With Dc-dc Converter (e.g., Flyback Supply, Etc.) Patents (Class 320/140)
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Patent number: 8575889Abstract: A DC-DC voltage down-converter for an electronic device supplied by a battery and having a bus interface for the interconnection with another electronic device capable of supplying electric power is provided. The DC-DC voltage down-converter includes a terminal coupled to a voltage supply line of the bus interface and operable to receive a input current from the another electronic device. The DC-DC voltage down-converter further includes an electric energy storage element coupled between the battery and the terminal, the electric energy storage element being operable to storage/release electric energy and a drive circuit arranged to control the storage/release of the electric energy storage element, so as to cause an electric power generated by the input current supplied by the another electronic device through the voltage supply line to re-charge the battery.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignees: STMicroelectronics S.r.l., STMicroelectronics S.A.Inventors: Giuseppe Platania, Jerome Nebon, Patrizia Milazzo, Alexandre Balmefrezol
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Patent number: 8558502Abstract: An assembly for electrically recharging vehicles, to which individual radio units are assigned, having a parking space for a vehicle, a recharging station assigned to the parking space for cable-connected recharging of a vehicle located therein, and a transceiver connecting to the recharging station for communication with a radio unit, wherein the transceiver clears the recharging station for the recharging process depending on the communication with the radio unit, and the transceiver has a communication zone, which is restricted to the region of the parking space or can locate a radio unit as being located in this restricted region.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Kapsch Trafficcom AGInventor: Oliver Nagy
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Patent number: 8558510Abstract: Provided are a power storage apparatus and a method of controlling the power storage apparatus. The power storage apparatus stores power supplied from a power generation system or a power grid. The power storage apparatus supplies stored power to a load during an electric failure, and supplies stored power to the power grid. The power storage apparatus includes at least one battery cell, a battery management unit coupled to the battery cell, a bi-directional converter coupled to the battery management unit, a bi-directional inverter coupled between the bi-directional converter and the power grid, and a central controller controlling the operations of the bi-directional converter, the bi-directional inverter, and the battery management unit. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) function may be performed to stabilize the power storage system including the power storage apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2010Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventor: Chong-Sop Moon
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Patent number: 8552692Abstract: A charger and discharger for a secondary battery includes a secondary battery coupled to an output stage of the charger and discharger, a first converter circuit including a first pulse voltage generator that outputs a first pulse voltage according to a first duty ratio, and a first inductor that outputs a first current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted first pulse voltage with respect to time to a positive electrode terminal of the secondary battery, a second converter circuit including a second pulse voltage generator that outputs a second pulse voltage according to a second duty ratio, and a second inductor that outputs a second current in proportion to a value of an integral of the outputted second pulse voltage with respect to time to a negative electrode terminal of the secondary battery, and first and second controllers controlling the duty ratios of the first and second pulse voltage generators, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ria Ju, Young-Hak Pyo, Sergey Vasichev, Seung-Hyuck Paek, Sang-Chul Seo
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Patent number: 8553432Abstract: Method and apparatus for controlling an apparatus transmitting power between two electricity networks or between an electricity network and a polyphase electric machine), and including low-voltage power cells (C), which include a single-phase input/output connection (IN/OUT). The power cells are arranged into groups (G1-GN, GP1-GPN1, GS1-GSN2, G1??-GN??) such that at least one power cell per each phase of the electricity network or of the electric machine belongs to each group, and the input terminals (IN) of all the power cells belonging to the same group are connected to a common transformer, the transformer including its own separate winding that is galvanically isolated. The controllable power semiconductor switches connected to the input connectors (IN) of all the power cells supplying power to the same transformer are controlled cophasally with a 50% pulse ratio.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: Vacon OYJInventors: Risto Komulainen, Hannu Sarén
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Patent number: 8547061Abstract: A wireless hotpoint device includes a main body having a circuit board and a battery arranged therein. The circuit board includes a first control unit, a second control unit connected to the first control unit, and a wireless transmission unit connected to the second control unit. The first control unit controls an input voltage of an external power supply and an output voltage of a battery power of the battery, and informs the second control unit to turn on. The second control unit enables a wireless access via the wireless transmission unit or an access via the Ethernet, and enables a router mode or a network service mode. With these arrangements, the wireless hotpoint device not only enables data access via local or wireless networks, but also supplies electric power for charging other electronic products connected thereto.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Gigastone America CorpInventor: John Wong
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Patent number: 8541985Abstract: A multifunctional portable power bank includes a main body having a circuit board and a battery arranged therein. The circuit board includes a first control unit, a second control unit connected to the first control unit, and a wireless transmission unit connected to the second control unit. The first control unit controls an input voltage of an external power supply and an output voltage of a battery power of the battery, and informs the second control unit to turn on. The second control unit enables a wireless access via the wireless transmission unit or an access via the Ethernet, and enables a router mode or a network service mode. With these arrangements, the multifunctional portable power bank not only enables data access via local or wireless networks, but also supplies electric power for charging other electronic products connected thereto.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Gigastone America CorpInventor: John Wong
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Patent number: 8519671Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for a charging device and an associated charging method for charging a rechargeable battery. The charging device generally includes a current source that is coupled to a power source and configured to provide a charging current to the rechargeable battery. The charging device further includes a controller that is configured to control the current source to provide the charging current with an amplitude that is less than the charging current required by the rechargeable battery in a given charging state to bring an output voltage of the current source towards the voltage of the rechargeable battery.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: BlackBerry LimitedInventors: Cheng Bao, Martin Guthrie, Frank Bognar
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Patent number: 8513920Abstract: Circuits and methods for a switched power converter providing charge power for at least one battery and at the same time delivering current to operate an electronic device, wherein the converter is enabled to operate out of current limit mode, for the maximum possible range of system load requirements, have been achieved. The input current of the power converter is measured within each cycle-by-cycle, i.e. within each cycle of an external clock reference and the charge current is reduced if the input current exceeds a defined portion, e.g. 80% of the maximum allowable input current. The power converter may only enter current limited operation after the charge current has been already reduced to zero. Operating out of current limit mode ensures a maximum efficiency of the converter, maximize the current deliverable to a given load and minimizes subharmonics in the output current and voltage, thereby minimizing interference with other system component.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Dialog Semiconductor GmbH.Inventors: Stefano Scaldaferri, Eric Marschalkowski, Christian Wolf
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Patent number: 8497659Abstract: A video game controller charging system for charging at least one video game controller is provided. The system includes a controller adapter including a battery unit, at least one first induction coil, and at least one first magnet, and is adapted to be received by the at least one video game controller; and a base including a power input, at least one second induction coil, and at least one structure on the base for providing physical support to the controller while the controller is being charged, the at least one structure including at least one second magnet. The base is configured to inductively charge the battery unit through inductive coupling between the at least one first induction coil and the at least one second induction coil when the controller is held in place on the structure by magnetic attraction between the magnets.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignee: Nyko Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Amir Navid
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Patent number: 8493023Abstract: A charge apparatus used to regulate the power outputted by a power supply to charge a battery includes a voltage regulating module, a protection circuit, a timing module and a switch control module. The voltage regulating module is configured to connect the power supply to the battery and regulate electrical energy outputted from the power supply to charge the battery. The protection circuit detects a voltage of the battery and generates a triggering signal when the voltage of the battery reaches a preset voltage. The timing module receives the triggering signal to begin a timing process. The switch control module controls the voltage regulating module to stop charging the battery when the timing process ends.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignees: Shenzhen Futaihong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., FIH (Hong Kong) LimitedInventors: Hsing-Yuan Hsieh, Jing Zhang
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Patent number: 8493037Abstract: An energy capture circuit for capturing energy in response to an input pulse. The circuit is constructed and arranged to transfer input energy in time divided portions among subcircuits. This includes a storage means, a clock means, at least two subcircuits, and at least one transfer circuit. Each subcircuit includes a first inductive means in operative communication with the input source, a rectifying means for producing a positive current in operative communication with the first inductive means, a capacitive means in operative communication with the rectifying means, and a switch means in operative communication with the capacitive means. At least one transfer circuit is in operative communication with each of the switch means of the at least two subcircuits. The output of the clock means is in operative communication with both a first switch means and an inverter means, the inverter means having an output in operative communication with a second switch means.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.Inventors: John E. Overland, James L. Yost
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Patent number: 8487582Abstract: An apparatus comprises a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the first energy storage device, and a charge bus coupled to the first energy storage device and to the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly. The apparatus also comprises high-impedance voltage source coupleable to the charge bus and a controller configured to monitor a transfer of charging energy supplied from the high-impedance voltage source to the first energy storage device. The controller is also configured to compare the monitored transfer of charging energy with a threshold value and, after the threshold value has been crossed, control the first bi-directional voltage modification assembly to modify one of a voltage and a current of the charging energy supplied to the first energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 16, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
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Patent number: 8471522Abstract: A system for periodically charging an electrically powered automated guided vehicle includes a charging station positioned adjacent a predetermined route of the automated guided vehicle. The charging station includes a charging arm which is selectively movable between a stowed position and a charge position in which the charging arm engages with the automated guided vehicle to perform a charging operation. The charging station is dimensioned and positioned so as to be positioned underneath a bottom surface of a platform connected to the automated guided vehicle and between a side edge of the platform and the automated guided vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2011Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Raman Virk
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Patent number: 8461808Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes: a transformer including primary and secondary windings; a switching element that drives the primary winding; a comparator that compares a voltage induced in the secondary winding with a predetermined voltage to detect that the voltage is outside a predetermined voltage range; and a controller. The controller stops switching operation of the switching element when the voltage is outside the predetermined voltage range. Preferably, the DC-DC converter is of a flyback system.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignees: Keihin Corporation, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Takayuki Ohta, Masanori Kawamoto, Toshiaki Ariyoshi
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Patent number: 8450981Abstract: In order to widen an operational input voltage range of a power conversion apparatus and obtain a maximum efficiency value comparable to that in a case where the operational input voltage range is not widened by changing software but not hardware, provided is a power conversion apparatus, in which a control section (5) controls a current input to an inverter circuit (14) to cause a DC output voltage from an AC/DC converter section (10) which is a voltage across a smoothing capacitor (22) to follow a target voltage and to cause an input power factor from an AC power supply (1) to approach one, to thereby maintain a DC voltage from a single-phase inverter (14a), and adjusts the target voltage for the DC output voltage from the AC/DC converter section (10) in accordance with a voltage of the AC power supply (1).Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2011Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric CorporationInventors: Kazutoshi Awane, Masaki Yamada, Takashi Kaneyama, Ryota Kondo
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Patent number: 8427112Abstract: The present inventions, in one aspect, are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to determine the state of charge of a battery/cell using data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell. In yet another aspect the present inventions are directed to techniques and/or circuitry to adaptively charge a battery/cell using data which is representative of a state of charge of the battery/cell and/or the data which is representative of an overpotential of the battery/cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Qnovo Inc.Inventors: Dania Ghantous, Fred Berkowitz, Nadim Maluf
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Patent number: 8427113Abstract: A voltage converter including a buck converter and a capacitive voltage divider. The converter includes four capacitors, a switch circuit, an inductor and a controller. A first capacitor is coupled between a reference node and a first output node which develops a first output voltage. A second capacitor is coupled between an input node and either the reference node or the first output node. The switch circuit couples a third capacitor between the reference and first output nodes in a first state of a PWM signal, and couples the third capacitor between the first output and input nodes in a second PWM signal state. The inductor is coupled to the third capacitor and provides a second output node coupled to the fourth capacitor providing a second output voltage. The controller controls the duty cycle of the PWM signal to regulate the second output voltage to a predetermined level.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2008Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Intersil Americas LLCInventors: Kun Xing, Greg J. Miller
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Patent number: 8384360Abstract: A hybrid battery includes a converter, a controller, a power source, and an ultracapacitor configured to be discharged. The converter is operable to receive a control signal and to regulate a current level that is allowed to be drawn from the power source to charge the ultracapacitor in accordance with the control signal. The controller is operable to generate and provide the control signal to the converter. The controller is operable to generate the control signal based at least in part on a measure of the voltage level of the ultracapacitor and a measure current being drawn to charge the ultracapacitor.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventors: Erik J. Cegnar, Erin C. Jessup, Fred L. Jessup, Benton K. O'Neil
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Patent number: 8384356Abstract: A self-contained power source to charge a battery and/or power a load is provided. The power source does not utilize a connection to an external power supply, such as AC mains and/or an AC to DC converter. In one embodiment, the self-contained power source includes an ultra low voltage power generator, such as 0.3V of a single solar cell, or even lower to slightly above the GND potential, that provides a voltage to a rechargeable battery, a load or both. A voltage converter with boost topology is used to supply a voltage comparable to the voltage of the rechargeable battery. A first push circuit containing a zero threshold voltage switch, a MUX circuit and a one-pulse-control block is utilized to ensure initial and continued operation of the voltage converter.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Inventor: Qi Deng
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Patent number: 8378626Abstract: The present disclosure provides a management device for a charging circuit and a wireless terminal, which belong to the technical field of management control of a linear charging circuit. The device includes a power supply management module (5), a buck switching voltage converter (1) and a linear charging circuit (2). The power supply management module (5) includes an adjustable Low Dropout (LDO) linear regulator (6) and an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) (4), wherein the output terminal of the adjustable LDO linear regulator (6) is connected with the feedback terminal of the buck switching voltage converter (1) through a first preset resistor (R62). The input terminal of the ADC (4) is connected with the anode of a battery (3). The control terminal of the power supply management module (5) is connected with the control terminal of the linear charging circuit (2). The output terminal of the buck switching voltage converter (1) is connected with the input terminal of the linear charging circuit (2).Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: ZTE CorporationInventor: Jihong Wang
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Patent number: 8378633Abstract: A multichannel bidirectional DC converter includes first and second parallel current channels and a controller. The first channel has a first inductor, first and second switches, and a device operable for detecting a current null passage (zero crossing) of current of the first inductor. The second channel has a second inductor and third and fourth switches. The controller controls the switches to turn on and off such that the channels can be driven in either a boost converter mode or a buck converter mode at a given time. The controller is operable with the device of the first channel for detecting a period of the current null passage of the first inductor. The controller drives the channels with a time delay with respect to one another based on the detected period such that the channels operate in a critical conduction mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Kostal Industrie Elektrik GmbHInventor: Ralf Bartling
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Patent number: 8362750Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a charging circuit is provided. The apparatus includes a first detector, a second detector, and a controller. The first detector detects a voltage level at a first time and generates a first indication value corresponding to the voltage level at the first time, where the voltage level corresponds to an output voltage of the charging circuit. The second detector detects the voltage level at a second time after the first time and generates a second indication value corresponding to the voltage level at the second time. The controller receives the first and second indication values, and generates a control signal according to the first and second indication values for turning the charging circuit on and off.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2008Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Leadtrend Technology Corp.Inventors: Ming-Nan Chuang, Yi-Shan Chu
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Patent number: 8358099Abstract: The electric power system is provided with a main module 10 having a switching device 17, and a sub-module 20. The output-side of the sub-module 20 sub-reverse current protection diode 24 is connected to a connection point CP between the main module 10 main reverse current protection diode 14 and the switching device 17 to allow power to be supplied to the load from the sub-battery pack 21 through the sub-reverse current protection diode 24 and the switching device 17. The main module 10 main control circuit 13 controls the switching device 17 ON and OFF to supply power from both the main module 10 main battery pack 11 and the sub-module 20 sub-battery pack 21 to light an illumination source 3.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2011Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.Inventor: Masao Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 8358107Abstract: Power management techniques are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a bidirectional voltage converter circuit, and a control module that selectively operates the bidirectional voltage converter circuit in a charging mode and a delivery mode. The charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Conversely, the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: January 22, 2013Assignee: Intel CorporationInventor: Don J. Nguyen
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Patent number: 8350532Abstract: A power management system includes a first switch, a second switch, and a controller coupled to the first and second switches. The first switch has a first transfer terminal. The second switch has a second transfer terminal. The controller controls power conversion by turning on a third switch periodically. The first and second transfer terminals and a third transfer terminal of the third switch are coupled to a common node. The resistance between the first transfer terminal and the common node, the resistance between the second transfer terminal and the common node, and the resistance between the third transfer terminal and the common node are substantially equal to zero.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2011Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: O2Micro Inc.Inventors: Eftimie Caraghiorghiopol, Laszlo Lipcsei, Alexandru Hartular, Marian Niculae
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Patent number: 8350523Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a charging system with galvanic isolation adapted for multiple operating modes. A vehicle charging system comprises a DC interface, an AC interface, a first conversion module coupled to the DC interface, and a second conversion module coupled to the AC interface. An isolation module is coupled between the first conversion module and the second conversion module. The isolation module comprises a transformer and a switching element coupled between the transformer and the second conversion module. The transformer and the switching element are cooperatively configured for a plurality of operating modes, wherein each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes corresponds to a respective turns ratio of the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
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Patent number: 8330417Abstract: A power source with multiple cells connected in parallel to a common node or power supply point. The individual cells within the power source may also have a dedicated controller for each of the individual cells. Additionally, a system controller is coupled to each controller in a feedback loop and is configured to selectively connect each cell of the plurality of cells to a power bus to control the discharge of each of the plurality of cells.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2012Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: Apple Inc.Inventors: William Athas, Thomas Charles Greening, Steven Charles Michalske
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Publication number: 20120299543Abstract: An electrical charging system for an energy accumulator of a motor vehicle. The electrical charging system comprises a supply input in a conductor system having at least one phase conductor and a neutral line for energy supply from a grid. The charging system also comprises a rotating field machine which, via its phase windings, is operably connected to a rectifier. The rectifier is provided on the other side for connection to the energy accumulator to be charged, the phase windings of the rotating field machine can be either selectively isolated and interconnected such that the charging system is designed for step-up connecter charging operation and step-down charging operation by way of at least one isolated phase winding and, in particular, all the isolated phase windings.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AGInventors: Robert JANUSCHEVSKI, Jurgen KETT
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Publication number: 20120299553Abstract: A novel switching hysteretic bidirectional power converter is presented. The converter includes the generation of a synthetic ripple signal and feedback networks to hysteretically control the power converter both when the converter operates as a boost converter with the flow of power in one direction, and when the converter operates as a buck power converter with the flow of power in the opposite direction. The presented approach provides a switching converter with a much simpler control method with respect to conventional inductive bidirectional power converters. The hysteretic control provides stable operation in all conditions with excellent load and line transient response. Furthermore this allows the operation of the bidirectional power converter with much higher switching frequencies with respect to state of the art conventional approaches, thus reducing the cost and size of the passive components storing energy during the conversion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2011Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Paolo Menegoli, Fabio Alessio Marino
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Patent number: 8310202Abstract: A power transmission system includes a loosely coupled air core transformer having a resonance frequency determined by a product of inductance and capacitance of a primary circuit including a primary coil. A secondary circuit is configured to have a substantially same product of inductance and capacitance. A back EMF generating device (e.g., a battery), which generates a back EMF with power transfer, is attached to the secondary circuit. Once the load power of the back EMF generating device exceeds a certain threshold level, which depends on the system parameters, the power transfer can be achieved at higher transfer efficiency if performed at an operating frequency less than the resonance frequency, which can be from 50% to 95% of the resonance frequency.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventor: Matthew B. Scudiere
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Patent number: 8305032Abstract: The Centralized Vehicle Load Management System is hierarchical in nature in that it detects and remediates an overload which can be highly localized at one or more electrical substations or an overload which is widely distributed as a cumulative set of sub-critical loads. The Centralized Vehicle Load Management System operates to determine the load presented to the Electric Power Grid by vehicles which are served by service disconnects which are located at a plurality of points on the Electric Power Grid. The Centralized Vehicle Load Management System regulates the demands presented by the vehicles to the E-Grid thereby to spread the load presented to the Electric Power Grid over time to enable the controllable charging of a large number of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Lava Four, LLCInventor: Daniel Bernard McKenna
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Patent number: 8283896Abstract: An energy storage device includes buck and boost switches that charge and discharge a charge storage element (e.g. a supercapacitor or ultracapacitor) over a broad voltage range. Integrated charge limiting prevents the storage element from sinking a potentially damaging level of current. Pulse-width modulated control signals are combined with higher-frequency signals to allow the resulting modulated control signals to pass through relatively small, inexpensive isolation transformers. Pairs of control signals may be combined to produce composite control signals that turn power switches on and off, or may be used to separately turn the power switches on and off.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Polarity, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Goluszek, Lawrence W. Goins
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Patent number: 8283980Abstract: An amplifier circuit includes an amplifier unit and a current control circuit as means for achieving the aforementioned object. The amplifier unit includes a gain compensation MOS transistor compensating for gain of an output characteristic and a linearity compensation MOS transistor compensating for linearity of an output characteristic. A source of the gain compensation MOS transistor is connected to a drain of the linearity compensation MOS transistor. An input signal is applied to a gate of the linearity compensation MOS transistor. A drain of the gain compensation MOS transistor is set as an output. The current control circuit performs control so as to pass predetermined current between the drain and the source of the gain compensation MOS transistor and pass predetermined current between the drain and the source of the linearity compensation MOS transistor.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventors: Tomoyuki Arai, Masahiro Kudo, Shinji Yamaura
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Patent number: 8274259Abstract: A charge-up circuit includes a charge-up transistor configured to supply a charge-up current to a secondary battery in accordance with a control signal, a detection resistor connected in series with the charge-up transistor to detect the charge-up current, a current-to-voltage conversion circuit configured to generate and output a monitor voltage in accordance with the charge-up current based on each voltage at both end terminals of the detection resistor, a reference voltage generator configured to generate a predetermined reference voltage and including a voltage adjusting mechanism to generate the reference voltage from the constant voltage so that the charge-up current becomes a desired current, and a charge-up current control circuit configured to control the charge-up transistor so that the monitor voltage becomes the reference voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventor: Kelichi Ashida
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Publication number: 20120229098Abstract: The apparatus for charging an energy storage system (ESS) from an AC line voltage includes a boost stage for converting the AC line voltage to a first ESS charging voltage; an isolation stage, coupled to the boost stage, for converting the first ESS charging voltage to a second ESS charging voltage with the second ESS charging voltage less than the first ESS charging voltage, the isolation stage removing a common mode current between the ESS and the boost stage; a configurator, responsive to a control signal, to set a direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in a bypass mode and to open the direct communication of the first ESS charging voltage to the ESS in an isolation mode; and a controller, coupled to the configurator, for setting the modes responsive to a battery voltage, a peak of the AC line voltage, and a total leakage current at an input of the AC line voltage, the controller asserting the control signal to the configurator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.Inventors: Jean-Pierre Krauer, Nicholas Robert Kalayjian, Troy A. Nergaard
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Patent number: 8258743Abstract: The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by the vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable the controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. The load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through the requests, partially serving each request, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Lava Four, LLCInventors: Richard M. Tyler, Daniel B. McKenna, James M. Graziano
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Patent number: 8237404Abstract: When a battery pack having an output voltage of 14.4 V that is connectable to an electric tool in a sliding manner is used as a power supply source for the electric tool that is connectable to a battery pack in an insertion manner and has a rated voltage of 12 V, the electric tool and the battery pack are connected to each other with an adaptor interposed therebetween. The adaptor has an FET that is switched at a predetermined duty of a predetermined frequency. The battery pack and the electric tool are connected or disconnected to or from each other by the switching operation, thereby dropping the output voltage of the battery pack. The voltage from the battery pack is detected. When the detected voltage is out of a predetermined value range, it is judged that the overcurrent or overdischarge has occurred. Then, the FET is turned off to stop the electric tool.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.Inventors: Nobuhiro Takano, Yoshikazu Kawano, Kazuhiko Funabashi, Yuuichi Konuma, Masateru Niyada, Chikai Yoshimizu, Eiji Nakayama, Kenro Ishimaru
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Patent number: 8237415Abstract: An output voltage monitoring circuit monitors an output voltage of a capacitor charging circuit. A first sample-and-hold circuit samples and holds a voltage of a connection point of a primary coil of a transformer and a switching transistor. A first monitoring comparator compares output of the first sample-and-hold circuit with a predetermined first reference voltage. When the output of the first sample-and-hold circuit exceeds the first reference voltage, a signal processor executes predetermined signal processing. The first sample-and-hold circuit starts a sampling period after a predetermined first time has elapsed after the switching transistor is turned OFF. When a voltage drop across a detection resistor reaches a third reference voltage, the first sample-and-hold circuit ends the sampling period.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tatsuya Iwasaki, Isao Yamamoto
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Patent number: 8237412Abstract: A battery charger is disclosed for use with various batteries, such as automotive and marine-type batteries. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the charging current is alternated between non-zero DC charging current levels. By alternating the charging current between non-zero DC charging levels, the battery can be charged to a higher capacity (i.e., ampere hours) faster, thus reducing the charging time and at the same time allow the rating of the battery charger to be increased. In accordance with another important aspect of the invention, the technique for alternating the charging current can be implemented in both linear and switched-mode battery chargers.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Schumacher Electric CorporationInventors: Thomas Finis Johnson, John S. Whiting, John F. Waldron
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Patent number: 8232775Abstract: Several methods and systems to perform limitation of vampiric power consumption with decoupling of an inductive power apparatus and an alternating current power source is disclosed. In an embodiment, an inductive battery charging system includes an inductive power apparatus that provides power to a target load when the inductive power apparatus is coupled to an alternating current power source. The system further includes an observation circuit to determine a power consumption associated with the target load, and a detection circuit to determine when a power consumption reaches a threshold level. The system also includes a separation circuit to decouple the inductive power apparatus and the alternating current power source when the power consumption is lower than a threshold level to limit vampiric power consumption of the inductive power apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Vampire LabsInventor: Jeffrey Raymond Eastlack
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Publication number: 20120187921Abstract: A DC-DC converter controls a supply current (IIN) provided to a rechargeable battery. The converter comprises an electrical input terminal that receives supply current (IIN). An electrical output terminal is connected to the battery through a coil with a resistor in series therebetween. A controllable selector connects the input terminal to the output terminal during a first time interval in order to supply the battery and to connect the input terminal to a ground potential during a successive second time interval. Also, a feedback module generates a control signal for the selector from a resistor feedback signal, indicative of a variation of a battery charge current (IOUT). The feedback module has an electronic block that receives the feedback signal. The electronic block processes the feedback signal to measure a variation of the supply current (IIN) and provide the control signal to adjust the duration of the first time interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2010Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: ST-ERICSSON SAInventors: Giuseppe Platania, Vincenzo Polisi, Patrizia Milazzo
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Patent number: 8198859Abstract: The E-Grid Sub-Network Load Manager operates to regulate the demands presented by vehicles to the associated Sub-Network thereby to spread the load presented to the service disconnect over time to enable controllable charging of a large number of vehicles. Load management can be implemented by a number of methodologies, including: queuing requests and serving each request in sequence until satisfaction; queuing requests and cycling through the requests, partially serving each one, then proceeding to the next until the cyclic partial charging service has satisfied all of the requests; ordering requests pursuant to a percentage of recharge required measurement; ordering requests on an estimated connection time metric; ordering requests on a predetermined level of service basis; and the like. It is evident that a number of these methods can be concurrently employed thereby to serve all of the vehicles in the most efficient manner that can be determined.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Lava Four, LLCInventors: Richard M. Tyler, Daniel B. McKenna, James M. Graziano
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Patent number: 8183820Abstract: Embodiments include a power processing system and methods of its operation in a plug-in electric vehicle. The power processing system includes at least one AC electric motor, a bi-directional inverter system, and an electronic control system. The electronic control system provides a drive function by providing first control signals to the bi-directional inverter system which, in response, draws DC electrical power from a DC energy source, converts the DC power to AC power, and provides the AC power to windings of the at least one AC electric motor. The electronic control system also provides a charging function by providing second control signals to the bi-directional inverter system which, in response, draws AC power from the windings of the at least one AC electric motor, converts the AC power to DC power, and provides the DC power to the DC energy source in order to recharge the DC energy source.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Mohammad N. Anwar, Erkan Mese
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Patent number: 8179100Abstract: A technique for dynamically adjusting an output voltage of forward converter circuits for a battery charging operation is provided. The technique allows for varying voltage at the charging battery by manipulating the duty cycles of two forward converter circuits. Method and systems allow for increasing synchronized duty cycles in a pair of forward converter circuits in response to a changing battery charge state that requires a higher voltage output then changing a phase shift between the duty cycles in response to further increases in output voltage demand. The methods and systems also allow for setting a phase shift between duty cycles in a pair of forward converter circuits based on battery rating and then altering pulse width in response to changing battery charge state.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventor: Bernard J. Vogel
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Patent number: 8179098Abstract: Disclosed is a charge controlling semiconductor integrated circuit including: an electric current controlling transistor connected between a voltage input terminal and an output terminal to control an electric current which flows from the voltage input terminal to the output terminal; a power source monitoring circuit to detect status of input voltage of the voltage input terminal; and a transistor element connected between the voltage input terminal and a ground potential point, wherein a bypass capacitor is connected to the voltage input terminal; and the transistor element is turned on and the bypass capacitor discharges when the power source monitoring circuit detects the input voltage of the voltage input terminal is cut off.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.Inventors: Gentaro Kurokawa, Yoshihiro Takahashi
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Patent number: 8174209Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic device, comprising a DC-DC converter for converting a primary supply voltage into an output voltage at an output node to be coupled to a super capacitor and a control stage for operating the regulated DC-DC converter in a forward direction in a boost mode providing a boost voltage level at the output node and for operating the regulated DC-DC converter in a reverse direction in a buck mode providing a buck voltage level at an auxiliary node arranged between a primary voltage supply providing the primary supply voltage and the output node, wherein the control stage is adapted to control the DC-DC converter when operating in reverse direction to provide a current to the auxiliary node using the super capacitor as a power source.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2009Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Texas Instruments Deutschland GmbHInventors: Erich Johann Bayer, Christophe Vaucourt, Hans Schmeller
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Publication number: 20120104988Abstract: A power converter having a first switch and a first unidirectional current device that conducts current unidirectionally. The first switch and first unidirectional current device are interconnected such that when interconnected with a dc voltage supply, battery, and first phase winding of an electrical machine: (1) a first operational state exists in which a conductive state of the first switch causes the dc voltage supply to conduct current through the first switch and first phase winding, so as to store energy within the first phase winding and (2) a second operational state exists in which a non-conductive state of the first switch causes the first phase winding to discharge its stored energy by conducting current through the first unidirectional current device and battery, so as to store energy in the battery.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventor: Krishnan RAMU
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Patent number: 8138723Abstract: In a remote battery charging system comprising a charging circuit there is always a voltage loss due to inherent resistances in the system from such things as connectors and conductors. These resistances create voltages losses in the system such that charging time are increased substantially. The present invention compensates for voltage losses on the system by generating a dynamic adjustment voltage over the charging period. A voltage translator circuit is used to measure charging circuit output voltage and current over a plurality of incremental time periods during the charging period an calculate a signal proportional to changes in output voltage and current over the incremental time period. The signal is then applied to the charging circuit to offset any voltage losses.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2008Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Inventor: Steve Carkner
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Patent number: 8129952Abstract: This disclosure includes battery systems and operational methods. According to one aspect, a battery system includes conversion circuitry, a plurality of main terminals configured to be coupled with a load, a charger and a plurality of rechargeable battery modules which are coupled in series with one another intermediate the main terminals, switching circuitry configured to couple a first of the battery modules with an input of the conversion circuitry, and the conversion circuitry being configured to modify an electrical characteristic of electrical energy received from the first of the battery modules and to output the electrical energy having the modified characteristic to a second of the battery modules.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Valence Technology, Inc.Inventor: Erik Lee