Patents by Inventor Steven J. Ahladas

Steven J. Ahladas 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: 11264829
    Abstract: A system comprises sets of batteries, each set having a power capacity less than a standup power capacity. The system is configured to couple the sets of batteries to power supplies to configure each of the power supplies with battery power less than the standup capacity. Responsive to a disruption of a first power supply, the system couples a first set of batteries, coupled to the first power supply, to a second power supply to couple to the second power supply battery power to not less than the standup power capacity. A method comprises coupling sets of batteries to power supplies to configure each of the power supplies to have less than a standup capacity. The method includes coupling sets batteries of one power supply to a second power supply to provide the second power supply with a battery capacity not less than the standup capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Singer, Robert K. Mullady, Steven J. Ahladas
  • Patent number: 11145931
    Abstract: A battery comprises a plurality of battery modules. A method determines a load-state of the battery and selects a set of the battery modules to configure, to produce a load-state capacity of the battery based on the load-state. A load-state capacity of the battery can be a sub-capacity of the battery less than a rated capacity of the battery and the method can configure the set of battery modules to produce the sub-capacity based on the load-state comprising the battery disconnected from a load. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules and a controller configured to perform the method. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules, and an actuator and a module retainer that can position a battery module in or out of contact with a module interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Singer, Steven J. Ahladas, Marc H. Coq, Richard J. Fishbune, Mark Maresh, Eric B. Swenson
  • Publication number: 20210273479
    Abstract: A power system comprises a battery connected to a first power supply. The power system determines that the power supply has transitioned to a first state and, in response, disconnects the battery from the first power supply and connects the battery to a second power supply. The power system determines that the first power supply has transitioned to a second state and, in response, the power system disconnects the battery from the second power supply and reconnects the battery to the first power supply. The power system can include a second battery and can connect and disconnect the second battery and the power supplies in response to a change in state of the power supplies. A method can dynamically connect and disconnect batteries and power supplies of a power system based on states of the power supplies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Noah Singer, Robert K. Mullady, Steven J. Ahladas
  • Patent number: 10903534
    Abstract: Managing of battery pack cell capacity is provided. The managing includes monitoring temperature of one or more cells within the battery pack, and based on temperature of a cell of the one or more cells being at or below a low temperature threshold, initiating discharging of cells with the battery pack at a specified discharge power level to heat the cells within the battery pack. The managing also includes, based on temperature of a cell of the one or more cells rising to or above an upper temperature threshold after initiating discharging of the cells within the battery pack, discontinuing the discharging of cells within the battery pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah Singer, Steven J. Ahladas, Xiaojin Wei, Robert K. Mullady, Michael T. Peets
  • Patent number: 10891703
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for preventing unauthorized use of protected equipment in violation of export regulations are provided. Aspects include periodically obtaining a location of the protected equipment and storing the location in a location log in a non-volatile memory. Upon receiving a request to operate the protected equipment, aspects also include obtaining the location log from the non-volatile memory and parsing data from the location log to determine whether the protected equipment entered a restricted geographic area. Based on a determination that the protected equipment did not enter a restricted geographic area, aspects include granting the request to operate the protected equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel J. Kearney, Thomas C. Long, Budy Notohardjono, Steven J. Ahladas, David Kumhyr
  • Publication number: 20200411811
    Abstract: A battery comprises a plurality of battery modules. A method determines a load-state of the battery and selects a set of the battery modules to configure, to produce a load-state capacity of the battery based on the load-state. A load-state capacity of the battery can be a sub-capacity of the battery less than a rated capacity of the battery and the method can configure the set of battery modules to produce the sub-capacity based on the load-state comprising the battery disconnected from a load. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules and a controller configured to perform the method. A battery system can comprise a battery having a plurality of battery modules, and an actuator and a module retainer that can position a battery module in or out of contact with a module interconnect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Noah Singer, Steven J. Ahladas, Marc H. Coq, Richard J. Fishbune, Mark Maresh, Eric B. Swenson
  • Patent number: 10707759
    Abstract: Systems and methods for boosting battery voltage with boost converters are provided. Aspects include coupling a discharge path of a battery to an input side of a power converter in a power supply, wherein the power supply comprises a rectifier and the power converter. A charge path of the battery is coupled to an output side of the power converter and a processor monitors an output voltage of the power converter. The processor also monitors an input voltage of the power converter and responsive to the output voltage of the power converter dropping below a threshold voltage, the processor enables the discharge path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noah B. Singer, Steven J. Ahladas, Brian C. Tucker
  • Patent number: 10615710
    Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Kevin R. Covi, Luke L. Jenkins, Robert B. Schlak
  • Patent number: 10600543
    Abstract: An electromechanical assembly is provided controlled by voltage across a motor or with an electronic system. The electromechanical assembly includes a control circuit coupled to sense voltage at the motor or within the electronic system, and an electromechanical actuator energized by the voltage sensed by the control circuit. A movable element is movable by the electromechanical actuator from an operational position to a quiesced position when the voltage sensed by the control circuit falls below a quiesced threshold. In certain embodiments, the voltage being sensed is across a motor of an air-moving assembly, which resides within a support structure, or the voltage being sensed is within the electronic system, which resides within the support structure, and the movable element is an interlock element which interlocks to the support structure to prevent removal of one or more components from the structure when sensed voltage is above the quiesced threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Robert K. Mullady
  • Patent number: 10587204
    Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Kevin R. Covi, Luke L. Jenkins, Robert B. Schlak
  • Publication number: 20190378231
    Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for preventing unauthorized use of protected equipment in violation of export regulations are provided. Aspects include periodically obtaining a location of the protected equipment and storing the location in a location log in a non-volatile memory. Upon receiving a request to operate the protected equipment, aspects also include obtaining the location log from the non-volatile memory and parsing data from the location log to determine whether the protected equipment entered a restricted geographic area. Based on a determination that the protected equipment did not enter a restricted geographic area, aspects include granting the request to operate the protected equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: DANIEL J. KEARNEY, THOMAS C. LONG, BUDY NOTOHARDJONO, STEVEN J. AHLADAS, DAVID KUMHYR
  • Publication number: 20190372179
    Abstract: Managing of battery pack cell capacity is provided. The managing includes monitoring temperature of one or more cells within the battery pack, and based on temperature of a cell of the one or more cells being at or below a low temperature threshold, initiating discharging of cells with the battery pack at a specified discharge power level to heat the cells within the battery pack. The managing also includes, based on temperature of a cell of the one or more cells rising to or above an upper temperature threshold after initiating discharging of the cells within the battery pack, discontinuing the discharging of cells within the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Noah SINGER, Steven J. AHLADAS, Xiaojin WEI, Robert K. MULLADY, Michael T. PEETS
  • Publication number: 20190214909
    Abstract: Systems and methods for boosting battery voltage with boost converters are provided. Aspects include coupling a discharge path of a battery to an input side of a power converter in a power supply, wherein the power supply comprises a rectifier and the power converter. A charge path of the battery is coupled to an output side of the power converter and a processor monitors an output voltage of the power converter. The processor also monitors an input voltage of the power converter and responsive to the output voltage of the power converter dropping below a threshold voltage, the processor enables the discharge path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Noah B. Singer, Steven J. Ahladas, Brian C. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20190181772
    Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Steven J. AHLADAS, Kevin R. COVI, Luke L. JENKINS, Robert B. SCHLAK
  • Publication number: 20190181771
    Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Inventors: Steven J. AHLADAS, Kevin R. COVI, Luke L. JENKINS, Robert B. SCHLAK
  • Patent number: 10277142
    Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Kevin R. Covi, Luke L. Jenkins, Robert B. Schlak
  • Publication number: 20180342340
    Abstract: An electromechanical assembly is provided controlled by voltage across a motor or with an electronic system. The electromechanical assembly includes a control circuit coupled to sense voltage at the motor or within the electronic system, and an electromechanical actuator energized by the voltage sensed by the control circuit. A movable element is movable by the electromechanical actuator from an operational position to a quiesced position when the voltage sensed by the control circuit falls below a quiesced threshold. In certain embodiments, the voltage being sensed is across a motor of an air-moving assembly, which resides within a support structure, or the voltage being sensed is within the electronic system, which resides within the support structure, and the movable element is an interlock element which interlocks to the support structure to prevent removal of one or more components from the structure when sensed voltage is above the quiesced threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Steven J. AHLADAS, Robert K. MULLADY
  • Patent number: 10128032
    Abstract: An electromechanical assembly is provided controlled by voltage across a motor or with an electronic system. The electromechanical assembly includes a control circuit coupled to sense voltage at the motor or within the electronic system, and an electromechanical actuator energized by the voltage sensed by the control circuit. A movable element is movable by the electromechanical actuator from an operational position to a quiesced position when the voltage sensed by the control circuit falls below a quiesced threshold. In certain embodiments, the voltage being sensed is across a motor of an air-moving assembly, which resides within a support structure, or the voltage being sensed is within the electronic system, which resides within the support structure, and the movable element is an interlock element which interlocks to the support structure to prevent removal of one or more components from the structure when sensed voltage is above the quiesced threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Robert K. Mullady
  • Publication number: 20180138820
    Abstract: Electric power devices and control methods are provided which automatically select a line voltage or phase voltage of an AC voltage supply. The electric power device includes a switchable circuit, a sensor and a switch control. The switchable circuit connects to the AC voltage supply, and includes multiple switchable elements. The sensor ascertains a voltage level of the AC voltage supply, and the switch control automatically establishes a configuration of the switchable circuit through control of the multiple switchable elements. The switch control couples the electric power device in a line-line (delta) configuration to the AC voltage supply when the voltage level is in a first voltage range, and a line-neutral (wye) configuration when the voltage level is in a second voltage range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Steven J. AHLADAS, Kevin R. COVI, Luke L. JENKINS, Robert B. SCHLAK
  • Patent number: 9941041
    Abstract: An electromechanical assembly is provided controlled by voltage across a motor or with an electronic system. The electromechanical assembly includes a control circuit coupled to sense voltage at the motor or within the electronic system, and an electromechanical actuator energized by the voltage sensed by the control circuit. A movable element is movable by the electromechanical actuator from an operational position to a quiesced position when the voltage sensed by the control circuit falls below a quiesced threshold. In certain embodiments, the voltage being sensed is across a motor of an air-moving assembly, which resides within a support structure, or the voltage being sensed is within the electronic system, which resides within the support structure, and the movable element is an interlock element which interlocks to the support structure to prevent removal of one or more components from the structure when sensed voltage is above the quiesced threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven J. Ahladas, Robert K. Mullady