Patents by Inventor Lyall Kenneth Winger

Lyall Kenneth Winger 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: 11970078
    Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes memory to store values obtained for a battery that supplies current to one or more loads. The values include battery state of charge. A processor obtains a measured battery current from a battery current sensor and a measured total current from a current sensor at a battery center that supplies the current directly to the one or more loads, obtain a generator current or a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter current from the measured total current and the battery current, determine a maximum available current as a sum of a maximum available battery current and either the generator current or the DC-DC converter current, and stop a supply of the current to one or more of the one or more loads based on a result of a comparison of the maximum available current with current draw by the one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Lyall Kenneth Winger
  • Publication number: 20240092289
    Abstract: A vehicle, an electrical system of the vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle. The electrical system includes an electrical load and an energy center for distribution of power to the electrical load. The energy center includes a fuse cluster having a plurality of electronic fuses, and the electrical load is coupled to the energy center via the plurality of electronic fuses of the fuse cluster. A selected electronic fuse of the fuse cluster is configured to detect a fault at the selected electronic fuse, make itself a master fuse of the fuse cluster in response to detecting the fault and control an operation of the fuse cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: James Morrison, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20240092220
    Abstract: An example method includes receiving a wakeup request from a device from a vehicle. The wakeup request indicates that the device desires to perform a task that consumes electrical power from a battery of the vehicle. The method further includes assigning a priority to the wakeup request. The method further includes queuing the wakeup request according to a wakeup schedule. The method further includes, responsive to a current time satisfying the wakeup schedule, performing the task based at least in part on the priority.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Xinyu Du, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Gary W. Gantt, JR., Anwar Hossain, Kurt R. Garcia
  • Publication number: 20240075846
    Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes memory to store values obtained for a battery that supplies current to one or more loads. The values include battery state of charge. A processor obtains a measured battery current from a battery current sensor and a measured total current from a current sensor at a battery center that supplies the current directly to the one or more loads, obtain a generator current or a direct current-to-direct current (DC-DC) converter current from the measured total current and the battery current, determine a maximum available current as a sum of a maximum available battery current and either the generator current or the DC-DC converter current, and stop a supply of the current to one or more of the one or more loads based on a result of a comparison of the maximum available current with current draw by the one or more loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2022
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventors: Chandra S. Namuduri, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Lyall Kenneth Winger
  • Publication number: 20240063628
    Abstract: A vehicle, arc fault protection device of the vehicle and a method for mitigating an arc fault in an electrical system of the vehicle. The arc fault protection device includes a sensor, a switch, and a processor. The sensor is used for measuring a current in an electrical system. The processor is configured to determine a precursor phase of an arc fault from the current, wherein the precursor phase indicates an onset of an arc flash phase of the arc fault. The processor opens the switch to mitigate the arc fault during the arc flash phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Muhammad Hussain Alvi, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, Xinyu Du
  • Publication number: 20240063655
    Abstract: A vehicle, an electrical system of the vehicle and a method of operating the vehicle. The electrical system includes a battery, an electrical load that draws power from the battery, a switch between the battery and the electrical load, and a processor. The processor is configured to measure a power drawn from the battery by the electrical load and open the switch to disconnect the battery from the electrical load when the power drawn by the electrical load matches a selected criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Norman K. Bucknor, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, David W. Walters
  • Publication number: 20240053404
    Abstract: A low voltage system of a vehicle having a battery, one of a generator and an accessory power module (APM), one or more low voltage load, and a smart energy center. The smart energy center having a first electronic fuse configured to selectively connect the smart energy center to the battery, a second electronic fuse configured to selectively connect the smart energy center to the one of the generator and the APM, and a third electronic fuse configured to selectively connect the smart energy center to the one or more low voltage load. The smart energy center further comprising a plurality of sensors and a controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the first electronic fuse, the second electronic fuse, and the third electronic fuse based at least in part on data received from the plurality of sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Xinyu Du, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Infane Lowe, Suresh Gopalakrishnan
  • Publication number: 20240051421
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes determining whether to perform a load shed operation for a vehicle. The method further includes responsive to determining to perform the load shed operation, issuing a command to a device to perform the load shed operation. The method further includes determining whether the device performed the load shed operation. The method further includes responsive to determining that the device failed to perform the load shed operation, opening a relay associated with the device to prevent power from being delivered to the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Xinyu Du, Infane Lowe, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, Jonathan O. Conell
  • Patent number: 11865945
    Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system may include a series arrangement of a plurality of batteries coupled to a first DC bus at a first DC voltage. A DC to DC converter may include a multi-input DC input stage coupled to a multi-output DC output stage. The multi-input DC input stage may include multiple distributed DC inputs, each distributed DC input being coupled to a respective one of the plurality of batteries. The multi-output DC output stage may include multiple aggregated DC outputs. At least one controllable switch may couple one or more of the multiple aggregated DC outputs to one or more other DC buses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Kamel, Chandra S. Namuduri, Rashmi Prasad, Muhammad Hussain Alvi, Lyall Kenneth Winger
  • Publication number: 20230398903
    Abstract: A rechargeable energy storage system may include a series arrangement of a plurality of batteries coupled to a first DC bus at a first DC voltage. A DC to DC converter may include a multi-input DC input stage coupled to a multi-output DC output stage. The multi-input DC input stage may include multiple distributed DC inputs, each distributed DC input being coupled to a respective one of the plurality of batteries. The multi-output DC output stage may include multiple aggregated DC outputs. At least one controllable switch may couple one or more of the multiple aggregated DC outputs to one or more other DC buses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: Mohamed Kamel, Chandra S. Namuduri, Rashmi Prasad, Muhammad Hussain Alvi, Lyall Kenneth Winger
  • Publication number: 20230369789
    Abstract: A battery clamp system for a battery includes a terminal receiving portion configured to be coupled to a terminal of the battery. The battery clamp system includes an anti-rotation projection coupled to the terminal receiving portion. The anti-rotation projection is configured to be coupled to the battery. The anti-rotation projection extends along an axis that is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the battery clamp system. The battery clamp system includes a first flange coupled to the terminal receiving portion that extends along a first flange axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The battery clamp system includes a second flange coupled to the terminal receiving portion so as to be spaced apart from the first flange. The first flange is configured to cooperate with the second flange to couple the terminal receiving portion to the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Hemphill, Mahantesh S. Parashetti, Lyall Kenneth Winger
  • Publication number: 20230356597
    Abstract: A vehicle, system, and method of providing electrical power to a vehicle. The electrical system includes a variable power source, a constant power source, a bus line connecting the variable power source to an electrical load of the vehicle, a switch between the bus line and the constant power source, and a processor. The processor is configured to monitor a voltage being supplied to the electrical load by the variable power source and to operate a fuse controller to close the switch between the bus line and the constant power source when the voltage being supplied to the electrical load drops below a first voltage threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James M. Morrison
  • Patent number: 11811212
    Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first fuse connected between a power source and a load. The first fuse is an electronic fuse (eFuse) to disconnect the load from the power source via the first fuse based on detecting a failure in the first fuse. The system also includes a second fuse connected between the power source and the load, the first fuse and the second fuse being part of a cluster of fuses. The second fuse is an eFuse and the first fuse signals the second fuse to disconnect the load from the power source via the second fuse based on the first fuse detecting the failure in the first fuse without the second fuse detecting a failure in the second fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison
  • Publication number: 20230353136
    Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first fuse connected between a power source and a load. The first fuse is an electronic fuse (eFuse) to disconnect the load from the power source via the first fuse based on opening a first fuse switch. The system also includes a second fuse connected between the power source and the load via a second fuse switch. The first fuse and the second fuse are part of a cluster of fuses. A controller opens the first fuse switch and keeps the second fuse switch closed based on the vehicle entering a key-off mode in which the vehicle is turned off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James M. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20230294620
    Abstract: A vehicle, electrical system of the vehicle, and a method of detecting a fault occurring in the electrical system. The electrical system includes an electronic control unit, a sensor configured to obtain a measurement of a parameter of the electronic control unit, and a processor. The processor is configured to determine a parasitic load at the electronic control unit from the measurement of the parameter, identify a type of fault occurring at the electronic control unit due to the parasitic load based on the measurement, and perform an action at the electrical system based on the type of fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Inventors: Infane Lowe, Xinyu Du, Lyall Kenneth Winger
  • Patent number: 11762406
    Abstract: A system for regulating voltage includes an electronic fuse including a switching component and an active control circuit connected to the switching component, the control circuit configured to open the switching component based on at least an overcurrent condition. The system also includes a voltage regulation component connected to the switching component, the voltage regulation component configured to regulate a voltage across the switching component by applying a voltage to the switching component based on a measured voltage drop across the switching component, and a desired load voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Publication number: 20230283061
    Abstract: A system in a vehicle includes a first fuse connected between a power source and a load. The first fuse is an electronic fuse (eFuse) to disconnect the load from the power source via the first fuse based on detecting a failure in the first fuse. The system also includes a second fuse connected between the power source and the load, the first fuse and the second fuse being part of a cluster of fuses. The second fuse is an eFuse and the first fuse signals the second fuse to disconnect the load from the power source via the second fuse based on the first fuse detecting the failure in the first fuse without the second fuse detecting a failure in the second fuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Publication date: September 7, 2023
    Inventors: Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri, Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison
  • Publication number: 20230093333
    Abstract: A battery system for a vehicle includes a battery tray having a base wall, a plurality of side walls, and a cover that collectively define a receiving zone. A vent includes an inlet and an outlet exposed to the battery receiving zone. A battery is supported by the base wall. A battery electronic controller (BEC) is arranged in the receiving zone and directly connected to the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, Dave Gerard Rich, James Morrison, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Publication number: 20230070183
    Abstract: A system for regulating voltage includes an electronic fuse including a switching component and an active control circuit connected to the switching component, the control circuit configured to open the switching component based on at least an overcurrent condition. The system also includes a voltage regulation component connected to the switching component, the voltage regulation component configured to regulate a voltage across the switching component by applying a voltage to the switching component based on a measured voltage drop across the switching component, and a desired load voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri
  • Patent number: 11349475
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reallocation of electronic fuses (EFn). The method includes concurrently receiving, for a plurality (N) of EFn, respective sensor data and comparing the sensor data to respective operating ranges. An EFn that exceeds its operating range is turned off. Wherein a preprogrammed configuration of a fuse harness defines multiple (M) clusters, the method identifies, for each EFn that is within the operating range, whether the EFn is a member of a cluster of the M clusters, and other members of the cluster. The method monitors each cluster member's sensor data, with respect to preprogrammed thresholds and load current demands, to thereby categorize each EFn in each cluster as either healthy, derated, or failed. For failed EFns, a target EF in the same cluster having a reallocation potential is identified, and its fuse limits are modified in accordance with the reallocation potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Lyall Kenneth Winger, James Morrison, Suresh Gopalakrishnan, Chandra S. Namuduri