodiment includes a recognizer that recognizes a peripheral environment of a vehicle, a driving controller that performs driving control based on speed control and steering control of the vehicle on the basis of a recognition result of the recognizer, an acquirer that acquires a remaining energy amount of a terminal device, and a notifier that performs a notification for prompting an increase of the remaining energy amount when the remaining energy amount acquired by the acquirer while an occupant is aboard the vehicle is less than a first threshold in a case where an instruction to cause a vehicle to enter a parking area in which the vehicle is able to be parked by traveling based on the driving control or an instruction to cause the vehicle to exit the parking area is performed by the terminal device.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2020Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasushi Shoda, Junpei Noguchi, Yuki Hara, Ryoma Taguchi, Yuta Takada
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Patent number: 10862083Abstract: A battery unit includes a box-shaped case in which a plurality of secondary batteries are stored and that includes a front face, a back face, a first lateral face, a second lateral face, a first main face, and a second main face, a first heat-transfer face that is provided on one faces of the first and second main faces of the case, a second heat-transfer face that is formed on at least one faces of the first and second lateral faces and is continued to the first heat-transfer face, and an insulating face that is formed on the front face, the back face, the other faces of the first and second main faces, and an inner face of the second heat-transfer face. In the battery unit, a battery element of the secondary batteries is stored in an outer package member and positive and negative electrode tabs are led out.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.Inventors: Yasuhiro Tonomura, Ryo Tanabe, Munenori Inden
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Patent number: 10862295Abstract: A protection circuit for protecting an energy storage device includes a first circuit region between a first terminal of the energy storage device and a first connector node, a second circuit region between a second terminal of the energy storage device and a second connector node, a latching circuit to electrically couple the first connector node to the first terminal of the energy storage device when the latching circuit is in a closed configuration, and a contactor circuit electrically coupled to an operational switch of the latching circuit, the contactor circuit comprising a capacitor to store charge and a microcontroller to monitor an electrical property of the energy storage device to determine if a short circuit occurs and, if a short circuit does occur, cause the capacitor to discharge to the operational switch of the latching circuit to cause the latching circuit to transition to the open configuration.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: CONCORDE BATTERY CORPORATIONInventor: David George Vutetakis
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Patent number: 10855100Abstract: A power supply control apparatus is applied to a power supply system that includes an opening and closing unit that has a plurality of switches that are connected in series on an energization path over which energization from a voltage source is performed and a plurality of diodes that are respectively connected in parallel to the plurality of switches, in which the plurality of diodes include diodes that are arranged in opposite directions to each other. The power supply control apparatus includes a determining unit determining that an abnormal state has occurred in which a current is flowing to any of the plurality of diodes in a state in which the plurality of switches are turned off, and a control unit controlling the switch that is connected in parallel to the diode through which the current is flowing to an on-state, when the abnormal state is determined to have occurred.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventors: Shimpei Takita, Yamato Utsunomiya, Shunsuke Tomoto