Patents by Inventor Anthony Da Costa

Anthony Da Costa 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: 11808820
    Abstract: A system includes a first connection configured to allow current flow between a first node and a second node through a first transistor when it is enabled, and a first diode configured to allow current flow between the first node and the second node when the first transistor is disabled. A second connection is configured to allow current flow between the first node and the second node through a second transistor when it is enabled, and a second diode configured to allow current flow between the first node and the second node when the second transistor is disabled. A fault detection circuit is configured to test the first connection by detection of current flow on the second connection with the second transistor disabled, and is configured to test the second connection by detection of current flow on the first connection with the first transistor disabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Sherbrook, Alvin K. Ng, Anthony Da Costa
  • Publication number: 20230246576
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event. A polarity indicative of an electromotive force in determined in at least one phase of the linear multiphase electromagnetic machine caused by a motion of the translator. In response to detecting the fault event, the system causes, based on the polarity, a current to be applied to a respective phase of the at least one phase to cause a force acting on the translator that opposes an axial motion of the translator to cause the translator to brake. Braking includes causing the translator to reciprocate at a reduced velocity by opposing axial motion over one or more cycles. The system may use one or more of position information, current information, operating parameters, to brake, or may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Patent number: 11652432
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Mainspring Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Publication number: 20220173682
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Patent number: 11211885
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Mainspring Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Patent number: 10916991
    Abstract: Multiphase electromagnetic machines, such as free-piston engines or compressors, may require, or supply, a pulsed power profile from or to a DC bus, respectively. The pulsed power profile may include relatively large fluctuations in instantaneous power. Sourcing, sinking, or otherwise exchanging power with an AC grid, via an inverter, may be accomplished by using an energy storage device and a DC-DC converter coupled to a DC bus. The energy storage device may aid in smoothing the pulsed power profile, while the DC-DC converter may aid in reducing fluctuations in voltage across a DC bus due to energy storage in the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Mainspring Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, John Powers
  • Publication number: 20200328707
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2020
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Publication number: 20200227976
    Abstract: Multiphase electromagnetic machines, such as free-piston engines or compressors, may require, or supply, a pulsed power profile from or to a DC bus, respectively. The pulsed power profile may include relatively large fluctuations in instantaneous power. Sourcing, sinking, or otherwise exchanging power with an AC grid, via an inverter, may be accomplished by using an energy storage device and a DC-DC converter coupled to a DC bus. The energy storage device may aid in smoothing the pulsed power profile, while the DC-DC converter may aid in reducing fluctuations in voltage across a DC bus due to energy storage in the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, John Powers
  • Patent number: 10715068
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Mainspring Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Patent number: 10554099
    Abstract: Multiphase electromagnetic machines, such as free-piston engines or compressors, may require, or supply, a pulsed power profile from or to a DC bus, respectively. The pulsed power profile may include relatively large fluctuations in instantaneous power. Sourcing, sinking, or otherwise exchanging power with an AC grid, via an inverter, may be accomplished by using an energy storage device and a DC-DC converter coupled to a DC bus. The energy storage device may aid in smoothing the pulsed power profile, while the DC-DC converter may aid in reducing fluctuations in voltage across a DC bus due to energy storage in the energy storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, John Powers
  • Patent number: 10404199
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: EtaGen, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Publication number: 20190149074
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Matthew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Publication number: 20190123668
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for braking a translator of a linear multiphase electromagnetic machine. The system detects a fault event, and in response to detecting the fault event, causes the translator to brake using an electromagnetic technique. Braking includes causing the translator to stop reciprocating, by applying a force opposing an axial motion, which may occur within one cycle, or over many cycles. The fault event may include, for example, a fault associated with an encoder, a controller, an electrical component, a communications link, a phase, or a subsystem. The system includes a power electronics system configured to apply current to the phases. The system may use position information, current information, operating parameters, or a combination thereof to brake. Alternatively, the system need not use position information, current information, and operating parameters, and may brake the translator independent of such information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, Mathew Roelle, John Powers, Patrick Gorzelic, Christopher David Gadda
  • Publication number: 20190089225
    Abstract: Multiphase electromagnetic machines, such as free-piston engines or compressors, may require, or supply, a pulsed power profile from or to a DC bus, respectively. The pulsed power profile may include relatively large fluctuations in instantaneous power. Sourcing, sinking, or otherwise exchanging power with an AC grid, via an inverter, may be accomplished by using an energy storage device and a DC-DC converter coupled to a DC bus. The energy storage device may aid in smoothing the pulsed power profile, while the DC-DC converter may aid in reducing fluctuations in voltage across a DC bus due to energy storage in the energy storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Anthony Da Costa, John Powers