Battery Or Cell Charging Patents (Class 320/137)
  • Publication number: 20150061603
    Abstract: A monitor system for an inventoried battery includes at least one battery pack; at least one embedded monitor subsystem interfacing with the battery pack, the embedded monitor system adapted to acquire sensor data from the battery pack; and at least one archival data storage system interfacing with the embedded monitor subsystem, the archival data storage system adapted to archive the sensor data. A method of monitoring a stored battery is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Edward Loftus, Ben A. Tabatowski-Bush
  • Publication number: 20150061381
    Abstract: A battery system is provided. The battery system includes a base battery pack and a container having the base battery pack therein. The container is configured to receive a boost battery pack, wherein the container can hold the base battery pack and the boost battery pack. The battery system includes a coupling operable to provide electric power from the base battery pack alone or from the base battery pack in combination with the boost battery pack. A method of cooperating a battery pack is included.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Richard J. Biskup
  • Publication number: 20150061586
    Abstract: A device (10) for charging a mobile terminal by magnetic coupling, includes a first charging module (11) designed to form a charging signal at a first charging frequency, a primary coil (13) composed of a set of turns, a ferromagnetic body (14), a second charging module (12) designed to form a charging signal at a second charging frequency, higher than the first charging frequency. Furthermore, the charging device includes first routing elements (150) designed to connect/disconnect the primary coil (13) to/from the first charging module (11) and to/from the second charging module (12), elements (16) for adjusting the number of turns on the primary coil (13) and elements (19) for saturating the ferromagnetic body (14) at the second charging frequency. A charging method is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicants: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE FRANCE
    Inventors: Mohamed CHEIKH, Sebastien KESSLER, Said BOUGUERN
  • Publication number: 20150061576
    Abstract: A wireless vehicle charging system includes a charging station and an electric or hybrid passenger vehicle. The charging station is configured to wirelessly provide power to the passenger vehicle when the passenger vehicle is properly positioned in the charging station. The wireless vehicle charging system also includes a positioning system configured to guide the passenger vehicle into the charging station so that the passenger vehicle is properly positioned in the charging station to receive power from the charging station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicants: AUDI AG, VOLKSWAGEN AG
    Inventor: Henry CHEN
  • Patent number: 8970175
    Abstract: A charging circuit employed in an electronic apparatus is operable to charge a portable electronic device. The charging circuit includes a charging control microchip including two control terminals, a southbridge microchip, a logic control circuit, and a basic input/output system (BIOS). The southbridge microchip and the BIOS are both electronically connected to the logic control circuit to control the logic control circuit to set or reset voltage of the two control terminals, then the charging control microchip is switched to a charging mode or a data transmission mode according to the voltage of the two control terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chun-Sheng Chen, Hua Zou, Feng-Long He
  • Patent number: 8970178
    Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to applying a current pulse to the terminals of the battery during a charge, measuring a voltage at the terminals of the battery, determining a relationship of an open circuit voltage to an amount of charge in the battery using data which is representative of a state of health of the battery, calculating an open circuit voltage of the battery using the voltage measured at the terminals of the battery, a current applied to or removed from the battery and an impedance of the battery, and determining a state of charge of the battery using (i) the calculated open circuit voltage and (ii) the relationship of the open circuit voltage to the amount of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Qnovo Inc.
    Inventors: Fred Berkowitz, Dania Ghantous, Nadim Maluf, Christina Peabody
  • Publication number: 20150054451
    Abstract: A method and apparatus charge devices using a multiple port power supply. The apparatus can include a power supply. The apparatus can include a first device charging port coupled to the power supply. The first device charging port can receive power from the power supply and output power to a first device. The apparatus can include a second device charging port coupled to the power supply. The second device charging port can receive power from the power supply and output power to a second device. The apparatus can include a device charging port monitor coupled to the first device charging port and coupled to the second device charging port. The device charging port monitor can detect a number of device charging ports in use. The apparatus can include a cable compensator coupled to the device charging port monitor. The cable compensator can select a first cable compensation if one device charging port is in use and can select a second cable compensation if two device charging ports are in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
    Inventors: Daniel S. Rokusek, Wayne G. Anderson, Daniel Nowak, Daniel H. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20150057800
    Abstract: A method for energy management in a robotic device includes providing a base station for mating with the robotic device, determining a quantity of energy stored in an energy storage unit of the robotic device, and performing a predetermined task based at least in part on the quantity of energy stored. Also disclosed are systems for emitting avoidance signals to prevent inadvertent contact between the robot and the base station, and systems for emitting homing signals to allow the robotic device to accurately dock with the base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Cohen, Daniel N. Ozick, Clara Vu, James Lynch, Philip R. Mass
  • Publication number: 20150054460
    Abstract: An electric vehicle recharging station is provided. The electric vehicle recharging station includes an electric power supply system for rapidly recharging an onboard electric vehicle battery. The electric power supply system includes a first energy source and a battery bank including one or more rechargeable charging batteries for rapidly recharging the onboard electric vehicle battery. The electric vehicle recharging station also includes a temperature management system providing heat exchange fluid to both the onboard electric vehicle battery and the battery bank to thermally condition the onboard electric vehicle battery and the battery bank. A method of recharging onboard electric vehicle batteries is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Michael L. Epstein, Christopher K. Dyer
  • Publication number: 20150054458
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wireless charging technology for portable electronic devices. A wireless charging method of resonance type can enhance the usability of wireless charging and also promote user's satisfaction. The portable electronic device is configured to wirelessly connect with a wireless power supply device, connect with one or more external devices, and transmit a message for requesting a wireless charging process for the external devices to the wireless power supply device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Piljoo Yoon, Bokun Choi, Yongjoon Jeon
  • Publication number: 20150054468
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a self-powered internal medical device. An example device may comprise at least an energy generation module and an operations module to at least control the energy generation module. The energy generation module may include a structure to capture certain molecules in the organic body based at least on size, the structure including a surface of the device in which at least one opening is formed. The at least one opening may be sized to only capture certain molecules. The operations module may initiate oxidation reactions in the captured molecules to generate current for device operation or for storage in an energy storage module. Thermoelectric generation circuitry in the energy generation module may also use heat from the reaction to generate a second current. The operations module may control operation of a sensor module and/or communication module in the device based on the generated energy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventors: Dmitri E. Nikonov, Michael C. Mayberry, Ian A. Young, Kelin J. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8963485
    Abstract: A battery charger system and method 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: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Norman L. Culp
  • Patent number: 8963504
    Abstract: Provided is an electronic device including a secondary battery, a charging section which charges the secondary battery with power supplied from an external power supply section with a set charging current, a measurement section which measures an amount of charge accumulated in the secondary battery, a time information acquisition section which acquires time information, a storage section which stores charging history information indicating a time period in which a user performs charging, and a control section which has a chargeable time estimation section that estimates chargeable time based on the charging history information and the time information, and a charging current setting section that calculates a restricted charging current which enables the secondary battery to be charged up to a charging capacity within the chargeable time, based on the amount of charge acquired from the measurement section, and sets the restricted charging current in the charging section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yohei Kuroda, Osamu Ishioka, Nobutaka Yagi, Ryoji Amemiya, Kenji Waku
  • Patent number: 8963365
    Abstract: A multi-energy storage device system is provided that includes a first energy storage device (ESD) coupled to a direct current (DC) link. A bi-directional buck/boost converter includes an output channel coupled to the DC link and an input channel. A second ESD coupled to the input channel has a usable energy storage range defining an entire amount of usable energy storable therein. A database includes stored information related to a known acceleration event. A system controller is configured to acquire the stored information related to the known acceleration event and, during the known acceleration event, cause the buck/boost converter to boost the voltage of the second ESD and to supply the boosted voltage to the DC link such that after the known acceleration event, the state of charge of the second ESD is less than or substantially equal to a minimum usable energy storage state of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Irene Michelle Berry
  • Patent number: 8963491
    Abstract: A contactless charging module, a contactless charging device, and a method of manufacturing the contactless charging module, wherein a magnetic sheet can be prevented from being damaged and giving an adverse effect on power transmission characteristic, by adopting a flexible magnetic sheet having slits, and wherein power transmission efficiency of the contactless charging module can be prevented from decreasing significantly. The contactless charging module is provided with: a planar coil unit; a magnetic sheet upon which the planar coil unit is to be mounted; a recess section or a slit that is formed on the magnetic sheet, and that is for housing therein a portion of a conductor wire of the planar coil unit; and a plurality of flexible slits that are for giving flexibility to the magnetic sheet. At least one of the plurality of flexible slits is formed such that a virtual extension line of the flexible slit will be arranged within the width of the recess section or the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichiro Tabata, Tokuji Nishino
  • Publication number: 20150048789
    Abstract: A wireless power transmitter performs a method for supplying power for wireless charging from the wireless power transmitter to a plurality of wireless power receivers. The wireless charging method includes allocating priorities to one or more electronic devices that connect for wireless charging, and supplying wireless power to the one or more electronic devices based on the priorities. Other embodiments may be implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Soo-Hyung Kim, Hun-Cheol Oh, Ji-Hyun Park, Soon-Hyun Cha, Young-Joon Kim, Hyun-Soo Kim
  • Publication number: 20150048777
    Abstract: A voltaic cell comprising an iron in alkali anode where metal iron is oxidized to iron II hydroxide and a ferricyanide in alkali cathode where ferricyanide is reduced to ferrocyanide, and uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Epsilor-Electric Fuel LTD.
    Inventor: Jonathan R. Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20150048788
    Abstract: A method for contactless charging of a battery of an electric motor vehicle by magnetic induction using a transmitter coil of a charging device and a receiver coil of the vehicle, the method including: controlling electrical power supply and instructions of an inverter at terminals of which the transmitter coil is connected, according to a variable frequency; measuring, in an analog circuit, at least one analog signal relative to a current or to a voltage at terminals of the transmitter coil; digitally processing at least two incoming digital signals by a control board, a first incoming signal being relative to the voltage and a second incoming signal being relative to the current; transmitting output signals from the control board to the inverter to lock the inverter to a value of a phase difference calculated between the current and the voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Hugues Doffin, Samuel Cregut
  • Publication number: 20150048784
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for charging batteries is provided. The apparatus comprises a monitoring unit configured for coupling to a battery and power source. The monitoring unit configured to acquire a control value indicative of a parameter, and to control the charging of the battery responsive thereto. The system comprises a plurality of battery chargers configured for coupling with respective batteries and a common power source. Each charger configured to obtain information relating to a parameter, to communicate the information to the other chargers, to acquire a control value from the information obtained thereby or received from another charger, and to control the charging of the associated battery based on the acquired control value. The method comprises providing a monitoring unit coupled to a battery and power source, acquiring a control value indicative of a parameter, and controlling the charging of the battery responsive to the control value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: Henry T. Fung
  • Publication number: 20150048800
    Abstract: A method for electricity purchase of an electric car (22) at a power charging procedure at a power charging station (30), which is connected to the grid (15), a PV system (10) or other domestic system for generating electricity is feeding current at a first measurement system (16) into the grid (15), and the electric car (22) charges current at a second measurement system (26) from a power charging station (30) where both measurement systems (16, 26) are integrated in a communication network (20) and are, at least indirectly, in communication connection (K1, K2) with each other to control the charging current, preferable to synchronize it with the fed in current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Martin HIRNING, Roland MÜNSTER, Torsten BLAU, Carl HECKMANN, Christian BENZ, Benjamin FISCHER
  • Publication number: 20150048787
    Abstract: A charging device for charging the energy storage device of a portable electric device. The charging device has a load cell or load cells with a controllable resonant circuit for inductively transmitting energy, a parallel resonant circuit with two coils and a controllable supply voltage, two controllable switching elements for a self-oscillation of the parallel resonant circuit, which have control connections that can be connected to one another via a respective controllable switch-off element, and a demodulator connected to an output of the load cell being formed by a coil end that is not connected to the other coil end. The self-oscillation can be interrupted in a controlled manner by switching the controllable switching elements in order to modulate the amplitude of the electromagnetic field generated by the coils.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jochen Deininger, Lothar Schauer, Michael Tress, Thomas Zoelle
  • Patent number: 8957633
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods in a near field communication capable electronic device are disclosed. An antenna receives a near field signal from a recharging pad or a reader to provide a reception signal. A detector coupled to the antenna receives the reception signal and detects therefrom a voltage, current or power value representing a power level of the near field signal. A switch is coupled to the detector, and switches the reception signal corresponding to the recharging pad or the reader to a recharging transceiver to recharge a battery, or to a near field communication transceiver, respectively, on the basis of the detected voltage. A Hall-effect type magnetic sensor may be used as an alternative to the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jun Yoon
  • Patent number: 8957623
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling multiple storage devices are provided. A system may include a first storage device and a second storage device, each adapted to store and release electrical energy. The system may also include a controller coupled to the first storage device, the second storage device, and a load. The controller is adapted to optimize operation of the system relative to a first system parameter by controlling the channeling of electric charge in a variable manner between the first storage device, the second storage device, and the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Brian C. Sisk, Thanh T. Nguyen, Perry M. Wyatt, Ryan S. Mascarenhas, Junwei Jiang
  • Publication number: 20150042290
    Abstract: Charging methods and electronic devices are provided. According to an embodiment, provided is a charging method for an electronic device having a plurality of operating modes. The method may comprise: detecting an operating mode of the electronic device; utilizing a first charging mode corresponding to a first operating mode to charge the electronic device when the first operating mode is detected; and utilizing a second charging mode corresponding to a second operating mode to charge the electronic device when the second operating mode is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Lenovo (Beijing) Limited
    Inventor: Zhiqiang Zhou
  • Publication number: 20150042271
    Abstract: A non-contact charging apparatus includes a power-feeding coil, a power-receiving coil, a relative-position detector, and a feeding-power changing device. The power-receiving coil is configured to receive power from the power-feeding coil in a non-contact manner to charge a battery. The relative-position detector is configured to detect a distance between a center of the power-feeding coil and a center of the power-receiving coil. The feeding-power changing device is configured to decrease the power from the power-feeding coil to the power-receiving coil as the distance increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoaki NAKAGAWA, Yusaku AMARI, Atsushi HIROSAWA
  • Publication number: 20150042278
    Abstract: An electric charger resource sharing method and system comprise a charger that supplies electrical energy to a plurality of electric vehicles. The charger includes a robotic arm that articulates to be proximal to each of the electric vehicles for supplying the electrical energy to the electric vehicles and a docking interface at a distal end of the robotic arm that couples with a receptacle on each of the electric vehicles for transferring the electrical energy from the charger to the electric vehicles. A resource management device receives a bid from each electric vehicle, and allocates a portion of the electrical energy for a predetermined period of time to an electric vehicle of the plurality of electric vehicles in response to the bid of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Kevin Walter Leary
  • Publication number: 20150042291
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a battery charging assembly at an external communication device across a communication network. The method and system comprises: receiving status information relating to the battery charging assembly at the communication device. In response to the status information, the method comprises generating an input indicating a request for controlling operation of the battery charging assembly and comprising control parameters associated with controlling said operation. The method further comprises providing the input to the battery charging assembly for subsequently affecting operation of the battery charging assembly in accordance with the generated input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: INSTAVOLT INC.
    Inventors: Mathieu RACINE, Hossein SAMIMI, Ronald GILMAN
  • Publication number: 20150042273
    Abstract: An electric circuit (5) for charging at least one electrical energy storage unit (4) by means of an electrical network, the circuit (5) comprising: an inductive cell (6) configured to interact with an inductive cell of the electrical network to exchange energy by electromagnetic induction, a rectifier (13) disposed downstream from the inductive cell (6) and whereof the positive output terminal (17) and the negative output terminal (20) are each connected to a conductor (18, 21) of a DC bus (19), a capacitor (22) mounted between the two conductors (18, 21) of the DC bus (19), a power stage (25) whereof the positive input terminal (26) and the negative input terminal (27) are respectively connected to one of the conductors (18, 21) of the DC bus (19), and which is configured to adapt the value of the DC voltage between the positive input terminal (26) thereof and the negative input terminal (27) thereof to the electrical energy storage unit (4), the power stage comprising, at most, two voltage converters, and t
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Christophe Laupin-Villemus, Thierry Cheng
  • Publication number: 20150044548
    Abstract: The present invention relates to electrode materials for electrical cells, containing, as component (A), at least one polymer including polymer chains formed from identical or different monomer units selected from substituted and unsubstituted vinyl units and substituted and unsubstituted C2-C10-alkylene glycol units and containing at least one monomer unit -M1- including at least one thiolate group —S? or at least one end of a disulfide or polysulfide bridge —(S)m— in which m is an integer from 2 to 8, the thiolate group or the one end of the disulfide or polysulfide bridge —(S)m— in each case being bonded directly to a carbon atom of the monomer unit -M1-, and, as component (B), carbon in a polymorph containing at least 60% sp2-hybridized carbon atoms. The present invention also relates to electrical cells containing the inventive electrode material, to specific polymers, to processes for preparation, and to uses of the inventive cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: BASF SE
    Inventors: Arnd Garsuch, Alexander Panchenko, Siegfried Waldvogel, Birgit Janza
  • Patent number: 8954762
    Abstract: A system and methods for delivering power to a multitude of portable electronic devices is provided. More specifically, the system and methods provide for powering different portable electronic devices through a central charging device. The method of delivering a power supply to a plurality of portable electronic devices includes determining a power requirement for each of the portable computing devices and supplying the power requirement to each of the portable computing devices in a daisy chain configuration using a central power device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory J. Boss, Andrew R. Jones, P. Daniel Kangas, Kevin C. McConnell, John E. Moore, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150035496
    Abstract: An example multilayered bus bar includes, among other things, a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and a third conductive layer. The second conductive layer is sandwiched between the first and third conductive layers. A polarity of the second conductive layer is different than a polarity of the first and third conductive layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Jun Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20150035484
    Abstract: A method and system for efficient distribution of power using wireless means, and a system and method for wireless power distribution to provide electric devices, such as vehicles with a way to continuously and wirelessly collect, use and charge their power systems and thereby use the transmitted power for operation. The system and method allows a hybrid, simplified and less costly way to charge devices, such as vehicles so that the devices continuously operate while charging/recharging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Alex Mashinsky
  • Publication number: 20150035485
    Abstract: An electric vehicle supply equipment receives an external AC power source. The electric vehicle supply equipment includes a relay apparatus and a controller. The relay apparatus has a master relay, an auxiliary relay, and a controllable switch. The master relay is connected to a master power loop. The controllable switch is connected in series to the auxiliary relay to form a series path and connected to an auxiliary power loop. When the controller detects the external AC power source, the controller turns on the auxiliary relay. Afterward, when the controller detects that the external AC power source is in a zero-crossing condition, the controller drives the controllable switch to be turned on. Accordingly, the relays are controlled in coordinated timing, and further the external AC power source is detected, thus implementing the zero-voltage and zero-current turning on of the relay apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: DELTA ELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventors: Tsung-Yuan WU, Xin-Wei LIU
  • Publication number: 20150035474
    Abstract: Described herein are techniques related to one or more systems, apparatuses, methods, etc. for implementing a wireless charging and a wireless connectivity in a device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Songnan Yang, Bin Xiao, Ulun Karacaoglu, Chung-Hao J. Chen, James Utz
  • Patent number: 8947050
    Abstract: A method for charging a battery may include determining a degradation condition of the battery based on impedance parameters of the battery, altering a default charge profile for the battery based on the degradation condition, and charging the battery with the altered charge profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Allan Roy Gale, Bruce Carvell Blakemore, Paul Theodore Momcilovich, Michael W. Degner
  • Patent number: 8947044
    Abstract: The invention discloses a wireless charging system for transmitting data. The wireless charging system includes a charging device for wirelessly transmitting a source signal and adjusting a current corresponding to the source signal according to a transmitted datum, and a receiving device which includes a first coil for receiving the source signal according to the electromagnetic effect and generating a corresponding AC current signal, and an output module for obtaining the transmitted datum according to the AC current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Yi-Sheng Kao
  • Publication number: 20150028817
    Abstract: A battery block is equipped with a plurality of battery blocks. Each of the battery blocks includes at least one battery cell to provide a block voltage of the battery block. A first number of the battery blocks is selected, and the first number of the battery blocks is coupled to voltage terminals of the battery to set a battery voltage which corresponds to the sum of the block voltages of the first number of battery blocks. Further, a second number of the battery blocks is selected, and the second number of battery blocks is coupled to the voltage terminals of the battery to set a battery voltage which corresponds to the sum of the block voltages of the second number of battery blocks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventor: Philip Georg Brockerhoff
  • Publication number: 20150028799
    Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a wireless charging circuit configurable to receive a wireless power signal from a power transmitting unit and to charge the wireless communication device under control of a processing device and in conjunction with a charging session with the power transmitting unit. A wireless interface device operates under control of the processing device to establish a wireless connection with the power transmitting unit via a connection establishment procedure, wherein the wireless connection is separate from the wireless power signal. Control data is exchanged with the power transmitting unit via the wireless connection, wherein the control data is used by the processing device to implement the charging session with the wireless charging circuit. A response is generated to a disruption event of the wireless communication device that includes implementing a restoration procedure for restoring the wireless connection, without implementing the connection establishment procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chikan Kwan, Xin Tian, Erik John Rivard, Xianbo Chen, Lih-Feng Tsaur
  • Publication number: 20150028801
    Abstract: Systems and methods for converting voltages between different voltage levels in a receiver are disclosed. In an aspect, a wireless power receiver apparatus for charging a chargeable device is provided. The wireless power receiver apparatus for charging a chargeable device can include a receive antenna configured to wirelessly receive power at a level sufficient for charging the chargeable device. The wireless power receiver apparatus can also include converter circuitry. The converter circuitry can be coupled to the receive antenna. The converter circuitry can be configured to receive an input voltage derived from the wirelessly received power. The converter circuitry can also be configured to produce an output voltage that is scaled to a value relative to the input voltage based on a relationship between the input voltage and a first voltage level threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Francesco Carobolante, Joseph Najib Maalouf, Sumukh Ashok Shevde
  • Publication number: 20150029400
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, A terminal is configured to connect a cable from a chargeable external apparatus. A power supply module is configured to supply electric power to the external apparatus via the terminal. A detector is configured to detect a power supply status by the power supply module. A determination module configured to determine charging completion of the external apparatus based on the power supply status. An output module configured to output the charging completion based on the charging completion determination result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Takanori Yamaguchi, Hideki Miyasato, Minoru Moriwaki
  • Publication number: 20150028806
    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: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Brian R. Dearden, James H. Wolfe, Manish Khemani
  • Publication number: 20150028798
    Abstract: Systems and devices for a high-efficiency magnetic link for implantable devices are disclosed herein. These devices can include a charging coil located in the implantable device and a charging coil located in a charge head of a charger. The charging coils can each include an elongate core and wire windings wrapped around a longitudinal axis of the elongate core. The charging coil of the charge head can be attached to a rotatable mount, which can be used to align the longitudinal axis of the charging coil of the charge head with longitudinal axis of the implantable device such that the axes of the charging coils are parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Inventors: Brian R. Dearden, Glen A. Griffith
  • Publication number: 20150028818
    Abstract: A secure system for charging a battery of a motor vehicle from a power supply network, which system is in a vehicle and includes a mechanism measuring frequency of the network, an injection mechanism injecting current pulses into the network, a mechanism measuring voltage between the ground and a neutral of the network, an analog filter filtering the measured voltages at high frequencies, a digital filter filtering the analog-filtered voltages at low frequencies, and a mechanism determining resistance between the ground and the neutral of the network on the basis of the digitally filtered voltages and an amplitude of the current pulses. The digital filter includes a mean value filter which determines a mean value based on N voltage measurements spaced apart by a time interval T+T/N, where T is the period of the network determined by the mechanism measuring the frequency of the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: RENAULT s.a.s.
    Inventors: Ludovic Merienne, Ahmed Ketfi-Cherif, Christophe Ripoll, Christophe Konate
  • Publication number: 20150028802
    Abstract: A wireless charging device may include: a sensor unit sensing an input from an external device and generating a wake-up signal; a control unit, upon receiving the wake-up signal, exiting from a sleep mode to enter an active mode, and generating an activation signal; a detection unit receiving the activation signal from the control unit to detect a mobile terminal; and a power supply unit, in the case that the detection unit detects the mobile terminal, supplying power to the mobile terminal wirelessly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRO-MECHANICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Gye Won LEE, Hyun Keun LIM
  • Patent number: 8941361
    Abstract: A computer system to charge a rechargeable battery of an external device regardless of power on/off of the computer system when the external device having the rechargeable battery is connected, and a control method thereof. The computer system includes a connector having a terminal to which an external device is connected, a power supply to supply power to the connector, and a recognition signal generator to generate a predetermined recognition signal to initiate charging a rechargeable battery of the external device with power supplied from the power supply through the connector when the external device having the rechargeable battery is connected to the connector through the terminal. Thus, it is possible to charge the battery of the external device even when the computer system is powered off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-min Bae
  • Publication number: 20150022145
    Abstract: A method of operating a wireless power transmission apparatus includes receiving, from a wireless power reception apparatus, information on an operating power of a micro control unit (MCU) of the wireless power reception apparatus and information on an output of a direct current-to-direct current (DC/DC) converter of the wireless power reception apparatus; determining whether a charging power is to be transmitted to the wireless power reception apparatus based on the received information on the output of DC/DC converter; and transmitting, to the wireless power reception apparatus, an MCU operating power calculated based on the received information on the operating power of the MCU in response to a determination that the charging power is not to be transmitted to the wireless power reception apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nam Yun Kim, Sang Wook Kwon, Hyuk Choon Kwon, Bong Chul Kim, Yun Kwon Park, Jae Hyun Park
  • Publication number: 20150022143
    Abstract: Provided are a smartkey operating system equipped with a wireless charging function and an operating method thereof, which controls performing of a wireless charging function equipped in a smartkey system, thereby preventing an overlap of frequencies even when there is an overlap section between a wireless charging operating frequency and a low frequency of the smartkey system. The smartkey operating system includes a switching unit configured to cut off or supply the wireless charging power, and a control unit configured to determine whether to cut off the wireless charging power to control the switching unit according to a current mode. When the current mode is a fob search mode, the control unit cuts off the wireless charging power by using the switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jae Woo KIM
  • Patent number: 8937400
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus for a vehicle is provided which supplies electric power to a power supply unit and charges electric power from the power supply unit via a power port. The vehicle includes a plurality of power inverter circuits which are connected to a common storage unit in parallel. The plurality of power inverter circuits include an electric power transferring power inverter circuit connected to the power port via an electric power transferring electric path, and are divided into a first category including the electric power transferring power inverter circuit and a second category. The power supply apparatus includes a connection prohibiting unit which realizes a state in which the power inverter circuit included in the first category is electrically connected to the storage unit, and the power inverter circuit included in the second category is disconnected from the storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Obayashi, Akira Sakamoto, Atsuyuki Hiruma, Masahito Mizukoshi, Jun Ishii, Mitsuru Fujita
  • Publication number: 20150015212
    Abstract: The capacitive welder includes a charging circuit, a welding transformer, a capacitor, a discharging switching element connected in parallel with a primary winding of the welding transformer and the capacitor that are connected in series, a bypass switching element connected in parallel with the primary winding, welding electrodes connected in parallel with a secondary winding of the welding transformer, and a control circuit for bringing the welding transformer into a reset allowing state by allowing a reset current to flow in the primary winding using the input power introduced through the charging circuit without supplying an ON signal to the bypass switching element, and then supplying the ON signal to the bypass switching element such that the capacitor is charged through the bypass switching element by the input power introduced through the charging circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: ORIGIN ELECTRIC COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventors: Yasuo Kadoya, Kouji Arai, Akio Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20150015191
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a charger (10) for blocking power when charging a battery (21). The charger includes a charging voltage generating unit (15) that generates a charging voltage for charging a battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Gang-Won KIM