Patents by Inventor Allan R. Gale
Allan R. Gale 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: 11091039Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. A larger one of the estimated bus leakage resistances is selected as a balanced leakage resistance. Failure of a device connected to a bus (such as a wiring cable or a fuel cell) is predicted in response to predetermined decreases in the estimated balanced leakage resistance over time.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Richard W. Kautz
-
Publication number: 20190351771Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. A larger one of the estimated bus leakage resistances is selected as a balanced leakage resistance. Failure of a device connected to a bus (such as a wiring cable or a fuel cell) is predicted in response to predetermined decreases in the estimated balanced leakage resistance over time.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2019Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Richard W. Kautz
-
Patent number: 10406921Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Richard W. Kautz
-
Patent number: 10220707Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2017Date of Patent: March 5, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Richard W. Kautz
-
Publication number: 20170326986Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2017Publication date: November 16, 2017Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Richard W. Kautz
-
Patent number: 9758044Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: September 12, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Richard W. Kautz
-
Publication number: 20170113553Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2017Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Richard W. Kautz
-
Patent number: 9579977Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Benjamin A. Tabatowski-Bush, Richard W. Kautz
-
Patent number: 9573474Abstract: An electric drive system for an electric vehicle has a DC power source and a contactor with an output coupled to a main bus and an input adapted to be connected to the DC power source. The contactor is selectably switched between an open state and a closed state. A link capacitor is coupled to the main bus. A precharge circuit is coupled between the DC power source and the link capacitor comprised of a controlled current source. The controlled current source is selectably activated with the contactor in the open state to charge the link capacitor to a predetermined voltage to before switching the contactor to the closed state.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Arnold K. Mensah-Brown, Hasdi R. Hashim, Bruce C. Blakemore, Allan R. Gale
-
Publication number: 20160214484Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: ALLAN R. GALE, BENJAMIN A. TABATOWSKI-BUSH, RICHARD W. KAUTZ
-
Publication number: 20160096433Abstract: Electrical bus isolation is detected for an electrified vehicle having a DC power source connected to positive and negative buses. The positive bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting first current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The negative bus is connected to chassis ground, and a resulting second current is sensed that flows through a negative bus leakage resistance and a balanced leakage resistance. The positive and negative bus leakage resistances are estimated in response to respective ratios of the first and second currents. An isolation value is compared to a threshold, wherein the isolation value is responsive to a voltage of the DC power source and a smaller one of the positive and negative bus leakage resistances. An atypical isolation is signaled when the isolation value is less than the threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 7, 2016Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Richard W. Kautz
-
Publication number: 20150251542Abstract: An electric drive system for an electric vehicle has a DC power source and a contactor with an output coupled to a main bus and an input adapted to be connected to the DC power source. The contactor is selectably switched between an open state and a closed state. A link capacitor is coupled to the main bus. A precharge circuit is coupled between the DC power source and the link capacitor comprised of a controlled current source. The controlled current source is selectably activated with the contactor in the open state to charge the link capacitor to a predetermined voltage to before switching the contactor to the closed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Arnold K. Mensah-Brown, Hasdi R. Hashim, Bruce C. Blakemore, Allan R. Gale
-
Patent number: 8736224Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle through a power supply circuit, includes coupling the charger to the circuit, determining whether another appliance in the circuit other than the charger is drawing current, determining a maximum charge rate at which the battery can be charged using the charger, charging the battery at the maximum charge rate if no other appliance in the circuit is drawing current, and charging the battery at less than the maximum charge rate if another appliance in the circuit is drawing current.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2007Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Michael W. Degner, Michael A. Tamor
-
Patent number: 8525470Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in electric vehicle through a power supply circuit includes coupling a charger to the circuit, providing the charger with a signal representing a current capacity of the circuit, using the signal to determine a maximum charge rate corresponds to the current capacity of the circuit represented by the signal, and charging the battery through the circuit and charger at the maximum charge rate.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2007Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Michael Degner
-
Patent number: 7679336Abstract: A method for recharging an electric storage battery in the charging system of an electric vehicle from an electric utility power grid includes determining the length of time required to recharge the battery, determining the desired time when the recharge is to be completed, transmitting to the electric power utility the length of time required to recharge the battery and the desired time, and recharging the battery from the utility grid during a period when projected load demand is lower than peak demand and ending no later than the desired time.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Allan R. Gale, Michael W. Degner
-
Publication number: 20080231230Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in electric vehicle through a power supply circuit includes coupling a charger to the circuit, providing the charger with a signal representing a current capacity of the circuit, using the signal to determine a maximum charge rate corresponds to the current capacity of the circuit represented by the signal, and charging the battery through the circuit and charger at the maximum charge rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2007Publication date: September 25, 2008Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Michael Degner
-
Publication number: 20080218121Abstract: A method for charging an electric storage battery in a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle through a power supply circuit, includes coupling the charger to the circuit, determining whether another appliance in the circuit other than the charger is drawing current, determining a maximum charge rate at which the battery can be charged using the charger, charging the battery at the maximum charge rate if no other appliance in the circuit is drawing current, and charging the battery at less than the maximum charge rate if another appliance in the circuit is drawing current.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2007Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Michael W. Degner, Michael A. Tamor
-
Publication number: 20080203973Abstract: A method for recharging an electric storage battery in the charging system of an electric vehicle from an electric utility power grid includes determining the length of time required to recharge the battery, determining the desired time when the recharge is to be completed, transmitting to the electric power utility the length of time required to recharge the battery and the desired time, and recharging the battery from the utility grid during a period when projected load demand is lower than peak demand and ending no later than the desired time.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventors: Allan R. Gale, Michael W. Degner
-
Patent number: 5713425Abstract: A hybrid powertrain for an automotive vehicle comprising an internal combustion engine and transmission assembly providing a first selectably shiftable geared torque flow path to vehicle traction wheels and an electric motor-generator unit defining a second geared torque flow path that is located between the output of the first geared torque flow path and the traction wheels. Through the deployment of an appropriate control system, including the necessary control algorithms, the electric motor-generator unit can be operated to supply torque to the traction wheels while the torque flow in the first torque flow path is interrupted during the occurrence of a ratio change in the transmission assembly and during disengagement of a clutch. Because of this interactive control of two power sources, the vehicle driveability can be enhanced along with an improvement of the engine exhaust gas emissions.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 1996Date of Patent: February 3, 1998Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Wolfram Buschhaus, Bradford Bates, Richard C. Belaire, Allan R. Gale
-
Patent number: 5587864Abstract: A three-phase electrical system includes an interrupt controller. The interrupt controller protects against inadvertent current flow between a phase conductor and ground and between phase conductors. The interrupt controller measures the voltage across a series connection of current transformers disposed about various phase conductors. If an inadvertent current path exists between one of the phase conductors and ground or between two of the phase conductors, the interrupt controller interrupts the current flow in the phase conductors. Additionally, a single-phase electrical system with a hot conductor and a neutral conductor includes an interrupt controller. The interrupt controller protects against inadvertent current flow between the hat conductor and ground and between the hot conductor and the neutral conductor. The interrupt controller measures the voltage across a series connection of current transformers disposed about the hot and neutral conductors.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: Allan R. Gale, Craig B. Toepfer