With Charging Patents (Class 320/128)
  • Patent number: 11561594
    Abstract: An electronic device and a method of a power supply protection for a connection port are provided. The electronic device includes a first connection port with a first switch and a first controller and a first control circuit. The first controller determines a first preset value according to a state of the first switch activation signal correspondingly, and detects whether the first input voltage of the first connection port is greater than the first preset value. When the first input voltage is greater than the first preset value, the first controller enables a first abnormal signal on the first abnormal state detection pin. In response to a first forced closing signal being enabled, the first controller controls the first switch to disconnect both terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: COMPAL ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Shih-Chin Lu, Yao-Cheng Lee
  • Patent number: 11552493
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a charging control method, a charging control device and a device to be charged. The method includes: in a charging process, performing K constant current charging stages on a battery in the device to be charged, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to 1; in each constant current charging stage, performing constant current charging on the battery with a preset current corresponding to the constant current charging stage until the battery is charged to a preset voltage corresponding to the constant current charging stage, wherein the preset voltage corresponding to the Kth constant current charging stage is a charging cut-off voltage greater than a rated voltage of the battery; and when the voltage of the battery reaches the charging cut-off voltage in the Kth constant current charging stage, stopping charging the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11545704
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, a traction battery pack, and a battery controller. The traction battery pack includes a plurality of cell modules electrically connected with the electric machine. Each of the cell modules includes a housing having a battery cell, a passive circuit element isolated from the battery cell, and a module controller contained therein. The passive circuit elements are electrically connected in series or parallel. The battery controller is in communication with each of the module controllers and is electrically connected with the passive circuit elements. Responsive to signals from the module controllers indicative of a total number of the cell modules and a measured parameter associated with the passive circuit elements being indicative of a same total number of the cell modules, the battery controller operates the battery cells according to power limits defined by the total number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael David Beeney, Thomas J. Coupar
  • Patent number: 11532933
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an energy storage system includes one or more power sources, one or more energy storage components, and one or more solid state circuit breakers disposed between the one or more power sources and the one or more energy storage components such that electrical power is exchanged between the one or more power sources to the one or more energy storage components through the one or more solid state circuit breakers. The energy storage system also includes a controller configured to operate the one or more solid state circuit breakers to control current exchanged with the one or more energy storage components and protect the one or more energy storage components from the one or more power sources during a fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: ABB Schweiz AG
    Inventors: Yu Du, Li Qi, Tong Wu
  • Patent number: 11527919
    Abstract: A system for optical wireless power transmission to a power receiving apparatus generally situated in a mobile electronic device. The transmitter has an optical resonator with end reflectors and a gain medium positioned between them, such that an optical beam is generated. The frequency of the beam is selected such that it is absorbed by almost all transparent organic materials in general use. A beam steering unit on the transmitter can direct the beam in any of a plurality of directions, and the beam is absorbed on the receiver by means of an optical-to-electrical power converter, through a low reflection surface. The band gap of this power converter is selected to be smaller than that of the gain medium. The receiver has a voltage converter including an inductor, an energy storage device and a switch. A beam steerer controller ensures that the beam impinges on the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Wi-Charge Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Slepoy, Ori Refael Mor, Ortal Alpert, Lior Golan, Omer Nahmias, Victor Vaisleib
  • Patent number: 11527903
    Abstract: A charging control method and apparatus, and a device to-be-charged are provided. The method is applicable to the device to-be-charged. The device to-be-charged includes a battery which includes multiple cells. In charging of the device to-be-charged, K stages of constant-current charging is applied to the battery, where K is a positive integer greater than or equal to one. In each of the K stages, a preset current corresponding to the stage is applied to the battery for constant-current charging until a voltage of the battery reaches a preset voltage corresponding to the stage. In each of the K stages, a charging voltage applied to the battery and a voltage across each of the multiple cells are detected. When the charging voltage and/or a voltage across any of the multiple cells is higher than the preset voltage corresponding to the stage, proceed to a next constant-current charging stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 11515558
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a redox flow battery system. In one example, the redox flow battery is adapted with an additive included in a battery electrolyte and an anion exchange membrane separator dividing positive electrolyte from negative electrolyte. An overall system cost of the battery system may be reduced while a storage capacity, energy density and performance may be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: ESS TECH, INC.
    Inventor: Yang Song
  • Patent number: 11506715
    Abstract: A switch diagnosing apparatus and method capable of effectively diagnosing a charging switch and a discharging switch provided to a battery pack. It is possible to effectively diagnose the state of a switch as at least one of a normal state, an open stuck state, a closed stuck state and a drift state, thereby improving the diagnosing efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Hyeon-Jin Song
  • Patent number: 11509157
    Abstract: A charging management chip includes a switching charging circuit and a direct charging circuit. The switching charging circuit receives charging power, and passes through the charging power to a first node, and charges a battery according to a switching charging method and controls generation of a system voltage provided to an electronic system. The direct charging circuit receives the charging power applied to the first node via an input node, and charges the battery according to a direct charging method by providing the charging power to an output node based on a switching circuit therein. The switching charging circuit charges the battery through a first charging path including an inductor arranged outside the charging management chip, and the direct charging circuit charges the battery through a second charging path through which the charging power transferred to the output node is directly provided to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sungkyu Cho, Minkyu Kwon, Taesun You, Sungwoo Lee, Taejin Jeong, Daewoong Cho
  • Patent number: 11495983
    Abstract: Electrical power supply system having a DC distribution bus; a rechargeable battery module which delivers DC power to the DC distribution bus in a discharge mode, and absorbs DC power from the DC distribution bus in a recharge mode; a DC/DC converter comprising an inductor and plural switches, the DC/DC converter being connected between the DC distribution bus and the rechargeable battery module; and a heat transfer arrangement configured to transfer heat between the DC/DC converter and the rechargeable battery module. The module has an idling mode of operation in which it neither delivers nor absorbs DC power to/from DC distribution bus, wherein the converter is repeatedly switchable between (i) a ramping-up configuration in which a current is withdrawn from a source, and (ii) a freewheeling configuration in which the current from the ramping-up configuration is isolated from the source to flow in a continuous loop within the converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: ROLLS ROYCE plc
    Inventor: Michael A. Zagrodnik
  • Patent number: 11479141
    Abstract: A management apparatus that controls charging and discharging between an electric power system and a secondary battery which is mounted on a vehicle and which stores electric power used for traveling of the vehicle includes: an acquisition part that acquires at least one of registration information indicating a use acceptance of the electric power and information indicating a use application of the electric power; and a management part that controls a supply of the electric power from the secondary battery to the electric power system in accordance with the presence or absence of the registration information or the use application of the electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Shuichi Kazuno
  • Patent number: 11482874
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a charging method, a terminal and a computer storage medium. The charging method includes: detecting a battery power and a power consumption parameter before turning on a fast charging function; determining an estimated charging time according to the battery power and the power consumption parameter; determining whether an abnormal charging occurs according to the estimated charging time after turning on the fast charging function; and turning off the fast charging function when determining that the abnormal charging occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Chen Tian
  • Patent number: 11482877
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided that enables a secondary battery to be used until the end of an assumed battery life by appropriately setting charging conditions in accordance with an environment in which the secondary battery has been used. An electronic device is provided that includes: a measurement unit that measures an operation environment of a secondary battery; and a controller that reduces a charging voltage of the secondary battery by a predetermined amount, when the operation environment satisfies a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Go Tanaka
  • Patent number: 11476765
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a buck-boost converter includes at least three input/output ports, at least three sets of switches, and at least two ripple current limiters. One of the sets of switches is associated with each of the input/output ports. Each of the ripple current limiters is associated with a respective one of the sets of switches between the associated set of switches and another one of the sets of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Ben Guo
  • Patent number: 11469600
    Abstract: Electrical energy store (1) having at least two electrical energy storage modules (3, 13, 23, 33), a control unit (2), a voltage connection (11) and switching elements (4, 6, 14, 16, 24, 26, 34, 36). In one example, the electrical energy store (1) has a first voltage rail (9) and a second voltage rail (10) that are each connected to the voltage connection (11), and the electrical energy storage modules (3, 13, 23, 33) are configured to be connected to the first voltage rail (9) or to the second voltage rail (10) or to one another by means of the switching elements (4, 6, 14, 16, 24, 26, 34, 36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Marc-Andre Harvey
  • Patent number: 11462931
    Abstract: A charging method and a charging apparatus are provided. The method includes the following. A battery is charged in a constant current stage until a voltage of the battery reaches a first voltage, where the first voltage is a charging cut-off voltage corresponding to the constant current stage. When the voltage of the battery reaches the first voltage, the battery is charged in a constant voltage stage by applying a second voltage to the battery, where the second voltage is lower than the first voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Xin Yang
  • Patent number: 11431177
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module system includes a first power stage having a short circuit switch to connect the first power stage to a power bus, a second power stage stacked in series with the first power stage and having a short circuit switch to connect the second power stage to the power bus, and a controller. The controller is operably connected to the first and second power stage short circuit switches to discharge one of the first and second power stage through the other of the first and second power stage in a state of charge balancing mode. Aircraft electrical systems and methods of controlling connectivity of hybrid energy storage modules to electrical systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 11431188
    Abstract: A power conditioner with iterative switching for charging a battery pack from a photovoltaic panel senses sunlight on panel cells, senses battery cells charges, senses panel output voltage and battery pack voltage, connects the panels to battery packs upon sensing sunlight and panel output voltage greater than battery pack voltage, disconnects the panels when battery cells approach full charge, reconnects the panels to the battery pack when battery charges drop and iteratively switches the connections on and off according to the readings from voltage sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: HIVE ENERGY SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventors: Richard Puga, David Kim, Daniel O'Connell, James Loux
  • Patent number: 11422170
    Abstract: A digital current sensing circuit and related apparatus is provided. In one aspect, a digital current sensing circuit can be configured to estimate a battery current in a coupled circuit based on a voltage corresponding to the battery current. More specifically, the digital current sensing circuit generates an analog sense current proportional to the battery current based on the voltage and digitally processes the analog sense current to generate a battery current indication signal indicative of an estimation of the battery current. In another aspect, a number of digital current sensing circuits can be provided in an apparatus to concurrently estimate a number of battery currents in a number of circuits (e.g., charge pump circuits). As a result, it may be possible to test, debug, and/or fine-tune the apparatus based on the estimated battery currents for improved performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Qorvo US, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Philippe Gorisse, Christopher Truong Ngo
  • Patent number: 11418048
    Abstract: The present embodiments are directed to methods and apparatuses for operating a battery charger in computing systems having certain system load requirements, battery configurations and external device power supply support. According to some aspects, the present embodiments provide methods and apparatuses for providing a reverse boost mode of operation when the battery charger is providing system power from a battery, such as when an adapter is not connected. The reverse boost mode of operation according to embodiments provides a regulated output voltage, thereby allowing a load such as a CPU to operate at maximum performance, even when the battery has discharged below a threshold discharge level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: RENESAS ELECTRONICS AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Sungkeun Lim, Mehul Shah, Jia Wei, Lei Zhao
  • Patent number: 11416059
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for powering an Information Handling System (IHS) that receives a high-power transmission from a multimode AC adapter supporting USB-PD transmission and also supporting the high-power transmissions of a voltage greater than the supported USB-PD voltages. A power circuit converts the high-power transmission to a charging voltage used to charge a battery system of the IHS. After the multimode AC adapter is unplugged from the IHS, power is drawing power from the battery system of the IHS. When the battery system drops below a low-voltage threshold, the power drawn from the battery system is routed to the same power circuit. While operating this low-voltage threshold, power is drawn from the battery system via the power circuit. When the battery system drops below a second low-voltage threshold, an off power state of the IHS is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Sultenfuss, Richard C. Thompson
  • Patent number: 11404729
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus including a battery; a charging module; at least one sensor configured to sense a temperature of the battery; and a controller configured to control the charging module not to charge the battery when the sensed temperature is outside a predetermined temperature range, and when the sensed temperature is within the predetermined temperature range, control the charging module to charge the battery according to a set end of charge (EoC) current value of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seungyon Kim, Gihong Lim, Jeongwoo Kim, Seokmin Hong, Heejoon Moon, Hyeyeong Kang
  • Patent number: 11367910
    Abstract: A rapid heating-charging process for charging a rechargeable battery is disclosed. Such a process can be implemented by an integrated heating and battery system can include a rechargeable battery and a heating element in thermal contact with the at least one cell of the battery and electrically connected in series to a switch wherein the heating element and switch form a switch-heater assembly. The switch-heater assembly can be electrically connected in parallel with the battery to form a battery-switch-heater circuit. Advantageously, the battery-switch-heater circuit is configured to be directly electrically engaged with a charger so that the heating element is powered mainly by the charger and electrically connected to the battery when the heating element is powered by the charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: EC POWER, LLC
    Inventor: Chao-Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 11368087
    Abstract: A bidirectional DC/DC converter and an energy storage system are provided. The bidirectional DC/DC converter includes: a first half-bridge circuit, a second half-bridge circuit, an inductor circuit, an inductor current detection circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to: according to an operating mode, determine one of the first and second half-bridge circuits as a target half-bridge circuit; determine a target switch circuit and a freewheeling switch circuit; control the target switch circuit to be turned on and off periodically; control the freewheeling switch circuit to be turned off when the target switch circuit is turned on; control the freewheeling switch circuit to be turned on when the target switch circuit is turned off; and when an amplitude of a current flowing through the inductor circuit is less than or equal to a preset threshold value, control the freewheeling switch circuit to be turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: ECOFLOW INC.
    Inventors: Lei Wang, Xi Chen
  • Patent number: 11356036
    Abstract: A power conversion apparatus includes a first inverter, a second inverter, a drive circuit to provide control signals turning on low-side switch elements in the first inverter to the low-side switch elements when a failure has occurred on a first inverter side, and provide control signals to turn on low-side switch elements in the second inverter to the low-side switch elements when a failure has occurred on a second inverter side, and a control circuit. When a failure has occurred on the second inverter side, a first power supply voltage generated on the first inverter side is supplied to the drive circuit, while when a failure has occurred on the first inverter side, a second power supply voltage generated on the second inverter side is supplied to the drive circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motoki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11351879
    Abstract: Vehicle depots or yards adapted to charge multiple electric vehicles include multiple charging electrodes to simultaneously direct power to multiple electric vehicles. The charging electrodes may direct power to the electric vehicles from an utility grid or from a secondary power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Grace, Rajiv Singhal, Andre Lalljie, Brian Pevear, Thomas Blazak, Seamus McGrath, John Gerber, Roger Innes
  • Patent number: 11356050
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes a first inverter, a second inverter, first and second controller to control the first and second inverters, and a driving circuit to apply a control signal to turn on the low side switch elements of the first inverter when a fault occurs on the first inverter side, and apply a control signal to turn on the low side switch elements of the second inverter when a fault occurs on the second inverter side. The first power voltage generated on the first inverter side is supplied to the driving circuit when a fault occurs on the second inverter side, and the second power voltage generated on the second inverter side is supplied to the driving circuit when a fault occurs on the first inverter side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: NIDEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Motoki Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 11345165
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses an electronic apparatus including a charging device, a plurality of operation mechanisms, and a CPU. The CPU is configured to execute an information acquisition process, a voltage decision process, and a charging control process. In the information acquisition process, capacity-related information corresponding to a charging capacity required for operation of the operating mechanisms is acquired. In the voltage decision process, a charge stop voltage is decided in accordance with the capacity-related information acquired. In the charging control process, the charging device is controlled to stop the charging process by using as a trigger an attainment of the charge stop voltage decided after start of the charging process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Ryohei Murabayashi, Masakazu Nakano, Yuki Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 11345242
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system includes: a power supply in which a battery and a capacitor are connected in series; a primary drive motor to which a voltage of the battery is provided; secondary drive motors to each of which a total voltage (Vin) of the battery and the power supply capacitor is provided; a charging circuit; and a control circuit that controls charging/discharging of the power supply. The control circuit operates switches SW1, SW2 of the charging circuit so as to control charging/discharging of the battery and the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Akihiro Furukawa, Seiyo Hirano, Hideki Sanai
  • Patent number: 11349329
    Abstract: An AC-DC type uninterruptible power supply includes a rectifying unit, a battery control unit and a switching unit, wherein the rectifying unit is used for rectifying an AC from a power network and outputting a DC; a battery is controlled by the battery control unit to be charged or discharged and outputs a DC during interruption of the AC from the power network; and the switching unit is used for selectively outputting the DC from the rectifying unit or the DC from the battery. Inversion of the UPS and double rectification of a load are omitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Inventor: Yu Wan
  • Patent number: 11349122
    Abstract: A positive active material for a rechargeable lithium battery includes nickel-based lithium transition metal oxide secondary particles, in which a plurality of primary particles are aggregated. The primary particles include polycrystalline primary particles composed of 2 to 10 single crystals, and each of the single crystals has a particle diameter of about 0.5 ?m to about 3 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youngsun Kong, Kiyong Ahn, Jinyoung Kim, Sung Ho Choo, Seonyoung Kwon
  • Patent number: 11342765
    Abstract: A terminal, a power adapter, and a method for handling a charging anomaly are provided. The terminal includes a battery and a charging interface. The terminal forms a charging loop with the power adapter via the charging interface. The terminal also includes a communication unit, an anomaly detection unit, and an anomaly handling unit. The communications unit receives charging parameter information from the power adapter. The handling detection unit determines whether an anomaly occurs on the charging loop according to the charging parameter information. When the anomaly occurs on the charging loop, the anomaly handling unit controls the charging loop to enter into a protection state. Therefore, the security of the charging process is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
    Inventor: Jialiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 11329496
    Abstract: A charging and discharging apparatus including a temperature measuring device suitable for measuring a temperature of each secondary battery and a cooling fan for cooling secondary batteries by utilizing temperature information using the temperature measuring device, such that a temperature deviation between the secondary batteries, which may occur during charging and discharging in a formation process and a capacity test after a secondary battery assembly process, is provided. The charging and discharging apparatus includes a movable non-contact temperature measuring device and cooling fans of which directions of wind and outputs are individually adjusted based on temperature information measured by the temperature measuring device according to a location in each secondary battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD.
    Inventors: Beom-Koon Lee, Hyo-Jin Park, Dong-Hun Bae, Joon-Sung Bae, Eui-Kyung Lee, Suk-Hyun Hong
  • Patent number: 11309592
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to the battery monitoring field, and provide a load power supply circuit and a terminal. The load power supply circuit includes a charging manager and a step-up circuit. The charging manager includes a first pin, a second pin, and a third pin. The first pin of the charging manager is electrically connected to a load, and the second pin of the charging manager is electrically connected to a battery. The step-up circuit includes a first end, a second end, and a control end. The first end of the step-up circuit is electrically connected to the load, the second end of the step-up circuit is electrically connected to the battery, and the control end of the step-up circuit is electrically connected to the third pin of the charging manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guanghua Zhong, Yuanguo Wang, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 11303215
    Abstract: The present application discloses a system and method for providing a constant power source. The system includes: a main control module configured to receive a wake-up time and send the wake-up time to a timer device; a timer power supply module configured to supply power to the timer device according to electric energy in a high-voltage battery pack; a high-voltage power supply module configured to supply power to a power conversion module according to the electric energy in the high-voltage battery pack; the timer device configured to set a wake-up clock according to the wake-up time, start timing when a battery management system (BMS) enters into sleep, and send a discharge instruction to the high-voltage battery pack when the timing reaches the wake-up time; the power conversion module configured to convert high-voltage electric energy output from the high-voltage battery pack into low-voltage electric energy and supply power to the BMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited
    Inventors: Liansong Wang, Zhimin Dan, Yizhen Hou, Fangjie Zhou, Changjian Liu
  • Patent number: 11296532
    Abstract: A wireless battery charging system includes a trickle power device (e.g., FET) that generates a trickle charging current for charging a battery and a trickle charging regulator that controls the trickle power device. A fast charging device generates a fast charging current for charging the battery, where the fast charging current is greater than the trickle charging current. A fast charging regulator controls the fast charging device. A digital control module generates a trickle charging codeword to control the trickle charging regulator and a fast charging codeword to control the fast charging regulator. Each charging regulator has a programmable current mirror that generates a mirrored current signal based on a codeword from the digital control module. The digital control module instructs the charging regulators to control the power devices to operate in a trickle charging mode, a fast charging mode, and transitions between those modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventors: Yan Jiang, Xuechu Li, Jian Qing
  • Patent number: 11271256
    Abstract: A battery pack, comprising: a plurality of battery modules; a battery management system (BMS) controlling charging or discharging of the battery pack; a wake-up control unit controlling wake-up of the BMS; a protection circuit unit protecting the battery pack; and a main field-effect transistor (FET), one end being connected to the protection circuit unit, and another end being connected to a positive output terminal of the battery pack, to control an output of the battery pack in response to control by the BMS, the protection circuit unit comprising a blocking switch, one end being connected to a positive terminal of the plurality of battery modules, another end being connected to the BMS and the main FET, so that the blocking switch is set to an on state and then is turned off upon receiving a blocking signal from the BMS to block the output of the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: LG Energy Solution, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Won Yoon, Doe Gyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11269014
    Abstract: A chargeable battery abnormality detection apparatus configured to detect an abnormality of a chargeable battery includes a processor; and a memory storing instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor performs the following when executing instructions: calculating a value of an internal resistance of the chargeable battery; determining whether the chargeable battery is being charged or being discharged; determining that an abnormality has occurred in the chargeable battery if either one of the following occurs: the calculated value of the internal resistance decreases while the chargeable battery is being discharged; and the calculated value of the internal resistance increases while the chargeable battery is being charged; and outputting a determination result of the abnormality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignees: FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD., FURUKAWA AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Akira Oono, Kimiko Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 11258106
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a battery operating mode. The method includes connecting an electronic processor to a first electrical contact of a battery interface via a switch; generating, with the electronic processor, an initialization pulse for a signal demultiplexer of a battery; transmitting the initialization pulse to the signal demultiplexer; generating, with the electronic processor, a data word indicating a desired operating mode; transmitting the data word to the signal demultiplexer; generating, with the signal demultiplexer, a signal to electrically connect a first battery switch to the first electrical contact, the first battery switch selected based on the data word; receiving, with an analog to digital converter of the electrical device, a signal indicating the operating mode voltage; and verifying, with the electronic processor, a correct operating mode based on the operating mode voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Javier Alfaro, Peter J. Bartels, Hugo Garcia
  • Patent number: 11258107
    Abstract: A vehicle battery charger and a vehicle battery charging system are described and illustrated, and can include a controller enabling a user to enter a time of day at which the vehicle battery charger or system begins and/or ends charging of the vehicle battery. The vehicle battery charger can be separate from the vehicle, can be at least partially integrated into the vehicle, can include a transmitter and/or a receiver capable of communication with a controller that is remote from the vehicle and vehicle charger, and can be controlled by a user or another party (e.g., a power utility) to control battery charging based upon a time of day, cost of power, or other factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Inventor: Christopher B. Austin
  • Patent number: 11258352
    Abstract: A system may include a power train comprising a rectifier and power factor correction stage configured to receive an alternating current (AC) input voltage waveform and convert the AC input voltage waveform into a regulated direct current (DC) voltage on a bulk capacitor configured to store electrical charge and a controller configured to control the rectifier and power factor correction stage to perform power factor correction between the AC input voltage waveform and an AC input current waveform related to the AC input voltage waveform. The controller may implement a voltage regulation loop configured to regulate the regulated DC voltage on the bulk capacitor to a desired constant average value based on a combination of a DC current signal associated with the power train and a voltage loop error signal based on the regulated DC voltage and a current loop regulating the shape of the AC input current waveform to a sinusoidal value in phase with the AC input voltage waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Constantin Darius Livescu, Mark A. Muccini
  • Patent number: 11251626
    Abstract: A lithium battery designed to replace lead-acid battery. The lithium battery comprises a plurality of battery cells connected in series and a battery management unit. The battery management unit comprises a controller, a sensing unit connected to the plurality of battery cells and the controller, a charging control unit connected the controller, and a discharging control unit connected to the controller. The battery management unit prevents the batteries connected in parallel from mutual charging each other and also prevents the batteries being depleted completely by outputting a low voltage in pulse mode when the battery has low charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Lithium Power Inc.
    Inventors: Zhixian Zhang, Chit Fung So
  • Patent number: 11251641
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a battery having a rated charging voltage, a rated charging current, and a design capacity, a charging circuit configured to supply power to the battery, and a processor electrically connected to the battery and the charging circuit. The processor is configured to control the charging circuit to charge the battery in different ways based on a plurality of ranges determined based on a full charge capacity (FCC) of the battery, and, when the FCC of the battery is included in a first range from the design capacity to a first capacity lower than the design capacity, control the charging circuit to charge the battery by setting a first voltage lower than the rated charging voltage and setting a first current lower than the rated charging current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin Soo Ha, Kun Suk Kim, Sung Hoon Kim, In Sung Hwang
  • Patent number: 11251639
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to a multiport power delivery architecture that reduces the cost and maximizes the power utilization. According to some aspects, an adapter power add-up feature of the embodiments can combine the power of two or more adapters. The total power can be used to support CPU Turbo events and Quick Charge function. In one aspect, one charger operates as voltage source or current source and the other(s) as current source(s). When the system demand is high enough for all chargers may operate as current sources, the battery will supply the rest of the system demand. The proposed implementation of adapter power add-up feature can enable simple control scheme. Customers can set up BGATE control priorities to determine which charger to handle the BGATE control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics America Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Mo Chen, Sungkeun Lim, Mehul Shah, Eric Solie
  • Patent number: 11239676
    Abstract: A mobile device includes a drive element, a first battery which outputs power, and a supplying unit which supplies the power output by the first battery or power output by a second battery to the drive element, in which the supplying unit prioritizes supplying of the power output by the second battery to the drive element over the power output by the first battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Ryohei Horita
  • Patent number: 11237218
    Abstract: This document describes techniques and systems that enable battery state estimation. The techniques and systems may be used to determine a shut-down voltage for a battery of an electronic device. Additionally or alternatively, the techniques and systems may be used to determine a state-of-charge of the battery, which may be determined relative to the shut-down voltage. The techniques and systems use current or expected conditions at the battery to estimate the battery state. These techniques can allow the electronic device to dynamically set a shut-down voltage, rather than using a fixed shut-down voltage over the life of the electronic device. The dynamically set shut-down voltage can provide a low margin, and therefore a greater portion of battery capacity, when operating in good conditions and provide a relatively large margin that is sufficient for poor conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: Arnold R. Feldman, Dennis Gee-Wai Yee
  • Patent number: 11233418
    Abstract: A charging termination control module and a battery charger circuit comprising the same. The charging termination control module may detect/monitor/sense a charging current flowing through a charging control transistor of the battery charger circuit to provide a current sense signal, and to maintain a transistor voltage drop across the charging control transistor at a predetermined difference value once the transistor voltage drop reaches the predetermined difference value. The charging termination control module may also turn the charging control transistor off once the current sense signal is decreased to reach or to be lower than a charging termination threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junchang Chang
  • Patent number: 11205804
    Abstract: A device for waking up a battery management system (BMS) in response to an external power signal received from an external power module, and includes a pulse generator which receives the external power signal from the external power module and is supplied with source power through a different path from the external power signal, and generates a pulse signal depending on whether the source power is passed through when the pulse generator receives the external power signal, and a power output module which supplies the source power to the pulse generator, and outputs operating power for operating the BMS based on the pulse signal when the power output module receives the pulse signal from the pulse generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Jong-Il Park
  • Patent number: 11205820
    Abstract: In an upper cell unit (2146) and a lower cell unit (2147) comprising five battery cells, positive electrode terminals (2162, 2172) are set apart and aligned vertically, and negative electrode terminals (2167, 2177) are set apart and aligned vertically. When an electrical device body is rated at 36V, device-side terminals are in contact only at the upper terminals (2162, 2167), and short circuiting of the lower terminals (2172, 2177) is effected using a short bar 2059. When the electrical device body is rated at 18V, the upper and lower terminals (2162 and 2172, 2167 and 2177) are simultaneously made to contact the device-side terminals, and the upper cell unit (2146) and the lower cell unit (2147) assume a parallel connected state. Thus, it is possible to automatically switch the output voltage when a battery pack is mounted according to the difference in terminal shape on the electrical device body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Koki Holdings Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Hanawa, Tomomasa Nishikawa, Shota Kanno, Toshio Mizoguchi, Yasushi Nakano, Kazuhiko Funabashi, Takuya Teranishi, Naoto Wakatabe, Shinji Watanabe, Junpei Sato, Hikaru Tamura, Nobuhiro Takano, Osamu Kawanobe, Hayato Yamaguchi, Akira Matsushita, Masaru Hirano, Takuhiro Murakami, Masayuki Ogura, Yusuke Funabiki, Junichi Toukairin, Shota Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11186193
    Abstract: A system for controlling charging power of an eco-friendly vehicle is provided. The system includes a battery, a power supply unit supplying AC power, and an inverter having a plurality of legs including a plurality of power conversion devices. Legs of the plurality of legs are supplied with power by being connected with the power supply unit and both ends of each leg of the legs being connected with the battery. One or more switches are disposed between one or more legs of the plurality of legs and the power supply unit. A controller changes a power transmission path from the power supply unit by determining a phase of a power that is supplied from the power supply unit and by operating each switch of the one or more switches based on the phase of the supplied power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hui Sung Jang, Dong Gyun Woo, Hyun Wook Seong