Patents by Inventor Tod Snider

Tod Snider 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).

  • Temperature-controlled solar power inverters
    Patent number: 8676398
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled solar power inverter is described herein. The solar power inverter includes multiple components (for example, a power transistor, a control board, or a heat sink). The temperature of a component may rise due to heat generated by the component or heat absorbed from other components. The solar power inverter also includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at a location proximate to the component and a cooling device configured to cool the component. The solar power inverter also includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling device. The controller is programmed to receive the temperature from the temperature sensor and control the cooling device based upon the temperature and a temperature setpoint of the component. The temperature setpoint is based upon 1) a component initial temperature, 2) a temperature excursion limit of the component, and 3) an absolute temperature limit of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Inventors: John M. Fife, Steven G. Hummel, Tod Snider
  • SOLAR POWER INVERTERS, INCLUDING TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED SOLAR POWER INVERTERS, AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20100134959
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled solar power inverter is described herein. The solar power inverter includes multiple components (for example, a power transistor, a control board, or a heat sink). The temperature of a component may rise due to heat generated by the component or heat absorbed from other components. The solar power inverter also includes a temperature sensor configured to measure a temperature at a location proximate to the component and a cooling device configured to cool the component. The solar power inverter also includes a controller coupled to the temperature sensor and the cooling device. The controller is programmed to receive the temperature from the temperature sensor and control the cooling device based upon the temperature and a temperature setpoint of the component. The temperature setpoint is based upon 1) a component initial temperature, 2) a temperature excursion limit of the component, and 3) an absolute temperature limit of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: John M. Fife, Steven G. Hummel, Tod Snider