Patents by Inventor Richard M. Breese

Richard M. Breese 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: 20230322085
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controllers, dual power inverter modules, and electric vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller includes one or more processors associated with a first and second power inverter for the drive unit. Computer-readable media for the one or more processors are each configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to a fault associated with an inverter chosen from the first power inverter and the second power inverter, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Richard M. Breese, Brian N. Harries, Silva Hiti, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Steven E. Schulz, David Tang
  • Publication number: 20230271503
    Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a detection circuit configured to detect loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to a controller for a first power inverter and a second power inverter of a drive unit for an electric vehicle. A first backup power circuit is associated with the first power inverter and a second backup power circuit is associated with the second power inverter. Each backup power circuit is configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to low voltage DC electrical power responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller. Three-phase short circuitry is configured to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Steven E. Schulz, David Tang, Silva Hiti, Richard M. Breese
  • Patent number: 11712967
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controllers, dual power inverter modules, and electric vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller includes one or more processors associated with a first and second power inverter for the drive unit. Computer-readable media for the one or more processors are each configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to a fault associated with an inverter chosen from the first power inverter and the second power inverter, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Richard M. Breese, Brian N. Harries, Silva Hiti, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Steven E. Schulz, David Tang
  • Patent number: 11673473
    Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a detection circuit configured to detect loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to a controller for a first power inverter and a second power inverter of a drive unit for an electric vehicle. A first backup power circuit is associated with the first power inverter and a second backup power circuit is associated with the second power inverter. Each backup power circuit is configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to low voltage DC electrical power responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller. Three-phase short circuitry is configured to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Rivian IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Steven E. Schulz, David Tang, Silva Hiti, Richard M. Breese
  • Publication number: 20230029680
    Abstract: An illustrative dual power inverter module includes a detection circuit configured to detect loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to a controller for a first power inverter and a second power inverter of a drive unit for an electric vehicle. A first backup power circuit is associated with the first power inverter and a second backup power circuit is associated with the second power inverter. Each backup power circuit is configured to convert high voltage DC electrical power to low voltage DC electrical power responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller. Three-phase short circuitry is configured to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to detection of loss of low voltage DC electrical power supplied to the controller, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Steven E. Schulz, David Tang, Silva Hiti, Richard M. Breese
  • Publication number: 20230031958
    Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include illustrative controllers, dual power inverter modules, and electric vehicles. In an illustrative embodiment, a controller includes one or more processors associated with a first and second power inverter for the drive unit. Computer-readable media for the one or more processors are each configured to store computer-executable instructions configured to cause the one or more processors to apply a same fault action to the first power inverter and the second power inverter responsive to a fault associated with an inverter chosen from the first power inverter and the second power inverter, wherein the same fault action includes applying equalized torque to each axle operatively coupled to the drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventors: Richard M. Breese, Brian N. Harries, Silva Hiti, Daniel L. Kowalewski, Steven E. Schulz, David Tang
  • Patent number: 7564248
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring a coolant conductivity of a fuel cell supplying power via positive and negative buses. The method includes measuring a first voltage of the positive bus, measuring a second voltage of the negative bus, applying a resistance between the positive bus and a reference potential, measuring a third voltage of the positive bus after a period of applying the resistance, and determining an isolation resistance based on the measured voltages. The isolation resistance is a function of the coolant conductivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Breese, Thomas P. O'Meara, Stanley K. Fujii, Bernd Peter Elgas, Stephen Raiser
  • Publication number: 20080224687
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for monitoring a coolant conductivity of a fuel cell supplying power via positive and negative buses. The method includes measuring a first voltage of the positive bus, measuring a second voltage of the negative bus, applying a resistance between the positive bus and a reference potential, measuring a third voltage of the positive bus after a period of applying the resistance, and determining an isolation resistance based on the measured voltages. The isolation resistance is a function of the coolant conductivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Richard M. Breese, Thomas P. O'Meara, Stanley K. Fujii, Bernd Peter Elgas, Stephen Raiser
  • Publication number: 20080042615
    Abstract: A fuel economy control method for a hybrid vehicle includes estimating a temperature of a battery, measuring a current of the battery, and measuring a voltage of the battery. A nominal optimum charging voltage is determined as a function of a state of charge (SOC) of the battery and the estimated temperature. The nominal optimum charging voltage is reduced to a fuel economy minimum charging voltage if the SOC is above a predetermined level and the current is within a predetermined range. The battery is then charged at the fuel economy minimum charging voltage using a DC/DC converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Richard K. Serrels, Gretchen Serrels, William J. Omell, Richard M. Breese