Patents by Inventor John Cuervo Driscoll

John Cuervo Driscoll 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).

  • Dual gated power electronic switching devices
    Patent number: 5981982
    Abstract: A novel semiconductor switching device is disclosed. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure on both anode and cathode sides. The semiconductor switching device can be multi-loaded on both anode and cathode sides which provides a great deal of flexibility in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Inventor: John Cuervo Driscoll
  • Methods of making dual gated power electronic switching devices
    Patent number: 5970324
    Abstract: Methods for making semiconductor switching devices are disclosed. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure on both sides of the chip. The semiconductor switching device can be four leaded which provides a great deal of flexibility in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: John Cuervo Driscoll
  • Turbine engine ignition exciter circuit including low voltage lockout control
    Patent number: 5852381
    Abstract: An improved turbine engine ignition exciter circuit. Energy stored in an exciter tank capacitor is subsequently switched to the load (igniter plug) through a novel thyristor switching device specifically designed for pulse power applications. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure. The semiconductor switching device is periodically activated by a trigger circuit which may be comprised of either electromagnetic or optoelectronic triggering circuitry to initiate discharge of energy stored in exciter tank capacitor to mating ignition lead and igniter plug. Likewise, the present invention allows new flexibility in the output PFN (Pulse Forming Network) stage, eliminating need for specialized protective output devices such as saturable output inductors. Due to considerably higher di/dt performance of the device, true high voltage output pulse networks may be utilized without damage to the semiconductor switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1998
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Steven Wilmot, John Cuervo Driscoll, Steven John Kempinski, James R. Berliner
  • Turbine engine ignition exciter circuit including low voltage lockout control
    Patent number: 5656966
    Abstract: An improved turbine engine ignition exciter circuit. Energy stored in an exciter tank capacitor is subsequently switched to the load (igniter plug) through a novel thyristor switching device specifically designed for pulse power applications. The switching device is designed and constructed to include, for example, a highly interdigitated cathode/gate structure. The semiconductor switching device is periodically activated by a trigger circuit which may be comprised of either electromagnetic or optoelectronic triggering circuitry to initiate discharge of energy stored in exciter tank capacitor to mating ignition lead and igniter plug. Likewise, the present invention allows new flexibility in the output PFN (Pulse Forming Network) stage, eliminating need for specialized protective output devices such as saturable output inductors. Due to considerably higher di/dt performance of the device, true high voltage output pulse networks may be utilized without damage to the semiconductor switching device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Steven Wilmot, John Cuervo Driscoll, Steve John Kempinski, James R. Berliner