Diverse Charging Or Discharging Rates For Plural Batteries Patents (Class 320/125)
  • Patent number: 10197634
    Abstract: The preset invention relates to an identification code allocating device for battery management categories, a sequencing device for the battery management categories, and a battery management method using the same and the identification code allocating device includes: a unique identification code allocating unit allocating a unique identification code for a plurality of battery management categories each; a cycle identification code allocating unit allocating a cycle identification code for each of the plurality of battery management categories to correspond to a cycle of each of the plurality of battery management categories; and a dependency identification code allocating unit allocating a dependency identification code for each of the plurality of battery management categories to correspond to dependency relationships among the plurality of battery management categories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Hahnsang Kim
  • Patent number: 10183582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a supercapacitive storage system (10) for the electricity of a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a control device (12) arranged to allow charging of capacitive storage elements (11) or the storage system (10) when the voltage of the capacitive storage elements (11) is below or equal to a maximum voltage value of the operating range of a driving and energy recovery system (20), and to prohibit charging of the capacitive storage elements (11) when the voltage of the electricity distribution grid (2) is above a maximum operating voltage value of the capacitive storage elements (11), a driving and energy recovery system (20) and a control method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: ADETEL TRANSPORTATION SOLUTION
    Inventor: Alain Croset
  • Patent number: 10177589
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a rechargeable battery connected to the battery exercising device. A battery assessment may be performed on the rechargeable battery to determine whether to charge the battery after the battery assessment. The rechargeable battery may be desulfated during the battery assessment in an effort to restore or increase the cranking power and/or the charge timing of the rechargeable battery. A solar panel may be provided as the power source and may be used in conjunction with a bank battery to store collected solar power until needed to recharge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Johnson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Johnson, Jr., Mark A. DiLuciano
  • Patent number: 10116149
    Abstract: An automatic battery control system automatically switches from charge to discharge modes with a single relay, thereby preventing the need to manually reset a relay switch due to an over or under voltage situation. An automatic battery control circuit is coupled with a battery management system and a relay contactor is opened and closed by a signal from the battery management system. The battery management system monitors a state of charge of the battery unit as well as current flow to and from a battery unit. A parallel resistor is configured across the input and output sides of the single relay contactor and the voltage drop across the resistor indicates a connection to either a charging power source or a load. The connection is communicated to the battery management system by an optocoupler and if the battery unit has an acceptable state of charge, the relay contactor is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Elite Power Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Yuan Dao, William Jeffrey Schlanger
  • Patent number: 10084334
    Abstract: An automatic rechargeable battery control module incorporates an automatic battery control system that automatically switches from charge to discharge modes with a single relay, thereby preventing the need to manually reset a relay switch due to an over or under voltage situation. The module requires on a single power connection line connected with a single power connector on the module. Both input power to charge the battery and output power flow in and out of the single power connector and through the single power connection line. An automatic battery control circuit is coupled with a battery management system and a relay contactor is opened and closed by a signal from the battery management system. The battery management system monitors a state of charge of the battery unit as well as current flow to and from a battery unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Elite Power Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Yuan Dao, William Jeffrey Schlanger, Jennifer Dao
  • Patent number: 10085110
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a power supply unit configured to wirelessly supply power to an electronic apparatus, a communication unit configured to receive information regarding the electronic apparatus from the electronic apparatus, and a control unit configured to control whether to perform a process for detecting a foreign object according to whether the information is updated by the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiro Tanabe, Nobuyuki Tsukamoto
  • Patent number: 10061331
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of temperature control comprises receiving temperature readings from a temperature sensor on a chip, calculating one or more second derivatives of temperature with respect to time based on the temperature readings, and determining whether to perform temperature mitigation on the chip based on the one or more calculated second derivatives of temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mehdi Saeidi, Rajat Mittal, Arpit Mittal, Ryan Michael Coutts
  • Patent number: 10036360
    Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine with start/stop capability includes a primary battery connectible to an engine starter motor; a secondary battery, an alternator, and an electrical load in parallel with one another and selectively connectible in parallel with the primary battery by a charge switch; in parallel with the secondary battery, a DC/DC converter in series with a third electrical energy source; and a bypass switch operable to selectively bypass the DC/DC converter. The bypass switch allows for selective bypassing the DC/DC converter and charging/discharging of the third electrical energy source during start/stop operation, to ensure a sufficient voltage level over the additional vehicle electrical loads when the internal combustion engine and consequently the alternator are not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Oerjan Spjuth, Torbjoern Larsson, Daniel Midholm, Fredrik Ulmhage
  • Patent number: 9956882
    Abstract: An electric power storage system for a vehicle includes: an electric power storage device; a converter configured to perform voltage conversion between the device and the motor; a DC/DC converter configured to step down an output voltage to an auxiliary machine or an auxiliary machine battery; a charger configured to charge the device with external electric power; and first and second relays disposed on first and second connection lines connecting the device to the converter, respectively. One end of the DC/DC converter is connected to the first connection line between the first relay and the converter and the other end is connected to the second connection line between the device and the second relay. The charger is disposed on a current path capable of charging the device with the external electric power when the first relay is in an ON state and the second relay is in an OFF state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoaki Iida, Hiromasa Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9954379
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, a system, and a method of preventing a battery rack from being damaged by measuring a voltage, which, when a battery module is abnormally connected with a relay in some battery racks in installing the relay, which conducts or blocks a current flowing in the battery rack including a plurality of battery modules, so that a voltage smaller than a predetermined voltage limit value is applied to the battery rack, prevent a short-circuit phenomenon, by controlling an operation state of the relay before the battery rack and the relay form a short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Jongbum Lee
  • Patent number: 9941727
    Abstract: A battery control system that communicates by way of a communication network with a plurality of batteries that are connected to an electric power system includes a communication characteristics detection unit that, for each of the plurality of batteries, detects characteristics of communication paths between the batteries and the battery control system within the communication network. The battery control system includes a selection unit which selects, from among the plurality of batteries, each battery that has characteristics of communication paths within a predetermined communication characteristics range, as a regulating battery that is to be used for regulating electric power of the electric power system. The battery control system includes a control unit that supplies operation instructions that instructs the regulating batteries that were selected in the selection unit to perform a charging or discharging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kudo, Hitoshi Yano, Hisato Sakuma, Takayuki Shizuno, Toshiya Okabe
  • Patent number: 9923400
    Abstract: A battery charger operates in a current regulation mode and a voltage regulation mode. A value of the voltage on the battery being charged is sensed and compared against a target voltage value. The current regulation mode is active during charging while the sensed voltage is less than the target voltage value. When the sensed voltage reaches the target voltage value, the voltage regulation mode is enabled and the current regulation mode is inhibited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Giuliana De-Milato, Agatino Antonino Alessandro, Roberto Salvatore Peluso
  • Patent number: 9917465
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Johnson, Mark A. DiLuciano
  • Patent number: 9912180
    Abstract: A charge device for controlling an abnormal charge request is provided. The charge device includes a controller that interrupts a charge path, when power is applied and that determines whether a charge request is an abnormal charge request through a detour charge path and that controls to maintain interruption of the charge path, if the charge request is an abnormal charge request. The controller may be further configured to interrupt the detour charge path, in response to determining that the charge request is a normal charge request; connect the charge path; and supply a charge current to the charge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Se-Won Oh, Won-Bae Jung
  • Patent number: 9878629
    Abstract: An electric vehicle charging station that is installed in a residence is coupled with a main circuit breaker in an electrical service panel. The charging station includes a charging point connection that couples an electric vehicle to a set of service drop power lines that provide electricity from a power grid to the residence; a current control device coupled to control the amount of electric current that can be drawn from the set of service drop power lines by an the electric vehicle through the charging point connection; a receiver to receive energy readings from one or more current monitors that indicate an amount of current is being drawn from the set of service drop power lines; and a set of control modules to cause the current control device to control the amount of current that can be drawn by the electric vehicle through the charging point connection based on the received energy readings to avoid tripping the main circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: CHARGEPOINT, INC.
    Inventors: Richard Lowenthal, David Baxter, Harjinder Bhade
  • Patent number: 9827869
    Abstract: An electric power supply system for an electric vehicle, including a low-voltage network powering auxiliary devices of the vehicle and a high-voltage network powering a propulsion mechanism of the vehicle. The low-voltage network includes a low-voltage battery storing electric energy and a first converter connected to the high-voltage network powering the low-voltage network, while the high-voltage network includes a high-voltage battery and a switching mechanism isolating the high-voltage battery. The system further includes a first supervisor controlling the switching mechanism and a first monitoring mechanism determining if the charge of the low-voltage battery is below or above a first threshold, the supervisor configured to control the switching mechanism to connect the high-voltage battery if the first monitoring mechanism indicates the battery charge is below the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventor: Eric Chauvelier
  • Patent number: 9819056
    Abstract: A method for operating a secondary battery which comprises multiple interconnected, bridgeable battery subunits and is situated in a compartment of an electrically driven vehicle, in particular a watercraft, includes detecting an accessibility of each battery subunit, and activating the battery subunits in accordance with the accessibility of the particular battery subunits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Sebastian, Michael Gansemer, Julian Nolan
  • Patent number: 9806606
    Abstract: At least one embodiment of the invention provides a multi-modal rechargeable battery pack that can switch between charging algorithms dynamically. This dynamic switching can be accomplished in a wide variety of ways, for example via external command or automatically. At least one embodiment of the invention provides a system that can switch a multi-modal rechargeable battery pack between one or more of a runtime mode, a lifespan mode, and a quick charge mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenneth S. Seethaler, Jeremy R. Carlson, Larry G. Estes, Hiromitsu Yamaguchi, Shigefumi Odaohhara, Takeshi Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 9783066
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a power supply device for hybrid construction machinery, and more particularly, to a power supply device for hybrid construction machinery, which is capable of reducing engine loads and facilitating improvement of engine efficiency by excluding a starting motor used in general hybrid construction machinery and an alternator for charging a battery from hybrid construction machinery, such as a hybrid excavator or vehicle, which commonly uses an engine and an electric motor as a power source and includes an electric energy storage device, and a method for the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Choon Tack Kim, Kyeong Keun Kim
  • Patent number: 9752547
    Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine with start/stop capability includes a primary battery connectible to an engine starter motor; a secondary battery, an alternator, and an electrical load in parallel with one another and selectively connectible in parallel with the primary battery by a charge switch; in parallel with the secondary battery, a DC/DC converter in series with a third electrical energy source; and a bypass switch operable to selectively bypass the DC/DC converter. The bypass switch allows for selective bypassing the DC/DC converter and charging/discharging of the third electrical energy source during start/stop operation, to ensure a sufficient voltage level over the additional vehicle electrical loads when the internal combustion engine and consequently the alternator are not running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventors: Oerjan Spjuth, Torbjoern Larsson, Daniel Midholm, Fredrik Ulmhage
  • Patent number: 9755440
    Abstract: A charging control device includes a plurality of battery packs including a secondary battery therein, one or two or more power input units configured to input power, a power integration unit configured to integrate the power input by the one or two or more power input units to one power, and a main control unit configured to measure the quantity of power input to the power integration unit and determine the quantity of power supplied from the power integration unit to the battery packs based on the measured quantity of power so as to control simultaneous charging of the plurality of battery packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9753094
    Abstract: A battery system for a portable information handling system may modify charging parameters based on temperature exposure of a battery. When the battery is charged and exposed to a high temperature, the battery may be discharged to a lower voltage. After a cumulative period of exposure to a high temperature, a top-of-charge (TOC) voltage may be permanently reduced for the battery. Prior to charging at a high temperature, the TOC voltage may be reduced for a next charge cycle. Reducing the TOC voltage may minimize adverse effects for battery performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Richard C. Thompson, Wen-Yung Chang
  • Patent number: 9726240
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting and clearing battery power failure of an electric clutch actuator (ECA) include use of a capacitor connected to the ECA. The capacitor is connected to the ECA such that when the ECA and a battery configured to output a battery voltage are connected together a capacitor voltage matches the battery voltage and when the ECA and the battery are disconnected from one another the capacitor voltage differs from the battery voltage. A loss of battery connection is detected upon a difference between the capacitor voltage and the battery voltage exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James David, Bharath Suda, John Vandervoort, Asheesh Soni
  • Patent number: 9705351
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a battery exercising device configured to discharge and charge a rechargeable battery, such as a lead-acid battery, after a set amount of time has elapsed. The battery exercising device is configured to receive electrical power from a power source and periodically transfer this power into a battery connected to the battery exercising device. After a period has elapsed, for example two weeks, the device applies a discharging load to the connected battery to drain the battery to a predetermined discharge level. Thereafter, the device charges the connected battery to a predetermined charge level. Once charged to the predetermined charge level, the device again waits the set period of time and repeats the discharge/recharge sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Johnson, Jr., Mark A. DiLuciano
  • Patent number: 9692089
    Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for identifying battery pack types and by inference battery chemistries by measuring a transient response of the battery pack to signal applied to the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: DURACELL U.S. OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Elik Dvorkin, Tanmay P. Gajjar
  • Patent number: 9634512
    Abstract: An electronic uninterruptible power supply unit includes one or more battery connections. A bi-directional converter is in electrical communication with the one or more battery connections and arranged to (a) provide power at a first controlled voltage from the one or more battery connections as a boost converter when power is determined to not be available from a power source; and (b) provide charge to the one or more battery connections by providing power at a second controlled voltage that is different from the first controlled voltage when power is determined to be available from the power source. First and second MOSFET switches are connected in series with the one or more battery connections and arranged as a bi-directional switch that controls charging current for the one or more battery connections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Sangsun Kim, Mark R. Imbertson
  • Patent number: 9595844
    Abstract: A battery control system that communicates by way of a communication network with a plurality of batteries that are connected to an electric power system includes: communication characteristics detection means that detects characteristics of communication paths between the batteries and the battery control system for each of the plurality of batteries; selection means that, based on the detection results of the communication characteristics detection means, selects from among the plurality of batteries each battery that uses a communication path having characteristics within a predetermined range of communication characteristics as a candidate of a regulating battery that is to be used for regulating the electric power of the electric power system, and that selects regulating batteries from among candidates of regulating batteries based on predetermined conditions; and control means that supplies operation instructions that instruct the regulating batteries to charge or discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Kudo, Hitoshi Yano, Hisato Sakuma, Takayuki Shizuno, Toshiya Okabe
  • Patent number: 9568990
    Abstract: An AC-to-DC power adapter provides DC power to an information handling system at a first higher DC voltage or a second lower DC voltage based upon a power state of the information handling system. For example, approximately 19 Volts DC power is provided if the information handling system is in an on state or if the information handling system is charging a battery. Approximately 13 Volts DC power is provided if the information handling system is in a reduced power state, such as an ACPI S3 state, with a battery having a substantially full charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Yung Fa Chueh, Wen-Hung Huang, Ching Ti, So-Yu Weng
  • Patent number: 9531202
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method enables capacity based pre-charging and age based permanent failure detection in a battery. The method comprises detecting, via a controller, a real time cell voltage for at least one cell in the battery. The controller determines if the real time cell voltage is less than a normal operating cell voltage. In response to the real time cell voltage being less than the normal operating cell voltage, a capacity based pre-charge value is calculated based on a full charge capacity and at least one cell parameter of the cell. A pre-charge time is calculated based on the capacity based pre-charge value. A pre-charge voltage is identified. The battery management controller is triggered to pre-charge the battery using the calculated pre-charge time and the identified pre-charge voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Miller, Maureen Emily Martinez, Nikhil M. Vichare, Richard C. Thompson, Marc Allan Richmond
  • Patent number: 9524018
    Abstract: An information handling system includes battery packs, loads, and a power management module operable to set an output voltage of a battery pack and direct power from the battery pack to one or more loads. The power management module can direct power from multiple batteries to a load simultaneously. A battery pack includes a converter circuit to convert the voltage provided by battery cells within the battery pack to a voltage set by a power management module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Dell Products, LP
    Inventors: Andrew T. Sultenfuss, Richard C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 9509154
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a battery charging system. The methods and systems allow a user to charge a plurality of different battery types and configurations via a single battery charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Green Cubes Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Mohammed Alobaidi, Yan Leong Tan, Anthony Cooper
  • Patent number: 9475393
    Abstract: Charging devices and methods for charging electrically powered vehicles are disclosed. One example charging device includes a processor configured to at least partially control a state voltage and a detection circuit coupled to the processor. The detection circuit includes an energy storage device and a discharge circuit coupled to the energy storage device. The energy storage device is configured to be charged by the state voltage. The discharge circuit is configured to discharge said energy storage device in response to a discharge command from said processor. The processor is configured to determine a charging state associated with the electrically powered vehicle based on a voltage across said energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Kenneth Hooker, Scott Jeffrey Hall, Denis Alagic, Prerana Gajanan Kulkarni, Cecilia Maria Thomas
  • Patent number: 9461496
    Abstract: A method and system for recharging a solid state battery device. The method can include providing the solid state battery in a fully or partially discharged state. The solid state battery can be coupled to a pair of electrodes. An energy source coupled to the electrodes can be used to supply energy to the solid state battery. This supply of energy can use a first constant current recharge process followed by a constant voltage recharge process. This supply of energy can cause an increase of an energy level of the solid state battery to the maximum energy level within a predetermined amount of time. The predetermined amount of time can be determined as being less than a time period associated with recharging the solid state battery using solely a constant current recharge process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Sakti3, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiangchun Zhang, Steve Buckingham, Yen-Hung Chen, Myoungdo Chung, Marc Langlois, HyonCheol Kim, Ann Marie Sastry, Chia-Wei Wang
  • Patent number: 9425646
    Abstract: A fast charging apparatus includes a power conversion unit, a feedback module, a feedback adjustment module and a voltage mode fast charging signal processing module. The power conversion unit includes a pulse width modulation controller. The pulse width modulation controller includes an electronic apparatus current fast charging signal detection unit. The feedback module informs the power conversion unit to increase a charging power for an electronic apparatus if the electronic apparatus sends a voltage mode fast charging signal to the voltage mode fast charging signal processing module. The electronic apparatus current fast charging signal detection unit informs the power conversion unit to increase the charging power for the electronic apparatus if the electronic apparatus current fast charging signal detection unit detects a current mode fast charging signal sent from the electronic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: CHICONY POWER TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 9425635
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus taking an image data of a subject by detecting radiations having passed through the subject, includes a charging control unit configured to control a battery internally attached to the radiation imaging apparatus such that a first charge amount up to which the battery is charged using an external power source connected to the radiation imaging apparatus is different from a second charge amount up to which the battery is charged using an external apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yuta Mako
  • Patent number: 9419463
    Abstract: A control system for charge and output control of a rechargeable thin film microbattery cell comprises a charge control logic component configured to control the level of charge of a thin film microbattery cell, a battery cut-off logic component to cease current draw on the thin battery thin film microbattery cell under predetermined conditions, a mode control logic component operably coupled to the charge control logic component and the battery cut-off logic component to enable operation of the charge control logic component and the battery cut-off logic component under predetermined conditions, and a Switch Capacitor DC-DC Downconverter Component for delivery of voltage external to the system configured to reduce battery output voltage potential by a factor of at least 2:1. Systems operably connected to a rechargeable thin film microbattery cell and powered devices comprising the system and the microbattery cell are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: CYMBET CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Mullin, Jeffrey S. Sather
  • Patent number: 9377767
    Abstract: An apparatus for a circuit which allows a user to connect various adaptors to a common interface to provide a device with power and data signals. The circuit may provide a device, in which the circuit is incorporated, with the ability to discern whether a connected adaptor is providing power or data at any given time. If the adaptor is providing power at a particular moment, then the power/data circuit can identify that power is being provided and signal the device to accept power. When the adaptor is providing data at a particular moment, then the circuit can identify that power is being provided and signal the device to accept power. The circuit may include a power/data input, a vehicle connector, an internal power source connector, a reference voltage source, a comparator, and sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Bosch Automotive Service Solutions U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Garret Miller, Phillip McGee, Lee Robert Klose
  • Patent number: 9368989
    Abstract: A non-electric battery charging fuel cell system that includes a fuel cell system with a closed internal chamber and at least one magnesium anode and a cathode pair that is electrically connected to eternally accessible battery positions designed to receive rechargeable batteries. The addition of saltwater to fill the fuel cell begins the generation of electricity to recharge batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: ARGOPOWER, LLC
    Inventor: Allan Riggs
  • Patent number: 9368994
    Abstract: A dynamic charging device includes a detection module for generating a detection signal according to an input signal, a control module coupled to the detection module for generating a control signal according to the detection signal, and an output module coupled to the control module for dynamically adjusting amounts of the input signal according to the control signal and the input signal, so as to process a charging operation for a load module, wherein the input signal is an input current or a voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Wen-Nan Hsia
  • Patent number: 9358399
    Abstract: An external charger for a battery in an implantable medical device and charging techniques are disclosed. Simulation data is used to model the power dissipation of the charging circuitry in the implant at varying levels of implant power. A power dissipation limit constrains the charging circuitry from producing an inordinate amount of heat to the tissue surrounding the implant, and duty cycles of a charging field are determined so as not to exceed that limit. A maximum simulated average battery current determines the optimal (i.e., quickest) battery charging current, and at least an optimal value for a parameter indicative of that current is determined and stored in the external charger. During charging, the actual value for that parameter is determined, and the intensity and/or duty cycle of the charging field are adjusted to ensure that charging is as fast as possible, while still not exceeding the power dissipation limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Carbunaru, Jordi Parramon, Robert Ozawa, Jess Shi, Joey Chen, Md. Mizanur Rahman
  • Patent number: 9312570
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a demo mode for a computing device are disclosed. In some implementations, a computing device receives a first input for entering a demo mode. The computing device prompts, in response to the first input, for a user input indicating whether the user wishes to place the computing device in the demo mode. The computing device receives the user input indicating that the user wishes to place the computing device in the demo mode. The computing device enters the demo mode responsive to the user input indicating that the user wishes to place the computing device in the demo mode. Entering the demo mode includes adjusting battery settings of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Amit Mahajan, Farook Kaleem, Dae-Sub Nam
  • Patent number: 9306412
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling charging for a vehicle is disclosed. The system comprises a statistical analyzer, an estimation module and a determination module. The statistical analyzer analyzes a set of data describing utility rate information and one or more behaviors of the vehicle. The estimation module estimates one or more tendency parameters based at least in part on the analyzing. The determination module determines a charging setting based at least in part on the one or more tendency parameters. The charging setting comprises one or more of a target charging battery state of charge (SoC), a charging start time and a charging end time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihisa Yokoyama, Kunihiko Kumita
  • Patent number: 9293940
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method stabilize a charging current when recharging a battery in a device that uses a rechargeable battery. The device includes a charge module and a controller. The charge module provides a charging current to the battery, and operates in at least one of a Constant Current (CC) mode that maintains the charging current at a fixed value while the battery is charged, and a Constant Voltage (CV) mode that maintains a battery voltage at a reference value. The controller controls the charge module to operate in the CC mode when starting charging, controls the charge module to operate in the CV mode when the battery voltage reaches the reference value, and controls the charge module to operate in the CC mode for at least one time duration after the battery voltage reaches the reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heui-Do Lim, Jeong-Yun Hong, Seung-Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 9257861
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a control apparatus, including: a supplying section to which a voltage which varies in response to a variation of a state is supplied from an electric power generation section; and a control section configured to change the number of battery units, for which charging is to be carried out, in response to a relationship between the voltage and a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yoshihito Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 9240699
    Abstract: There are provided an all-in-one power supply apparatus capable of concurrently supplying battery charging power and main power, in particular, main power for driving an electric vehicle, and a power supply apparatus for an electric vehicle. The power supply apparatus and the power supply apparatus for an electric vehicle respectively including: a charging unit; a main power supplying unit; and an auxiliary power supplying unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Won Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 9234944
    Abstract: A SOC correcting system in a parallel structure of multiple packs in which a plurality of sub-packs having serially connected cells are connected in parallel. The system includes sub BMSs connected to each of the sub-packs a main BMS connected to each of the sub BMSs to collect the SOCs calculated in each of the sub BMSs and to transmit a final SOC to a vehicle SOC to a vehicle controller. When an average SOC to each SOC of the sub-packs is less than 50%, the main BMS determines a minimum value among the SOCs of the sub-packs as a final SOC, and when the average SOC to each SOC of the sub-packs is 50% or more, the main BMS determines a maximum value among the SOCs of the sub-packs as a final SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: SK Innovation Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jae Hwan Lim
  • Patent number: 9216658
    Abstract: A voltage detection apparatus includes first to third circuit boards are provided on first to third battery packs of a battery system respectively. The first circuit board includes a first voltage detection portion detecting a voltage of the first battery pack, a control portion controlling the first voltage detection portion, and a first insulation device which connecting the first voltage detection portion with the control portion. The second circuit board includes a second voltage detection portion detecting a voltage of the second battery pack, and a second insulation device connecting the second voltage detection portion with the control portion. The third circuit board includes a third voltage detection portion connected in series with the second voltage detection portion and detecting a voltage of the third battery pack. The control portion controls the second and third voltage detection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Masashi Sekizaki, Satoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9214710
    Abstract: A hybrid battery is configured to power at least one of a low current circuitry and a high current circuitry. The hybrid battery includes a primary battery configured to supply relatively constant, low current to the low current circuitry and a secondary battery configured to supply intermittent, high peak current to the high current circuitry. The hybrid battery also includes a controller configured to monitor energy load requirements of the low current circuitry and the high current circuitry, adaptively direct energy generated by the primary battery and the secondary battery to the low current circuitry and the high current circuitry respectively, and maintain a state of charge of the secondary battery by directing electrical energy from the primary battery to the secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Steven James Cowen
  • Patent number: 9211884
    Abstract: A battery information display apparatus is provided. The battery information display apparatus includes a data storage unit storing battery capacity information according to temperature and current of a battery of an electric vehicle, an integrated power control unit providing power for charging the battery and driving a motor, a sensor measuring the temperature and current of the battery, and a display unit displaying a battery remnant. The integrated power control unit calculates the battery remnant from the battery temperature and current measured by the sensor on the basis of the battery capacity information according to the battery temperature and current stored in the data storage unit and provides the calculated battery remnant to the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: LSIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung Woon Jang, Hong Tae Park, Jae Hoon Jang, Yong Jin Kang
  • Patent number: 9203261
    Abstract: An excavator includes an electric load, an electrical energy storage unit including an electrical energy storage part (19) that supplies electric power to the electric load, and a control unit (30) that controls an amount of charge to the electrical energy storage part (19) so that a charge rate of the electrical energy storage part (19) is between a system control upper limit value and a system control lower limit value. The control unit (30) controls the amount of charge to the electrical energy storage part (19) based on a changing trend of a detection value of the charge rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Yuta Sugiyama