Patents by Inventor Jerry D. Thunes

Jerry D. Thunes 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).

  • Multi-level inverter with mixed device types
    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
  • Multi-level inverter with mixed device types
    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
  • Adjusting gate pulse time intervals for reflected wave mitigation
    Patent number: 7034501
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling switching in a DC-to-AC inverter to prevent overvoltages applied to an AC motor by determining the switching order of the phase voltage signals, providing gating signals at switching intervals by modulating a carrier wave with the phase voltage signals, comparing the switching intervals to a predetermined minimum time interval sufficient for reflected wave transients to dissipate, and adjusting the switching intervals to be at least equal to the predetermined minimum time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Thunes, Russel J. Kerkman, Takayoshi Matsuo