Patents by Inventor Robert Dean King

Robert Dean King 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: 11884168
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 11752887
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 11697352
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruediger Soeren Kusch, Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 11670788
    Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Timothy Gerard Richter
  • Publication number: 20230049722
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20220355681
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 11400820
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a power electronic energy conversion system comprising a first energy storage device configured to store DC energy and a first voltage converter configured to convert a second voltage from a remote power supply into a first charging voltage configured to charge the first energy storage device. The apparatus also includes a first controller configured to control the first voltage converter to convert the second voltage into the first charging voltage and to provide the first charging voltage to the first energy storage device during a charging mode of operation and communicate with a second controller located remotely from the power electronic energy conversion system to cause a second charging voltage to be provided to the first energy storage device during the charging mode of operation to rapidly charge the first energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 11351874
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a multi-channel DC bus assembly comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the first channel, and a second electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the second channel. A first DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the first channel and a second DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel. The apparatus further includes a bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the first electromechanical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Zhihao Li
  • Publication number: 20220163990
    Abstract: A system is provided having one or more charging stations that are electrically coupled with a power distribution grid and that may selectively couple with one or more energy storage devices; and a controller that may control transfer of electric power between the one or more charging stations, the one or more energy storage devices, and the power distribution grid. The controller may determine the amount of electric power transferred based at least in part on one or both of an assessment value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Santosh Sambamoorthy Veda, Robert Dean King, Irene Michelle Berry, Zhi Zhou, Matthew Christian Nielsen, Lembit Salasoo
  • Publication number: 20220153149
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2022
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: General Electric
    Inventors: Ruediger Soeren Kusch, Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 11318852
    Abstract: An electric vehicle includes a controller configured to receive sensor feedback from a high voltage storage device and from a low voltage storage device, compare the sensor feedback to operating limits of the respective high and low voltage storage device, determine, based on the comparison a total charging current to the high voltage storage device and to the low voltage storage device and a power split factor of the total charging current to the high voltage device and to the low voltage device, and regulate the total power to the low voltage storage device and the high voltage storage device based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ruediger Soeren Kusch, Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20220121260
    Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the distribution of electrical power are disclosed. The system can maintain a status of each account of a plurality of accounts. Each account can correspond to an electrical power generation device, an electrical power consumption device, and an electrical power transmission device. The system can generate a first record object in response to the generation of a unit of power. The system can identify a first path identifying a source device and a destination device to transmit the unit of power. The system can generate a control signal to route the unit of power from the source device to the destination device. The system can update an event tracker to indicate the routing of the unit of power. The system can generate a second record object corresponding to the destination device. The system can update a second account to include the second record object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: DMK Nano LLC
    Inventors: David Michael King, Robert Dean King
  • Patent number: 11231733
    Abstract: A system includes a control unit having one or more processors and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to communicate with one or more charging stations that are electrically coupled to receive electrical power from a power distribution grid and that are configured to selectively charge one or more energy storage devices connected to the charging stations. The one or more processors are configured to generate first control signals for communication by the communication interface to the one or more charging stations to control transfer of reactive and/or active power from the charging stations to the power distribution grid. The control signals are generated based at least in part on a load cycle profile of one or more electric machines electrically coupled to the power distribution grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: WESTINGHOUSE AIR BRAKE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Santosh Sambamoorthy Veda, Robert Dean King, Irene Michelle Berry, Zhi Zhou, Matthew Christian Nielsen, Lembit Salasoo
  • Patent number: 11167654
    Abstract: A traction inverter circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to output a DC voltage, a first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter coupled to the first energy storage device, and a first electromechanical device. The first electromechanical device includes a first plurality of conductors coupled to the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter, a second plurality of conductors coupled together, and a plurality of windings coupled between the first plurality of conductors and the second plurality of conductors. The traction converter circuit also includes a charge bus comprising a first conductor coupled to the second plurality of conductors of the first electromechanical device, the charge bus configured to transmit a charging current to or receive a charging current from the first electromechanical device to charge the first energy storage device via the first electromechanical device and the first bi-directional DC-to-AC voltage inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20210313599
    Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Timothy Gerard Richter
  • Patent number: 11075394
    Abstract: A drive circuit comprising a DC bus configured to supply power to a load, a first fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a first power output to the DC bus, and a second fuel cell coupled to the DC bus and configured to provide a second power output to the DC bus supplemental to the first fuel cell. The drive circuit further includes an energy storage device coupled to the DC bus and configured to receive energy from the DC bus when a combined output of the first and second fuel cells is greater than a power demand from a load, and provide energy to the DC bus when the combined output of the first and second fuel cells is less than the power demand from the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Timothy Gerard Richter
  • Publication number: 20210221240
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Publication number: 20210178909
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a multi-channel DC bus assembly comprising a first channel and a second channel, a first electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the first channel, and a second electromechanical device coupled to a positive DC link of the second channel. A first DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the first channel and a second DC-to-AC voltage inverter is coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel. The apparatus further includes a bi-directional voltage modification assembly coupled to the positive DC link of the second channel and a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the first electromechanical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Zhihao Li
  • Patent number: 10994623
    Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a motor drive circuit includes a first energy storage device configured to supply electrical energy, a bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter coupled to the first energy storage device, a voltage inverter coupled to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and an input device configured to receive electrical energy from an external energy source. The motor drive circuit further includes a coupling system coupled to the input device, to the first energy storage device, and to the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter. The coupling system has a first configuration configured to transfer electrical energy to the first energy storage device via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter, and has a second configuration configured to transfer electrical energy from the first energy storage device to the voltage inverter via the bi-directional DC-to-DC voltage converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Dean King, Robert Louis Steigerwald
  • Patent number: 10958069
    Abstract: A multi-energy storage device system includes an electric drive coupled to a load, a DC link coupled to the electric drive, and a bi-directional voltage converter having an output channel coupled to the DC link and an input channel. A first energy storage device (ESD) is coupled to the input channel, and a switch is coupled to the DC link and to a second ESD. A system controller causes the switch to couple the second ESD to the DC link for delivering energy stored in the second ESD to the electric drive. The system controller also causes the voltage converter to convert a voltage of the first ESD to a higher voltage and to deliver the higher voltage to the DC link, wherein the higher voltage is greater than the voltage of the second ESD and causes the switch to decouple the second ESD from the DC link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul Robert Gemin, Robert Dean King, Irene Michelle Berry, Lembit Salasoo