Patents by Inventor Peter M. Rinaldi

Peter M. Rinaldi 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: 6340851
    Abstract: A modular transformer arrangement providing power to a multi-level power converter includes a plurality of three phase transformers having delta or extended delta connected primary windings and delta or extended delta or wye or zig zag wye connected secondary windings and the multi-level power converter has full bridge power modules inputs connected to isolated secondaries of the transformer modules and outputs connected in series and/or in parallel to provide increased voltage and/or current or multiple phases which can be phase shifted with respect to the input to the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton, Gene Castles
  • Patent number: 6188139
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement includes a turbine-driven AC generator which supplies AC power at a frequency of 240 Hz through a switchgear unit to a transformer and a first power converter by which the power is converted to a variable frequency, variable voltage AC output for ship propulsion and to a second power converter by which the AC power is converted to a fixed voltage, fixed AC frequency or DC power to supply the ship service loads. A battery backup power supply may be switched in an emergency. In another embodiment four turbine-driven AC generators and two emergency power supplies are provided to drive two propulsion shafts as well as to supply the ship service loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Edgar S. Thaxton, Robert M. Adair, Gene Castles, Peter M. Rinaldi
  • Patent number: 6175163
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement utilizes generators driven at standard or higher than normal speeds and/or having a number of poles to produce electric power at a standard 50/60 Hz frequency or substantially higher than the standard 50/60 Hz frequency, such as 400 Hz. Each generator is a multi-phase, multi-circuit generator supplying isolated outputs on a plurality of lines to a propulsion power converter having isolated inputs to provide variable frequency, variable voltage power to a ship propulsion motor and to a service power converter to provide ship service power at a standard AC frequency or DC and at standard voltage for a service load. With this arrangement, power conversion transformers can, for the most part, be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and weight of the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton
  • Patent number: 6150731
    Abstract: A marine power distribution arrangement utilizes generators driven at standard or higher than normal speeds and/or having a number of poles to produce electric power at a standard 50/60 Hz frequency or substantially higher than the standard 50/60 Hz frequency, such as 400 Hz. Each generator is a multi-phase, multi-circuit generator supplying isolated outputs on a plurality of lines to a propulsion power converter having isolated inputs to provide variable frequency, variable voltage power to a ship propulsion motor and to a service power converter to provide ship service power at a standard AC frequency or DC and at standard voltage for a service load. With this arrangement, power conversion transformers can, for the most part, be eliminated, thereby reducing the size and weight of the distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Electric Boat Corporation
    Inventors: Peter M. Rinaldi, Edgar S. Thaxton