Patents by Inventor Ajit W. Kane

Ajit W. Kane has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11644226
    Abstract: A chiller assembly is provided. The chiller assembly includes a compressor (102), a condenser (106), an expansion device and an evaporator (108) connected in a closed refrigerant circuit. The chiller assembly further includes a motor (104) connected to the compressor to power the compressor, and a variable speed drive (110) connected to the motor to power the motor. The variable speed drive is operable to provide a variable voltage to the motor and a variable frequency to power the motor. The variable speed drive includes multiple sensors and an input current estimator that determines an estimated RMS input current based on sensor data received from the sensors. The chiller assembly further includes a control panel to control operation of the variable speed drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP
    Inventors: Ajit W. Kane, Scott V. Slothower
  • Patent number: 10859300
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a variable speed drive configured to provide power to a motor that drives a compressor of the HVAC&R system and a silicon carbide transistor of the variable speed drive, where the silicon carbide transistor is configured to adjust a voltage, or a frequency, or both of power flowing through the variable speed drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ivan Jadric, Ajit W. Kane
  • Publication number: 20200278141
    Abstract: A chiller assembly is provided. The chiller assembly includes a compressor (102), a condenser (106), an expansion device and an evaporator (108) connected in a closed refrigerant circuit. The chiller assembly further includes a motor (104) connected to the compressor to power the compressor, and a variable speed drive (110) connected to the motor to power the motor. The variable speed drive is operable to provide a variable voltage to the motor and a variable frequency to power the motor. The variable speed drive includes multiple sensors and an input current estimator that determines an estimated RMS input current based on sensor data received from the sensors. The chiller assembly further includes a control panel to control operation of the variable speed drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ajit W. Kane, Scott V. Slothower
  • Publication number: 20200041185
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC&R) system that includes a variable speed drive configured to provide power to a motor that drives a compressor of the HVAC&R system and a silicon carbide transistor of the variable speed drive, where the silicon carbide transistor is configured to adjust a voltage, or a frequency, or both of power flowing through the variable speed drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Inventors: Ivan Jadric, Ajit W. Kane
  • Patent number: 10125780
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a backup battery for a magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor. The method includes: establishing threshold voltage values applicable to the battery backup battery level; monitoring the actual voltage of the battery backup; comparing the actual voltage of the battery backup to the threshold voltage; initiating a soft shutdown of the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor if the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is operating and the actual voltage is below the threshold voltage for a defined period of time; preventing the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor from starting if the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is not operating and the actual voltage is below the threshold voltage; or allowing the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor to continue operation or begin operation if the actual voltage is greater than the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Jeb W. Schreiber, Ajit W. Kane
  • Patent number: 9621101
    Abstract: The variable speed drive system is arranged to receive input power at fixed input voltage magnitude and frequency and provide power at a variable voltage and variable frequency. The variable speed drive includes a converter connected to an AC source to convert the input voltage to a boosted DC voltage. A DC link connected to the converter filters the DC voltage from the converter stage. An inverter converts the DC link voltage into variable voltage and the variable frequency AC power. An electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter includes a series RC circuit from phase-to-ground circuit for each input phase of the converter. The RC circuit includes a resistor connected in series with a capacitor between the converter phase and ground. The EMC filter is connected to the line side of the converter. An inductor is connected between the input source and the EMC filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Ajit W. Kane
  • Patent number: 9590540
    Abstract: A system or method controlling a variable speed drive based on PWM techniques, wherein a first PWM method is used when the input current is less than a predetermined threshold value, for higher efficiency and lower total harmonic distortion (THD); and a second PWM method comprising a discontinuous modulation signal is used when the input current is greater than the predetermined threshold value for higher efficiency. By doing so, the maximum efficiency of VSD within the whole operation range can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Zhiqiao Wu, Ajit W. Kane, Shreesha Adiga-Manoor
  • Publication number: 20160164448
    Abstract: The variable speed drive system is arranged to receive input power at fixed input voltage magnitude and frequency and provide power at a variable voltage and variable frequency. The variable speed drive includes a converter connected to an AC source to convert the input voltage to a boosted DC voltage. A DC link connected to the converter filters the DC voltage from the converter stage. An inverter converts the DC link voltage into variable voltage and the variable frequency AC power. An electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter includes a series RC circuit from phase-to-ground circuit for each input phase of the converter. The RC circuit includes a resistor connected in series with a capacitor between the converter phase and ground. The EMC filter is connected to the line side of the converter. An inductor is connected between the input source and the EMC filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Ajit W. KANE
  • Publication number: 20160053765
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a backup battery for a magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor. The method includes: establishing threshold voltage values applicable to the battery backup battery level; monitoring the actual voltage of the battery backup; comparing the actual voltage of the battery backup to the threshold voltage; initiating a soft shutdown of the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor if the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is operating and the actual voltage is below the threshold voltage for a defined period of time; preventing the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor from starting if the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor is not operating and the actual voltage is below the threshold voltage; or allowing the magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor to continue operation or begin operation if the actual voltage is greater than the threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: Jeb W. SCHREIBER, Ajit W. KANE
  • Publication number: 20150318803
    Abstract: A system or method controlling a variable speed drive based on PWM techniques, wherein a first PWM method is used when the input current is less than a predetermined threshold value, for higher efficiency and lower total harmonic distortion (THD); and a second PWM method comprising a discontinuous modulation signal is used when the input current is greater than the predetermined threshold value for higher efficiency. By doing so, the maximum efficiency of VSD within the whole operation range can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 5, 2015
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Zhiqiao WU, Ajit W. KANE, Shreesha ADIGA-MANOOR
  • Patent number: 8174853
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved VSDs are provided. One embodiment relates to an apparatus for common mode and differential mode filtering for motor or compressor bearing protection when operating with VSDs, including conducted EMI/RFI input power mains mitigation. Another embodiment relates to a method to extend the synchronous operation of an Active Converter to the AC mains voltage during complete line dropout. Another embodiment relates to an Active Converter-based Variable Speed Drive system with Improved Full Speed Efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Ajit W. Kane, Ivan Jadric, Shreesha Adiga-Manoor, Michael Todd, Konstantin Borisov
  • Publication number: 20110141774
    Abstract: Systems and methods for improved VSDs are provided. One embodiment relates to an apparatus for common mode and differential mode filtering for motor or compressor bearing protection when operating with VSDs, including conducted EMI/RFI input power mains mitigation. Another embodiment relates to a method to extend the synchronous operation of an Active Converter to the AC mains voltage during complete line dropout. Another embodiment relates to an Active Converter-based Variable Speed Drive system with Improved Full Speed Efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Ajit W. KANE, Ivan JADRIC, Shreesha ADIGA-MANOOR, Michael TODD, Konstantin BORISOV