With Thermal Condition Detection Patents (Class 320/150)
  • Patent number: 9587992
    Abstract: The present invention relates to integrated circuits. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for determining temperatures of an integrated circuit using an one-point calibration technique, where temperature is determined by a single temperature measurement and calculation using known electrical characteristics of the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: INPHI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sadettin Cirit, Karthik S. Gopalakrishnan
  • Patent number: 9570922
    Abstract: A charging method for an electronic device having a charging unit and a connection interface unit and the electronic device are provided. The connection interface unit is externally connected to a peripheral device. The charging method includes: detecting a signal level between the charging unit and the connection interface unit; and when a time period that the detected signal level keeps on a particular level is over a threshold, resetting the connection interface unit, so as to restart a charging function of the electronic device for the peripheral device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Acer Incorporated
    Inventors: Chun-Chih Kuo, Che-Wei Lin, Meng-Chieh Tsai
  • Patent number: 9564667
    Abstract: A battery temperature control unit 1 for controlling a temperature of an internal space 21 of a module case 22 is provided. The battery temperature control unit 1 includes a unit case 3 which is arranged in the internal space 21 of the module case 22 and includes an air flow passage 4 inside the unit case 3. The battery temperature control unit 1 further includes a heat exchanger 11 arranged in the air flow passage 4. The unit case 3 includes a module opening sealing portion 31, which seals a module opening 24 formed in a wall surface of the module case 22. A module sealing surface 32 is formed in the module opening sealing portion 31, which closes the module opening 24 from an internal space 21 side. A first communication hole 36 and a second communication hole 37 are also formed in the module opening sealing portion 31, which allow the outside of the module case 22 and the inside of the unit case 3 to communicate with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: VALEO JAPAN CO. LTD.
    Inventor: Akio Iwasa
  • Patent number: 9550430
    Abstract: The method for dynamic and forward management of the recharging of batteries with electric power includes retrieving at least one data record relating to a previous recharging of each battery in the form of a recharging time extending from a time of beginning of the power supply to a time of ending of the power supply. The method also includes determining a forward duration of recharging of each battery from a forward time of beginning of power supply to a forward time of ending of the supply and determining a schedule for recharging while sequencing the forward times of recharging determined for each battery. The durations follow each other and overlap at least partially over time, while applying each forward duration to the recharging, from forward time of beginning of power supply to forward time of ending of power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: PARKNPLUG
    Inventor: Pascal Toggenburger
  • Patent number: 9553468
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a solid-state battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a temperature of the solid-state battery during use of the solid-state battery with the portable electronic device. Next, the system modifies a charging technique for the solid-state battery based on the monitored temperature to increase a capacity or a cycle life of the solid-state battery. To modify the charging technique based on the monitored temperature, the system may increase a charge rate of the solid-state battery if the temperature exceeds a first temperature threshold. On the other hand, the system may maintain the charge rate of the solid-state battery if the temperature does not exceed the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh C. Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 9528886
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and an electric system for diagnosing a device (104) for determining the temperature of a component (101) of an electric unit (107) are provided. In a first step (203), a first temperature gradient (TG1) of the component (101) is ascertained. A second temperature gradient (TG2) is determined using the device (104) for determining the temperature of a component (101). In a second step (204), a difference between the first and the second temperature gradient (TG1, TG2) is ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Miguel Casares
  • Patent number: 9499068
    Abstract: A battery pack includes a first battery module group including one or more battery modules, a second battery module group including one or more battery modules, the second battery module group being aligned with the first battery module group, a guide member between the first and second battery module groups, two or more support members that support bottom surfaces of the battery modules of the first and second battery module groups, the two or more support members being spaced apart from each other, and a housing that accommodates the first and second battery module groups therein. The guide member is provided to a battery module of the first battery module group adjacent to the second battery module group so as to change a flow path of a heat exchange medium passing through the first battery module group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Woo Yang, In-Hwan Cha, Jang-Gun Ahn
  • Patent number: 9496586
    Abstract: A power control apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a sensing unit configured to measure a temperature of a battery cell, an outside air temperature around the battery cell and a load current, an adjusting unit configured to adjust power supplied from the battery cell to a load, and a control unit configured to estimate a future temperature change of the battery cell based on the temperature of the battery cell, the outside air temperature around the cell and the load current measured by the sensing unit, analyze the estimated future temperature change of the cell, and control the adjusting unit to reduce the power supplied from the battery cell to the load when the temperature of the battery cell is estimated to increase above a limit temperature for a preset reference time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventor: Seung-Hun Jung
  • Patent number: 9482723
    Abstract: A wireless power supply system includes a power transmission device capable of transmitting power to a plurality of power receiving devices by a magnetic field resonance method. The power transmission device includes a detection unit configured to detect an amount of charge of each of the plurality of power receiving devices, a determination unit configured to determine, if the amount of charge of a certain power receiving device is not increased even when a predetermined time has elapsed since start of power transmission to the certain power receiving device, whether a cause of failure to increase the amount of charge is the power transmission device or the certain power receiving device, based on the amount of charge of any other power receiving device detected by the detection unit, and a notification unit configured to transmit a notification about the determination result by the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Hada
  • Patent number: 9476778
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery temperature detection method adapted to an electronic system includes detecting a status of a processor of the electronic system when an external power is input to a power conversion module of the electronic system; determining whether a thermistor of the electronic system is conducted to a fuel gauge or a charge control circuit according to the state of the processor such that the fuel gauge or the charge control circuit determine a temperature sensing result via the thermistor. The thermistor is disposed adjacent to a rechargeable battery and has a resistance which varies with a temperature of the rechargeable battery. The temperature sensing result is related to the resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Yu-Tzu Zhu, Ping-I Chen
  • Patent number: 9469202
    Abstract: A method of controlling and a system for charging a battery power supply unit for a bicycle electronic device, even in critical temperature conditions, is provided. Heat energy is supplied to the power supply unit when its temperature is lower than or equal to a lower temperature threshold within a closed charging temperature range characteristic of the power supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Federico Miglioranza
  • Patent number: 9463791
    Abstract: In a vehicle capable of external discharging to supply electric power generated from motive power of a vehicle-mounted engine to a receiver external to the vehicle (hereinafter “engine-operated discharging”), an ECU determines, during engine operation, whether engine-operated discharging is being done. When engine-operated discharging is not being done, the ECU sets a first malfunction determination condition (condition that postulated misfire malfunction was detected in two trips) as an engine malfunction determination condition and, when the first malfunction determination condition is met, lights a check engine light. When engine-operated discharging is being done, the ECU sets a second malfunction determination condition (condition that postulated misfire malfunction was detected in one trip) as the engine malfunction determination condition and, when the second malfunction determination condition is met, lights the check engine light and automatically stops the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Atsushi Takara
  • Patent number: 9459157
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the temperature surrounding a circuit, including: a charge storage element; a charge evacuation device; and a thermo-mechanical switch connecting the storage element to the evacuation element, the switch being capable of closing without the circuit being electrically powered, when the temperature exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
    Inventors: Pascal Fornara, Christian Rivero
  • Patent number: 9457805
    Abstract: An electronic control unit may include input channels configured to receive signals indicative of a power to a steering system and signals indicative of an operating mode of the vehicle, and output channels configured to provide a command to redistribute current from an electrical load to the steering system. The electronic control unit may further include control logic configured to, in response to the power falling below a threshold value and the operating mode being of a pre-defined type, generate the command to increase the power to the steering system to meet the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, James Michael Weinfurther, David J. Dainelis, Michael J. Irby
  • Patent number: 9461491
    Abstract: A battery charger, which can be configured as a charger or docking station (300), includes one or more control circuits (105). A charging circuit (302) can charge one or more rechargeable batteries (118). A thermal management device (305) can alter a thermal condition of the one or more rechargeable batteries. The one or more control circuits can receive, with a communication circuit (309) an indication of a thermal state of an electronic device (100). The one or more control circuits can cause the thermal management device to alter the thermal condition of the one or more rechargeable batteries such that when the one or more rechargeable batteries are coupled to the electronic device, a thermal mass defined by the electronic device and the one or more rechargeable batteries transitions from the thermal state toward a predefined thermal mass temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
    Inventor: David A. Winkler
  • Patent number: 9461283
    Abstract: A battery module capable of easily discharging, to an outside thereof, condensate water produced on a surface of a heat exchange member contacting the battery module when the battery module is heated. A battery module includes a plurality of battery cells electrically connected to one another; and a heat exchange member at bottom surfaces of the battery cells, and the heat exchange member includes an upper surface facing the bottom surfaces of the battery cells and having at least one groove formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: In-Hwan Cha
  • Patent number: 9437905
    Abstract: A traction battery system for a vehicle is provided. The system may include a plurality of battery cells, a thermal plate, and an inlet manifold. The thermal plate may support the battery cells and includes a heat exchange region and two lateral sides defining two planes. The inlet manifold may be positioned downstream of an inlet port and upstream of the heat exchange region. The inlet manifold may define distribution channels throughout the inlet manifold and includes an outlet to the heat exchange region having a cross-sectional area defining a third plane. The two planes and third plane define a region normal to the cross sectional area and the inlet manifold may be positioned such that the inlet port is located outside the region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bhaskara Boddakayala, Neil Robert Burrows, Saravanan Paramasivam
  • Patent number: 9431849
    Abstract: A method for controlling the temperature of at least one battery element, a battery, and a motor vehicle that has the battery includes specifying a temperature value, and determining the cool-down behavior of the at least one battery element beginning at a first temperature. A first point in time, at which the battery temperature will have reached or fallen below the temperature value, is determined by evaluating the cool-down behavior. Subsequently, a second point in time for a beginning of the charging or discharging of the at least one battery element is determined. If tmin<t_end, heat is applied to the at least one battery element in such a manner that the battery temperature at the second point in time is higher than or equal to the temperature value. The method can be used to avoid damage to the battery element during charging and discharging of the battery element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: Robert Bosch GmbH, Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaofeng Yan, Christian Pankiewitz
  • Patent number: 9431848
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for protecting a wireless power receiver from excessive temperature caused by charging are provided. The wireless power receiver includes a power receiver for receiving wireless power in an Alternate Current (AC) form from a wireless power transmitter; a regulator for regulating the wireless power; a power management unit for controlling charging by providing the regulated wireless power to a battery; a temperature measurement unit for measuring a temperature of a point in the wireless power receiver during reception of the wireless power; and a controller configured to provide a control signal for the wireless power receiver to be charged with a regulated charging power if a temperature measured by the temperature measurement unit exceeds a preset temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Woo-Ram Lee, Yu-Su Kim, Se-Ho Park, Seung-Woo Han
  • Patent number: 9428076
    Abstract: An automobile having an energy conversion unit, an energy storage unit, a user selection unit, a global positioning system, and a control unit. The automobile can operate in a default charging mode, which is either the charge depletion mode or the charge sustaining mode. Upon a user input, the energy conversation unit and/or the energy storage unit can operate in an extended charging mode or a forced charging mode. In the extended charging mode, the state of charge (SOC) is increased or decreased over a predetermined charging range. In the forced charging mode, the SOC is increased until a predetermined charge limit is reached. The automobile can also use global positioning system signals to operate in the charge depletion mode, the charge sustaining mode, the extended charging mode, and/or the forced charging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Eugene Fleming, Avernethy Francisco
  • Patent number: 9413041
    Abstract: In a method for adjusting a nickel-metal hydride storage battery, based on a correlation between a charge amount after valve opening and an increased amount of a discharge reserve capacity which are previously ascertained, the charge amount after valve opening corresponding to a target value of the set increased amount of the discharge reserve capacity is calculated and this calculated value is set as a target charge amount after valve opening. In a discharge reserve adjusting step, when a charge amount of the battery from the time when a safety valve device is opened after start of overcharge of the battery reaches the set target charge amount after valve opening, overcharge of the battery is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignees: PRIMEARTH EV ENERGY CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke Koba, Sachio Takeda, Koichi Ichikawa, Masahiko Mitsui, Yasuhiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9404812
    Abstract: A method of detecting an environment vale of an electronic device is provided. The method includes measuring a state of one or more units related to the electronic device, determining a value based at least in part on the measured state of the one or more units related to the electronic device, determining an operation state of the electronic device according to the value, and generating an approximated environment value according to the operation state. Further, other various embodiments are available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-Kyu Jang, Han-Sub Jung, Chee-Hoon Lee, Jeong-Min Park, Jae-Woong Chun
  • Patent number: 9401616
    Abstract: A battery pack including: a battery including a battery cell; a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature of the battery; a cell voltage measuring unit for measuring a cell voltage of the battery cell and generating cell voltage data including a cell voltage value; a temperature measuring unit coupled to the temperature sensor, the temperature measuring unit being for generating temperature data including a temperature value corresponding to the temperature of the battery detected by the temperature sensor; and a control unit for determining a maximum charging current value (MCCV) of a charging current for charging the battery based on the cell voltage data and the temperature data. The control unit is for transmitting the MCCV to a charging apparatus for supplying the charging current to the battery pack. The charging apparatus is for controlling the charging current supplied to the battery pack to have a value below the MCCV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Han-Seok Yun
  • Patent number: 9393880
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for data transfer between electronic control devices, a battery and a motor vehicle with such a battery, which are particularly suitable for reducing the communications load on the communications bus between a main control device and one or more subordinate control devices, particularly between control devices of a battery management system. For this purpose, a method for data transfer between electronic control devices is provided, wherein the control devices comprise at least one main control device and at least one subordinate control device. Measurement values are detected by the at least one subordinate control device. Derived data is formed by the at least one subordinate control device from at least one part of the detected measurement values, and the derived data is transferred to at least one main control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jens Becker, Christoph Brochhaus
  • Patent number: 9391472
    Abstract: A battery charger of a battery charging apparatus is disposed on an exterior case of an engine in such a manner that a generated heat is transferred therebetween. An ECU drives a cooling system when an engine temperature and temperature of the battery charger satisfy a predetermined cooling temperature condition. A cooling capacity for cooling the battery charger is improved by establishing a heat radiation passage to radiate a heat from the battery charger efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC.
    Inventors: Seiji Iyasu, Shinji Andou, Sadahisa Onimaru, Kazuyoshi Obayashi
  • Patent number: 9379561
    Abstract: A hand tool accumulator charging device is proposed having a charging device housing and a charging coil, provided for the purpose of charging a hand tool accumulator situated in an accumulator charging region, and having only one mounting device that is provided for the purpose of coupling with a hand tool case situated in a case receptacle region, the accumulator charging region and the case receptacle region being situated on sides of the charging device housing facing away from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Marcin Rejman
  • Patent number: 9356278
    Abstract: In order to provide a battery pack that can be produced highly efficiently and contribute to an improvement in productivity, a battery pack of the present invention includes: a plurality of unit batteries 100 that include a positive-electrode pulled-out tab 120 and a negative-electrode pulled-out tab 130; and a board 300 on which pulled-out tab connection sections are formed to connect the pulled-out tabs of different polarities of adjacent unit batteries 100.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: NEC Energy Devices, Ltd.
    Inventor: Toru Suzuki
  • Patent number: 9356461
    Abstract: A system and method for wireless charging are provided. A control circuit charges one or more cells in a secondary wireless charging circuit that receives power wirelessly from a primary. The control circuit determines the state of charge and temperature of the cells. The control circuit then calculates a current limit as a function of a combination of the state of charge, input voltage to the control circuit for the wireless controller, FET power dissipation and the temperature and adjusts a wireless power control device in the secondary such that its current limit is set to the state of charge current limit. Different temperature limits can be used for different states of charge such that the cells can be charged at higher temperatures at low states of charge than at higher states of charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Google Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Jason N. Howard, Michael G. Hanley
  • Patent number: 9340121
    Abstract: A method and system for heating a vehicle battery, such as the type used for vehicle propulsion in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV). Depending on the battery chemistry involved, such batteries may not perform well in extremely cold environments. For instance, a lithium-ion battery can exhibit a high internal resistance when the battery is extremely cold, which in turn can negatively affect the available power or other capabilities of the battery. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system take advantage of the high internal resistance in a cold vehicle battery by purposely cycling electrical current in and/or out of the battery so that heat is created. This heat warms up the vehicle battery and thereby improves its overall performance and capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Schwarz, Gregory E. Smith, Damon R. Frisch, Ian L. Hanna, Brian J. Koch
  • Patent number: 9343784
    Abstract: A battery pack thermal management assembly draws heat from prismatic batteries having opposed major surfaces and arranged in a stacked configuration inside a housing. The thermal management assembly includes a plurality of thermal transfer sheets made from sheets of a compressed mass of exfoliated graphite particles. Each thermal transfer sheet is positioned to contact the major surface of at least one of the prismatic batteries. A cover plate has a top face and a bottom face and includes a plurality of apertures through which the plurality of thermal transfer sheets extend. The apertures include at least one curved sidewall and the thermal transfer sheets are bent over the curved sidewall. At least a portion of each of the thermal transfer sheets is secured between a heat sink and the top face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Wayne, Jonathan Andrew Taylor, Martin David Smalc
  • Patent number: 9337680
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a traction battery having a thermal circuit, and a controller. The controller is configured to: (i) charge the traction battery using a maximum charging current defined by the lowest temperature cell while the traction battery is connected to the charger, and (ii) heat the traction battery if the lowest temperature cell is below a predetermined temperature while the traction battery is charging. A method for controlling an electric vehicle while connected to a charger includes charging the battery using a first portion of power from the charger while heating the battery using a second portion of power from the charger in response to a low cell temperature in a traction battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Paul Gibeau, Jeffery R. Grimes, Neil Robert Burrows, James Lawrence Swoish
  • Patent number: 9331507
    Abstract: A battery charging system includes a charging source, at least one battery cell, a battery internal temperature sensor configured to measure an internal temperature of the at least one battery cell responsive to charging of the at least one battery cell by the charging source, and a charge controller. The charge controller is configured to receive indications of the internal temperature of the at least one battery cell over time, to identify an indication that the at least one battery cell is at a point of full charge based on rate of change of the internal temperature, and to interrupt power delivery from the charging source to the at least one battery cell responsive to the indication that the at least one battery cell is at the point of full charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Rengaswamy Srinivasan, Bliss G. Carkhuff
  • Patent number: 9293795
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling cooling of a battery of an environment-friendly vehicle which transmits only a control condition from a BMS to a motor controller for cooling is provided. In particular, a cooling fan motor controller and the battery management system (BMS) are connected through a controller area network (CAN) communication, and a backup controller to which a backup power is supplied operates the cooling fan motor controller, when CAN communication is abnormal, to instruct a control condition for a cooling fan motor controller. As such, a stable control for a cooling fan motor for cooling the battery is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Mun Soon Kwon, Won Seon Sim, Dae Sung Kim, Hyun Cheol Bae
  • Patent number: 9272633
    Abstract: A system includes a battery control module that determines at least one temperature associated with a battery pack of an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle control module selects between a plurality of operating modes of the electric vehicle based on the at least one temperature. The plurality of operating modes includes a first mode and a second mode. In the first mode the electric vehicle control module prevents the electric vehicle from being turned on. In second mode the electric vehicle control module allows the electric vehicle to be turned on in response to a determination that the battery pack has sufficient energy to adjust the at least one temperature a predetermined amount and to drive the vehicle a predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch Battery Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Joshua M. Anzicek
  • Patent number: 9276417
    Abstract: A plurality of battery cells (100) are connected in series to each other. A temperature measurement unit (300) measures temperatures of two or more battery cells (100). A battery control unit (400) controls charge and discharge of the battery cells (100) on the basis of the temperatures measured by the temperature measurement unit (300). In addition, when the charge of the battery cells (100) is performed or the discharge of the battery cells (100) is performed, the battery control unit (400) specifies a lowest temperature cell having the lowest temperature and a highest temperature cell having the highest temperature, on the basis of the temperatures measured by the temperature measurement unit (300). In addition, the battery control unit (400) continues the charge or discharge, as it is, when a first condition in which a temperature difference ?T between the highest temperature cell and the lowest temperature cell is equal to or greater than a reference value T1 is not satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: NEC ENERGY DEVICES, LTD.
    Inventor: Tadahiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 9267999
    Abstract: A test system for a battery pack having at least first and second battery modules is provided. The system includes a high voltage service disconnect assembly having a housing and an electrically-actuated switch. The system further includes a microprocessor that generates a first signal to induce the switch to have a closed operational position to electrically couple the first battery module to the second battery module. The sensor generates a second signal associated with the battery pack. The microprocessor stops generating the first signal to induce the switch to have an open operational position to electrically decouple the first battery module from the second battery module when the first signal is greater than a threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventor: Greg Bober
  • Patent number: 9246199
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a battery pack. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells arranged side-by-side, a lead plate electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, a protection circuit module electrically connected with the plurality of battery cells, and a temperature sensor electrically connected with the protection circuit module to measure a temperature of the plurality of battery cells, wherein the lead plate has hole into which the temperature sensor is inserted, for fixing the position of the temperature sensor. By the above construction, the installation position of the temperature sensor is specified, so that the temperature sensor may be prevented from being damaged and the reliability of the temperature sensor may be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Han-Jun Wang, Dae-Yon Moon
  • Patent number: 9235254
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for determining, in a controller of a multi-domain processor, whether a temperature of a second domain of the multi-domain processor is greater than a sum of a throttle threshold and a cross-domain margin, and if so, reducing a frequency of a first domain of the multi-domain processor by a selected amount. In this way, a temperature of the second domain can be allowed to reduce, given a thermal coupling of the domains. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Avinash N. Ananthakrishnan, Tomer Ziv, Doron Rajwan, Efraim Rotem
  • Patent number: 9231434
    Abstract: A method and system for applying a multi-rate charge to a battery are included herein. The method includes detecting a plurality of predetermined electrical measurements and a plurality of predetermined charge currents. The method also includes detecting an electrical measurement of the battery. Additionally, the method includes selecting a charge current from the plurality of predetermined charge currents to be applied to the battery based on the electrical measurement of the battery and the plurality of predetermined electrical measurements. Furthermore, the method includes applying the charge current to the battery. The method also includes detecting a plurality of subsequent electrical measurements of the battery. In addition, the method includes applying a plurality of subsequent charge currents to the battery based on the plurality of subsequent electrical measurements of the battery and the plurality of predetermined charge currents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Ripan Das, Nagasubramanian Gurumoorthy, Andy Keates
  • Patent number: 9221351
    Abstract: Power transfer rate at a charging facility can be maximized by employing a feedback scheme. The state of charge (SOC) and temperature of the regenerative energy storage system (RESS) pack of a vehicle is monitored to determine the load due to the RESS pack. An optimal frequency that cancels the imaginary component of the input impedance for the output signal from a grid converter is calculated from the load of the RESS pack, and a frequency offset f* is made to the nominal frequency f0 of the grid converter output based on the resonance frequency of a magnetically coupled circuit. The optimal frequency can maximize the efficiency of the power transfer. Further, an optimal grid converter duty ratio d* can be derived from the charge rate of the RESS pack. The grid converter duty ratio d* regulates wireless power transfer (WPT) power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Miller
  • Patent number: 9218108
    Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to determining and providing battery charging metrics for an electronic device. In one embodiment, one or more processors may determine the capacity of the battery of an electronic device and a first battery charge level. A charging rate associated with the battery charger may be determined. A battery charging time may be calculated based at least in part on the battery capacity, the charging rate, the first battery charging time, and a second battery charging time. A representation of a charging status associated with the battery may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Rangaprabhu Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 9197086
    Abstract: In one implementation, an input power management component receives an input power, and determines whether an input current and voltage satisfies predetermined thresholds. A boost component generates a boost output voltage using the input voltage if the input current satisfies a predetermined current threshold, and a step-down charging component converts the boost output voltage to a voltage for charging a battery and system power management.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Pei-Qi Zhou, Wei Yan
  • Patent number: 9197096
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that manages use of a solid-state battery in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system monitors a temperature of the solid-state battery during use of the solid-state battery with the portable electronic device. Next, the system modifies a charging technique for the solid-state battery based on the monitored temperature to increase a capacity or a cycle life of the solid-state battery. To modify the charging technique based on the monitored temperature, the system may increase a charge rate of the solid-state battery if the temperature exceeds a first temperature threshold. On the other hand, the system may maintain the charge rate of the solid-state battery if the temperature does not exceed the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Ramesh C. Bhardwaj
  • Patent number: 9184477
    Abstract: Disclosed is a battery pack including battery modules arranged in two or more rows, each of the battery modules including a plurality of battery cells or unit modules, each of which has two or more battery cells mounted therein, stacked in an upright or upside-down fashion, wherein the battery modules are individually mounted in pack cases, the pack cases are provided at upper parts and lower parts thereof with coolant inlet ports and coolant outlet ports such that a coolant to cool the battery cells flows to one side to the other side of the battery modules in a direction perpendicular to the stacked direction of the battery cells or the unit modules, the pack cases are further provided with flow spaces (‘coolant introduction parts’).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: SangYoon Jeong, DalMo Kang, Jong Moon Yoon, Chae Ho Chung, MinJung Kim
  • Patent number: 9184605
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a battery management system comprising a first circuit comprising a first plurality of circuit elements arranged in series, the first plurality of circuit elements comprising: a direct current (DC) voltage source, and first plural switching devices, each of the first plural switching devices connected to, and operably switched by, a first detection device associated with a battery module to cause a voltage difference responsive to detection of an event corresponding to operation of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: CHANGS ASCENDING ENTERPRISE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tsun Yu Chang, Chun-Chieh Chang
  • Patent number: 9174544
    Abstract: A method for charging a battery, including: determining a final state of charge and a final temperature of the battery; and calculating charging power and/or cooling power required to reach the two final values within a minimum amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: RENAULT S.A.S.
    Inventors: Masato Origuchi, Caroline Marchal
  • Patent number: 9178253
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery pack having a plurality of battery cells or unit modules (‘unit cells’), which can be charged and discharged, mounted in a pack case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG CHEM, LTD.
    Inventors: Chae Ho Chung, Jae Hun Yang, Dal Mo Kang, Ye Hoon Im
  • Patent number: 9160157
    Abstract: An electronic circuit is provided that has a function of protecting an IC element (10) from excess current cause by latch-up. The electronic circuit includes an IC element (10) having a terminal (N1) connecting to power voltage (VCC) and a terminal (N2) connecting to ground voltage, and an automatic reset fuse (11) that is connected to either of the terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GVBB HOLDINGS S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Hiroko Kanamaru
  • Patent number: 9153992
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a power bank circuit. The power bank circuit includes a charger circuit, a battery circuit, a power conversion circuit, a temperature detecting circuit and a current distribution circuit. The charger circuit receives an input voltage and provides a charging current to the battery circuit. The power conversion circuit converts a battery voltage to an output voltage and provides an output current. The temperature detecting circuit detects the temperature of the packaged structure. When the temperature of the packaged structure exceeds a first predetermined temperature, the current distribution circuit first reduces the output current. When the temperature of the packaged structure exceeds a second predetermined temperature, the current distribution circuit then reduces the charging current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: RICHTEK TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nien-Hui Kung
  • Patent number: 9145059
    Abstract: A method and system for use with a vehicle battery pack having a number of individual battery cells, where the method estimates, extrapolates or otherwise determines individual cell resistances. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method and system use a voltage and temperature reading for each of the individual battery cells, as well as a voltage and current reading for the overall battery pack to determine one or more cell resistance values, such as a minimum and maximum cell resistance for the battery pack. This approach relies upon temperature deviations in the battery pack to make assumptions or estimates regarding individual battery cell resistances. By having individual cell resistance values—instead of using an overall pack resistance value and building in a buffer to account for cell variations—better and more accurate cell-level data can be obtained that, in turn, can improve charging, discharging, cell balancing and/or other battery-related processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: James C. Gibbs, Joseph Bisbing, Kurt M. Johnson, Damon R. Frisch, Brian J. Koch