Patents by Inventor Xi Lu
Xi Lu 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).
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Patent number: 9895983Abstract: A propulsion system includes a traction drive system, a boost converter, an energy-type energy source, a power-type energy source, and an energy management system. The boost converter includes a high voltage side and a low voltage side. The boost converter is coupled to the traction drive system on the high voltage side. The energy-type energy source is coupled to the boost converter on the low voltage side thereof. The power-type energy source is coupled to the boost converter on the low voltage side thereof. The energy management system is coupled to the boost converter and configured to control the energy-type energy source and the power-type energy source through the boost converter in at least two conditions during a motoring mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Tong Zhao, Xi Lu, Ronghui Zhou, Fei Li
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Patent number: 9838002Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an IGBT and a gate driver. The IGBT is configured to energize an electric machine. The gate driver is configured to apply an off voltage less than a threshold voltage onto a gate of the IGBT while the IGBT is operating in a saturation mode, and in response to expiration of a delay from a transition from saturation to linear mode, apply a voltage pulse above the off voltage to reduce flyback from the electric machine. The gate driver may be configured to, in response to expiration of a delay from a transition from saturation to linear mode, apply a voltage pulse above the off voltage and below the threshold to reduce flyback from the electric machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2016Date of Patent: December 5, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Zhuxian Xu, Chingchi Chen, Xi Lu, Ke Zou
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Publication number: 20170338041Abstract: A capacitor comprising first and second end sprays respectively located at distal ends of a capacitor cell, a positive polarity bus bar extending from a first wound conductive layer of the capacitor cell adjacent to the first end spray, a negative polarity bus bar extending from a second wound conductive layer of the capacitor cell adjacent to the second end spray, and a capacitor film wrapped around an area between the first and second conductive layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Guangyin LEI, Xi LU, Zhuxian XU, Chingchi CHEN
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Publication number: 20170327001Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an electric machine, an inverter including an IGBT having a gate configured to flow current through a phase of the electric machine, and a gate driver. The gate driver is configured to supply power onto the gate via a voltage regulated source, and in response to a collector current of the IGBT exceeding a previous steady state current through the phase, transition to a current regulated source to drive the gate. The gate driver may be configured to delay the transition by a predetermined time that is based on a difference between the previous steady state current and a reverse recovery peak current.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Xi Lu, Chingchi Chen, Zhuxian Xu, Ke Zou
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Publication number: 20170302263Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an IGBT and a gate driver. The IGBT is configured to energize an electric machine. The gate driver is configured to apply an off voltage less than a threshold voltage onto a gate of the IGBT while the IGBT is operating in a saturation mode, and in response to expiration of a delay from a transition from saturation to linear mode, apply a voltage pulse above the off voltage to reduce flyback from the electric machine. The gate driver may be configured to, in response to expiration of a delay from a transition from saturation to linear mode, apply a voltage pulse above the off voltage and below the threshold to reduce flyback from the electric machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2016Publication date: October 19, 2017Inventors: Zhuxian Xu, Chingchi Chen, Xi Lu, Ke Zou
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Patent number: 9780702Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one energy source and a drive system coupled to the at least one energy source. The drive system converts electrical power received from the at least one energy source and provides converted electrical power for driving at least one load. The drive system includes a first converter, a second converter, and a first switch module coupled to outputs of the first and second converters. When the apparatus is operating under a first mode, the first switch module is switched to assume a first state to allow a first output electrical power provided from the first converter and a second output electrical power provided from the second converter to be combined for driving a first load with the combined output electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Fei Li, Xi Lu, Jian Zhou, Pengju Kang, Ronghui Zhou, Xiangming Shen, Fengcheng Sun, Hai Qiu
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Publication number: 20170276730Abstract: A switching amplifier includes a power device and a processing device. The power device is configured for powering a load and is comprised of a plurality of switches. The processing device configured to calculate a switch junction temperature for a bonding wire in each switch based at least in part on a power loss of each switch; generate a first accumulated fatigue damage of the bonding wire in each switch based on the switch junction temperature; and generate an estimated remaining lifetime of the switching amplifier based on the first accumulated fatigue damages of the bonding wires in each switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2017Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Juan Antonio Sabate, Louis Frigo, Pengcheng Zhu, Melissa Freeman, Margaret Wiza, Syedsaad Ali, Fei Xu, Xi Lu, Tao Wu, Ruxi Wang
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Publication number: 20170274776Abstract: A vehicle powertrain includes an IGBT that conducts current between a supply and load. The vehicle powertrain also includes a controller that applies voltage to a gate of the IGBT at a first level for a first duration that depends on a capacitance of the gate, and increases the voltage over a second duration based on a rate of change of the current falling below a threshold defined by a supply voltage for the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2016Publication date: September 28, 2017Inventors: Zhuxian Xu, Chingchi Chen, Xi Lu, Ke Zou
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Publication number: 20170264284Abstract: A vehicle includes an electric machine, an IGBT, and a gate driver. The IGBT has a gate, an emitter, and a collector and is configured to flow an electric charge through a phase of the electric machine. The gate driver is configured to flow current onto the gate at a first level, and in response to a time integral of a voltage across the phase exceeding a predetermined level, transition from the first level to a second level less than the first level.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Inventors: Zhuxian Xu, Chingchi Chen, Ke Zou, Xi Lu, Michael W. Degner, Jun Kikuchi
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Patent number: 9517696Abstract: A system includes a contactor system, a vehicle control unit, and a fault diagnostic system. The contactor system includes one or more contactors. The vehicle control unit is coupled to the contactor system via a first connection and a second connection. The vehicle control unit is configured to provide a controlling signal to the contactor system through at least one of the first connection and the second connection to control the one or more contactors. The fault diagnostic system is configured to identify faults occurring in the first connection and the second connection. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ronghui Zhou, Jian Zhou, Fei Li, Xi Lu, Fengcheng Sun, Xiangming Shen, Hai Qiu, Pengju Kang
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Patent number: 9425700Abstract: A resonant power supply is disclosed. The resonant power supply includes a series resonant configured to convert an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage. The resonant power supply further comprises a converter controller coupled to the series resonant converter and configured to receive a DC voltage feedback signal measured at the output of the series resonant converter, or a resonant current feedback signal representing a resonant current flowing through the series resonant converter. The converter controller is further configured to generate control signals to be applied to the series resonant converter to limit the output DC voltage of the series resonant converter according to the DC voltage feedback signal and a predetermined voltage threshold signal, or to limit the resonant current of the series resonant converter according to the resonant current feedback signal and a predetermined current threshold signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Xi Lu, Tao Ma, Yimeng Shi, Pengcheng Zhu, Garron Koch Morris, Juan Antonio Sabate, Jeffrey Neal Slotnick, Wesley Michael Skeffington, Margaret Ann Wiza
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Patent number: 9322890Abstract: A gradient amplifier for driving a gradient coil is disclosed. The gradient amplifier includes a direct current (DC) bus for receiving DC voltage generated from a series resonant converter, an inverter coupled to the DC bus configured to receive the DC voltage at the DC bus and convert the DC voltage to generate an output voltage to be applied to the gradient coil, and an inverter controller coupled to the inverter. The inverter controller is configured to generate control signals to control operation of the inverter based at least on a DC voltage feedback signal measured at the DC bus, an output voltage feedback signal measured at the output of the inverter, and a reference output voltage signal indicative of a desired voltage to be achieved at the output of the inverter.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Fei Xu, Tao Ma, Xi Lu, Xinhui Wu, Yimeng Shi, Pengcheng Zhu, Garron Koch Morris, Juan Antonio Sabate, Jeffrey Neal Slotnick
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Patent number: 9287795Abstract: A resonant power supply is provided. The resonant power supply comprises a series resonant converter configured to convert an input DC voltage to an output DC voltage to generate an output DC voltage. The series resonant converter includes a switching stage, a resonant inductor, a resonant capacitor, and an isolation transformer. The resonant power supply further comprises a converter controller configured to obtain an actual trajectory radius signal based on a resonant inductor current, a resonant capacitor voltage, and a voltage in association with the isolation transformer. The converter controller is further configured to generate a trajectory radius command signal based on a DC voltage command signal and a DC voltage feedback signal, and to generate control signals to be applied to the switching stage based on the actual trajectory radius signal and the trajectory radius command signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Tao Ma, Xi Lu, Yimeng Shi, Pengcheng Zhu, Garron Koch Morris, Juan Antonio Sabate, Jeffrey Neal Slotnick, Wesley Michael Skeffington, Margaret Ann Wiza
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Publication number: 20150120130Abstract: A system includes a contactor system, a vehicle control unit, and a fault diagnostic system. The contactor system includes one or more contactors. The vehicle control unit is coupled to the contactor system via a first connection and a second connection. The vehicle control unit is configured to provide a controlling signal to the contactor system through at least one of the first connection and the second connection to control the one or more contactors. The fault diagnostic system is configured to identify faults occurring in the first connection and the second connection. A method is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Ronghui ZHOU, Jian ZHOU, Fei LI, Xi LU, Fengcheng SUN, Xiangming SHEN, Hai QIU, Pengju KANG
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Publication number: 20150102667Abstract: A propulsion system includes a traction drive system, a boost converter, an energy-type energy source, a power-type energy source, and an energy management system. The boost converter includes a high voltage side and a low voltage side. The boost converter is coupled to the traction drive system on the high voltage side. The energy-type energy source is coupled to the boost converter on the low voltage side thereof. The power-type energy source is coupled to the boost converter on the low voltage side thereof. The energy management system is coupled to the boost converter and configured to control the energy-type energy source and the power-type energy source through the boost converter in at least two conditions during a motoring mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Tong Zhao, Xi Lu, Ronghui Zhou, Fei Li
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Publication number: 20150081152Abstract: The present invention discloses an apparatus comprising an energy source, a first motor, a second motor and a control system. The first motor is configured to drive a first load and the second motor is configured to drive a second load. The control system is coupled to the energy source, the first and the second motors. The control system dumps the baking power generated by the first load at least partially on the first motor according to a first baking command. The control system dumps the baking power generated by the second load at least partially on the second motor, according to a second baking command. The present invention also discloses other varieties of apparatuses, vehicles, such as electric tractors, electric forklifts and relative methods, etc.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Xi LU, Fei LI, Jian ZHOU, Hai QIU, Ronghui ZHOU, Xiangming SHEN, Fengcheng SUN
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Publication number: 20140265942Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one energy source and a drive system coupled to the at least one energy source. The drive system converts electrical power received from the at least one energy source and provides converted electrical power for driving at least one load. The drive system includes a first converter, a second converter, and a first switch module coupled to outputs of the first and second converters. When the apparatus is operating under a first mode, the first switch module is switched to assume a first state to allow a first output electrical power provided from the first converter and a second output electrical power provided from the second converter to be combined for driving a first load with the combined output electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Fei Li, Xi Lu, Jian ZHOU, Pengju KANG, Ronghui ZHOU, Xiangming SHEN, Fengcheng SUN, Hai QIU
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Publication number: 20140277884Abstract: A drive system includes a control unit and a traction device. The control unit is configured to receive a load variation signal indicating a vehicle load is to be or being changed and generate a traction torque in response to the load variation signal. The traction device is coupled to the control unit and configured to drive a vehicle according to the traction torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ronghui Zhou, Jian Zhou, Fengcheng Sun, Pengju Kang, Hai Qiu, Fei Li, Xiangming Shen, Xi Lu
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Publication number: 20140084679Abstract: An apparatus comprising an onboard energy storage device, an onboard power conversion device configured to be electrically coupled to an external power source for receiving electrical power therefrom, and at least one drive system electrically coupled to the onboard energy storage device and the onboard power conversion device, wherein the onboard energy storage device and the onboard power conversion device cooperatively provide electrical power for the at least one drive system. A vehicle and a method for managing power supply are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fei Li, Xi Lu, Jian Zhou, Pengju Kang, Ronghui Zhou, Xiangming Shen, Fengcheng Sun, Hai Qiu
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Publication number: 20080170599Abstract: A calibration method for infrared temperature measuring instruments is disclosed. The calibration method of the present invention comprises the following five steps: (1) Calibrating the heat-flux resistor of an infrared temperature measuring instrument so as to obtain its calibrated resistance value (2) Using a digital multimeter to measure the parameters of the components and relevant circuits of the infrared temperature measuring instrument (3) Placing the infrared temperature measuring instrument in a blackbody radiation furnace so as to measure a single-point parameter of the blackbody radiation amplifier because the blackbody radiation furnace can provide a standard blackbody radiation source (4) Using the linear equation to obtain two additional parameters at two other temperatures so as to obtain a linear curve of the blackbody radiation amplifier (5) Storing the calibrated parameters in the memory of the infrared temperature measuring instrument.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Applicant: SHANG MEI PRECISION INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventors: Wei-Ju Lien, Ting-Feng Wu, Wei-Xi Lu