Battery Or Cell Charging Patents (Class 320/137)
  • Patent number: 9048678
    Abstract: An electricity distribution system includes an electricity supply control unit that receives information on power consumption, estimates the current and the future power consumption, and controls the supply of electricity to the electric device; an information display unit that displays information on a power use situation of an electric device electrically connected with the electricity supply control unit; and a battery server that accumulates power, in which the electricity supply control unit communicates the information on the power consumption with a new electric device when the new electric device is electrically connected, and when the amount of available power is exceeded by supplying electricity to the electric device, does not supply electricity to the electric device, makes the information display unit display that the amount of available power is exceeded by supplying electricity to the information display unit, and determines whether to use the power accumulated in the battery server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshihito Ishibashi
  • Publication number: 20150145473
    Abstract: A method for transmitting data and a wireless charging equipment using the same are disclosed. When the wireless charger transmits data, an output current of the wireless charger is controlled at a preset current value so that there is a higher variation in amplitude of a current or a voltage on an inductive element to thereby enable a signal receiver to demodulate the signal. At the end of data transmission, the output current is resumed consistent with a driving current of the load at the moment. The present disclosure can address the problem of impossible normal communication in the wireless charger at the circumstance of a very low driving current of the load without any increase in cost and complexity of the circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Xuzhen SHEN, Lingdong ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20150145471
    Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a method, machine-readable medium, and a system for preventing demagnetization of a magnetically sensitive object comprising detecting, by a first identification sensor at a wireless charging transceiver, a foreign object; determining, by a processor using information from the first identification sensor, whether the foreign object is magnetically sensitive; and responsive to a determination that the foreign object is magnetically sensitive, preventing the wireless charging transceiver from operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Jan Paulus Feerk Huijser
  • Publication number: 20150149221
    Abstract: A charging service for electric vehicles is provided. The charging service may allow electric vehicles to be charged when certain conditions are met (e.g., at certain times, when certain battery charge levels are reached, when located at certain sites, etc.), without users of these electric vehicles having to charge the vehicles themselves. Other features pertaining to charging of electric vehicles are also provided, such as an application for estimating a driving range (e.g., distance and/or time) available with a current battery charge level of an electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventor: Martin Tremblay
  • Patent number: 9041358
    Abstract: A semiconductor device for battery control includes a CPU, a first bus coupled to the CPU, a second bus not coupled to the CPU, and a protective function circuit for protecting a battery from stress applied thereto. The semiconductor device also includes a non-volatile memory storing trimming data, a trimming circuit to perform trimming required to allow the protective function circuit to exert a protective function, and a bus control circuit capable of selectively coupling the first bus and the second bus to the non-volatile memory. The semiconductor device further includes a transfer logic circuit which causes, by making the bus control circuit select the second bus, a trimming data transfer path leading from the non-volatile memory to the trimming circuit to be formed and the trimming data stored in the non-volatile memory to be transferred to the trimming circuit without involving the CPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kato, Ryosuke Enomoto
  • Publication number: 20150137768
    Abstract: An electric charging system for a battery pack of an electric vehicle, including a charging station electrically coupled to the battery pack, the charging station transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a maximum fast charge rate in a first operational mode and transferring charging energy to the battery pack at a slower charge rate in a second operational mode; a data collection system acquiring a set of data indicating a state of charge (SOC) of the battery pack and one or more desired charge optimization parameters; and a station control, responsive to the set of data and to the desired charge optimization parameters, automatically establishing a charging profile for the battery pack to assert a control signal and operate the charging station in the second operational mode whenever the charging station is able to transfer sufficient energy to the battery pack at the slower charge rate to meet an SOC target and a charge completion time target, otherwise asserting the control signal and operate t
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Clay H. KISHIYAMA, Kurt R. Kelty
  • Publication number: 20150137749
    Abstract: A wireless charging apparatus and a wireless charging method are provided. The method includes selecting at least one of a wireless power reception mode and a wireless power transmission mode by a wireless charging apparatus, wirelessly receiving electric power when the wireless power reception mode is selected, and wirelessly transmitting electric power when the wireless power transmission mode is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Sung-Bum PARK
  • Publication number: 20150137767
    Abstract: The described technology relates to a protection apparatus for a rechargeable battery. An example embodiment provides a protection apparatus for a rechargeable battery including a battery unit coupled to a charger through first and second external ports and including a plurality of unit cells charged by receiving a charging current from the charger. The example embodiment also includes a relay for blocking the charging current that is supplied to the battery unit, and a connection portion that deforms according to an internal pressure of the battery unit to electrically connect the battery unit and the relay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Duk-Jung Kim
  • Publication number: 20150137733
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a user interface configured to display preset information, a battery configured to supply a power to the user interface, and a charger provided with a vibrator that is movable in the electronic apparatus and configured to convert kinetic energy caused by movement of the vibrator into electric energy to charge the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Sang-hoon SI
  • Publication number: 20150137743
    Abstract: A wireless charging system, which includes a chargeable element and a wireless power supply, is provided. The wireless power supply is configured for generating a wireless power signal to charge the chargeable element, in which the wireless power supply is further configured for detecting a power type required by the chargeable element, and for adjusting the wireless power signal according to the detected power type. A wireless charging method is disclosed herein as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: Inventec (Pudong) Technology Corporation, INVENTEC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chih-Kuo LU
  • Publication number: 20150137739
    Abstract: [Problems] To minimize an electric power loss of an entire charging system. [Means for solving the problems] An operation combination determination unit 145 selects a case of which a charger's electric power consumption is between a charger's maximum electric power consumption and a charger's minimum electric power consumption from a database 146, selects a table corresponding to a remaining amount of a storage battery for each case selected above, and determines a combination of operations of a charger 150, an AC/DC converter 110, and a DC/DC converter 120 in the selected table so that a loss level of an entire charging system 100 is minimum. An operation control unit 147 operates the charger 150, the AC/DC converter 110, and the DC/DC converter 120 based on the combination determined by the operation combination determination unit 145.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takayuki Shizuno
  • Publication number: 20150137766
    Abstract: A circuit for a switching charger includes multiple input supply nodes, and a number of charging paths. Each input supply node is connectable to a power source. Each charging path may include a middle node connected to a coupling switch and a pass transistor. The coupling switch may be configured to activate a corresponding charging path of the charging paths. A pre-charging switch may be coupled to a corresponding middle node of each charging path. The pass transistor of an activated one of the charging paths may be configured to provide a switching voltage at an input of a charging sub-circuit. The pre-charging switch may be configurable to pre-charge a middle node of a non-activated path to a high voltage to prevent an unwanted high current passing through a body diode of a corresponding pass transistor of the non-activated path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Prasanna OBALA BHUVANESH, Jay Edward Ackerman, Michael Owen Baker, Ryan Michael Desrosiers
  • Patent number: 9035621
    Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adapt the charging of a battery using data which is representative of an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery. In another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to calculate data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery using an overpotential or relaxation time (full or partial) of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Qnovo Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf, Dania Ghantous
  • Patent number: 9035595
    Abstract: A system and method for charging a rechargeable battery for a vehicle are disclosed. The system may comprise an electrical generation apparatus that is a source of electric charge, a mobile unit to transport a vehicle, and a tie down having an input end and an output end. The tie down may be configured to releasably secure the vehicle to the mobile unit and to provide electrical charge generated by the electrical generation apparatus to the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip H. McCluskey, Reid W. Waitt, Mary H. Bell
  • Patent number: 9037335
    Abstract: A method for operating a driverless, mobile assembly and/or material transport unit as a driverless transport system (DTS) with fixed assembly and/or warehousing stations. In this method, a system control device is used for the entire assembly process. The driverless, mobile assembly and/or material transport units comprises a travel device for the traveling movement of the unit, a drive device for the travel device, an energy storage device for providing the energy for the drive device and a control device for controlling the traveling movement in coordination with the system control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventor: Ralf Bär
  • Patent number: 9035616
    Abstract: State based full and empty control for rechargeable batteries that will assure a uniform battery empty condition, even in the presence of a load on the battery. A fuel gauge provides a prediction of the open circuit voltage of the battery, and when the predicted open circuit voltage of the battery reaches the predetermined open circuit voltage of an empty battery, the load is terminated, after which the battery will relax back to the predetermined open circuit voltage of an empty battery. A similar technique is disclosed for battery charging, allowing faster battery charging without overcharging. Preferably an RC battery model is used as the fuel gauge to provide the prediction, but as an alternative, a coulomb counter may be used to provide the prediction, with error correction between successive charge discharge cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Maxim Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Allen Wortham
  • Publication number: 20150130412
    Abstract: A system for intelligent initiation of an inductive charging process. In accordance with an embodiment, the system comprises a receiver coil or receiver associated with a mobile device, and provided as a separable or after-market accessory for use with the mobile device. When the mobile device is placed in proximity to a base unit having one or more charger coils, the charger coil is used to inductively generate a current in the receiver coil or receiver associated with the mobile device, to charge or power the mobile device. The base unit and mobile device communicate with each other prior to and/or during charging or powering to determine a protocol to be used to charge or power the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: AFSHIN PARTOVI
  • Publication number: 20150130399
    Abstract: A charging control system for charging a secondary battery from a solar battery, including a first path for transmitting power from the solar battery to the secondary battery, a second path for sensing the voltage of the secondary battery, and a comparison unit for comparing the solar battery voltage with the sensed voltage of the secondary battery. The first path includes a first interrupter, controlled by the comparison unit, which interrupts the first path to prevent discharge of the secondary battery through the solar battery when the solar battery voltage falls below the secondary battery voltage. The second path includes a second interrupter that interrupts the second path after the first path is interrupted, to prevent the secondary battery from discharging through the second path when not being charged through the first path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: LAPIS Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kikuo UTSUNO
  • Publication number: 20150130406
    Abstract: A wireless charger and a method allow the wireless charger to have enhanced portability and a smaller footprint when not performing the charging function. The wireless charger includes a charging circuit providing power on one or more power lines, a housing for the wireless charger, and a flexible platform that includes a charging surface with two or more contact electrodes. The flexible platform may be unfolded or unrolled for charging a mobile device, and folded up or rolled up to achieve a smaller footprint, when not performing a charging operation. The wireless charger may further includes a data communication circuit for data communication between a power-line network and the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Silicon Spread Corporation
    Inventor: Tao JING
  • Publication number: 20150130404
    Abstract: Provided is a storage battery device whose battery life can be prolonged further. Storage battery device 30 having a plurality of storage battery cells 31-1 to 31-n connected in series includes monitoring unit 33 that measures voltages via the terminals of the respective storage battery cells, and obtains degradation information indicating the degraded states of the plurality of storage battery cells based on the voltages, selection unit 34 that selects at least one of the plurality of storage battery cells, power supply unit 32 that supplies power to the storage battery cell selected by selection unit 34 to charge the storage battery cell, and control unit 35 that switches, based on the degradation information obtained by monitoring unit 33, a storage battery cell to be selected by selection unit 34, and adjusts the power supplied from power supply unit 32.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuan Luo, Kenichi Maruhashi, Nobuhide Yoshida, Shingo Takahashi, Noriyuki Itabashi
  • Publication number: 20150130423
    Abstract: Even when a high voltage in electric railways is applied from power lines, an electric automobile makes it possible to apply an appropriate voltage lower than the high voltage to a motor and an inverter that supplies the motor with electric power. The electric automobile includes, a first DC/DC converter that steps up the battery voltage of a high-voltage battery to a level corresponding to an power line feeding voltage, a second converter connected between power line contact terminals, which are brought into contact with power lines to receive electric power from the power lines under the high power line feeding voltage, and the DC terminals of the inverter for energizing the motor. Therefore, even if the high power line feeding voltage is applied from the power lines, the second DC/DC converter functions as an electric damping device to prevent the high voltage from being applied to the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takamitsu Tajima, Kotaro Shigeno
  • Publication number: 20150130420
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for charging energy storage cells of an energy storage device with a plurality of energy storage modules which are connected in series in an energy supply line, each energy storage module comprising an energy storage cell module which has at least one energy storage cell and comprising a coupling device with coupling elements. The coupling elements are designed to selectively connect the energy storage cell module in the energy supply line or to bridge the energy storage cell module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Jochen Fassnacht, Martin Kessler, Erik Weissenborn, Peter Feuerstack
  • Patent number: 9030165
    Abstract: An operating machine includes: a charging time estimation unit that estimates a first estimated charging time required to restore a capacity of a first battery from a first estimated residual capacity to a target capacity value of the first battery and a second estimated charging time required to restore a capacity of a second battery from a second estimated residual capacity to a target capacity value of the second battery; a capacity management implementation unit that implements capacity management on the first battery and the second battery such that the first battery is charged for the first estimated charging time and the second battery is charged for the second estimated charging time; and a discharge amount limitation unit for limiting a discharge amount of the second battery during an idling stop so that a residual capacity of the second battery after discharge is maintained at or above a set value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Kobelco Cranes Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Kawai, Koichi Shimomura, Hideaki Ishihara, Shintaro Sasai
  • Patent number: 9030168
    Abstract: A power conversion device includes: a DC/DC convertor (5) that performs DC/DC conversion on an output voltage of a direct-current power supply (for example, a solar battery module (1)); and a DC/AC invertor (6) that performs DC/AC conversion on an output voltage of the DC/DC convertor (5). The output power of the DC/AC invertor (6) is controlled such that the charge and discharge of a storage device (for example, a storage battery (3)) connected to a connection point between an output end of the DC/DC convertor (5) and an input end of the DC/AC invertor (6) are controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryo Iwai, Yukihiro Shimizu, Shunsuke Nishi, Masaki Eguchi
  • Patent number: 9030156
    Abstract: In a power supply system provided with an assembled battery supervisory device which supervises an assembled battery composed of storage elements connected in series with one another, the system using the assembled battery is obtained which makes it possible to supply electric power to the assembled battery supervisory device, with a simple arrangement. The arrangement is such that electric power for the assembled battery supervisory device is obtained from a part of storage elements constituting the assembled battery. The cell balancer is driven based on the average consumption electric current of the assembled battery supervisory device so as to suppress a deviation in the amount of charge between those storage elements which supply electric power to the assembled battery supervisory device, and those storage elements which do not supply electric power to the assembled battery supervisory device, resulting from the average consumption electric current of the assembled battery supervisory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Hayashi, Keiichi Enoki, Shingo Yamaguchi, Yoshimasa Nishijima, Yuji Zushi
  • Patent number: 9030155
    Abstract: Multi-mode charger device for charging portable devices and methods of charging portable devices are described. In an embodiment, a multi-mode charger device has mode blocks respectively associated with modes of operation which are coupled to a switch module. The switch module is for coupling a selected one of the mode blocks to a peripheral bus and to decouple the mode blocks remaining from the peripheral bus. A first mode of the modes of operation is a pass through mode. A second mode of the modes of operation is a first charging mode. A third mode of the modes of operation is a second charging mode. The first charging mode and the second charging mode are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Pericom Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Xianxin Li, Hong-Leong Hong, Adbullah Raouf, Anna Tam, John Chi-Hung Hui, Tat C. Choi
  • Patent number: 9030163
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a device for recharging with energy a piece of storage equipment loaded on-board a vehicle comprising at least one power supply device external to the vehicle, at least one power collector fixed on the vehicle, the power collector comprising a central portion provided with at least one friction strip, intended for powering the vehicle when the vehicle is moving, the central portion being laterally extended with at least one horn formed in one piece in a metal material and forming an upper surface. At least one portion of the upper surface of the horn forms a contact area capable of directly coming into contact with a corresponding contact surface of the power supply device when the vehicle is at a standstill in a stop station in order to ensure energy transfer between the power collector and the power supply device via the contact area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Alstom Transport SA
    Inventors: Gaëtan Tuyeras, Olivier Jean Georges Chantal, Jean-Paul Moskowitz, Mohammed Leouatni, Angel Garcia Marne
  • Patent number: 9030171
    Abstract: A charging circuit for an electronic device includes a battery pack for providing a battery voltage; an adaptor coupled to an external voltage source, for providing an input voltage; and a charging module coupled to the adaptor, for charging the battery pack. The charging module includes a buck charging unit for performing buck charging on the battery pack according to a comparison result; and a boost charging unit for performing boost charging on the battery pack according to the comparison result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Te-Lung Wu
  • Publication number: 20150123621
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a charging method of a secondary battery including a first charging step of charging the secondary battery at a first C-rate from an initial charge voltage to a first charge voltage and a second charging step of charging the secondary battery to a target voltage while gradually decreasing a C-rate within a range not exceeding the first C-rate after the voltage of the secondary battery reached the first charge voltage. Consequently, it is possible to prevent deterioration of the battery, thereby improving lifespan characteristics of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Hwan Kim, Seung Hun Jung
  • Publication number: 20150123602
    Abstract: A method is provided for optimizing wireless charging of a mobile device by a wireless charger. The method comprises determining whether magnetic saturation occurred in at least one of the mobile device and the wireless charger during a first wireless transmission of power from the wireless charger to the mobile device; and, when magnetic saturation is determined to have occurred, successively reducing transmit power in the wireless charger until reaching an operating wireless transmit power, wherein neither the mobile device nor the wireless charger is in magnetic saturation at the operating wireless transmit power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Joseph Patino, Soniya Noormuhamed Thekkevalappil, Salvador Sibecas
  • Publication number: 20150123608
    Abstract: A charger including a class E power driver, a frequency-shift keying (“FSK”) module, and a processor. The processor can receive data relating to the operation of the class E power driver and can control the class E power driver based on the received data relating to the operation of the class E power driver. The processor can additionally control the FSK module to modulate the natural frequency of the class E power transformer to thereby allow the simultaneous recharging of an implantable device and the transmission of data to the implantable device. The processor can additionally compensate for propagation delays by adjusting switching times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Brian R. Dearden, James H. Wolfe, Manish Khemani
  • Publication number: 20150123607
    Abstract: A system 100 includes a plurality of electronic apparatuses 1 which have a function of feeding power of a battery 11 to other electronic apparatuses and a function of receiving power from other electronic apparatuses and charging the battery 11, a management server 50, and a database 40. The management server 50 records, in the database 40, positional information of power feedable electronic apparatuses 1 which permit a power feed to other electronic apparatuses, acquires positional information of a power feed-desiring electronic apparatus 1 which desires a power feed from other electronic apparatuses, specifies a power feedable electronic apparatus 1 in the periphery of the power feed-desiring electronic apparatus 1 using the acquired positional information and the positional information of the power feedable electronic apparatuses 1 in the database 40, and transmits the positional information of the specified electronic apparatus 1 to the power feed-desiring electronic apparatus 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Koudai FUJITA, Ryousuke ITOU, Junji HAYASHI, Masanari ASANO, Takeshi MISAWA
  • Publication number: 20150123620
    Abstract: An electronic device having an auto-on circuit is provided. The electronic device can include a charging circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit can cause the charging circuit to deliver energy to an external device. The auto-on circuit, which can include an active circuit, can activate the control circuit in response to one or more trigger input circuits. Each trigger input circuit can actuate a switch and deliver an auto-on signal to the control circuit. The control circuit can then actuate a latch to deliver power to a power input terminal to keep itself powered ON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Nowak, Roshan Kamath, Daniel H. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20150123599
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for rapid charging in an electronic device are provided. In a method for charging a battery of an electronic device, an operation environment of the electronic device is determined. A charging current corresponding to the operation environment of the electronic device is set. Battery charging is started using the set charging current. The battery is charged using a maximum allowed charging current, such that a battery charging time may be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Chul-Eun Yun, Ki-Sun Lee, Chul-Woo Park, Ku-Chul Jung, Young-Hee Ha
  • Publication number: 20150123619
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products charge a battery in a vehicle. A charging station and the vehicle negotiate charging parameters. When the vehicle receives electrical power from the charging station, the vehicle checks the electrical power for the parameters. Should the electrical power fail to exhibit the parameters, charging is terminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual I, L.P.
    Inventors: Nikhil S. Marathe, Christopher F. Baldwin
  • Publication number: 20150123600
    Abstract: There is disclosed in an embodiment, a charger having a PCB that enable input AC power to flow into the system. A first high frequency switchmode converter converts AC input power into DC power and to provide active power factor correction. The converter comprising a high frequency isolation transformer providing electrical isolation between primary and secondary system circuitry. A second high frequency switchmode converter connected to DC output from the first converter regulates output voltage and limits system output current. DC output is connected to a battery and/or other electrical storage device to be charged and/or to a parallel-connected DC load to be powered. An optional accessory PCB is electrically connected to the power board, housed in a same chassis or enclosure. The accessory board provides optional features including an LCD, alarm output relay(s), and/or a CANbus interface. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy Groat, Kyle Miller, John Flavin
  • Publication number: 20150123594
    Abstract: An electronic device having an auto-on circuit is provided. The electronic device can include a power supply or charging circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit can cause the power supply or charging circuit to deliver energy to an external device. The auto-on circuit can activate the control circuit in response to one or more trigger input circuits. Each trigger input circuit can actuate a switch and deliver an auto-on signal to the control circuit. The control circuit can then actuate a latch to deliver power to a power input terminal to keep itself powered ON.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Daniel Nowak, Roshan Kamath, Daniel H. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20150123593
    Abstract: A device charging system includes a base that has two opposing rim edges that are substantially parallel to each other and are spaced apart by a width corresponding to a hanging folder rail width. Several jacks are on a surface of the base, each is electrically connected to a source of power. Several hanging folders, each having integrated hanging folder rails, interface to the two opposing rim edges. The hanging folder rails are of a width corresponding to the hanging folder rail width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Jack Strauser
  • Patent number: 9024574
    Abstract: A battery charger and system and method for use of the same are disclosed for increasing a charge of a battery. In one embodiment of the battery charger, an input for an electric charging power source is configured to supply electrical charging power to a rechargeable battery via an output circuit portion interposed therebetween. A transfer function circuit portion is configured to sense the voltage of the rechargeable battery as a sensing voltage such that the change in the sensing voltage is directly proportional to the internal impedance of the rechargeable battery. A control logic circuit portion is configured to select between a constant current, variable voltage operational mode, a constant current, scalable voltage operational mode, and a variable current, constant voltage operational mode to furnish rapid recharging of the rechargeable battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Inventor: Norman L. Culp
  • Patent number: 9024577
    Abstract: A non-contact-contact power charge device, and a controlling method thereof, includes: a charge contact terminal including a charge output voltage pin, a ground pin, and a non-contact charge connection pin, the charge contact terminal being able to connect to a contact power receiver and a non-contact power transmitter; and a voltage controller configured to apply a non-contact voltage to the charge output voltage pin if the charge contact terminal is connected while the non-contact power transmitter is contacted to the non-contact charge connection pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hanrim Postech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Kil Jung, Yoon-Sang Kuk
  • Publication number: 20150115877
    Abstract: A system and method for mounting and charging a portable electronic device on or in contiguity to a wireless charging device. The wireless power transferring and charging device includes a suction pump that provides a suction vacuum to mount/hold a portable electronic device onto an induction charging surface of the wireless charging device in a vertical or semi-vertical position to be wirelessly powered and/or charged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hideaki Arai, Aaron Ambrose, Andrew R. Hoover
  • Publication number: 20150115872
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for calculating the input current being drawn by a power converter. The power converter may be connected to and charging a battery and the method includes the steps of measuring the current and voltage being supplied to the battery, along with the frequency at which the power converter is operating. The voltage being supplied to the power converter may be calculated using a pre-determined relationship with the current and voltage being supplied to the power converter and the frequency of operation. The voltage being supplied to the converter may then be used to calculate the current being drawn by the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: David Letombe, M. Francios Beaucamp, Mohamed Kechmire
  • Publication number: 20150120109
    Abstract: A system for use in controlling a charging system for an electric vehicle is provided. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor coupled to the memory device. The processor is configured to store, in the memory device, data relating to at least one charging session of the electric vehicle. The processor is also configured to receive, from a user input device, at least one selection relating to at least one of a charging rate setting and a charging preference setting for controlling a charging rate at which a charger in the electric vehicle draws current from a power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: David Wong Cun
  • Patent number: 9018908
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a rechargeable battery module including a battery bank having serial connected battery units, a charging transistor providing a charging current to the battery bank, a balancing circuit for detecting and balancing voltage values of battery units and battery bank and a control chip. When a first voltage value of a first battery unit reaches a charge-off voltage, the control chip estimates a first unbalanced voltage difference between the first voltage and the minimal voltage among battery units. The control chip disables the charging transistor and estimates a second unbalanced voltage difference between voltages of the first battery unit and the battery unit having a minimal voltage. The control chip enables the balancing circuit to balance the first battery unit. When the voltage of the first battery is dropped by a calibration target, the charging transistor is enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Via Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsien Yen
  • Publication number: 20150108944
    Abstract: A wireless charging method and device have been disclosed. The wireless charging device includes at least two electrodes arranged separately and used for contact with a conductive contact of a power receiving device, and a power supply circuit that is electrically connected to the electrodes and supplies power according to association between all electrodes in contact with the conductive contact. The method includes the following steps: S1: setting electrodes of a wireless charging device to a detection state; S2: detecting whether the electrodes are in contact with a conductive contact of a power receiving device; S3: determining association between all electrodes in contact with the conductive contact, and setting polarity of the electrodes respectively; and S4: connecting a power supply corresponding to the polarity according to the polarity of the electrodes. The method and device have advantages of convenient use and ideal universality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: SHENZHEN FEIFAN INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Huabin Mai
  • Publication number: 20150110324
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a housing having a front portion and a slot formed in the housing, the slot having a plurality of different widths along a length of the slot. The slot includes a first width configured to support a first type of electronic mobile device in a first upright configuration at a first angle relative to the front portion of the housing, and a second width configured to support a second type of electronic mobile device in a second upright configuration at a second angle relative to the front portion of the housing. The first width has a first depth in the slot, the second width has a second depth in the slot, where the first angle is based on the first width and first depth, and the second angle is based on the second width and the second depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Sam Feng, Alan Smith, Eric Hsu, Timucin Kip, Ali Moayer
  • Patent number: 9015512
    Abstract: A portable electronic device that can receive power from an internal power source (such as a battery) and/or a second portable electronic device is described. In order to coordinate the power availability in these portable electronic devices, a power-management mechanism in the portable electronic device (which may be implemented in hardware and/or software) may determine a power state of an internal power source in the second portable electronic device, and may accordingly adjust a power consumption by circuits in the portable electronic device and/or the power received from the second portable electronic device. In this way, the power-management mechanism may approximately synchronize the power consumption in the portable electronic devices and/or the power states of the internal power sources in the portable electronic devices. This approximate synchronization may facilitate concurrent operation of the portable electronic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg J. Golembeski, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150102774
    Abstract: A system for the wireless transfer of power includes a first device connected to a power supply source and provided with a first resonant circuit at a first frequency, a second device comprising at least one battery, provided with a second resonant circuit at said first frequency, arranged at a distance smaller than the wavelength associated with said first frequency and not provided with wires for the electrical connection with said first device. The first device is adapted to transfer a first signal representing the power to be sent to the second device for charging said at least one battery and comprises means adapted to modulate the frequency of said first signal for transferring data from the first device to the second device simultaneously with the power transfer. The second device comprises means adapted to demodulate the received signal, corresponding to the first signal sent from the first device, to obtain the transmitted data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventor: Mario DiGuardo
  • Publication number: 20150102769
    Abstract: Configurations and methods of wireless power transmission for cordless power tools are disclosed. Wireless power transmission for charging one or more cordless power tools may include a toolbox with an embedded transmitter capable of emitting RF waves for the generation of pockets of energy; a battery attached or embedded in the toolbox to supply power to the transmitter; a cable that may connect toolbox's battery to a suitable external power source for charging; and one or more cordless power tools which may include rechargeable batteries and receivers that may utilize pockets of energy for wireless charging or powering. When the battery in the toolbox is charged to suitable levels, the toolbox can be disconnected from the external power source and carried to an area or location where one or more cordless power tools may receive wireless charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: DvineWave Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Leabman, Gregory Scott Brewer
  • Publication number: 20150102775
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for electric vehicle charging are described herein. In some aspects, a device for delivering power includes an environment sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the sensed input and a controller operably connected to the environment sensor and configured to cause an adjustment of an amount of power drawn by an electric vehicle charger based on the generated signal. The device may further include an antenna operably connected to the controller and configured to transmit and receive broadcast signals from a plurality of other such devices via a personal area network, wherein the controller is configured to generate a cooperative charging policy for dividing power among a plurality of electric vehicle chargers based on the received signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: William Henry Von Novak, III, Linda Stacey Irish