Patents by Inventor Babak PARKHIDEH

Babak PARKHIDEH 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: 11982693
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure integrate a non-intrusive current sensor in the form of a current mismatch sensor into a power module having paralleled semiconductor structures or components. The current mismatch can be detected by the current sensor by monitoring a magnetic flux density between the paralleled components or devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Babak Parkhideh, Andreas Lauer
  • Patent number: 11824344
    Abstract: In preferred embodiments, a short circuit protection system for a wide-band gap power electronics converter composed of multiple half-bridge legs is presented. The main approaches of the system are a single point of monitoring (SPM) for multiple switching legs, and non-invasive implementation and fast speed of the short circuit current detection. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) AC current, tens or hundreds of MHz, flowing through the DC-link capacitors represents the short circuit current occurred at the multiple switching legs. To capture the UHF AC current, a non-invasive MHz bandwidth magnetic current sensor is applied to the PCB conduction path of the converter. In this digest, simulation results of the short circuit current representation through the DC-link network and the magnetic field distribution in PCB layout for the selection of the proper location of the detection, and experimental results showing the UHF AC current sensing performance are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: The University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
    Inventors: Babak Parkhideh, Chondon Roy
  • Publication number: 20230314487
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for on-state voltage sensing for in-situ monitoring and prognostics. In one example, an on-state monitoring circuit includes clamping circuitry including high-side and low-side voltage clamping circuits associated with high-side and low-side switching devices of a half-bridge (HB) leg of an converter, on-state voltage circuitry including high-side and low-side voltage measurement circuits, the high-side and low-side circuits referenced to the positive and negative buses of the converter respectively, and output circuitry including high-side and low-side isolation circuits that provide isolated outputs referenced to a control ground of the converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Inventors: Chondon Roy, James Gafford, Namwon Kim, Babak Parkhideh
  • Patent number: 10965128
    Abstract: A circuit for a smart photovoltaic (PV) inverter system and the smart PV inverter system are described. The circuit includes one or more strings coupled to an electrical load. Each of the one or more strings further includes one or more string members coupled in series, where each of the one or more string members comprises a voltage source and an inverter. The circuit also includes a controller to receive an output from an operator controller and control the strings, where the controller is configured to control the strings by providing a function command to a first string member of each of the one or more strings based on the output from the operator controller. The voltage source may also receive an output from an energy output device. Further, the inverter may be configured to convert the output of energy output device into an energy source of electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: SINEWATTS INC.
    Inventors: Shibashis Bhowmik, Hamidreza Jafarian, Babak Parkhideh, Robert Cox
  • Patent number: 10782323
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for contactless wideband current sensing. A combination of magnetoresistive (MR) sensor and Rogowski coil outputs can be combined to provide current sensing from DC to 10 MHZ or more. In one example, a system includes a MR sensor that can provide an MR output voltage corresponding to a magnitude of the current through a trace; a Rogowski coil sensor that can provide a Rogowski output voltage corresponding to a magnitude of the current; and processing circuitry configured to generate an output current signal by aggregating the MR and Rogowski output voltages. In another example, a method includes conditioning an output from a MR sensor disposed adjacent to a trace carrying a current; conditioning an output from a Rogowski coil disposed adjacent to the trace; and aggregating the first and second conditioned signals to provide an output current signal corresponding to the current passing through the trace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: University of North Carolina Charlotte
    Inventors: Babak Parkhideh, Shahriar Jalal Nibir
  • Publication number: 20200116763
    Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of the present disclosure integrate a non-intrusive current sensor in the form of a current mismatch sensor into a power module having paralleled semiconductor structures or components. The current mismatch can be detected by the current sensor by monitoring a magnetic flux density between the paralleled components or devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Inventors: BABAK PARKHIDEH, ANDREAS LAUER
  • Patent number: 10348180
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to electrical converters and systems for operating the same. An electrical converter may comprise a first converter module configured to receive a first direct current (DC) input and provide a first output. The first converter module may comprise a first switch modulated according to a first switch control signal. A second converter module may be configured to receive a second DC input and provide a second output. The second converter module may be connected in series with the first converter module. The second converter module may comprise a second switch modulated according to a second switch control signal. A phase of the first switch control signal may be offset from a phase of the second switch control signal by a first phase offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: SINEWATTS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Shibashis Bhowmik, Babak Parkhideh
  • Publication number: 20190064225
    Abstract: Various examples are provided for contactless wideband current sensing. A combination of magnetoresistive (MR) sensor and Rogowski coil outputs can be combined to provide current sensing from DC to 10 MHZ or more. In one example, a system includes a MR sensor that can provide an MR output voltage corresponding to a magnitude of the current through a trace; a Rogowski coil sensor that can provide a Rogowski output voltage corresponding to a magnitude of the current; and processing circuitry configured to generate an output current signal by aggregating the MR and Rogowski output voltages. In another example, a method includes conditioning an output from a MR sensor disposed adjacent to a trace carrying a current; conditioning an output from a Rogowski coil disposed adjacent to the trace; and aggregating the first and second conditioned signals to provide an output current signal corresponding to the current passing through the trace.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: BABAK PARKHIDEH, Shahriar Jalal Nibir
  • Publication number: 20180375336
    Abstract: A circuit for a smart photovoltaic (PV) inverter system and the smart PV inverter system are described. The circuit includes one or more strings coupled to an electrical load. Each of the one or more strings further includes one or more string members coupled in series, where each of the one or more string members comprises a voltage source and an inverter. The circuit also includes a controller to receive an output from an operator controller and control the strings, where the controller is configured to control the strings by providing a function command to a first string member of each of the one or more strings based on the output from the operator controller. The voltage source may also receive an output from an energy output device. Further, the inverter may be configured to convert the output of energy output device into an energy source of electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Shibashis BHOWMIK, Hamidreza JAFARIAN, Babak PARKHIDEH, Robert COX
  • Patent number: 10121584
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of manufacture relating to PCB embedded inductors are described in the present disclosure. Namely, an example device includes a substrate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The device also includes a plurality of upper conductors disposed along the upper surface and a plurality of lower conductors disposed along the lower surface. The upper conductors and the lower conductors are radially disposed about a central axis. Each of the upper conductors and the lower conductors includes a petal shape. A distance between adjacent upper conductors is less than a width of each upper conductor and a distance between adjacent lower conductors is less than a width of each lower conductor. The device also includes a plurality of through-substrate conductors connecting respective upper conductors to respective lower conductors so as to form a series electrical connection. The series electrical connection includes a toroid configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Mehrdad Biglarbegian, Neel Mayur Shah, Babak Parkhideh
  • Patent number: 10069304
    Abstract: A method for detecting and preventing islanding includes issuing a command to an inverter connected to a power source, where the inverter is coupled to a power grid and supplies power to the power grid, the command causes a frequency of a waveform output by the inverter to vary, and the frequency of the waveform output by the inverter is a command frequency, determining that a amount of change of the command frequency is a constant value for a predetermined amount of time, removing the power supplied by the inverter from the power grid, and determining whether the power grid is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignees: SINEWATTS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Shibashis Bhowmik, Iman Mazhari, Babak Parkhideh
  • Publication number: 20180204664
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of manufacture relating to PCB embedded inductors are described in the present disclosure. Namely, an example device includes a substrate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The device also includes a plurality of upper conductors disposed along the upper surface and a plurality of lower conductors disposed along the lower surface. The upper conductors and the lower conductors are radially disposed about a central axis. Each of the upper conductors and the lower conductors includes a petal shape. A distance between adjacent upper conductors is less than a width of each upper conductor and a distance between adjacent lower conductors is less than a width of each lower conductor. The device also includes a plurality of through-substrate conductors connecting respective upper conductors to respective lower conductors so as to form a series electrical connection. The series electrical connection includes a toroid configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Mehrdad Biglarbegian, Neel Mayur Shah, Babak Parkhideh
  • Patent number: 9997920
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for detecting an islanding condition at an inverter configured to couple a distributed generation system to an electrical grid network. A controller may determine a command frequency and a command frequency variation. The controller may determine that the command frequency variation indicates a potential islanding condition and send to the inverter an instruction to disconnect the distributed generation system from the electrical grid network. When the distributed generation system is disconnected from the electrical grid network, the controller may determine whether the grid network is valid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: SINEWATTS, INC., THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE
    Inventors: Shibashis Bhowmik, Iman Mazhari, Babak Parkhideh
  • Patent number: 9947456
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of manufacture relating to PCB embedded inductors are described in the present disclosure. Namely, an example device includes a substrate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The device also includes a plurality of upper conductors disposed along the upper surface and a plurality of lower conductors disposed along the lower surface. The upper conductors and the lower conductors are radially disposed about a central axis. Each of the upper conductors and the lower conductors includes a petal shape. A distance between adjacent upper conductors is less than a width of each upper conductor and a distance between adjacent lower conductors is less than a width of each lower conductor. The device also includes a plurality of through-substrate conductors connecting respective upper conductors to respective lower conductors so as to form a series electrical connection. The series electrical connection includes a toroid configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte
    Inventors: Mehrdad Biglarbegian, Neel Mayur Shah, Babak Parkhideh
  • Publication number: 20170366079
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to electrical converters and systems for operating the same. An electrical converter may comprise a first converter module configured to receive a first direct current (DC) input and provide a first output. The first converter module may comprise a first switch modulated according to a first switch control signal. A second converter module may be configured to receive a second DC input and provide a second output. The second converter module may be connected in series with the first converter module. The second converter module may comprise a second switch modulated according to a second switch control signal. A phase of the first switch control signal may be offset from a phase of the second switch control signal by a first phase offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shibashis Bhowmik, Babak Parkhideh
  • Publication number: 20170338659
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for dispatching maximum available capacity for photovoltaic (PV) power plants are described. For an embodiment, a PV panel assembly comprises a first PV panel configured to generate direct current (DC) power and an inverter molecule coupled to the first PV panel. The inverter molecule is configured to convert the DC power generated by the first PV panel into alternating current (AC) power. Moreover, the inverter molecule includes a monitoring device configured to monitor a condition of the first PV panel. The monitored condition of the first PV panel is converted into electronic data for generating or creating a first adaptive PV panel model for the first PV panel. Information derived from the first adaptive PV panel model can be communicated to a third party, such as an electric utility company or an Independent System Operator (ISO).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Shibashis BHOWMIK, Robert W. COX, Babak PARKHIDEH
  • Publication number: 20170271912
    Abstract: A dispatchable photovoltaic (PV) panel product that includes multiple types of voltage sources is described. The product can include a PV panel that includes PV cells, a battery, and a panel level panel mounted inverter coupled to the PV panel and the battery. Each of the battery and the PV panel are to generate direct current (DC) power. The panel level inverter is to convert the DC power into alternating current (AC) power and discharge the AC power to an electrical load. The panel level inverter can include a voltage source interface converter (VSIC) for charging or discharging the battery using a charge/discharge profile for the battery. The panel level inverter can also include a voltage source monitoring/protection system to (i) protect the battery from damage; and (ii) monitor at least one of a condition of the battery or a condition of the PV panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Shibashis BHOWMIK, Robert W. COX, Babak PARKHIDEH
  • Publication number: 20170149356
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of manufacture relating to PCB embedded inductors are described in the present disclosure. Namely, an example device includes a substrate having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The device also includes a plurality of upper conductors disposed along the upper surface and a plurality of lower conductors disposed along the lower surface. The upper conductors and the lower conductors are radially disposed about a central axis. Each of the upper conductors and the lower conductors includes a petal shape. A distance between adjacent upper conductors is less than a width of each upper conductor and a distance between adjacent lower conductors is less than a width of each lower conductor. The device also includes a plurality of through-substrate conductors connecting respective upper conductors to respective lower conductors so as to form a series electrical connection. The series electrical connection includes a toroid configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Mehrdad Biglarbegian, Neel Mayur Shah, Babak Parkhideh
  • Patent number: 9537319
    Abstract: Reconfigurable power systems and converters and operating methods therefor are disclosed. Reconfigurable power systems may include a DC power source, an electrical energy storage device, an AC power grid connection, and a power converter configured to selectively couple two or more of the DC power source, the electrical energy storage device, and the AC power grid connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignees: North Carolina State University, ABB Research Ltd.
    Inventors: Babak Parkhideh, Hongrae Kim
  • Publication number: 20160013650
    Abstract: Various examples are directed to systems and methods for detecting an islanding condition at an inverter configured to couple a distributed generation system to an electrical grid network. A controller may determine a command frequency and a command frequency variation. The controller may determine that the command frequency variation indicates a potential islanding condition and send to the inverter an instruction to disconnect the distributed generation system from the electrical grid network. When the distributed generation system is disconnected from the electrical grid network, the controller may determine whether the grid network is valid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Shibashis Bhowmik, Iman Mazhar, Babak Parkhideh