Patents by Inventor Bradford K. Palmer
Bradford K. Palmer 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).
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Patent number: 11952930Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a vehicle system comprising an engine, an exhaust aftertreatment system including a heating element, an electric machine configured to selectably operate as a motor or a generator, an inverter module including a plurality of inverter phase legs and an auxiliary leg, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the inverter module and the exhaust aftertreatment system. The electronic control system is configured to evaluate whether the electric machine is operating as a generator, selectably operate the plurality of inverter phase legs to rectify AC power received from the electric machine, evaluate whether to heat one or more components of the exhaust aftertreatment system, and selectably operate the auxiliary leg to provide rectified power from the inverter legs to one or more electrical heating elements thermally coupled with the one or more components exhaust aftertreatment system effective to heat the one or more components.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Subbarao Dakshina Murthy Bellur, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Jennifer Rumsey, Bradford K. Palmer
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Patent number: 11872978Abstract: An electric vehicle includes an electric motor switchable between a first mode with a first number of poles and a second mode with a second number of poles less than the first number of poles, a plurality of inverters coupled to the motor, and a control module coupled to the plurality of inverters. The control module receives current vehicle information, determines that a mode switch is required between the first and second modes of the motor based on the current vehicle information, wherein the first mode achieves higher torque than the second mode, and performs the mode switch by controlling the plurality of inverters.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2019Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20230412102Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-phase electric machine includes implementing a first control method to control the operation of a six-phase machine that is configured as a combination of two three-phase machines. The method also includes determining whether a fault exists in the six-phase machine. In response to determining that the fault exists in the six-phase machine, the method includes implementing a second and different control method to control the operation of the six-phase machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2023Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Akm Arafat, Bradford K. Palmer, Dakshina S. Murthy-Bellur
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Publication number: 20230387789Abstract: An inverter system is provided such that the system includes a direct-current (DC) voltage supply, an inverter, an electric machine such as a motor, and a controller coupled with the inverter. The inverter has four or more legs, each with two switches operating complementary to each other. The controller can determine which three of the four or more legs are selected to operate the inverter and uses a remaining one of the four or more legs to operate the inverter by activating/deactivating certain switches during null vector state.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2021Publication date: November 30, 2023Inventors: Akm Arafat, Moinul S. Haque, Bradford K. Palmer, Patrick Kaufman
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Publication number: 20230364997Abstract: An inverter system is provided such that the system includes a direct-current (DC) voltage supply, an inverter electrically coupled with the DC voltage supply, an electric machine electrically coupled with the inverter, and a controller coupled with the inverter. The inverter has a plurality of legs, each leg including two switches operating complementary to each other, an auxiliary leg having a pair of auxiliary switches, and a resistor coupled parallel to one of the auxiliary switches. A controller is coupled with the inverter and is operative to activate or deactivate the auxiliary leg of the inverter. The controller activates the auxiliary leg to discharge the capacitor or the DC bus through the resistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2021Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Santhosh Krishnamoorthi, Gary L. Parker, Bradford K. Palmer, Dakshina S. Murthy-Bellur, Minyu Cai
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Publication number: 20230344377Abstract: A method for operating a processing system to identify faults in an electric machine system including a multiphase machine having plurality of sets of windings; comprising: receiving parameter information representative of electrical operating parameters of the multiple phases of each of the multiple winding sets of the multiphase machine; determining symmetrical components based on the parameter information; comparing the symmetrical components to fault information defining faults of the multiple phases of the multiple winding sets with respect to symmetrical component fault values; identifying faults in one or more of the multiple phases of the multiple winding sets based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2021Publication date: October 26, 2023Inventors: Akm Arafat, Bradford K. Palmer, Dakshina S. Murthy-Bellur
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Patent number: 11784596Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-phase electric machine includes implementing a first control method to control the operation of a six-phase machine that is configured as a combination of two three-phase machines. The method also includes determining whether a fault exists in the six-phase machine. In response to determining that the fault exists in the six-phase machine, the method includes implementing a second and different control method to control the operation of the six-phase machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: CUMMINS INC.Inventors: Akm Arafat, Bradford K. Palmer, Dakshina S Murthy-Bellur
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Publication number: 20230253873Abstract: An inverter system is provided such that the system includes a direct-current (DC) voltage supply electrically coupled with a DC link, a plurality of inverters, each electrically coupled with the DC link, a plurality of electric machines where each electric machine is electrically coupled with one of the inverters, and a controller coupled with each of the inverters. The controller can control carrier signals of the inverters such that the carrier signals are synchronized and interleaved at an angle (?) that is determined based on the waveform type of the carrier signals and the number of inverters in the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2021Publication date: August 10, 2023Inventors: Minyu Cai, Akm Arafat, Bradford K. Palmer, Dakshina S. Murthy-Bellur
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Publication number: 20220371572Abstract: An electric vehicle is disclosed herein which includes an electric motor switchable between a first mode with a first number of poles and a second mode with a second number of poles less than the first number of poles, a plurality of inverters coupled to the motor, and a control module coupled to the plurality of inverters.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2019Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Jennifer Kay Light-Holets, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20220332206Abstract: A system is disclosed which includes a primary energy storage device with a first voltage level, a secondary energy storage device with a second Voltage level that is lower than the first voltage level, and a bidirectional direct current (DC-DC) converter coupled to the primary and secondary energy storage devices. The bidirectional DC-DC converter is operable to transfer energy from the primary energy storage device to the secondary energy storage device and from the secondary energy storage device to the primary energy storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2020Publication date: October 20, 2022Inventors: Dakshina S. Murthy-Bellur, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20220329188Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-phase electric machine includes implementing a first control method to control the operation of a six-phase machine that is configured as a combination of two three-phase machines. The method also includes determining whether a fault exists in the six-phase machine. In response to determining that the fault exists in the six-phase machine, the method includes implementing a second and different control method to control the operation of the six-phase machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Akm Arafat, Bradford K. Palmer, Dakshina S. Murthy-Bellur
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Patent number: 11196265Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2020Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
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Patent number: 11128139Abstract: A power generation system (100) including an inverter (140) structured to convert a direct current (DC) power output from an external source (110) to an alternating current (AC) power. The inverter includes at least one phase for converting the DC power to a corresponding phase of AC power. The system also includes an alternator (124) of a generator set (120). The alternator includes at least one phase, each comprising a first winding section and a second winding section coupled in series between a point of common coupling and an output terminal of the phase. A phase of the inverter is connected in parallel with the first winding section of the alternator. The inverter is configured to provide reactive power compensation, power factor correction or acts as an active filter to provide harmoincs damping and the system can be used to buffer and handle grids transients.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Ltd. (UK)Inventors: Emil Ernest, Krzysztof Paciura, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20210164372Abstract: One exemplary embodiment is a vehicle system comprising an engine, an exhaust aftertreatment system including a heating element, an electric machine configured to selectably operate as a motor or a generator, an inverter module including a plurality of inverter phase legs and an auxiliary leg, and an electronic control system in operative communication with the inverter module and the exhaust aftertreatment system. The electronic control system is configured to evaluate whether the electric machine is operating as a generator, selectably operate the plurality of inverter phase legs to rectify AC power received from the electric machine, evaluate whether to heat one or more components of the exhaust aftertreatment system, and selectably operate the auxiliary leg to provide rectified power from the inverter legs to one or more electrical heating elements thermally coupled with the one or more components exhaust aftertreatment system effective to heat the one or more components.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2021Publication date: June 3, 2021Inventors: Subbarao Dakshina Murthy Bellur, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Jennifer Rumsey, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20200259331Abstract: A power generation system (100) including an inverter (140) structured to convert a direct current (DC) power output from an external source (110) to an alternating current (AC) power. The inverter includes at least one phase for converting the DC power to a corresponding phase of AC power. The system also includes an alternator (124) of a generator set (120). The alternator includes at least one phase, each comprising a first winding section and a second winding section coupled in series between a point of common coupling and an output terminal of the phase. A phase of the inverter is connected in parallel with the first winding section of the alternator. The inverter is configured to provide reactive power compensation, power factor correction or acts as an active filter to provide harmoincs damping and the system can be used to buffer and handle grids transients.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Cummins Power Generation Ltd. (UK)Inventors: Emil Ernest, Krzysztof Paciura, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20200251911Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2020Publication date: August 6, 2020Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
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Patent number: 10715067Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Patent number: 10566802Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
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Publication number: 20190363654Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2019Publication date: November 28, 2019Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
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Patent number: 10300831Abstract: Hybrid power systems include an internal combustion engine and a motor/generator connectable with the engine. A reefer unit is configured to receive power from the motor/generator via a reefer power system that includes an export power inverter and an energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Robert Dziuba, Nazar Al-Khayat, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Gary L. Parker, Subbarao Varigonda, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Vivek A. Sujan, Bradford K. Palmer, William Brent Fields, John P. O'Brien