Patents Assigned to Virginia Tech
  • Three-phase, three-level inverters and methods for performing soft switching with phase synchronization
    Patent number: 10886860
    Abstract: A three-phase, N-level inverter and method are disclosed. A circuit topology of the inverter comprises first, second and third sets of switches and first, second and third inductors. Each switch comprises at least first, second and third terminals, the first terminals being control terminals. The first terminals of the first, second and third inductors are electrically coupled to the first, second and third sets of switches, respectively. A current controller performs a control algorithm that causes it to output first, second and third sets of gating signals to the control terminals of the switches of the first, second and third sets of switches, respectively, to cause them to be placed in an on state or an off state in a particular sequence to perform zero voltage switching while maintaining synchronization of the three phases of the three-phase, N-level inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Nidhi Haryani, Sungjae Ohn, Rolando Burgos, Dushan Boroyevich
  • Back exoskeleton to assist lifting
    Patent number: 10870198
    Abstract: An exoskeleton to assist a user in moving as object comprising an upper body harness, a mid-body harness, and a lower body harness. First and second sets of elongated energy return members are located between the harnesses and are used to assist a user in moving an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Asbeck, Sarah E. Chang, Jack Geissinger, Taylor Pesek
  • Bidirectional three-phase direct current (DC)/DC converters
    Patent number: 10873265
    Abstract: A bidirectional three-phase direct current (DC)/DC converter and method are disclosed. The converter comprises a primary side comprising a DC bus having a positive side and a negative side, a first set of rectifiers connected between the positive side and the negative side of the DC bus, a first set of M resonant tanks connected to a respective rectifier of the first set of rectifiers and a first set of M transformers. Each transformer is connected to a respective resonant tank. Each resonant tank comprises a resonant capacitor and a resonant inductor. The secondary side of the converter is fully symmetrical to the primary side of the converter to ensure that the conversion gain in the forward and reverse directions is the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Hao Xue, Bin Li, Qiang Li, Fred C. Lee
  • Integrated Parallel Matrix Transformer And Inductor
    Publication number: 20200395164
    Abstract: Various examples of an integrated parallel matrix transformer and inductor are disclosed herein. In one aspect, the transformer includes a first magnetic core having a first set of pillars of a first transformer and a second set of pillars of a second transformer and a second magnetic core having a first and second inductor pillar. The first and second magnetic cores can be separate or integrated into one core. The transformer also includes a planar winding structure. The planar winding structure may include a primary winding and a plurality of secondary windings. The primary winding can be configured to equally divide a primary current. The primary winding can extend a number of turns to conduct half of the primary current around the first inductor pillar and the first set of pillars and to conduct half of the primary current around the second inductor pillar and the second set of pillars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Mohamed Hassan Abouelella Ahmed, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li
  • Generalized flow profile production
    Patent number: 10865818
    Abstract: Various examples are provided related to improvements in generalized flow profile production. In one example, a method includes determining a downstream flow profile including a pressure profile and a velocity profile; fabricating a pressure profile generator including distortion screen(s) disposed on a backing structure; fabricating a velocity profile generator including turning vanes in a flow path through the velocity profile generator that are configured to generate the velocity profile; attaching the pressure profile generator to an input side of the velocity profile generator; and installing the flow conditioning device in the flow field of interest. Flow through the flow conditioning device produces the downstream flow profile in the flow field of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin J. Frohnapfel, Walter F. O'Brien, Jr., K. Todd Lowe
  • Functionalized metal oxides as a stationary phase and a surface template for micro gas chromatography separation columns
    Patent number: 10852278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a detector and method for detecting substances in complex mixtures. The detector includes a microfabricated preconcentrator, a separation column with an on-chip thermal conductivity detector, a controller for controlling flow and thermal management and a user interface. The thermal conductivity detector includes a first resistor located at an inlet of the separation column and a second resistor located at an outlet of the separation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Masoud Agah, Muhammad Akbar, Apoorva Garg, Leyla Nazhandali, Hamza Shakeel
  • Polysaccharide derivatives and cross-metathesis processes for preparing them
    Patent number: 10851179
    Abstract: Methods for the cross-metathesis of polysaccharides with one or more olefin-terminated side chains and cross-metathesized products are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for the synthesis of cellulose ?-carboxyesters via olefin cross-metathesis with acrylates is described. Conditions of the reactions were relatively mild and the olefin-substituted polysaccharides and the appropriate acrylate partners appear to follow Grubbs rules as summarized herein. Additionally, a method of hydrogenation of the cross-metathesized product is described. The compounds and methods may be useful for waterborne coating applications, adhesives, lubricants, or any product in need of dispersion in an aqueous media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Edgar, Xiangtao Meng, Yifan Dong
  • Automated program synthesis from natural language for domain specific computing applications
    Patent number: 10843080
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for automated program synthesis from a natural language for domain specific computing applications. In one embodiment, a natural language processor may be configured to parse words from a sentence of text formed in a natural language, such as English, following a grammatical structure for the natural language. The words may be compared to a dictionary to identify a token. The text formed in the natural language may be converted to an intermediate format of programming code in a programming language, such as C, where the intermediate format includes the token. The token may invoke a function or a routine of a library written in the programming language. The intermediate format may be compiled into executable program code to generate an application, such as a video game, for execution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Michael S. Hsiao
  • SULFONATED POLY(ARYLENE ETHER) MEMBRANES WITH HIGH MONOVALENT SALT REJECTION EVEN IN THE PRESENCE OF MIXED SALT FEEDS THAT CONTAIN MULTIVALENT SALTS
    Publication number: 20200362107
    Abstract: Described herein are water desalination membranes and methods of desalinating water. Sulfonated poly(arylene ether) polymers are also disclosed, including those comprising one or more sulfonate groups at various points along the polymer chain. The polymers may be used as at least a portion of a water desalination membrane. The polymers described herein are useful for preventing transport of aqueous ionic species (e.g., Na+ and Cl?) across a membrane made from the polymers while allowing water to pass. Chlorine-stable polymers are described, as well as polymers exhibiting good performance for rejecting monovalent cations in the presence of polyvalent cations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Applicants: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Judy S. Riffle, Ozma R. Lane, Amin Daryaei, Shreya Roy-Choudhury, Benny D. Freeman, Eui Soung Jang, Gurtej S. Narang, John J. Lesko, Trevor Schumacher
  • Nanocomposite graphene polymer membrane assembly, and manufacturing method thereof
    Patent number: 10841709
    Abstract: A membrane hetero-structure includes a polymer layer and a single-layer or multi-layer graphene sheet disposed on the polymer layer. The membrane hetero-structure is tensioned across a frame having an opening such that both the polymer layer and the graphene sheet extend across the opening. An optional rigid member is provided in a center of the membrane to be spaced apart from edges of the opening. The assembly of the frame and membrane hetero-structure forms an electrostatically driven micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) or sound generation and recording apparatus. In one instance, when a voltage signal is applied between an electrode layer parallel to the membrane and contacts on the frame that are electrically connected to the graphene sheet, the membrane hetero-structure is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignees: WAVES AUDIO LTD., VIRGINIA TECH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC., BAR-ILAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gabriel Zeltzer, Gavriel Speyer, Meir Shaashua, Vlada Artel, Adi Levi, Doron Naveh, Assad U. Khan, Yi Chen Guo, Guoliang Liu
  • EXPANDABLE FOAMING MOLDS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF
    Publication number: 20200346377
    Abstract: Described herein are expandable foaming molds. The foaming molds described herein permit mold boundaries to expand along with the expanding polymer and thereby conform to the foaming dynamics of the polymer material. By modifying the temperature and pressure applied to the mold devices described herein, the properties of the resulting foamed polymer can be fine-tuned for specific applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventor: Erdogan KIRAN
  • COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PREPARING AND USING MITOCHONDRIAL UNCOUPLERS
    Publication number: 20200323846
    Abstract: This disclosure provides compounds of Formula I, II, and III and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for use as mitochondrial uncouplers, where the variables, e.g. R1-R9, X1, X2, and Y1 are defined in the specification. The disclosure also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of Formula I, II, or III, alone or in combination with another active compound. Compounds and compositions of Formula I, II, and III are useful for treating or preventing certain conditions such as obesity, type II diabetes, fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, Parkinson's disease, ischemia reperfusion injury, heart failure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NALFD), and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Compounds of Formula I, II, and III are also useful for regulating glucose homeostatis and insulin action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicants: University of Virgina Patent Foundation, Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., NewSouth Innovations Pty Limited
    Inventors: Kyle HOEHN, Webster L. SANTOS, Elizabeth S. CHILDRESS, Yumin DAI, Jacob MURRAY, Jose SANTIAGO-RIVERA
  • Interleaved converters with integrated magnetics
    Patent number: 10790081
    Abstract: Three-phase interleaved LLC and CLLC resonant converters, with integrated magnetics, are described. In various examples, the primary sides of the phases in the converters rely upon a half-bridge configuration and include resonant networks coupled to each other in delta-connected or common Y-node configurations. The secondary sides of the phases can rely upon a full-bridge configurations and are coupled in parallel. In one example, the transformers of the phases in the converters are integrated into one magnetic core. By changing the interleaving structure between the primary and secondary windings in the transformers, resonant inductors of the phases can also be integrated into the same magnetic core. A multi-layer PCB can be used as the windings for the integrated magnetics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Chao Fei, Bin Li, Fred C. Lee, Qiang Li, Hongfei Wu
  • DC-DC power converter
    Patent number: 10778110
    Abstract: A power converter is basically provided with at least three switching circuits, at least one power source, at least one load, and a resonant circuit. Input terminals of the switching circuits are connected to either the at least one power source or the at least one load, and output terminals of the switching circuits are electrically serially connected to the resonant circuit to form a closed circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Shigeharu Yamagami, Khai Doan The Ngo
  • Non-linear droop control
    Patent number: 10770988
    Abstract: Aspects of non-linear droop control are described herein. In one embodiment, a system includes a first power converter or source configured to provide power to a bus, a second power converter or source configured to provide power to the bus, and a load electrically coupled to the bus. The system also includes a controller configured to adjust a droop resistance associated with the first power source according to a continuous non-linear function based on an amount of current supplied to the load by the first power source. The system can also include a second controller configured to adjust a droop resistance associated with the second power source according to the continuous non-linear function (or another continuous non-linear function). The use of the continuous non-linear functions achieves tighter voltage regulation particularly at lower loads and better load sharing at higher loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Fang Chen, Rolando Burgos, Dushan Boroyevich
  • Bibenzoate copolyesters and methods to produce them
    Patent number: 10767005
    Abstract: Bibenzoate copolyesters are based on (4,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid-co-3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid) as the diacid component, and on an alicyclic diol compound such as 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol as a portion of the diol component. Copolyesters are based on 4,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid, and/or 3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid as the diacid component and may include a multifunctional acid. Copolymers may optionally base an essentially amorphous morphology, high glass transition temperature, high elongation at break, and/or high melting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc
    Inventors: Ryan J. Mondschein, Haoyu Liu, Ting Chen, Timothy E. Long, S. Richard Turner
  • Liquid crystalline polyester compositions and methods
    Patent number: 10759900
    Abstract: Liquid crystalline hydroquinone-3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylate polyesters, and methods of making them. The polyesters may be melt processed at a temperature below the thermal decomposition temperature and the isotropic temperature, and may form a liquid crystalline glass phase. The polyesters may be formed by polycondensation of hydroquinone or a hydroquinone derivative with 3,4?-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignees: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc., Virginia Tech Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Katherine V. Heifferon, Timothy E. Long, S. Richard Turner, Yong Yang, Syamal Tallury, Ting Chen, Javier Guzman
  • Energy-efficient extraction of acid gas from flue gases
    Patent number: 10751664
    Abstract: An energy-efficient method of removing carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and other acid gases from a stream of flue gases. The flue stream is contacted with a predetermined sorbent system to remove acid gases from the flue stream. The acid gas-rich sorbent is then heated to desorb the acid gas for capture and regenerate the sorbent. Heat exchangers and heat pumps are used to reduce utility steam and/or cooling water consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart J. Higgins, Yih-An Liu, Yueying Yu
  • Passive Anti-frosting Surface Comprised of Microscopic Wettability Patterns Containing Sacrificial Ice
    Publication number: 20200262568
    Abstract: A method and device for reducing ice and frost on a surface comprising a wettable pattern on a surface. The pattern is wetted with water which is frozen into ice to create overlapping hygroscopic that cover the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicants: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc., UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan B. Boreyko, Saurabh Nath, Caitlin Bisbano, Grady J. Iliff, Ryan Hansen, C. Patrick Collier
  • Cross-metathesized polysaccharide derivatives and processes for preparing them
    Patent number: 10738134
    Abstract: Methods for the cross-metathesis of polysaccharides with one or more olefin-terminated side chains and cross-metathesized products are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a method for the synthesis of cellulose ?-carboxyesters via olefin cross-metathesis is described. Conditions of the reactions were relatively mild and the olefin-substituted polysaccharides and the appropriate monomeric olefin partners appear to follow Grubbs rules as summarized herein. The compounds and methods may be useful for structure-property studies, particularly those aimed at developing polymers for drug delivery, such as for controlled-release drug delivery systems, controlled-release coatings, increasing bioavailability of drugs, and maintaining drug supersaturation in the GI tract.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Edgar, Xiangtao Meng, John Matson