Amazon Technologies, Inc.

Marcel Colman Eric Stieber

Vidhyananth Ramasamy Venkatasamy

Christopher Wells Fitzhugh

James Robert Lim

Jian Li

Siddharth Gupta

Duc Hongle Ngo

Gregory Turner Witmer

Thomas Gang Wang

David Tuzman

Sagnik Kar

Eric Foxlin

Li Huang

Benny Ng

Catherine May Farmer

Rex L Allison

Torgeir J Lindborg

Babak Hashemizadeh

Inductive power transfer across a rotary joint including a motor comprises a first portion with a magnetically permeable power transmit core with a power transmit coil and a second portion comprising a magnetically permeable power receive core with a power receive coil. The core material in the respective cores directs a time-varying electromagnetic field emitted by the power transmit coil toward the power receive coil where the field is contained. As a result, adjacent devices on a side opposite the coil that utilize magnetic fields, such as motor coils, may operate without interference. For example, a brushless direct current motor comprising a stator in the first portion and a rotor in the second portion may operate while power is transferred. Data may be wirelessly transmitted between the first portion and the second portion.

Wireless power transfer system

A device that uses a motor may quickly and safely stop the motor using a rapid braking system. For example, the device may stop to avoid collision with an object, upon determining a failure of an internal component, upon receipt of a command, and so forth. Responsive to a signal to stop, the motor is disconnected from the battery. A braking circuit is activated that dissipates, in a controlled fashion, power produced by continuing motion of the motor. When the voltage produced by the motor's continuing motion drops below a threshold, a stop circuit shorts the terminals of the motor, causing the motor to resist further rotation. When the stop condition no longer applies the signal to stop is removed resulting in the motor being reconnected to the battery, the braking circuit being deactivated, the stop circuit opens the short between the terminals of the motor, and normal operation resumes.

Rapid braking system for an autonomous mobile device

An autonomous mobile device (AMD) builds up electrostatic charges from moving and generates heat from the operation of internal components. In addition to possible user discomfort, electrostatic discharges may damage sensors and electronics. Electrostatic charges are dissipated from the AMD using an electrostatic dissipation structure and conductive wheels. A conductive path between a chassis ground, the electrostatic dissipation structure, and the conductive wheels improves the dissipation of electrostatic charges. Electrostatic charges are also dissipated from components by mounting the components using conductive materials. Sensors may be affixed to a support structure that is affected by thermal expansion. Thermal expansion may distort precise positioning of sensors, reducing accuracy of sensor data. An elastomeric foam may be used to mount sensors to a support structure, allowing for thermal expansion without distorting the positioning of the sensors.

Electrostatic dissipation system for an autonomous mobile device

Method and systems for dynamic current redistribution in electronic devices with external power storage devices are disclosed. The dynamic current redistribution system includes a set of policies for each state of the electronic device. Depending on a device state, the system identifies the policies to be put in place, and directs current according to the policies. The electronic device may be connected to an external power source in one state, an external battery device in another state, and may be connected to both in a third state.

Dynamic current redistribution for portable electronic devices

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for resonant structures formed by battery housings. In one embodiment, an example device may include a battery having a housing, a positive terminal, and a negative terminal, where the housing includes a conductive material. The device may include a controller and a wireless communication component. The device may include a first low pass filter connected to the positive terminal and the controller, the first low pass filter configured to pass battery current and to block radio frequency signals of a first frequency, a second low pass filter connected to the negative terminal and the controller, and a first high pass filter connected to the negative terminal and the wireless communication component, the first high pass filter configured to pass radio frequency signals of the first frequency and to block the battery current. The housing may be configured to resonate at the first frequency.

Resonant structures formed by battery housings

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for dynamic current redistribution. Example methods may include determining that a power source is in communication with a first battery, determining that a second battery is in communication with the first battery, and charging the first battery at a first charging current value. Example methods may include charging the second battery at a second charging current value, determining that an input voltage from the power source is equal to or greater than a voltage threshold, and charging the second battery at a third charging current value that is higher than the second charging current value.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Marcel Colman Eric Stieber