Patents by Inventor Aaron Gilchrist

Aaron Gilchrist 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: 9761370
    Abstract: An apparatus for dual side control includes a measurement module that measures a voltage and a current of an IPT system. The voltage includes an output voltage and/or an input voltage and the current includes an output current and/or an input current. The output voltage and the output current are measured at an output of the IPT system and the input voltage and the input current measured at an input of the IPT system. The apparatus includes a max efficiency module that determines a maximum efficiency for the IPT system. The max efficiency module uses parameters of the IPT system to iterate to a maximum efficiency. The apparatus includes an adjustment module that adjusts one or more parameters in the IPT system consistent with the maximum efficiency calculated by the max efficiency module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Kylee Sealy, Aaron Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 9269489
    Abstract: A system includes a first stage of an inductive power transfer system with an LCL load resonant converter with a switching section, an LCL tuning circuit, and a primary receiver pad. The IPT system includes a second stage with a secondary receiver pad, a secondary resonant circuit, a secondary rectification circuit, and a secondary decoupling converter. The secondary receiver pad connects to the secondary resonant circuit. The secondary resonant circuit connects to the secondary rectification circuit. The secondary rectification circuit connects to the secondary decoupling converter. The second stage connects to a load. The load includes an energy storage element. The second stage and load are located on a vehicle and the first stage is located at a fixed location. The primary receiver pad wirelessly transfers power to the secondary receiver pad across a gap when the vehicle positions the secondary receiver pad with respect to the primary receiver pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Kylee Sealy, Aaron Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 9246409
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for LCL resonant converter control utilizing Asymmetric Voltage Cancellation is described. The methods to determine the optimal trajectory of the control variables are discussed. Practical implementations of sensing load parameters are included. Simple PI, PID and fuzzy logic controllers are included with AVC for achieving good transient response characteristics with output current regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Kylee Devro Sealy, Bryan Thomas Sharp, Aaron Gilchrist
  • Patent number: 9240270
    Abstract: A magnetic coupler is disclosed for wireless power transfer systems. A ferrimagnetic component is capable of guiding a magnetic field. A wire coil is wrapped around at least a portion of the ferrimagnetic component. A screen is capable of blocking leakage magnetic fields. The screen may be positioned to cover at least one side of the ferrimagnetic component and the coil. A distance across the screen may be at least six times an air gap distance between the ferrimagnetic component and a receiving magnetic coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Aaron Gilchrist, Kylee Sealy
  • Patent number: 9140763
    Abstract: A testing system for wireless power transfer systems, including a stationary plate, a rotating plate, and a driver to rotate the rotating plate with respect to the stationary plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Aaron Gilchrist, Hunter Wu, Kylee D. Sealy, Paul D. Israelsen
  • Patent number: 9123467
    Abstract: An apparatus for switch wear leveling includes a switching module that controls switching for two or more pairs of switches in a switching power converter. The switching module controls switches based on a duty cycle control technique and closes and opens each switch in a switching sequence. The pairs of switches connect to a positive and negative terminal of a DC voltage source. For a first switching sequence a first switch of a pair of switches has a higher switching power loss than a second switch of the pair of switches. The apparatus includes a switch rotation module that changes the switching sequence of the two or more pairs of switches from the first switching sequence to a second switching sequence. The second switch of a pair of switches has a higher switching power loss than the first switch of the pair of switches during the second switching sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Utah State University
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Kylee Sealy, Aaron Gilchrist
  • Publication number: 20140327320
    Abstract: A wireless energy transfer system includes wirelessly powered footwear. Device resonators in footwear may capture energy from source resonators. Captured energy may be used to generate thermal energy in the footwear. Wireless energy may be generated by wireless warming installations. Installations may be located in public locations and may activate when a user is near the installation. In some cases, the warming installations may include interactive displays and may require user input to activate energy transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Jeffrey Muhs, Aaron Gilchrist, Kylee D. Sealy, Andre B. Kurs, Alexander P. McCauley, Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Gozde Guckaya
  • Publication number: 20130069625
    Abstract: A testing system for wireless power transfer systems, including a stationary plate, a rotating plate, and a driver to rotate the rotating plate with respect to the stationary plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Aaron Gilchrist, Hunter Wu, Kylee D. Sealy, Paul D. Israelsen
  • Publication number: 20130039099
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for LCL resonant converter control utilizing Asymmetric Voltage Cancellation is described. The methods to determine the optimal trajectory of the control variables are discussed. Practical implementations of sensing load parameters are included. Simple PI, PID and fuzzy logic controllers are included with AVC for achieving good transient response characteristics with output current regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Utah State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Hunter Wu, Kylee Devro Sealy, Bryan Thomas Sharp, Aaron Gilchrist