Tesla Motors Patents

Tesla Motors, Inc. designs, develops, manufactures and sells electric vehicles, and operates a network of charging stations for Tesla electric vehicles. Tesla also sells electric vehicle powertrain components to other vehicle manufacturers, as well as battery systems for homes, commercial sites and utilities.

Tesla Motors Patents by Type
  • Patent number: 11125315
    Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling power transmission systems are include providing oil through an aperture defined in a housing to a stator cooling ring, through the stator cooling ring and into stator cooling channels, through the stator cooling channels and into spaces defined between the housing and jet rings, and through holes in the jet rings and onto the end-windings. The stator cooling ring, stator cooling channels and jet rings can encircle the stator and end-windings and, via the holes in the jet rings, spray pressurized jets of oil from various angles onto the end-windings, and in particular middle regions thereof. Seals may be used between the jet rings and housing, and between the jet rings and stator ends. The seals may be compressed so as to form an interference fit between the jet rings and housing or stator ends as the case may be.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Eric Bellemare, Alexander Hain
  • Patent number: 11122678
    Abstract: A structure having imbedded array of components is described. An example structure includes an imbedded component array layer having an array of imbedded passive devices contained therein. The structure further includes an Integrated Fan-Out (InFO) layer residing adjacent a first surface of the imbedded component array layer having traces and vias formed therein. The structure further includes an insulator layer residing adjacent a second surface of the imbedded component array layer and electrically coupled to at least the InFO layer and vias passing through the imbedded component array layer and electrically coupled to some of vias of the InFO layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijaykumar Krithivasan, Jin Zhao, Mengzhi Pang, Steven Wayne Butler, Ganesh Venkataramanan, Yang Sun
  • Publication number: 20210281677
    Abstract: A method is provided for interacting with audience members in an event, each of the potential attendees having available thereto a unique identifier. The method comprises creating, for an attendee, a unique ID (UID) on a mobile wireless device (MWD) by the steps of inputting to the MWD one of the unique identifiers, combining the obtained unique identifier with a UID time stamp at the time of creation of the UID; receiving with a server on a first wireless channel communications from the MWD; registering the UID at the physical location of the event; generating a visual query; displaying on the MWD response indicators; receiving at the server from the registered attendee a response, to the query over the first wireless channel; and storing in a database on the server the received response in association with the displayed query.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Applicant: Tesla Laboratories, LLC
    Inventor: Jovan Hutton PULITZER
  • Patent number: 11110896
    Abstract: A cleaning system for a vehicle includes a beam optics assembly that emits a laser beam to irradiate a region on a glass article of the vehicle, debris detection circuitry that detects debris accumulated over the region, and control circuitry. The control circuitry calibrates a set of parameters associated with the laser beam emitted from the beam optics assembly based on detection of the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article, controls an exposure level of the laser beam on the debris accumulated based on calibration of the set of parameters associated with the laser beam, wherein the exposure level is controlled based on pulsing the laser beam at a calibrated rate that limits penetration of the laser beam to a depth that is less than a thickness of the glass article, and removes the debris accumulated over the region on the glass article using the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Phiroze Dalal
  • Publication number: 20210261897
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a bioreactor for RNA in vitro transcription, a method for RNA in vitro transcription, a module for transcribing DNA into RNA and an automated apparatus for RNA manufacturing. Further, the use of a bioreactor for RNA in vitro transcription as described herein is part of the present invention. The present invention relates to an RNA in vitro transcription reactor designed to be operable in an automated manner under GMP-compliant conditions. In particular, said RNA in vitro transcription reactor allows repetitive use of DNA template for various RNA in vitro transcription reactions. Further, the invention relates to an apparatus for RNA manufacturing comprising (a) a module for template DNA synthesis, (b) a module for transcribing DNA into RNA comprising said RNA in vitro transcription reactor, and, optionally, (c) a module for RNA formulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicants: CureVac AG, Tesla Grohmann Automation GmbH
    Inventors: Benyamin YAZDAN PANAH, Tilmann ROOS, Martin KUNZE, Felix BERTSCH, Aniela WOCHNER, Michael RAUEN, Philipp HOFFMANN
  • Patent number: 11090687
    Abstract: A method of providing an anticorrosive coating includes applying a first curable liquid layer to the associated substrate, the first layer having a thickness of at least about 100 micrometers, wherein the first layer includes at least one polymer or at least one monomer, quasi-one-dimensional particles or quasi-two-dimensional particles, sacrificial metal particles, and a solvent, wherein a percolation threshold of the particles is not reached in the presence of the solvent, wherein the percolation threshold of the particles is reached when between about 1% and about 20% of the solvent evaporates, applying a second curable liquid layer having a thickness of at least 100 micrometers on the top of the first layer after the percolation threshold of the particles is reached and viscosity of the first layer increases more than 50%, and allowing the first layer and the second layer to cure simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla Nanocoatings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorma Virtanen, Joshua Armstrong, Todd Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11088582
    Abstract: An electric motor includes a case, a stator having stator windings, a rotor having a rotor shaft, and at least one main rotor bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. Common mode charge builds up on the rotor due to imbalances of the stator. The at least one main rotor bearing has a first electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case. The electric motor further includes a rotor discharge bearing coupling the rotor shaft to the case. The rotor discharge bearing has a second electrical resistance between the rotor shaft and the case that is less than the first electrical resistance, causing the common mode charge to discharge through the rotor discharge bearing. In a differing embodiment, a rotor discharge brush coupled between the case and the rotor shaft along the longitudinal axis of the rotor shaft discharges the common mode charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Michael Graves, Diego Alberto Silva Rodriguez, Tyler Nils Grendahl, Alexander Hain
  • Patent number: 11084390
    Abstract: A charging connector includes a first electrical socket and a second electrical socket. A first sleeve and a second sleeve are provided, such that the first sleeve is concentrically coupled to the first electrical socket and the second sleeve is concentrically coupled to the second electrical socket. A manifold assembly is adapted to enclose the first and second electrical sockets and the first and second sleeves, such that the first and second sleeves and the manifold assembly create a hollow interior space there between. An inlet conduit and an outlet conduit within the manifold assembly such that inlet conduit, the interior space, and the outlet conduit together create a fluid flow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Chuen Chou, Pascal-Andre Fortin
  • Patent number: 11084404
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seating portion and a backrest portion coupled to the seating portion. The seat also includes a temperature-control system associated with at least one of the seating portion and the backrest portion. The temperature-control system includes a base layer and an intermediate layer disposed adjacent to the base layer. The intermediate layer is adapted to allow fluid to flow through it. The temperature-control system includes a cover layer disposed adjacent to the intermediate layer. The temperature-control system includes at least one heating element disposed between the intermediate layer and the cover layer. The temperature-control system further includes a fluid pump to provide fluid flow through the intermediate layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurang Gupta, Wentao Wang, Adnan Esmail
  • Patent number: 11082005
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile module. The photovoltaic roof tile module can include a front glass cover, a back glass cover, a plurality of photovoltaic structures positioned between the front and back glass covers, and an internal circuit component electrically coupled to the plurality of photovoltaic structures. The internal circuit component is positioned between the front and back glass covers. The back glass cover can include at least one through hole and a metallic plug inserted inside the through hole. A first surface of the metallic plug can electrically couple to the internal circuit component, and a second opposite surface of the metallic plug can be exposed to surroundings external to the photovoltaic roof tile module, thereby facilitating electrical coupling between the photovoltaic roof tile module and another photovoltaic roof tile module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter P. Nguyen, Kaleb A. Klauber
  • Patent number: 11081739
    Abstract: A battery pack has an enclosure that contains a plurality of batteries and conductors and that resists the flow of fluid between an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure. An exit vent formed in the enclosure at a first location allows exhaust gas to flow from the interior of the enclosure to the exterior of the enclosure. A fill port formed in the enclosure at a second location, in an impermeable state, prevent ingress of fluid from an exterior of the enclosure to an interior of the disclosure. The fill port, in a permeable state achieved by receipt of a perforation tool there through, permits ingress of a sufficient amount of a thermal-control liquid into the enclosure through the fill port to terminate a runaway thermal event in the battery pack. A fill port coupler having a passageway and an externally accessible port may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Weston A. Hermann
  • Patent number: 11068064
    Abstract: A method for controlling application windows is provided for use with a graphical user interface (GUI) display which is divided into at least first and second application windows. Various software applications may be launched in the first and second application windows. In order to switch locations of the software applications launched in the first and second application windows the user selects a swap window button, for example by tapping or clicking on a swap window icon on the GUI display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Brennan Boblett, Evan Small, Roy Goldman, Michael Fairman
  • Patent number: 11047729
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to detect and/or classify a vehicle occupant, such as a passenger seated within the cockpit of a vehicle. An occupant classification system includes an occupant weight sensor, an occupant presence sensor, and a logic device configured to communicate with the occupant weight sensor and the occupant presence sensor. The logic device is configured to receive occupant weight sensor signals from the occupant weight sensor and occupant presence sensor signals from the occupant presence sensor, determine an estimated occupant weight and an occupant presence response based, at least in part, on the occupant weight sensor signals and the occupant presence sensor signals, and determine an occupant classification status corresponding to the passenger seat based, at least in part, on the estimated occupant weight and/or the occupant presence response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Akin Aina, Markell Baldwin, Bronson Aden, Zach Stuart
  • Patent number: 11050260
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose solar energy generation systems with automatic smart transfer switches. An energy generation system, including an energy generation device, an energy generation inverter coupled to the energy generation device and configured to convert direct current (DC) power from the energy generation device to alternating current (AC) power, a battery pack, a storage inverter coupled to the battery pack, where the storage inverter is configured to convert DC power from the battery pack to AC power and to convert AC power into DC power for storing energy into the battery pack, and a smart main electrical panel coupled to receive AC power from at least one of the energy generation inverter, the storage inverter, and a utility grid, where the smart main electrical panel includes one or more motorized circuit breakers configured to be remotely controlled to manage the power flow to one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandeep Narla, Andrew Russell Lutkus
  • Patent number: 11043823
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a system for conditioning rechargeable battery cells. The system can include a cell-group conditioning module. The cell-group conditioning module can include a cell interface block that includes a cell contact module and a circuit module. The circuit module can be configured to supply power to cells and can be positioned adjacent to the cell contact module. The cell-group conditioning module can further include a cell platform configured to accommodate a number of cells and an actuation mechanism coupled to the cell interface block or the cell platform and configured to reduce a distance between the cell interface block and cell platform, thereby allowing the cell contact module to establish electrical contact with the cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Matthews, Turner Caldwell, Martin Sukup
  • Patent number: 11034315
    Abstract: A crash can for a vehicle includes a multi-cell structure that includes at least four hollow cuboids, each defined by four walls that meet at 90 degree angles and at least two of the cuboids share a wall. In another example, a crash can includes a multi-cell structure that includes a hollow cuboid having four walls, and four hollow isosceles trapezoidal prisms having a long base, a short base, and two legs. The multi-cell structures provided herein may increase energy absorption by the crash can if involved in a collision, reducing energy transfer to a vehicle frame and occupants therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Guang Dong, Sekhar Reddy Biddala Reddy
  • Patent number: 11021614
    Abstract: A self-stratifying anticorrosive coating is described herein, including a zinc-rich epoxy, a curing agent chosen from the group consisting of amines, thiols, phenols, and carboxylic anhydrides, a binding agent chosen from the group consisting of aminoalkyl dialkoxysilane, dimethoxysilane, and aminoalkyl trialkoxysilane, a graphitic material, a solvent, and a water scavenge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla Nanocoatings, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorma Virtanen, Theodore Hammer
  • Patent number: 11022188
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to an overload clutch, comprising a cylindrical clutch housing having a housing body and a housing cover, and comprising two clutch elements arranged within the clutch housing, via which a drive movement is transmissible in an engaged state, wherein the clutch elements, for transmitting the drive movement in the engaged state, are engaged with each other in an interlocking and/or frictional manner and, can be brought out of engagement when an overload occurs. The housing body comprises a plurality of engagement elements, and the housing cover comprises a plurality of retaining structures corresponding to the engagement elements, wherein the engagement elements are able to be brought into engagement with the retaining structures by rotating the housing cover relative to the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignees: MINEBEAMITSUMI TECHNOLOGY CENTER EUROPE GMBH, TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Sasan Nawabi, Jan Egberink
  • Patent number: 11012025
    Abstract: Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Seery, Charles Bernardo Almy, Kathryn Austin Pesce
  • Patent number: 11012558
    Abstract: A method is provided for interacting with audience members in an event, each of the potential attendees having available thereto a unique identifier. The method comprises creating, for an attendee, a unique ID (UID) on a mobile wireless device (MWD) by the steps of inputting to the MWD one of the unique identifiers, combining the obtained unique identifier with a UID time stamp at the time of creation of the UID; receiving with a server on a first wireless channel communications from the MWD; registering the UID at the physical location of the event; generating a visual query; displaying on the MWD response indicators; receiving at the server from the registered attendee a response, to the query over the first wireless channel; and storing in a database on the server the received response in association with the displayed query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TESLA LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jovan Hutton Pulitzer
  • Patent number: 11005649
    Abstract: An autonomous driving controller includes a plurality of parallel processors operating on common input data received from the plurality of autonomous driving sensors. Each of the plurality of parallel processors includes communication circuitry, a general processor, a security processor subsystem (SCS), and a safety subsystem (SMS). The communication circuitry supports communications between the plurality of parallel processors, including inter-processor communications between the general processors of the plurality of parallel processors, communications between the SCSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SCS cryptography, and communications between the SMSs of the plurality of parallel processors using SMS cryptography, the SMS cryptography differing from the SCS cryptography. The SCS and/or the SMS may each include dedicated hardware and/or memory to support the communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Thaddeus Fortenberry, Samuel Douglas Crowder, Patryk Kaminski, Daniel William Bailey, David Glasco
  • Patent number: 10997461
    Abstract: Sensor data, including a group of time series elements, is received. A training data set is determined, including by determining for at least a selected time series element in the group of time series elements a corresponding ground truth. The corresponding ground truth is based on a plurality of time series elements in the group of time series elements. A processor is used to train a machine learning model using the training dataset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar Elluswamy, Matthew Bauch, Christopher Payne, Andrej Karpathy, Joseph Polin
  • Patent number: 10995867
    Abstract: A valve includes a holder having an expandable material. The valve includes a retainer coupled to the holder. The valve further includes an umbrella member with a stem coupled to the holder. The expandable material is adapted to expand in size when absorbing a fluid and translate the umbrella member along an axis of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Hall-Snyder, Ian Casimir Dimen, Richard Wurden
  • Patent number: 10985688
    Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Seery, David Molina, Trevor B. Guthrie, Thomas Anderson, Jonathan Hewlett
  • Patent number: 10978990
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a solar roof tile. The solar roof tile can include a front cover, a back cover, one or more photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover, and a band-stop optical filter positioned between the front cover and the photovoltaic structures. The band-stop optical filter is configured to block light within a predetermined spectral range, thereby preventing the light from reflecting off surfaces of the photovoltaic structures to exit the solar roof tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Ollivier J. Lefevre, John Liu
  • Patent number: 10967702
    Abstract: A vehicle thermal management system includes a vehicle heat pump system, a battery system coolant loop, a drive train coolant loop, and control electronics. The vehicle heat pump system includes a compressor, a cabin condenser, a cabin evaporator, a cabin blower, and a chiller. The battery system coolant loop is in thermal communication with a battery system and with the chiller and selectively in thermal communication with the drive train coolant loop. The control electronics control the components of the vehicle thermal management system to heat the cabin, cool the cabin, heat the battery system, cool the battery system, and cool the drive train. The control electronics may control the compressor to operate in an efficient mode or a lossy mode in which the compressor generates heat. The control electronics may also control the components of the vehicle thermal management system to precondition the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Mancini, Joseph Stratford Maxwell Mardall, Jan Kopitz, Curt Raymond O'Donnell, Daniel F. Hanks, Huize Li
  • Patent number: 10964502
    Abstract: An electromagnetic switch including a first stationary electric contact, a second stationary electric contact, a mechanical contact, and a moveable contact. The electromagnetic switch is configured for reciprocal motion of the moveable contact into and out of contact with the first stationary electric contact and the second stationary electric contact, wherein the moveable contact remains in contact with the mechanical contact (e.g., a non-conducting contact) throughout the reciprocal motion. In various embodiments, the moveable contact is configured so that at the end of the reciprocal motion three contact points occur, and a triangle defined by the three contact points encloses a center of force of the reciprocal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett Sprague, Ian C. Dimen, Scott I. Kohn, Andrew Titus, Jeffrey G. Reichbach, Gregory Michael Goetchius, Garland Dughi
  • Patent number: 10965728
    Abstract: A method and system of aggregating and converting data in a vehicle network is provided. An example method includes receiving a plurality of streams of sensor data over two or more Camera Serial Interface (CSI). The method further includes rearranging the plurality of streams of sensor data into an aggregate stream. The method further includes packetizing the aggregate stream by arranging transmission format bits at appropriate bit positions of the aggregate stream to form a packet data stream. The method further includes transmitting the packet data stream over a vehicle on-board packet data link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Adnan Esmail, Prashant Joshi, Sundar Balasubramaniam, Brijesh Tripathi
  • Patent number: 10956755
    Abstract: A system is comprised of one or more processors coupled to memory. The one or more processors are configured to receive image data based on an image captured using a camera of a vehicle and to utilize the image data as a basis of an input to a trained machine learning model to at least in part identify a distance of an object from the vehicle. The trained machine learning model has been trained using a training image and a correlated output of an emitting distance sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthony Musk, Swupnil Kumar Sahai, Ashok Kumar Elluswamy
  • Patent number: 10957482
    Abstract: An MRIS gradient coil sub-assembly comprising a first coil layer comprising a first conducting coil portion, a second coil layer comprising a second conductive coil portion electrically connected with the first conductive coil portion so that the first and second conductive coil portions act together as one coil, and a B-stage material consolidation layer sandwiched between the first and second coil layers. A method including laminating a first punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion and a second punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion together by bonding the first and second punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portions on opposing sides of a B-stage material insulation layer, and electrically connecting the first punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion to the second punched sheet metal conductive saddle coil portion in parallel so that the first and second conductive saddle coil portions act together as one saddle coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: TESLA ENGINEERING LIMITED
    Inventor: Allen Raymond Camp
  • Patent number: 10937915
    Abstract: A solar panel includes a backsheet layer, a bottom encapsulant layer adjacent the backsheet layer, a plurality of photovoltaic cells adjacent the bottom encapsulant layer, a top encapsulant layer adjacent the plurality of photovoltaic cells having a plurality of louvers constructed therein to block side view of the plurality of photovoltaic cells, and a top layer adjacent the top encapsulant layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pilliod, Christos Gougoussis, Michael M. Laurin, Scott Tandoi, Javier Verdura, Franz Von Holzhausen, Caroline Park, Radu Muntean, Kate Kuzina, Dante Lamastra
  • Patent number: 10938280
    Abstract: An electric motor includes: a stator; a shaft; a rotor mounted on the shaft, the rotor having an end ring that is concentric with the shaft; and a flux shield around the shaft inside the end ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Konstantinos Laskaris, Andrew D. Baglino, Chad Furey, David F. Nelson
  • Patent number: 10924883
    Abstract: A method is provided for interacting with audience members in an event, each of the potential attendees having available thereto a unique identifier. The method comprises creating, for an attendee, a unique ID (UID) on a mobile wireless device (MWD) by the steps of inputting to the MWD one of the unique identifiers, combining the obtained unique identifier with a UID time stamp at the time of creation of the UID; receiving with a server on a first wireless channel communications from the MWD; registering the UID at the physical location of the event; generating a visual query; displaying on the MWD response indicators; receiving at the server from the registered attendee a response, to the query over the first wireless channel; and storing in a database on the server the received response in association with the displayed query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: TESLA LABORATORIES, LLC
    Inventor: Jovan Hutton Pulitzer
  • Patent number: 10921849
    Abstract: A System-on-a-Chip includes a plurality of processing systems and channel circuitry servicing the plurality of processing systems. The channel circuitry includes a clock sprinkler circuit, a clock source, first direction data path circuitry and second direction data path circuitry. A clock sprinkler is a clock signal that propagates in a first direction only, from a source to all destinations. The first direction data path circuitry includes a plurality of first direction data flip flops and first direction combinational logic that service data flow in the first direction. The second direction data path circuitry includes a plurality of second direction data flip flops and second direction combinational logic that service data flow in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel William Bailey
  • Publication number: 20210044250
    Abstract: One embodiment can provide a photovoltaic roof tile. The photovoltaic roof tile can include a transparent front cover, a transparent back cover, and a plurality of polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structures positioned between the front cover and the back cover. A respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure has a front surface facing the front cover and a back surface facing the back cover. The photovoltaic roof tile can further include a paint layer positioned on a back surface of the back cover facing away from the front cover. A color of the paint layer substantially matches a color of the front surface of the respective polycrystalline-Si-based photovoltaic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: John Liu, Yangsen Kang, Anh N. Duong, Yongkee Chae, Milan Padilla, Chen Wang, Remy D. Labesque
  • Patent number: 10915179
    Abstract: A method of automatically adjusting the ride height of a vehicle each time the vehicle is in a particular location is provided, where the automatic ride height adjustment is based on location and ride height information previously gathered from a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel Myggen, Miriam Vu, Ted Merendino
  • Patent number: 10901515
    Abstract: A vehicular interface system for providing application-based access to a plurality of vehicular subsystems is disclosed. The vehicular interface system includes a display for displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). A taskbar is displayed in a first portion of the GUI, the taskbar including a plurality of icons, each of icons representing a corresponding application. A plurality of windows is displayed in a second portion of the GUI. When determining that a user-selected icon is being dragged from an initial location on the taskbar, a semi-transparent overlay, corresponding to the application to be launched, is displayed on a window of the GUI as the selected icon is being dragged within the window. When determining that the selected icon is released within a selected window, the corresponding application is launched in the selected window. In general, the application provides control options or monitoring information relating to a subsystem of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Brennan Boblett, Nalinichandra Penke, Roy Goldman, Michael Fairman, Kevin Hsieh
  • Patent number: 10889262
    Abstract: A system for detecting improper usage of a seatbelt of a vehicle includes a vehicle seat having a seat cushion and a seat back. A shoulder belt and a lap belt are intended to restrain an occupant sitting on the vehicle seat. The system includes a sensor module associated with the shoulder belt and the lap belt. The sensor module generates signals indicative of at least one parameter associated with the vehicle seat, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt when the occupant is sitting on the vehicle seat. The system also includes a controller that receives the signals indicative of the at least one parameter associated with the seat back, the shoulder belt, and the lap belt. The controller analyzes the received one or more signals, and determines whether the seatbelt is being used improperly by the occupant, based on the analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Forrest Wen Liau
  • Patent number: D909939
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Von Holzhausen, David Tadashi Imai, Wootak Kim
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Blades-Nixon
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Von Holzhausen, David Tadashi Imai, Randy Rodriguez
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Pilliod, Kevin Fine, Radu Muntean, Javier Verdura, Franz Von Holzhausen
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Julien Bilodeau
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Franz von Holzhausen
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Pilliod, Kevin Fine, Radu Muntean, Javier Verdura, Franz Von Holzhausen
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Franz Von Holzhausen, David Tadashi Imai, Wootak Kim, Bernard G. Lee
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Franz von Holzhausen
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: TESLA, INC.
    Inventors: Franz von Holzhausen, Ian Kettle, Sahm Jafari, David Imai, Ivan Lampkin
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventor: Franz von Holzhausen
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    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Tesla, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Blades-Nixon, Franz von Holzhausen