Switchable To Parallel Connection Patents (Class 320/117)
  • Patent number: 12255472
    Abstract: A battery system includes: two battery modules, each including three strings of battery cells that are configured to, at different times be: connected in series and to a first positive terminal via first ones of switches; connected in parallel and to a second positive terminal via second ones of the switches; and disconnected from both of the first and second positive terminals; and a switch control module configured to: determine state of charges (SOCs) of the strings, respectively; determine periods of phases, respectively, based on the SOCs; determine first periods for connecting ones of the strings in parallel; divide one of the phases into N equal length periods; selectively decrease N; when a number of the first periods that end closest to one of N period endings is at least a predetermined value, adjust the first periods to the respective closest ones of the N period endings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2025
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jun-mo Kang, Charles W. Wampler, II, Dave G. Rich
  • Patent number: 12246617
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a circuit for a traction battery of a vehicle, the circuit comprising: switching means configured to electrically interconnect in series a first cell set comprising one or more battery cells and a second cell set comprising one or more battery cells, and configured to electrically interconnect in parallel the first cell set and the second cell set; and at least one component configured to control electrical energy transfer between the first cell set and the second cell set associated with the first cell set and the second cell set having unequal voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2025
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventor: Tung Fai Yu
  • Patent number: 12212166
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a battery with integrated inverters comprising n basic cell modules (MEk) which supply a basic voltage Vcell and allow the application of a homogenous current to all the cells. More specifically, the method comprises a step of controlling the control signals (uik) from the basic modules (MEk) so as to provide the voltage waveform (VM1) on the basis of a selection of a group of q basic modules (MEk) according to a reference voltage setpoint Vref, where Vref=qVcell, determining a classification of the n basic modules, processing the classification of the plurality n according to a circular permutation of the positions of the basic modules (MEk) such that each basic module (MEk) of the plurality n is involved in producing the voltage waveform over a period that is the same for each module. The invention is applicable in the fields of electromobility and stationary energy storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignees: PSA AUTOMOBILES SA, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFQUE, CONSERVATOIRE NATIONAL DES ARTS ET METIERS, SAFT, ÉCOLE NORMALE SUPÉRIEURE PARIS-SACLAY
    Inventors: Francis Roy, Adrien Dittrick, Bertrand Revol, Denis Labrousse, Thomas Peuchant
  • Patent number: 12191092
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a contactor device (100), which is capable of changing a connection state of at least two battery modules (502(1), 502(2)) of a high voltage energy storage system (10) between a series connection and a parallel connection, and to an energy storage system (10) comprising the contactor device (100). The contactor device (100) comprises two first terminals (102, 104) for electrically connecting at least one of a load and a charger, two second terminals (106, 108) for electrically connecting a first battery module (502(1)), and two third terminals (110, 112) for electrically connecting a second battery module (502(2)).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Munich Electrification GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Goede, Philipp Lachner, Sebastian Kleppe, Heiko Bergmaier, Tobias Werling
  • Patent number: 12160125
    Abstract: A charging integrated circuit (IC) includes: a connection circuit configured to selectively connect a first battery and a second battery to each other in series and in parallel; a first charger configured to charge the first battery and the second battery connected to each other in parallel in a first charging mode; and a second charger configured to charge the first battery and the second battery connected to each other in series in a second charging mode. The connection circuit may include: a first regulating circuit connected to the first battery in series and configured to regulate a first balancing current flowing to the first battery; and a second regulating circuit connected to the second battery in series and configured to regulate a second balancing current flowing to the second battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minkyu Kwon, Sungkyu Cho
  • Patent number: 12142954
    Abstract: A cell controller includes: a balancing unit which performs balancing of states of charge of a plurality of secondary batteries by discharging or charging each of the plurality of secondary batteries; a first timer which measures an elapsed time after a start of the balancing; a receiving unit which receives a balancing command signal including information regarding balancing times for the secondary batteries; and a first control unit which controls the balancing unit on a basis of the elapsed time after the start of the balancing, and the balancing command signal, the elapsed time being measured by the first timer and the balancing command signal being received by the receiving unit, in which the receiving unit receives the information on the plurality of secondary batteries through the single balancing command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Hitachi Astemio, Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomonori Kanai, Hikaru Miura
  • Patent number: 12097756
    Abstract: A system may comprise a vehicle having a frame. One or more rails may form at least a portion of the frame and the container is configured to provide torsional rigidity to the chassis. The system may comprise a container configured to be mounted to the one or more rails. A plurality of battery assemblies may be enclosed within the container. The system may comprise a power distribution unit (PDU) to which the plurality of battery assemblies are connected. The plurality of battery assemblies may be configured to provide power to at least one component of the vehicle via the PDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Inventor: David Michael Mazaika
  • Patent number: 12084890
    Abstract: Proposed is a device for supplying emergency power to a digital door lock, which supplies emergency power by switching a connection method of a battery holder provided in the digital door lock from parallel to series or series to parallel by rotating a door lock opening/closing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventor: Dae Young Ryu
  • Patent number: 12051933
    Abstract: A system and method for managing and controlling the charging and discharging of dual batteries in a vehicle, wherein the auxiliary battery is a lithium-ion battery, and the primary battery can be of any type. The system includes a charging circuitry for charging the lithium-ion batteries using power from the power supply of the vehicle. The system further includes a controller that prioritizes the charging of the primary battery. The controller allows simultaneous charging of the primary battery and the secondary battery when the charging status of the primary between is about 13.5 Volts and prevents charging of the secondary battery when the voltage source is below 13.2 Volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Inventor: Dennis M Hogan
  • Patent number: 12046930
    Abstract: A battery system includes: a first battery module including a plurality of first battery cells; a second battery module including a plurality of second battery cells; a battery disconnection unit connected between the first battery module and the second battery module, the battery disconnection unit including: a first main switch connected in series between the plurality of first battery cells and the plurality of second battery cells; and a precharge switch and a precharge resistor connected in series with each other and connected in parallel with the first main switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peelsik Jeon, Inbeom Jeon, Seongjin Mun
  • Patent number: 12040638
    Abstract: Two or more batteries may be in a switching para-series circuit arrangement where a set of batteries are connected, in both parallel and series arrangement in two independent phases, using fast switching devices, where the output to the load is the average voltage based on the duty cycles. Renewable energy power source such as solar panels may be coupled with batteries in parallel connection in a first phase and the same batteries connected in series to the load in a second phase, using transistor switches that, first, enables simultaneous charging and discharging of the batteries, and second, enables voltage shifting from the solar panel, as the additional batteries in series provide the required voltage to the load and where the duty cycles of charging and discharging is adjustable to convert the voltage waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: Switching Battery Inc.
    Inventors: Kannappan Karuppan Chettiar, Veshant Chettiar
  • Patent number: 12040639
    Abstract: A power supply device includes: a first system connected to a first load; a second system connected to a second load; an inter-system switch configured to connect and disconnect the first system and the second system to and from each other; a controller configured to normally supply power of a first power supply to the first system and the second system and, in response to a fault of the first system being detected, turn off the inter-system switch to supply power of a second power supply to the second system; and a backup circuit which includes a discharge regulation unit configured to regulate discharging of the second power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO TEN LIMITED
    Inventors: Daiki Hakushima, Takeshi Matsumoto, Hiroshi Matsumoto, Keiichi Yonezaki, Ryuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 12027895
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments to provide a multi-battery energy storage device. One embodiment comprises a first battery and a second battery, with a first circuit branch coupling a positive side of the first battery to a positive side of the second battery, a second circuit branch coupling a positive side of the first battery to a negative side of the second battery, a third circuit branch coupling the negative side of the first battery to the negative side of the second battery, and multiple switchable devices configured to control flow of current through corresponding branches. Other embodiments comprise other configurations and operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SNAP INC.
    Inventor: Zhibin Zhang
  • Patent number: 12003133
    Abstract: A charging system for a vehicle includes an alternator configured to alternately output at least a low charge voltage to charge a low voltage storage device and a high charge voltage to charge a high voltage storage device, and a switch configured to switch between at least a first switch position connecting the alternator to the low voltage storage device and a second switch position connecting the alternator to the high voltage storage device. A controller is configured to control operation of the alternator and the switch between at least a low voltage mode and a high voltage mode based on at least one of an engine RPM and a temperature. In the low voltage mode the alternator outputs the low charge voltage and the switch is in the first switch position and in the high voltage mode the alternator outputs the high charge voltage and the switch is in the second switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2024
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11951871
    Abstract: A multi-voltage storage system for an at least partly electrically driven vehicle includes a first storage module and a second storage module having an identical rated voltage for storing electrical energy, wherein on-board consumers are connected to the second storage module at least with priority during a charging process, a heating apparatus for heating the storage modules, a switch unit which is designed to connect the first storage module and the second storage module in series for a charging process and in parallel for driving the vehicle, and a control unit, which is firstly designed to control the switch unit before and/or during a charging process such that the parallel connection of the first storage module and the second storage module is eliminated, and which is secondly designed, after elimination of the parallel connection, to activate the heating apparatus before and/or during the charging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Simon Nuernberger, Werner Seliger, Boris Zuev
  • Patent number: 11953142
    Abstract: A mount that enables a smart home device or directional speaker to be selectively positioned so as to optimize audibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Legrand AV Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Grulkowski, Mark Plummer, Mark Trebicki, Wyatt Grunerud
  • Patent number: 11949260
    Abstract: An inductance component has a given value causing a time constant of a circuit composed of one of first and second routes in which an abnormality does not occur and a connection path connecting the first and second routes not to allow a voltage of one of loads disposed in the other one of the routes to decrease to less than a lower limit of an operating voltage of one of loads during a shut-off period, which starts from a time when it is determined by an abnormality determiner that an abnormality has occurred in any one of the first route and the second route to a time when an inter-route switch enters a switched off state upon receiving a switch-off command from a state controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuo Morita
  • Patent number: 11929630
    Abstract: A secondary battery charging method that shortens charging time includes a step for introducing a plurality of battery cells onto an activation tray and CC-charging the battery cells; and a step for connecting the plurality of battery cells in parallel. The charging method according to the present invention shortens the time typically required for CV-charging by connecting battery cells in parallel after CC-charging, thus having the effect of replacing CV-charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: So Hee Kim, Nak Gi Sung, Joon Sung Bae
  • Patent number: 11840137
    Abstract: A system may comprise a vehicle having a frame. One or more rails may form at least a portion of the frame and the container is configured to provide torsional rigidity to the chassis. The system may comprise a container configured to be mounted to the one or more rails. A plurality of battery assemblies may be enclosed within the container. The system may comprise a power distribution unit (PDU) to which the plurality of battery assemblies are connected. The plurality of battery assemblies may be configured to provide power to at least one component of the vehicle via the PDU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Inventor: David Michael Mazaika
  • Patent number: 11799301
    Abstract: A battery system and method may be shown and described. Two or more batteries may be connected in an identical configuration to an output device. The batteries may be controlled by a control unit or logic chip which may be configured to operate in two phases. In the first phase, the two or more batteries may be connected in series. In the second phase, the two or more batteries may be connected in parallel. Switches may be connected to the positive and negative terminals of the batteries to switch the configuration from series to parallel, and vice-versa. A control unit may switch between the two phases at any desirable frequency to produce a desired output voltage and amperage. The switching speed between the two phases may be any number of rotations per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Switching Battery Inc.
    Inventors: Kannappan Karuppan Chettiar, Veshant Chettiar
  • Patent number: 11721985
    Abstract: Example implementations include a charging device with a capacitor divider circuit including a plurality of battery state inputs operably coupleable to a plurality of battery devices, and a pulse width modulation (PWM) generator operable to selectively charge the battery devices, a plurality of switching transistors each operatively coupled at a gate terminal thereof to a respective PWM control output of a plurality of PWM control outputs, and a flying capacitor operatively coupled at a first terminal thereof to a first plurality of the switching transistors, operatively coupled at a second terminal thereof to a second plurality of the switching transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Mo Chen, Sungkeun Lim
  • Patent number: 11652357
    Abstract: A controller, a system including such a controller, and a method for controlling discharging of a plurality of battery packs are provided. The controller includes one or more processor and at least one tangible, non-transitory machine readable medium encoded with one or more programs configured to perform steps to determine a respective discharge power or discharge share for each battery pack for maximizing objective function (J) of the plurality of battery packs defined in Equation (1). The controller provides signals with instructions to the plurality of battery packs and/or the one or more power converters for discharging power from the plurality of battery packs based on the respective discharging share and power of each battery pack and/or keeping a certain battery pack idle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignees: China Energy Investment Corporation Limited, National Institute of Clean-and-Low Carbon Energy
    Inventors: Ratnesh Sharma, Surinder Singh, Brandon Ohara
  • Patent number: 11641123
    Abstract: In a power supply system for a watercraft, a controller in a first state connects a first electric circuit to a third electric circuit to supply electric power from a first engine battery to an electric device, and disconnects a second electric circuit from the third electric circuit to charge a second engine battery by a second generator. In a second state, the controller connects the second electric circuit to the third electric circuit to supply the electric power from the second engine battery to the electric device, and disconnects the first electric circuit from the third electric circuit to charge the first engine battery by a first generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masaaki Mashimo
  • Patent number: 11462919
    Abstract: A secondary battery system of connecting secondary batteries includes first output-unit switches, second output-unit switches, series-connection switches, a positive-side discharging output unit connected to second terminals of the first output-unit switches, a negative-side discharging output unit connected to second terminals of the second output-unit switches, a positive-side charging input unit connected between a positive terminal of one of the secondary batteries at one end of the secondary batteries and a first terminal of one of the first output-unit switches associated with the one of the secondary batteries at the one end of the secondary batteries, a negative-side charging input unit connected between a negative terminal of one of the secondary batteries at the other end of the secondary batteries and a first terminal of one of the second output-unit switches associated with the one of the secondary batteries at the other end of the secondary batteries, and a control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: KABUSKIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Shinji Hirose, Toshinari Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 11424627
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus may include: batteries; a charger configured to charge the batteries; a switch network electrically connected to the batteries; and a charging controller configured to control the switch network to change a connection relationship between the batteries and to control the charger to charge the batteries while the batteries are in the changed connection relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Youngjae Kim
  • Patent number: 11398735
    Abstract: A battery system and method may be shown and described. Two or more batteries may be connected in an identical configuration to an output device. The batteries may be controlled by a control unit or logic chip which may be configured to operate in two phases. In the first phase, the two or more batteries may be connected in series. In the second phase, the two or more batteries may be connected in parallel. Switches may be connected to the positive and negative terminals of the batteries to switch the configuration from series to parallel, and vice-versa. A control unit may switch between the two phases at any desirable frequency to produce a desired output voltage and amperage. The switching speed between the two phases may be any number of rotations per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Switching Battery Inc.
    Inventors: Kannappan Karuppan Chettiar, Veshant Chettiar
  • Patent number: 11381103
    Abstract: A variable voltage charging system for a vehicle includes an alternator operatively connected to an engine and configured to alternately output at least a low charge voltage to charge a low voltage storage device and a high charge voltage to charge a high voltage storage device. A switch is configured to switch between connecting the alternator to the low voltage storage device and connecting the alternator to the high voltage storage device. A controller is configured to control operation of the alternator and the switch between at least a low voltage mode and a high voltage mode. In the low voltage mode, the alternator outputs the low charge voltage and the switch is connecting the alternator to the low voltage storage device. In the high voltage mode, the alternator outputs the high charge voltage and the switch is connecting the alternator to the high voltage storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Steven J. Gonring
  • Patent number: 11368029
    Abstract: There is provided a battery power pack and power tool system, including at least first and second power tools operational with a first voltage supply level and a second power voltage supply level respectively. The battery pack is selectively mechanically and electrically connectable with each of the said power tools to provide power thereto and the first power tool includes electrical connection means in a first configuration to provide the power from the battery pack for the operation of said first power tool at the said first voltage supply level and the second power tool includes electrical connection means in a second configuration to provide the power from the battery pack for the operation of said second power tool at the said second voltage supply level such that the same battery pack is used to supply different required voltage supply levels for the respective power tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: KOKI HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Rients Bakker
  • Patent number: 11362524
    Abstract: A battery system and a method include an auxiliary power module configured to support auxiliary loads. A first contactor switch connected between first and second battery packs, and a second contactor switch is in series with the first contactor switch. A controller determines whether to open or close first and second contactor switches depending on whether the battery packs are being charged in a high voltage mode or a low voltage mode. The contactor switches are both closed when in the high voltage mode and at least one of the contactor switches is opened when in the low voltage mode. At least one of the first and second battery packs operate to power the auxiliary power module while charging at least one of the first and second battery packs regardless of whether the battery packs are in the high voltage mode or the low voltage mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andres V. Mituta, Shifang Li, Emil Francu, Garrett M. Seeman
  • Patent number: 11342763
    Abstract: A battery system, including multiple battery cells, each of which have respective battery cell housings with electrical terminals via which the multiple battery cells are electrically connected to one another, wherein a cell branch connecting the electrical terminals to a galvanic cell and a bypass branch for bridging the galvanic cell are arranged in each of the respective battery cell housings, each cell branch having a switching element for opening and closing the cell branch and each bypass branch having a bridging switching element for opening and closing the bypass branch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Michael Hinterberger, Berthold Hellenthal
  • Patent number: 11196102
    Abstract: In order to easily detect a disconnection in a lowest-order voltage detection line when a voltage detection circuit for detecting the respective voltage of a plurality of serially connected cells is made redundant, the operation power supply of a first voltage detection circuit and a second voltage detection circuit is fed from both ends of a plurality of serially connected cells. The lowest node of the plurality of cells and the first voltage detection circuit are connected by the two lines of a voltage detection line and a negative power supply line. The lowest node of the plurality of cells and the second voltage detection circuit are connected by a single wire serving as both of a voltage detection line and a negative power supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kimihiko Furukawa, Jun Asakura
  • Patent number: 11130423
    Abstract: A method and a device includes a first accumulator apparatus and a second accumulator apparatus. The device includes a control apparatus that is configured so as, depending on a first state of charge of the first accumulator apparatus and/or on a second state of charge of the second accumulator apparatus, to selectively either operate the first accumulator apparatus and the second accumulator apparatus in a series connection between a first terminal and a second terminal in order to supply power to a vehicle at a first supply voltage, or, in order to supply power to a vehicle by way of the second accumulator apparatus at a second supply voltage, to electrically disconnect the first accumulator apparatus from the first terminal and/or from the second terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eike Epler
  • Patent number: 11088550
    Abstract: A vehicle having an energy storage element including a drive inverter and a charging unit. The energy storage element further includes a first control apparatus, modules, an interconnection apparatus, and two first poles, the drive inverter is connected to said two first poles. Each modules of said modules has an energy storage unit. The interconnection apparatus has connections between the modules and first switches provided on the connections in order to allow different interconnections of the modules and different voltages at the first poles based on a state at the first switches. Different interconnections of the modules allow at least two interconnections from the group of interconnections. The first control apparatus is configured to actuate the interconnection apparatus based on a voltage setpoint value in order to influence the different voltages at the two first poles based on the voltage setpoint value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Inventors: Malte Jaensch, Jan Kacetl, Tomas Kacetl, Stefan Götz
  • Patent number: 11052843
    Abstract: A battery arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a first electrical energy store, a second electrical energy store, a charging connection, and a supply connection. The arrangement further includes first through seventh switches. The battery arrangement is switchable into four operating states via respective opening and closing of the first through seventh switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Doersam, Andreas Eichinger, Rainer Falsett, Heiko Hachtel, Frieder Herb, Oliver Lehmann, Christian Ohms
  • Patent number: 11050346
    Abstract: A power generation device is characterized in that: charging and discharging circuits constituted by a first DC power supply and a second DC power supply each comprising a DC power supply are connected to a capacitor circuit that is constituted by one capacitor and the other capacitor each comprising a single capacitor or a plurality of capacitors; the configuration of the capacitor circuit can be switched to a first mode circuit or a second mode circuit by an operation switch, said first mode circuit storing charge in both capacitors from the charging circuit via a high-voltage relay, said second mode circuit storing charge in only the one capacitor; and the connection configuration of the capacitor circuit in which charge is stored is switched to a series connection by a switching switch driven by a switching driving power supply constituted by the DC power supply to reduce the combined capacitance of the capacitor circuit, thereby supplying the increased charge to the discharging circuit via the high-volta
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: BMC CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shozo Nanba
  • Patent number: 11043540
    Abstract: The present disclosure proposes a detecting circuit and a display device. The detecting circuit includes a cell test circuit controlling signal line, a cell test circuit data signal line, an array test driving unit and an FET. The cell test circuit controlling signal line is connected to a gate of the FET. The cell test circuit controlling signal line is connected to a drain of the FET. A common signal is further connected to a source of the FET. By using the detecting circuit, a panel with a narrow bezel and low production cost can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuan Zheng
  • Patent number: 11034258
    Abstract: A power supply of a vehicle includes a first switching element, a second switching element, a third switching element, a first battery, a reactor element, a second battery, a smoothing capacitor, and a controller. When the connection state of the first battery and the second battery is switched from the series connection state to the parallel connection state, the controller is configured to perform a transition control so that a voltage of the smoothing capacitor is decreased to the higher of a voltage of the first battery and a voltage of the second battery, and perform a switching control to turn on the first switching element after a diode of the first switching element is energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Niimi, Naoyoshi Takamatsu, Shunya Kobayashi, Satoru Ito, Takuya Sakamoto, Hirotsugu Ohata, Naoki Yanagizawa, Shuji Tomura, Shigeaki Goto
  • Patent number: 11031792
    Abstract: There are provided control systems and methods for charging batteries. For instance, there is provided a system for charging at least two batteries. The system can include a set of hardware associated with the at least two batteries, and the at least two batteries can be connected in series. Each battery from the at least two batteries can be associated with a subset of the set of hardware, and one subset of the set of hardware can be configured to control an associated battery independently from another subset of the set of hardware and its associated battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventor: Robert Gregory Wagoner
  • Patent number: 11021067
    Abstract: An electrically powered vehicle includes electric power lines through which electric power supplied from external charger flows, an electric power storage device electrically connected to the electric power lines, a charging circuit electrically connected to the electric power lines, and an electronic control unit. The electric power storage device is configured to be charged with the electric power from the external charger. The charging circuit is configured to charge the electric power storage device in either a first state or a second state. The electronic control unit is configured to acquire charger information indicating information related to electric power to be suppliable from the external charger, generate the command by using the acquired charger information, and output the command to the charging circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Kusumi, Yoshihiko Hiroe, Tomoya Ono
  • Patent number: 10998595
    Abstract: A battery of a vehicle includes a housing including: a lower portion that includes a plurality of separators extending vertically upward from a floor of the lower portion; and an upper portion that covers an opening of the lower portion and that is removable from the lower portion. The battery also includes: first and second terminals on the housing; third and fourth terminals on the housing; a plurality of individually housed batteries separated by the plurality of separators; a plurality of switches configured to selectively connect ones of the plurality of batteries to ones of the first, second, third, and fourth terminals; and a battery management module configured to control the plurality of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lyall K. Winger, Dave G. Rich, Saad Hasan
  • Patent number: 10998743
    Abstract: A mobile power bank includes at least two cuboid modules including a control module and a battery module. The battery module includes a first telescopic element disposed on a first side, a first hole corresponding to the first telescopic element, a second telescopic element disposed on a sixth side, and second holes. The control module includes a first telescopic element disposed on a first side, a first hole corresponding to the first telescopic element and disposed on a second side, a power function element disposed on a sixth side, and second holes. The first telescopic element is electrically connected to the first hole in a pluggable manner. The second telescopic element is electrically connected to the second hole in a pluggable manner. The control module manages charging and discharging of the battery module accessed to the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Tianjin Synergy Groups Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Liangliang Ruan
  • Patent number: 10974617
    Abstract: The electric power storage device of an electric power storage system includes plural electric power storage bodies and a switching relay. The switching relay is capable of being switched between a first state where the plural electric power storage bodies are connected in series, and a second state where the plural electric power storage bodies are connected in parallel. The switching relay allows each of the plural electric power storage bodies to be electrically disconnected from the rest of the electric power storage bodies. The control unit controls the switching relay into the all-off state where the plural electric power storage bodies are electrically disconnected from each other, when the main relay is in an opened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Hiroe, Yoshitaka Niimi
  • Patent number: 10919403
    Abstract: A charging pile system comprising a system input bus, charging pile circuit groups, a controller, a power allocation unit, and charging terminals. The power allocation unit comprises a first switch group, a second switch group, and a third switch group. The first switch group comprises first switching devices, the second switch group comprises second switching devices, and the third switch group comprises third switching devices. The first switching devices are coupled to respective output ends of the charging pile circuit groups so as to configure at least two idle charging pile circuit groups to be coupled either in series or in parallel to provide a first output. Each of the second switch group and the third switch group is configured to couple an input end of any of the charging terminals in series or in parallel to provide a second output to the charging pile circuit groups.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jing Ge, Xingjie Wang, Yongjin Lin
  • Patent number: 10919467
    Abstract: An HV battery arrangement with a first HV battery unit that can be electrically coupled to a first HV onboard network part having a first drive unit of the motor vehicle, and with a second HV battery unit that can be electrically coupled to a second HV onboard network part having a second drive unit of the motor vehicle, wherein, between the first HV battery unit and the second HV battery unit, a switching device is arranged, by which the first and the second HV battery units can be connected in series and can be electrically disconnected from each other. The HV battery arrangement further has a control unit for actuating at least the switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: AUDI AG
    Inventors: Bernhard Link, Thomas Glass
  • Patent number: 10916962
    Abstract: A vehicle power supply system that includes an alternator; a first electrical storage device that is charged by the alternator; a power generator that generates power in conjunction with traveling of the vehicle; a second electrical storage device that is charged by the power generator; a charge path used to charge the second electrical storage device with power from the power generator; a first power feed path for feeding power to the actuator from the first electrical storage device; a second power feed path for feeding power to the actuator from the second electrical storage device; a third power feed path for feeding power to the control load from the first electrical storage device; a fourth power feed path for feeding power to the control load from the second electrical storage device; a first switch and a second switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Hida
  • Patent number: 10870367
    Abstract: A storage system provides electrical power for driving a vehicle. The storage system has a first and a second storage module for storing electrical energy. The storage system includes a switching unit which is configured for connecting the first storage module and the second storage module in series for a charging operation and in parallel for driving the vehicle. The storage system includes a control unit which is configured to implement measures in order to reduce a difference between a state of charge of the first storage module and a state of charge of the second storage module in preparation for a parallel connection of the first storage module to the second storage module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Knobel, Gerhard Hofer, Daniel Gleyzes
  • Patent number: 10784680
    Abstract: The present invention includes self-contained, rechargeable power systems for areas having unreliable electrical grids or no electrical grid at all, and methods related thereto. The system may include one or more solar panels of various sizes to provide an off-grid power generation source, battery receivers for receiving batteries of various chemistries, and a control circuitry that is operable to detect the voltage and/or current output of the batteries that are installed in the system to determine their specific battery chemistry and then adjust the charge algorithm of the batteries to optimize both the charge capacity and the cycle life of the batteries. The control circuitry may also be operable to switch configurations of the solar panels and/or the batteries to optimize performance of the system. The system may be operable to power one or more light emitters and/or external electronic devices connected through the system by a charge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Elevate Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Ellenberger
  • Patent number: 10700534
    Abstract: The uneven charge and discharge from non-collocated batteries within an HMD can be solved by monitoring the DC current on the paths coupled to the first battery and the second battery and making an adjustment in the path resistance to equalize, or at least reduce, the difference between the currents on the two paths. Aspects of the technology described herein monitor current on paths from two or more non-collocated batteries. When the currents are different, resistance is dynamically added to the path with the higher current to equalize the current in the two paths. The monitoring and resistance adjustment can occur during discharge from a battery to a load and during battery recharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING, LLC
    Inventors: Julian Arlo Binder, David Paul Wunsch Desrosiers, Eugene Lvovich Shoykhet, David Simon Lukofsky, Agustya Ruchir Mehta, Junius Mark Penny
  • Patent number: 10566804
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of forming a balancing circuit for a plurality of battery cells includes configuring the balancing circuit to selectively pre-charge a transfer element from a power source, and to subsequently selectively couple the transfer element to one battery cell of the plurality of battery cells to transfer energy from the transfer element to the one battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Bart De Cock
  • Patent number: 10437300
    Abstract: An electronic device has a connecting unit configured to connect to an external device by cable and receive external power from the external device, and a control unit configured to execute a predetermined function using the external power. The electronic device logically determines a power supply capability of the external device connected to the connecting unit, and determines whether the external device is capable of power supply at the logically determined power supply capability. If it is determined that the external device is not capable of power supply at the logically determined power supply capability, a prohibited state in which the predetermined function cannot be executed using the external power is set to the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shuya Kaechi