Having Overcharge Detection Or Protection Patents (Class 340/636.17)
  • Patent number: 10698037
    Abstract: A sensing circuit for battery cell voltage may include a first cell module including a plurality of battery cells; a first sensor sensing voltage of each battery cell of the first cell module; and a first isolation relay device including a plurality of relays, determining an electrical connection state between each battery cell of the first cell module and the first sensor by being connected thereto, and maintaining isolation between the first cell module and the first sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jong Hu Yoon, Mi Ok Kim, Beom Gyu Kim
  • Patent number: 9024588
    Abstract: An emergency power supply device is provided to supply emergency power to a direct voltage circuit. The direct voltage circuit has a first potential tap and a second potential tap, comprising an energy storage unit. The energy storage unit has a plus pole and a minus pole, and one of the poles is connected to the first potential tap via a first connection. The other pole is connected to the second potential tap via a second connection. At least one of the connections has a directional electric current meter and at least one of the connections has an interrupter. The directional electric current meter can measure a flow of charging current. The interrupter can prevent a flow of charging current, and the interrupter can be controlled as a function of the flow of charging current that has been measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Moog Unna GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Rösmann
  • Patent number: 9000935
    Abstract: The present application describes, among other things, a battery management system. The battery management system includes a computing device and first and second battery unit monitoring modules. The computing device includes an output data request port and an input data port. Each battery unit monitoring module is connected in parallel to the input data port of the computing device. In response to a data request from the output data request port of the computing device, the first battery unit monitoring module transmits data of the first battery unit to the input data port of the computing device, and transmits a data request to the second battery unit monitoring module. In response to the data request from the first battery unit monitoring module, the second battery unit monitoring module transmits data of the second battery unit to the input data port of the computing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Elite Power Solutions LLC
    Inventors: Yaun Dao, William Schlanger
  • Patent number: 8924056
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for balancing a storage battery for an automotive vehicle. The battery is of the type including a plurality of storage cells. The system includes a thermoelectric device and a controller. The thermoelectric device receives thermal energy and converts the thermal energy into electric energy. The controller determines a subset of the storage cells in the battery to be charged based on an amount of electric charge in each of the storage cells. Furthermore, the controller causes the electric energy to be distributed to each storage cell in the subset in an effort to balance the battery in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steven F. Chorian, Jin Wang
  • Patent number: 8922165
    Abstract: Embodiments of an electronic circuit for monitoring a battery stack enable cell balancing while conserving pin-count of the circuit package. The illustrative electronic circuit comprises a battery monitoring integrated circuit configured for monitoring a plurality of cells in the battery stack. The battery monitoring integrated circuit is arranged to share a common node pin between two adjacent battery cells in the battery stack for the purpose of cell balancing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Bills
  • Patent number: 8907801
    Abstract: A smoke detector or, more generally, a danger detector, operates in an area with increased radioactive radiation disposition danger detector has at least one detector unit for detecting at least one danger characteristic, a semiconductor component and other electrical components, at least for outputting an alarm signal. The danger detector also has a temperature control circuit. The temperature control circuit is configured to control the temperature of the at least one semiconductor component. The danger detector may be embodied as a linear smoke detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Aebersold, Martin Arnold
  • Patent number: 8902072
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for diagnosing an abnormality in a cell balancing circuit. The apparatus may include a plurality of cell balancing circuits respectively connected to a plurality of battery cells included in a battery pack for balancing the voltages of the battery cells, a diagnosis resistor respectively installed between the cell balancing circuit and a cathode terminal and an anode terminal of the corresponding battery cell, a voltage measuring unit for measuring a voltage difference of the balancing circuit corresponding to each of the battery cells, and a control unit for turning on or off a cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed and for determining whether there is an abnormality in the cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed, based on a variation pattern of a voltage difference of a cell balancing circuit adjacent to the cell balancing circuit to be diagnosed that is measured by the voltage measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Hoon Lee, Dal-Hoon Lee, Ju-Hyun Kang, Jee-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8860558
    Abstract: A remote control device includes: a vibration power generator configured to convert externally applied vibrations to electric power; a storage section charged with the electric power obtained by the vibration power generator; a switch provided between the vibration power generator and the storage section; and a control circuit configured to output a vibration instruction signal and turn the switch on when the remaining power of the storage section becomes smaller than a predetermined amount. The electronic apparatus instructs the user to vibrate the remote control device in response to the vibration instruction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Katayama
  • Patent number: 8842017
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for displaying the lifecycle of a surge protection device, and more particularly to a device and method for displaying the lifecycle of a surge protection device, which detects an increase in leakage current according to a deterioration in performance of the surge protection device in order to provide notice of a replacement time for the surge protection device. According to the present invention, it is possible to for a user to provide notice of a replacement time by displaying the lifecycle of a surge protection device (SPD) to the outside. Additionally, as another effect of the present invention, it is possible to confirm an amount of leakage current flowing into the ground of the SPD and whether the SPD is properly installed on a ground line by using a current and ground state detecting sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sungjin Techwin Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Myung Wook Lee, Young Jun Lee, Sei Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8576074
    Abstract: A capacitor warning circuit, and method of providing a warning are provided, the circuit comprising a capacitor capable of being charged to a charged state and a warning circuit coupled to the capacitor and adapted to provide an indication that the capacitor is in the charged state, wherein the warning circuit is powered by energy accumulated in the capacitor when the capacitor is in the charged state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Atomics
    Inventors: Frederick W. MacDougall, Mark Allen Schneider, Ross MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8421381
    Abstract: A charging circuit is provided that charges a battery for supplying power to a motor drive system that includes a three-phase motor and a three-phase inverter for controlling the three-phase motor. The three-phase inverter includes first to third sets of switching elements. Each set corresponds to one of the three phases. The charging circuit includes a single-phase output transformer, a rectifier circuit, a line, and a controller. The single-phase output transformer includes a secondary side output section having a first terminal and a second terminal. The rectifier circuit is connected in parallel with the three-phase inverter and the battery. The rectifier circuit is also connected to the first terminal of the secondary side output section. The line connects a connecting point between the first set of the switching elements in the three-phase inverter with the second terminal of the secondary side output section. The controller performs on-off control of the first to third sets of the switching elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventor: Toshinari Fukatsu
  • Patent number: 8310366
    Abstract: A method of providing assistance for locating a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device is provided. The RFID device preferably comprises a power source having a power level and a feedback device. The method comprises determining the power level of the power source is below a first predetermined power level, and transmitting a first signal that indicates the power level of the power source is below the first predetermined power level. Thereafter, the method comprises receiving a second signal that instructs the RFID device to activate the feedback device, and operating the feedback device in response to receiving the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Miklos Stern
  • Publication number: 20120229288
    Abstract: A battery management system and a battery pack are disclosed. The battery management system determines that a battery is in a non-use state, and thereafter, detects a battery voltage of the battery. If the battery voltage is less than an over-discharge reference voltage, the system generates a warning signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Youngbok Kim
  • Patent number: 8120209
    Abstract: A voltage sensing device with which high-precision voltage sensing is possible without the need to obtain a unique correction constant for each device. A pair of voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 is selected from voltage input nodes NC0-NCn in switch part 10, and they are connected to sensing input nodes NA and NB in two types of patterns with different polarity (forward connection, reverse connection). Sensing input nodes NA and NB are held at reference potential Vm by voltage sensing part 20, and current Ina and Inb corresponding to the voltage at voltage input nodes NCk and NCk-1 flows to input resistors RIk and RIk-1. Currents Ina and Inb are synthesized at different ratios in voltage sensing part 20, and sensed voltage signal S20 is generated according to the synthesized current Ic. Sensed voltage data S40 with low error is generated according to the difference between the two sensed voltage signals S20 generated in the two connection patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Toru Tanaka, Akio Ogura, Kazuya Omagari, Nariaki Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8072329
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides examples of a voltage regulator for a Radio Frequency Identification tag circuit. The voltage regulator includes a pair of native transistors. A first native transistor is coupled to a reference voltage and biased to saturation. A resistive element coupled between the gate and the drain of the transistor ensures a sufficient voltage difference between the source and the drain of the first native transistor. The second native transistor, with a gate coupled to the gate of the first native transistor, outputs a regulated voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Impinj, Inc.
    Inventors: Shailendra Srinivas, Jay A. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8035486
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may include providing a power-on reset function to many types of receiving circuitry, including radio frequency identification (RFID) tag processing circuitry. Thus, the power-on reset function may be realized by applying a supply voltage to a power-on reset circuit coupled to RFID tag processing circuitry. Operations may include sensing a first current substantially independent of the supply voltage, sensing a second current substantially dependent on the supply voltage, and indicating a power-on reset condition based on a comparison between the first current and the second current. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Synopsys, Inc.
    Inventor: Cong Khieu
  • Patent number: 7923969
    Abstract: A state-of-charge equalizing device equalizes the state of charge of each of cells connected in series to form an assembled battery, and comprises charging/discharging circuits connected in parallel to the respective cells to discharge and/or charge the respective cells, voltage measurement circuits connected to the respective charging/discharging circuits to measure the voltages across the respective cells, and a control circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroya Murao, Mika Kirimoto
  • Patent number: 7912660
    Abstract: System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Exacter, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Anderson, John W. Beal, David S. Ellis, John Lauletta
  • Patent number: 7755502
    Abstract: A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process includes a circuit that employs an anti-tamper sensor. The circuit employs an anti-tamper sensor that includes a circuit element that is responsive to a first input and to a second input. A selective coupling element couples the circuit element to the first input and is responsive to the anti-tamper sensor. The selective coupling element has a first state that allows the circuit element to operate normally when the anti-tamper sensor does not detect a tamper condition and is configured to enter a second state that causes the circuit element to become inoperable when the anti-tamper sensor detects a tamper condition. A decoy coupling element is disposed between the second input and the circuit element and has an appearance corresponding to the selective coupling element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent V Diluoffo, Raymond J Eberhard
  • Patent number: 7710120
    Abstract: An abnormal voltage detector apparatus is provided for an assembled battery including a plurality of battery blocks connected in series to each other. In the abnormal voltage detector apparatus, a detecting part detects whether or not each of the battery blocks is in a voltage abnormality state by comparing either one of a voltage of each battery block and each battery measuring voltage, that is a voltage lowered from the voltage of each battery block, with a predetermined reference voltage, generates each of abnormality detecting signals containing information about a detected result, calculates a time ratio of a time interval, for which the assembled battery is in a voltage abnormality state, to a predetermined time interval, based on the abnormality detecting signals, and detects a voltage abnormality of the assembled battery based on a calculated time ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic EV Energy Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Yudahira, Toshiaki Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7696892
    Abstract: A protection device for an oscillating power circuit, namely for a demining coil, such device incorporating circuit breaking means positioned between an alternating current supply network and the power circuit, such device wherein it comprises at least one means to measure and analyze the current supplying the power circuit, means able to detect the appearance of a direct current and connected to triggering means ensuring the opening of the circuit breaking means when the alternating current ceases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Nexter Systems
    Inventors: Guillaume Huet, François Orquera
  • Patent number: 7667422
    Abstract: A fan with failure detecting function includes a power input terminal, a current limiting resistor, a light emitting diode (LED), and a fan motor. The power input terminal is coupled to the anode of the LED via the current limiting resistor. The cathode of the LED is coupled to one terminal of the fan motor, another terminal of the fan motor is grounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-Tsai Hou
  • Patent number: 7577535
    Abstract: System and method for detecting partial discharge arcing phenomena in a power network distribution system which employs a mobile receiving assemblage including a wideband antenna, a computer controllable wideband radio receiver deriving an amplitude detected output and a global positioning system providing system position data. The amplitude detected outputs are digitized and treated with a digital signal processor based analysis including fast Fourier transforms extracting narrowband signal frequencies that are harmonically related to the network fundamental frequency. The narrowband signal frequencies are analyzed for peak amplitudes which are summed to derive maintenance merit values related to the arcing phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Exacter, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry Anderson, John W. Beal, David S. Ellis, John Lauletta
  • Patent number: 7561059
    Abstract: A circuit that employs an anti-tamper sensor includes a circuit element that is responsive to a first input and to a second input. A selective coupling element couples the circuit element to the first input and is responsive to the anti-tamper sensor. The selective coupling element has a first state that allows the circuit element to operate normally when the anti-tamper sensor does not detect a tamper condition and is configured to enter a second state that causes the circuit element to become inoperable when the anti-tamper sensor detects a tamper condition. A decoy coupling element is disposed between the second input and the circuit element and has an appearance corresponding to the selective coupling element. The decoy coupling element will cause the circuit element not to operate normally if the decoy coupling element has a selected physical property of the selective coupling element in the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent V. Diluoffo, Raymond J. Eberhard
  • Patent number: 7482930
    Abstract: A limiter for controlling an overvoltage and an RFID tag having the same are provided. The limiter includes a first limiter part and a second limiter part serially connected to the first limiter part. The second limiter part has at least one limit diode whose threshold voltage is lower than that of elements in the first limiter part. Accordingly, if an overvoltage is input, the limiter can maximize the input current drop so that the limiter can maximize the leakage voltage. As a result, the RFID tag can prevent the RFID driving part from being damaged due to the overvoltage. In addition, the RFID tag can normally operate regardless of the intensity of the driving voltage input from the RFID reader, so that the yields of products can improve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Il-jong Song, Young-hoon Min, Chol-su Yoon, Dong-sik Shim
  • Patent number: 7474228
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring at least one battery condition. An ac signal is applied to a battery. A difference between a signal output from the battery and a threshold determines a battery condition. The determined battery condition is transmitted remotely from the battery location either wirelessly or through a network to controller and/or is visibly displayed at the battery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Tarma, LLC
    Inventors: Bradley W. Lockhart, Jason W. Toomey
  • Patent number: 7403129
    Abstract: A circuit breaker includes a first lug and second and third acoustic lugs electrically connected to a power circuit. Separable contacts are electrically connected in series between the first lug and the second acoustic lug. An operating mechanism opens and closes the separable contacts. A first acoustic sensor is coupled to the second acoustic lug and senses a first acoustic signal from the second acoustic lug. A second acoustic sensor is coupled to the third acoustic lug and senses a second acoustic signal from the third acoustic lug. The first and second acoustic signals are operatively associated with a power circuit fault. A current sensor senses a current flowing between the first and second lugs. A circuit inputs the sensed acoustic signals and the sensed current and detects and distinguishes a parallel arc fault or a series arc fault from the sensed acoustic signals and the sensed current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Jerome K. Hastings, Joseph C. Zuercher
  • Patent number: 7158041
    Abstract: A protection device for a communication circuit that includes a sensor monitoring a protection device parameter and an indication module coupled to the sensor. The indication module generates an indication output as a function of the protection device parameter indicating a protection device event. The indication module receives power from an indication power source separate from the telecommunication signal. Also a method for protecting a telecommunication signal with a protection device including sensing a protection device parameter indicating a protection device event. The method also includes powering an indication module from an indication power source that is separate from the telecommunication signal. The method further includes generating an indication output from the indication module as a function of the protection device parameter indicating the protection device event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: Northern Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James N. McDonald, Jr., Gregory L. Bentley
  • Patent number: 7123155
    Abstract: A method and an electronic device monitor a battery of the device with respect to device operational mode in one or both of battery charge level monitoring and battery cut-off determination. Mode-based monitoring employs a mode-specific wait period prior to performing a measurement used to determine a remaining charge level of a battery. The mode-specific wait period depends on the operational mode immediately preceding the measurement and therefore, accounts for battery recovery effects on measurement accuracy. Mode-based cut-off determination employs information regarding an impending operational mode to determine whether or not a remaining charge level of the battery is sufficient to support the mode. Only those operational modes for which there is sufficient remaining charge are enabled while operational modes for which there is insufficient remaining power are disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Charles E. Schinner