Patents by Inventor Ranganathan Gurunathan

Ranganathan Gurunathan 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).

  • Publication number: 20130009481
    Abstract: A method of providing electrical power using a split bus configuration includes receiving a first direct current at a positive bus of a split bus, where the first direct current originates from a first fuel cell segment. A second direct current is received at a negative bus of the split bus, where the second direct current originates from a second fuel cell segment. A third direct current is also received at the split bus such that a combined direct current is formed including the first direct current, the second direct current, and the third direct current. The third direct current originates from an alternative direct current (DC) source. The combined direct current is provided to an inverter such that an alternating current is generated for a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Watson Ballantine, Ramesh Srinivasan, Stuart Aaron, Peter Light, Josh Richman, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Chad Pearson
  • Publication number: 20120326668
    Abstract: A battery charging station receives power from two or more sources and supplies power to charge batteries of electric vehicles and devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Ballatine, Chad Pearson, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Alberto Doronzo
  • Publication number: 20120326504
    Abstract: A method of providing power to a load, such as an IT load, includes generating an output power using at least one power module comprising at least one fuel cell segment, providing a first portion of the output power through a grid to an A-side power feed of the load, and providing a second portion of the output power to a B-side power feed of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Ballantine, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Muralidhara Ramakrishna Shyamavadhani, Chad Pearson, William Thayer, KR Sridhar
  • Publication number: 20120326516
    Abstract: A fuel cell system provides isolation of one or more DC buses which supply power to a DC IT load from AC noise generated by AC inverters or the AC grid using one or more isolating DC/DC converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballatine, Carl Cottuli, Alberto Doronzo
  • Publication number: 20120267952
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for creating and operating a Direct Current (DC) micro-grid. A DC micro-grid may include power generators, energy storage devices, and loads coupled to a common DC bus. Power electronics devices may couple the power generators, energy storage devices, and loads to the common DC bus and provide power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Ballatine, Chad Pearson, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Prasad PMSVVSV, Alberto Doronzo
  • Patent number: 8289730
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Ramesh Srinivasan, Pavana Kumar
  • Patent number: 8288891
    Abstract: A method of providing electrical power using a split bus configuration includes receiving a first direct current at a positive bus of a split bus, where the first direct current originates from a first fuel cell segment. A second direct current is received at a negative bus of the split bus, where the second direct current originates from a second fuel cell segment. A third direct current is also received at the split bus such that a combined direct current is formed including the first direct current, the second direct current, and the third direct current. The third direct current originates from an alternative direct current (DC) source. The combined direct current is provided to an inverter such that an alternating current is generated for a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Arne Watson Ballantine, Ramesh Srinivasan, Stuart Aaron, Peter Light, Josh Richman, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Chad Pearson
  • Patent number: 8263276
    Abstract: A method for starting up a fuel cell arrangement includes receiving a first electrical signal from an alternative power source. At least a portion of the first electrical signal is provided to a balance of plant (BOP) load, where the BOP load is in electrical communication with a fuel cell system. It is determined whether a startup threshold of the fuel cell system is met. If the startup threshold is met, a second electrical signal is provided from the fuel cell system to the BOP load, where a combination of the first electrical signal and the second electrical signal corresponds to a load demand of the BOP load. A value of the second electrical signal is increased and a value of the first electrical signal is decreased until the load demand of the BOP load is met by the fuel cell system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Srinivasan Vijay Sarathy, Ramesh Srinivasan
  • Patent number: 8232676
    Abstract: An exemplary method of providing electrical power is provided. A first alternating current is received from a grid. The first alternating current is converted to a first direct current using a first inverter in electrical communication with the grid. The first inverter is also in electrical communication with a fuel cell system. The first direct current is converted to a second alternating current using a second inverter, and the second alternating current is provided to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Ramesh Srinivasan, Arne Watson Ballantine
  • Publication number: 20120146587
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes grid independent operation with DC microgrid capability. This fuel cell system has a capability of operation with and without the grid, and with DC micro-grid capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, Rajaram Swaminathan, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine, James McElroy
  • Publication number: 20120098336
    Abstract: A method includes controlling multiple networked input-parallel/output-parallel inverters of a fuel cell system as a single inverter assembly by a master controller. A fuel cell system includes a plurality of fuel cell segments, a plurality of DC/DC converters and at least one DC/AC inverter, where an output of each of the plurality of the fuel cell segments is connected to a pair of DC/DC converters, and each of the pair DC/DC converters is connected to an opposite polarity bus being provided to the inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicant: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Aisur Gopalakrishnan VishaI Anand, Ame Ballantine, Saravanakumar Narayanasamy, Kodali Venkata Narasimha Rao
  • Patent number: 8143744
    Abstract: At least one aspect is directed to an uninterruptible power supply that includes a first input having an input line connection and an input neutral connection to receive a first input voltage from a first voltage source, a second input to receive a second input voltage from a second voltage source, and a boost circuit configured to provide a positive output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection and a negative output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection in both a line mode of operation and a backup mode of operation. The power supply also includes a first connection circuit to couple the first input to the boost circuit in the line mode of operation, and a second connection circuit to couple the second input to the boost circuit in the backup mode of operation, the second connection circuit being configured to isolate the second voltage source from the input neutral connection in the line mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Henning Roar Nielsen, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Pothapragada Pavana Kumar, Damir Klikic
  • Publication number: 20110278935
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: BLOOM ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Ramesh Srinivasan, Pavana Kumar
  • Patent number: 7974106
    Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for power generation systems are described. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to the architecture of power conditioning systems for use with fuel cells and methods used therein. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems usable to reduce ripple currents in fuel cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Ramesh Srinivasan, Pavana Kumar
  • Publication number: 20110062795
    Abstract: Systems and methods for power conversion are illustrated. Power conversion architecture for fuel cell systems in particular are described that use dual bus architectures having stack segment pairs and a center-tapped neutral line, and/or an architecture employing integer multiple of three DC/DC converter branches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventors: Ramesh SRINIVASAN, Ranganathan Gurunathan
  • Publication number: 20100295374
    Abstract: At least one aspect is directed to an uninterruptible power supply that includes a first input having an input line connection and an input neutral connection to receive a first input voltage from a first voltage source, a second input to receive a second input voltage from a second voltage source, and a boost circuit configured to provide a positive output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection and a negative output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection in both a line mode of operation and a backup mode of operation. The power supply also includes a first connection circuit to couple the first input to the boost circuit in the line mode of operation, and a second connection circuit to couple the second input to the boost circuit in the backup mode of operation, the second connection circuit being configured to isolate the second voltage source from the input neutral connection in the line mode of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION CORPORATION
    Inventors: Henning Roar Nielsen, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Pothapragada Pavana Kumar, Damir Klikic
  • Patent number: 7705490
    Abstract: Systems and methods for power conversion are illustrated. Power conversion architecture for fuel cell systems in particular are described that use dual bus architectures having stack segment pairs and a center-tapped neutral line, and/or an architecture employing integer multiple of three DC/DC converter branches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Bloom Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Ramesh Srinivasan, Ranganathan Gurunathan
  • Patent number: 7705489
    Abstract: At least one aspect is directed to an uninterruptible power supply that includes a first input having an input line connection and an input neutral connection to receive a first input voltage from a first voltage source, a second input to receive a second input voltage from a second voltage source, and a boost circuit configured to provide a positive output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection and a negative output DC voltage with respect to the input neutral connection in both a line mode of operation and a backup mode of operation. The power supply also includes a first connection circuit to couple the first input to the boost circuit in the line mode of operation, and a second connection circuit to couple the second input to the boost circuit in the backup mode of operation, the second connection circuit being configured to isolate the second voltage source from the input neutral connection in the line mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Henning Roar Nielsen, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Pothapragada Pavana Kumar, Damir Klikic
  • Publication number: 20100035092
    Abstract: A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack which includes a plurality of fuel cells contacted in series by a plurality of interconnect plates. At least two interconnect plates are contacted by a high-temperature bypass diode that is physically integrated in the fuel cell stack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Ranganathan Gurunathan, Arne Ballantine
  • Publication number: 20100013317
    Abstract: A method of providing electrical power using a split bus configuration includes receiving a first direct current at a positive bus of a split bus, where the first direct current originates from a first fuel cell segment. A second direct current is received at a negative bus of the split bus, where the second direct current originates from a second fuel cell segment. A third direct current is also received at the split bus such that a combined direct current is formed including the first direct current, the second direct current, and the third direct current. The third direct current originates from an alternative direct current (DC) source. The combined direct current is provided to an inverter such that an alternating current is generated for a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Arne Watson Ballantine, Ramesh Srinivasan, Stuart Aaron, Peter Light, Josh Richman, Ranganathan Gurunathan, Chad Pearson