Patents by Inventor Lewei Qian

Lewei Qian 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).

  • SWITCHABLE BIDIRECTIONAL POWER CONVERTER WITH SINGLE POWER FACTOR CORRECTION CIRCUIT AND ON BOARD CHARGER THEREWITH
    Publication number: 20240048058
    Abstract: A switchable bidirectional power converter can comprise an interleaved bridge configuration. A multi-phase grid connection to a half-bridge multi-phase switching bank can comprise a first switching half-bridge leg. A single-phase grid connection to a full-bridge single-phase switching bank can comprise the half-bridge multiphase switching bank interleaved with the full-bridge single-phase switching bank. The full-bridge single-phase switching bank can comprise the first switching halfbridge leg and a second switching half-bridge leg. A capacitor switch can be configured to switch at least two power factor correction capacitors between a parallel connection and a serial connection. The parallel connection can be to the single-phase switching bank, the first switching half-bridge leg, and the second switching half-bridge leg. The serial connection can be to the multi-phase switching bank and the first switching half-bridge leg. Such can be used in a bidirectional onboard charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Ameer JANABI, Rohit BARANWAL, Zhe ZHANG, Devendra Ramesh PATIL, Guangqi ZHU, Salwan S. SABRY, Matthew JONES, Lewei QIAN, Saeed J. SIAVOSHANI, Daniel Robert OUWENGA, Brian MCKAY
  • Resonant power converter for wide voltage switching
    Patent number: 11777411
    Abstract: A resonant converter device comprising a selectable primary winding comprising a plurality of circuit legs, the selectable primary winding comprising one or more of a tapped primary winding or a plurality of switchable primary windings. At least one secondary winding coupled to the selectable primary winding to form a resonant transformer. At least one resonant inductor coupled to at least one of the plurality of circuit legs. A plurality of resonant capacitors, each circuit leg comprising at least a respective one of the plurality of resonant capacitors, and at least a second resonant capacitor of the plurality of resonant capacitors coupled within the second circuit leg. And, one or more switching devices connected to the resonant transformer and configured to selectively vary a resonant impedance of the resonant converter device when a voltage inputted to the resonant converter device varies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Rohit Baranwal, Devendra Patil, Zhe Zhang, Lewei Qian, Miroslav Horejs, Guangqi Zhu
  • CONTACTOR DAMAGE AND DIAGNOSTICS
    Publication number: 20220337070
    Abstract: A method includes interpreting a contactor open event and a contactor load value for a contactor positioned on a motive power circuit for a mobile application, determining that a contactor opening event under load has occurred in response to the contactor open event and the contactor load value, and updating a contactor wear condition in response to the contactor opening event under load, wherein updating the contactor wear condition comprises accumulating a number of the contactor opening events under load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Ashok Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin JIn, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil
  • RESONANT POWER CONVERTER FOR WIDE VOLTAGE SWITCHING
    Publication number: 20220286055
    Abstract: A resonant converter device comprising a selectable primary winding comprising a plurality of circuit legs, the selectable primary winding comprising one or more of a tapped primary winding or a plurality of switchable primary windings. At least one secondary winding coupled to the selectable primary winding to form a resonant transformer. At least one resonant inductor coupled to at least one of the plurality of circuit legs. A plurality of resonant capacitors, each circuit leg comprising at least a respective one of the plurality of resonant capacitors, and at least a second resonant capacitor of the plurality of resonant capacitors coupled within the second circuit leg. And, one or more switching devices connected to the resonant transformer and configured to selectively vary a resonant impedance of the resonant converter device when a voltage inputted to the resonant converter device varies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Rohit Baranwal, Devendra Patil, Zhe Zhang, Lewei Qian, Miroslav Horejs, Guangqi Zhu
  • Power distribution and circuit protection for a mobile application having a high efficiency inverter
    Patent number: 11368031
    Abstract: A power electronics assembly for a mobile application includes a first power electronics component selectively coupled to a high source on a first side and coupled to a high voltage battery on a second side, a second power electronics component selectively coupled to one of a low load or a low voltage battery on a first side and coupled to the high voltage battery on a second side; and a controller, including an operating mode circuit structured to determine a discharge operating mode for the mobile application, a power electronics configuration circuit structured to provide a switch state value for the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component in response to the discharge operating mode, and wherein the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component are responsive to the switch state value to coupled selected ones of the high source, low load, and low voltage battery to the high voltage battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Lewei Qian, Daniel R. Ouwenga
  • POWER DISTRIBUTION AND CIRCUIT PROTECTION FOR A MOBILE APPLICATION HAVING A HIGH EFFICIENCY INVERTER
    Publication number: 20200274375
    Abstract: A power electronics assembly for a mobile application includes a first power electronics component selectively coupled to a high source on a first side and coupled to a high voltage battery on a second side, a second power electronics component selectively coupled to one of a low load or a low voltage battery on a first side and coupled to the high voltage battery on a second side; and a controller, including an operating mode circuit structured to determine a discharge operating mode for the mobile application, a power electronics configuration circuit structured to provide a switch state value for the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component in response to the discharge operating mode, and wherein the first power electronics component and the second power electronics component are responsive to the switch state value to coupled selected ones of the high source, low load, and low voltage battery to the high voltage battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: Justin Keith Griffiths, Nilesh Surase, Ritika Shetty, Shalini Tripathy, Somdut Dey, Madhavi Gupta, Mayura Madane, Sadiya Qureshi, Toseed Khan, Amit Chavan, Kumar Prasad Telikepalli, Atul Solvande, Hao Wang, Jiong Chen, Yueyue Deng, Jason Carroll, Srinivasan Arjun Tekalur, Jacob William Green, Chakravarthi Kandru, Cheng Luo, Tianyang Jiang, Cheng Wan, Ye Zhu, John Trublowski, Robert Stephen Douglass, Rajen Modi, Nilay Mehta, Laura Natali Valencia Fritsch, Han Li, Dongxin Jin, Lewei Qian, Jun Li, Hongrae Kim, Daniel R. Ouwenga, Patrick Herranz, Miroslav Horejs, Rohit Baranwal, Zhe Zhang, Martin Wayne Mensch, Brandon William Fisher, Austin Robert Zurface, Jeff Howard Urian, James David, Bharath Kumar Suda, Asheesh Kumar Soni, Rene Guy Gallet, Michael Scott Sullivan, Karsten Gerving, Guido Völlmar, Gerd Schmitz, Christoph Bausch, Ute Molitor, Lutz Friedrichsen, Kai Schroeder, Julia Otte, Madeline Philipsohn, Norbert Roesner, Volker Lang, Johannes Meissner, Paolo D'Amico, Jalpa Shah, Meng Wang, Damrongrit Piyabongkarn, Niles Stephen Ramseyer, Dennis Dukaric, Matt Haylock, Anvaya R. Hingangave, Devendra Patil
  • Electrified vehicle drivetrain monitoring system
    Patent number: 10589630
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to open traction battery contactors based on a potential between high-voltage cables and a chassis continuously exceeding an amplitude threshold for at least a predefined duration of time. The controller is further configured to selectively open the contactors based on data derived from the potential for periods that are each defined by the potential exceeding and then falling below the amplitude threshold without exceeding the predefined duration of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lewei Qian, Duane M. Grider
  • ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE DRIVETRAIN MONITORING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20190111786
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle includes a controller. The controller is configured to open traction battery contactors based on a potential between high-voltage cables and a chassis continuously exceeding an amplitude threshold for at least a predefined duration of time. The controller is further configured to selectively open the contactors based on data derived from the potential for periods that are each defined by the potential exceeding and then falling below the amplitude threshold without exceeding the predefined duration of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Lewei Qian, Duane M. Grider
  • Ground fault protection systems and methods
    Patent number: 9065270
    Abstract: A ground fault protection system may include a controller that is configured to receive signals representing a ground fault detection voltage and a DC link voltage of the machine. Based on the ground fault detection voltage and the DC link voltage, the controller may determine a ground fault detection percentage value, and a worst case component insulation voltage. The controller may compare an absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage with a rated insulation voltage of a component of the machine. When the absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage is higher than the rated insulation voltage, the controller may determine a new DC link voltage based on the rated insulation voltage and the ground fault detection percentage value, and may operate the machine by using the new DC link voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lewei Qian, Jason John Smolarchuk, Donald John Gilmore
  • Method for regulating temperature of transistor-based component
    Patent number: 8982586
    Abstract: A method of regulating temperature of a transistor-based component of a power system is disclosed. The method may include operating the power system to supply electric power to the transistor-based component and converting the electric power from direct current to alternating current, or alternating current to direct current, using the transistor-based component, thereby creating heat in the transistor-based component. The method may include outputting the electric power from the transistor-based component and supplying the electric power to an electrically-powered component to perform an output operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lewei Qian, Matthew Hendrickson, David Marchand
  • Simplified topology for trolley assist-capable electric drive truck
    Patent number: 8874294
    Abstract: A trolley assist-capable electric drive truck includes a DC link with first, second and third contactors that may be opened and closed in different configurations to operate the truck in different modes. In a normal propel mode, the three contactors are open and electrical power is routed from an onboard electrical power source to electric propulsion motors. During normal retard mode, the three contactors are closed to route electrical energy generated by the electric propulsion motors through a grid resistor of the DC link. In a trolley mode, the first and second contactors are closed, but the third contactor is open, and electrical power is routed from the trolley lines to the motors for propulsion, or in a reverse direction for retarding the truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • GROUND FAULT PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20140240875
    Abstract: A ground fault protection system is disclosed. The ground fault protection system may include a controller that is configured to receive signals representing a ground fault detection voltage and a DC link voltage of the machine. Based on the ground fault detection voltage and the DC link voltage, the controller may determine a ground fault detection percentage value. Based on the ground fault detection percentage value and the DC link voltage, the controller may further determine a worst case component insulation voltage. The controller may compare an absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage with a rated insulation voltage of a component of the machine. When the absolute value of the worst case component insulation voltage is higher than the rated insulation voltage, the controller may determine a new DC link voltage based on the rated insulation voltage and the ground fault detection percentage value, and may output a signal for operating the machine by using the new DC link voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lewei QIAN, Jason John SMOLARCHUK, Donald John GILMORE
  • Simplified Topology For Trolley Assist-Capable Electric Drive Truck
    Publication number: 20130325226
    Abstract: A trolley assist-capable electric drive truck includes a DC link with first, second and third contactors that may be opened and closed in different configurations to operate the truck in different modes. In a normal propel mode, the three contactors are open and electrical power is routed from an onboard electrical power source to electric propulsion motors. During normal retard mode, the three contactors are closed to route electrical energy generated by the electric propulsion motors through a grid resistor of the DC link. In a trolley mode, the first and second contactors are closed, but the third contactor is open, and electrical power is routed from the trolley lines to the motors for propulsion, or in a reverse direction for retarding the truck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • System and method to thermally protect a transistor in an electric drive vehicle
    Patent number: 8442712
    Abstract: An electronic system for an electric drive mobile machine includes at least one transistor that emits heat, a pressure detector that generates a pressure signal, a temperature detector providing a first temperature signal indicative of the detected first temperature and a second temperature of or substantially adjacent to the transistor, and a controller configured to determine a temperature protection set point based upon the first temperature signal and the pressure signal and execute a control strategy for thermally protecting the transistor when the first temperature signal indicates that the first temperature reaches the temperature protection set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • System and method to thermally protect a transistor in an electric drive vehicle
    Publication number: 20130054059
    Abstract: An electronic system for an electric drive mobile machine includes at least one transistor that emits heat, a pressure detector that generates a pressure signal, a temperature detector providing a first temperature signal indicative of the detected first temperature and a second temperature of or substantially adjacent to the transistor, and a controller configured to determine a temperature protection set point based upon the first temperature signal and the pressure signal and execute a control strategy for thermally protecting the transistor when the first temperature signal indicates that the first temperature reaches the temperature protection set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Lewei Qian
  • COOLING SYSTEM FOR AN ELECTRIC DRIVE MACHINE AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120230843
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a cooling duct extending between a first component and a second component of a machine. A motor powered fan in the cooling duct creates an airflow in the duct. First and second temperature sensors are disposed to measure, respectively, first and second temperatures, which are associated with first and second temperature limits in first and second components. An electronic controller provides a motor command signal, receives the first and second temperatures, calculates first and second temperature differences to generate first and second blower commands based on the respective temperature differences, and calculates a feed-forward blower motor command based on a machine load factor. The electronic controller selects the greater of the first blower command, the second blower command, and the feed-forward blower command to be a maximum command, and determines and provides the motor command signal to the motor based on the maximum command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: SREENIVASA RAVIPATI, ALEXANDER CROSMAN, MATTHEW HENDRICKSON, LEWEI QIAN
  • METHOD FOR REGULATING TEMPERATURE OF TRANSISTOR-BASED COMPONENT
    Publication number: 20120163055
    Abstract: A method of regulating temperature of a transistor-based component of a power system is disclosed. The method may include operating the power system to supply electric power to the transistor-based component and converting the electric power from direct current to alternating current, or alternating current to direct current, using the transistor-based component, thereby creating heat in the transistor-based component. The method may include outputting the electric power from the transistor-based component and supplying the electric power to an electrically-powered component to perform an output operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Lewei Qian, Matthew Hendrickson, David Marchand