Patents by Inventor Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
Kanakasabapathi Subramanian 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).
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Patent number: 8054589Abstract: An apparatus, such as a switch module, is provided. The apparatus can include an electromechanical switch structure configured to move between an open configuration and a fully-closed configuration (associated with a minimum characteristic resistance) over a characteristic time. A commutation circuit can be connected in parallel with the electromechanical switch structure, and can include a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the electromechanical switch structure and a pulse circuit including a pulse capacitor configured to form a pulse signal (in connection with a switching event of the electromechanical switch structure) for causing flow of a pulse current through the balanced diode bridge. The electromechanical switch structure and the balanced diode bridge can be disposed such that a total inductance associated with the commutation circuit is less than or equal to a product of the characteristic time and the minimum characteristic resistance.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2009Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Arun Virupaksha Gowda, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, John Norton Park, William James Premerlani, Owen Jannis Samuel Schelenz, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Publication number: 20110140546Abstract: An apparatus, such as a switch module, is provided. The apparatus can include an electromechanical switch structure configured to move between an open configuration and a fully-closed configuration (associated with a minimum characteristic resistance) over a characteristic time. A commutation circuit can be connected in parallel with the electromechanical switch structure, and can include a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the electromechanical switch structure and a pulse circuit including a pulse capacitor configured to form a pulse signal (in connection with a switching event of the electromechanical switch structure) for causing flow of a pulse current through the balanced diode bridge. The electromechanical switch structure and the balanced diode bridge can be disposed such that a total inductance associated with the commutation circuit is less than or equal to a product of the characteristic time and the minimum characteristic resistance.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Arun Virupaksha Gowda, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, John Norton Park, William James Premerlani, Owen Jannis Samuel Schelenz, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Publication number: 20110127853Abstract: A current control device is described. The current control device includes at least one line socket configured to couple to a first power system. The current control device also includes at least one load socket configured to couple to a second power system and at least one micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) switching device coupled between the at least one line socket and the at least one load socket. The at least one MEMS switching device is configured to selectably couple the first power system to the second power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Lincoln Mamoru Fujita, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7944660Abstract: Electrical distribution systems implementing micro-electromechanical system based switching devices. Exemplary embodiments include a method in an electrical distribution system, the method including determining if there is a fault condition in a branch of the electrical distribution system, the branch having a plurality of micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switches, re-closing a MEMS switch of the plurality of MEMS switches, which is furthest upstream in the branch and determining if the fault condition is still present. Exemplary embodiments include an electrical distribution system, including an input port for receiving a source of power, a main distribution bus electrically coupled to the input port, a service disconnect MEMS switch disposed between and coupled to the input port and the main distribution bus and a plurality of electrical distribution branches electrically coupled to the main distribution bus.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Charles Kumfer, William James Premerlani, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Charles Stephan Pitzen
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Publication number: 20110096444Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
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Patent number: 7928333Abstract: A device, such as a switch structure, is provided, the device including a contact and a conductive element. The conductive element can be configured to be selectively moveable between a non-contacting position, in which the conductive element is separated from the contact (in some cases by a distance less than or equal to about 4 ?m, and in others by less than or equal to about 1 ?m), and a contacting position, in which the conductive element contacts and establishes electrical communication with the contact. When the conductive element is disposed in the non-contacting position, the contact and the conductive element can be configured to support an electric field therebetween with a magnitude of greater than 320 V ?m?1 and/or a potential difference of about 330 V or more.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xuefeng Wang, Marco Francesco Aimi, Shubhra Bansal, Christopher Fred Keimel, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7915696Abstract: An electrical through-connection, or via, that passes through a substrate to a bus on a first surface of the substrate. The via may be configured with an interlock such that the electrically conductive core of the via is constrained to thermally expand towards the second surface, away from the bus, thus preventing damage to the bus. The interlock may be a local constriction or enlargement of the via near the first surface of the substrate. The via may be greater in length along the bus than a unit spacing of beams in a parallel microswitch array actuated in unison along the bus. The via may be narrower in width than in length, and may form a trapezoidal geometry that is larger at the second surface of the substrate than at the first surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2007Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: David Cecil Hays, Marco Francesco Aimi, Christopher Fred Keimel, Glenn Scott Claydon, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Oliver Charles Boomhower
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Publication number: 20110067983Abstract: Provided is a device, such as a switch structure, that includes a contact and a conductive element that is configured to be deformable between a first position in which the conductive element is separated from the contact and a second position in which the conductive element contacts the contact. The conductive element can be formed substantially of metallic material configured to inhibit time-dependent deformation. For example, the metallic material may be configured to exhibit a maximum steady-state plastic strain rate of less than 10?12 s?1 when subject to a stress of at least about 25 percent of a yield strength of the metallic material and a temperature less than or equal to about half of a melting temperature of the metallic material. The contact and the conductive element may be part of a microelectromechanical device or a nanoelectromechanical device. Associated methods are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Christopher Fred Keimel, Marco Francesco Aimi, Shubhra Bansal, Reed Roeder Corderman, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Eddula Sudhakar Reddy, Atanu Saha, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Parag Thakre, Alex David Corwin
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Publication number: 20110062003Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of electric current is provided. The device comprises a first conductor as thin film form; a second conductor switchably coupled to the first conductor to alternate between an electrically connected state with the first conductor and an electrically disconnected state with the first conductor. At least one conductor further comprises an electrical contact, the electrical contact comprising a solid matrix comprising a plurality of pores; and a filler material disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K. A method to make an electrical contact is provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate; providing a plurality of pores on the substrate; and disposing a filler material within at least a portion of the plurality of pores. The filler material has a melting point of less than about 575 K.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2010Publication date: March 17, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Duraiswamy Srinivasan, Reed Roeder Corderman, Christopher Fred Keimel, Somasundaram Gunasekaran, Sudhakar Eddula Reddy, Arun Virupaksha Gowda, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Om Prakash
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Patent number: 7903382Abstract: The present invention comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) micro-switch array based current limiting enabled circuit interrupting apparatus. The apparatus comprising an over-current protective component, wherein the over-current protective component comprises a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices. The apparatus also comprises a circuit breaker or switching component, wherein the circuit breaker or switching component is in operable communication with the over-current protective component.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, John Norton Park, Brent Charles Kumfer, Parag Thakre
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Publication number: 20110036690Abstract: A device, such as a switch structure, is provided, the device including a contact and a conductive element. The conductive element can be configured to be selectively moveable between a non-contacting position, in which the conductive element is separated from the contact (in some cases by a distance less than or equal to about 4 ?m, and in others by less than or equal to about 1 ?m), and a contacting position, in which the conductive element contacts and establishes electrical communication with the contact. When the conductive element is disposed in the non-contacting position, the contact and the conductive element can be configured to support an electric field therebetween with a magnitude of greater than 320 V ?m?1 and/or a potential difference of about 330 V or more.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Xuefeng Wang, Marco Francesco Aimi, Shubhra Bansal, Christopher Fred Keimel, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7885043Abstract: The present invention provides a remote operable over-current protection apparatus. The apparatus includes control circuitry integrally arranged on a current path and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed on the current path, the MEMS switch responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path. The apparatus further includes a communication connection in signal connection with the control circuitry such that the control circuitry is responsive to a control signal on the communication connection to control a state of the MEMS switch.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2007Date of Patent: February 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brent Charles Kumfer, William James Premerlani, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Christopher Fred Keimel, Charles Stephan Pitzen, David James Lesslie, Parag Thakre
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Patent number: 7876538Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
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Publication number: 20110005910Abstract: An on-load tap changer (OLTC) for a transformer winding is disclosed. The OLTC includes a first MEMS switch coupled in series with a first tap on the transformer winding and a neutral terminal. The OLTC also includes a second MEMS switch coupled in series with a second tap on the transformer winding and the neutral terminal. The OLTC further includes a controller coupled to the first MEMS switch and the second MEMS switch, the controller configured to coordinate the switching operations of the first MEMS switch module and the second MEMS switch module to obtain a first predetermined turns ratio or a second predetermined turns ratio for the transformer winding.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2009Publication date: January 13, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Lincoln Mamoru Fujita, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Publication number: 20100302691Abstract: A method to reduce an inductive voltage surge across a switch array is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of, (a) directing at least a portion of an electric current away from at least a portion of said switch array; and (b) independently opening different portions of the switch array. A system to reduce an inductive voltage surge across an electrical device comprising a current bypass circuit is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: William James Premerlani, Marco Francesco Aimi, Bo Li, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7839611Abstract: A programmable logic controller is disclosed. The programmable logic controller includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The programmable logic controller further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating the opening of the at least one MEMS switch. The programmable logic controller also may include a MEMS switch and a voltage sensor for measuring the voltage across the MEMS switch. The MEMS switches are arranged to transmit or receive logic signals.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Cecil Rivers, Jr., Brent Charles Kumfer, William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian
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Patent number: 7808764Abstract: A system that includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry, such as may be made up of a plurality of micro-electromechanical switches, is provided. The plurality of micro-electromechanical switches may generally operate in a closed switching condition during system operation. A controller is coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to actuate at least one of the micro-electromechanical switches to a temporary open switching condition while a remainder of micro-electromechanical switches remains in the closed switching condition to conduct a load current and avoid interrupting system operation. The temporary open switching condition of the switch is useful to avoid a tendency of switch contacts to stick to one another.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Nicole Christine Reeves Hedges, Michael Solomon Idelchik, Owen Jannis Schelenz
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Publication number: 20100237227Abstract: An optically powered MEMS gate driver includes a photovoltaic converter configured to receive a light signal from a light source and output a DC supply voltage for a MEMS gate driver in response thereto. The MEMS gate driver further includes a DC to DC converter electrically coupled to the photovoltaic converter and configured to output a line level DC voltage in response to the DC supply voltage. An electrical circuit, also included as a portion of the MEMS gate driver is electrically coupled to both the photovoltaic converter and the DC to DC converter is configured to receive the supply voltage and the line level voltage and to output a line level drive signal in response thereto. The optically powered MEMS gate driver is self-contained within a common EMI enclosure thus providing isolation between the gate driver and command signal electronics.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2009Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Glen Peter Koste, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park
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Patent number: 7785482Abstract: A method of manufacturing an ignition device is provided. The method includes patterning a plurality of resistors on a membrane to form heating elements and thermally isolating the heating elements from an external environment via a cavity disposed adjacent to the heating elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Richard Joseph Saia, Aaron Jay Knobloch, David Joseph Najewicz, Nicholas Okruch, Jr.
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Publication number: 20100156577Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical system switch is presented. The switch includes a base substrate having a support surface. An actuating surface having a notch and an electrical contact surface having an extension is provided. The extension is disposed within the notch. A beam is attached to the base substrate. The beam includes an actuatable free end that is configured to flex upon actuation and to make contact with at least a portion of the extension and carry current therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2008Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xuefeng Wang, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Christopher Fred Keimel, Glenn Scott Claydon, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian