Patents by Inventor Ezana T. Mekonnen

Ezana T. Mekonnen 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: 11855553
    Abstract: Provided is a novel multi-level inverter with mixed device types and methods of controlling same. This novel multi-level inverter topology and control method allows the use of high frequency switching devices for controlled PWM switching, while also using lower frequency switching devices for directional switches. This combination of high frequency PWM switching devices with low frequency directional switching devices allows a cost reduction without a significant performance degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Imagen Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ezana T Mekonnen, Adel Nasiri, Jerry D. Thunes
  • Patent number: 11689092
    Abstract: A power conversion system comprising, three full wave LLC resonant converters each of which has an associated high frequency isolation transformer, a full wave rectifier and an unfolding inverter, to provide a direct connection to a Medium Voltage (MV) three-phase grid for a high power photovoltaic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Imagen Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Adel Nasiri, Ezana T Mekonnen, Bruce Beihoff, Jason S Katcha
  • Patent number: 11581820
    Abstract: Provided is a novel multi-level inverter with mixed device types and methods of controlling same. This novel multi-level inverter topology and control method allows the use of high frequency switching devices for controlled PWM switching, while also using lower frequency switching devices for directional switches. This combination of high frequency PWM switching devices with low frequency directional switching devices allows a cost reduction without a significant performance degradation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Imagen Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Ezana T. Mekonnen, Jerry D. Thunes, Adel Nasiri
  • Patent number: 9314221
    Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry having a rotatable base and having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and an AC-to-DC converter coupleable to a 3-phase AC facility power, and coupled through a DC bus to a gantry motor to rotationally drive the rotatable base using DC power from the AC-to-DC converter. Rotational energy in the rotatable base is converted to DC electrical energy in the gantry motor during gantry braking, and provided to the DC bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jason Stuart Katcha, Ezana T. Mekonnen
  • Patent number: 9119592
    Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage (HV) tank coupled to the x-ray source, and an inverter coupled to the HV tank. The inverter includes an H-bridge configuration of switches comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs include respective upper and lower switches, and at least one additional leg of switches having respective upper and lower switches. The system includes a controller configured to interleave switch operation between the H-bridge configuration and the at least one additional leg of switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Stuart Katcha, Ezana T. Mekonnen
  • Patent number: 9084335
    Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) coupled to the x-ray source, and a high-frequency power distribution unit (HFPDU) having an input bus that is coupleable to a three-phase source, and having an output bus. The HFPDU includes a three-phase rectifier coupled to the input bus and configured to output a DC current to an inverter, the inverter configured to convert the DC current to an AC current, and output the AC current to a primary winding of an isolation transformer, and the isolation transformer having a secondary output to an isolation transformer, that is coupled to a full bridge rectifier, to produce DC current to the output bus and to DC bus loads of the CT system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ezana T. Mekonnen, Jason Stuart Katcha
  • Publication number: 20150085969
    Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage power supply (HVPS) coupled to the x-ray source, and a high-frequency power distribution unit (HFPDU) having an input bus that is coupleable to a three-phase source, and having an output bus. The HFPDU includes a three-phase rectifier coupled to the input bus and configured to output a DC current to an inverter, the inverter configured to convert the DC current to an AC current, and output the AC current to a primary winding of an isolation transformer, and the isolation transformer having a secondary output to an isolation transformer, that is coupled to a full bridge rectifier, to produce DC current to the output bus and to DC bus loads of the CT system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ezana T. Mekonnen, Jason Stuart Katcha
  • Publication number: 20150063525
    Abstract: A CT system includes an x-ray source, a high-voltage (HV) tank coupled to the x-ray source, and an inverter coupled to the HV tank. The inverter includes an H-bridge configuration of switches comprising a first leg and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs include respective upper and lower switches, and at least one additional leg of switches having respective upper and lower switches. The system includes a controller configured to interleave switch operation between the H-bridge configuration and the at least one additional leg of switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Stuart Katcha, Ezana T. Mekonnen
  • Publication number: 20150036786
    Abstract: A CT system includes a gantry having a rotatable base and having an opening for receiving an object to be scanned, and an AC-to-DC converter coupleable to a 3-phase AC facility power, and coupled through a DC bus to a gantry motor to rotationally drive the rotatable base using DC power from the AC-to-DC converter. Rotational energy in the rotatable base is converted to DC electrical energy in the gantry motor during gantry braking, and provided to the DC bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Katcha, Ezana T. Mekonnen