Patents by Inventor Bruno Patrice Bernard
Bruno Patrice Bernard 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: 11424652Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor including a stator presenting a stator raceway, and a rotor extending along an axis and rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor presents a rotor raceway disposed in spaced relationship with the stator raceway to define a gap there between. A lubricant is disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor poles arranged adjacent the rotor raceway in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another, and the stator includes a plurality of stator poles extending radially towards the rotor in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another along the stator raceway. A plurality of stator coil windings are wrapped around the plurality of stator poles and individually controllable for generating a magnetic force to center the rotor within the stator with carefully-timed adjustments to magnetic fields generated by the stator.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2020Date of Patent: August 23, 2022Assignee: NEAPCO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Donald Remboski, Jacqueline Dedo, Mark Versteyhe, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne
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Publication number: 20210119508Abstract: A lubricant supported electric motor including a stator presenting a stator raceway, and a rotor extending along an axis and rotatable relative to the stator. The rotor presents a rotor raceway disposed in spaced relationship with the stator raceway to define a gap there between. A lubricant is disposed in the gap for supporting the rotor relative to the stator. The rotor includes a plurality of rotor poles arranged adjacent the rotor raceway in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another, and the stator includes a plurality of stator poles extending radially towards the rotor in circumferentially spaced relationship with one another along the stator raceway. A plurality of stator coil windings are wrapped around the plurality of stator poles and individually controllable for generating a magnetic force to center the rotor within the stator with carefully-timed adjustments to magnetic fields generated by the stator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: Donald Remboski, Jacqueline Dedo, Mark Versteyhe, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne
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Patent number: 10056851Abstract: A system and method for estimating operating characteristics of an induction motor is disclosed. The system includes a motor control device that is electrically connectable between a motor and a power source. The motor control device includes a plurality of switching devices comprising at least one thyristor corresponding to a respective phase of the motor. The motor control device also includes a controller programmed to disconnect the power source from the motor for a predetermined time period following a first plurality of cycles of a mains phase voltage of the power source. The controller is further programmed to measure a back-emf voltage during the predetermined time period, estimate an operating characteristic of the motor from the measured back-emf voltage, and trigger the plurality of switching devices to reconnect the power source to the motor following estimation of the operating characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Dongxiao Wu, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yahan Hua, Vijay Bhavaraju, Kaijam M. Woodley, Steven Andrew Dimino
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Patent number: 9425702Abstract: A system and method for controlling switching in an AC-AC converter is disclosed. A controller for the AC-AC converter determines a direction of current flow on supply lines that provide AC power to the AC-AC converter and determines a switching pattern for each of a plurality of line-side switches and each of a plurality of floating-neutral side switches in the AC-AC converter based on the determined direction of current flow on each of the supply lines. The controller causes the line-side switches and the floating-neutral side switches to operate in an ON or OFF condition according to the determined switching pattern, such that a controlled current flow is output from the AC-AC converter. The controller also implements a safe-switching routine when transitioning from a first switching pattern to a second switching pattern that prevents a non-zero current from being interrupted during the transitioning between the first and second switching patterns.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yakov Lvovich Familiant, Qiang Fu, Vijay Bhavaraju
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Patent number: 9298204Abstract: A load control device includes an input and an output connectable to an AC source and an AC load, respectively, with one or more supply lines each corresponding to a phase in the load connecting the input and output. Line-side switches are connected between a line terminal and load terminal, and floating-neutral side switches are connected to the load terminal at one end and at a common neutral connection at another end. A controller determines a direction of current flow on each of the supply lines, determines a switching pattern for each of the line-side switches and each of the floating-neutral side switches based on the determined direction of current flow, and causes each of the line-side switches and floating-neutral side switches to operate in an On condition or an Off condition according to the determined switching pattern, such that a controlled uninterrupted current is provided to the AC load.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Zeljko Radomir Jankovic, Vijay Bhavaraju, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yakov Lvovich Familiant
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Publication number: 20150349673Abstract: A system and method for estimating operating characteristics of an induction motor is disclosed. The system includes a motor control device that is electrically connectable between a motor and a power source. The motor control device includes a plurality of switching devices comprising at least one thyristor corresponding to a respective phase of the motor. The motor control device also includes a controller programmed to disconnect the power source from the motor for a predetermined time period following a first plurality of cycles of a mains phase voltage of the power source. The controller is further programmed to measure a back-emf voltage during the predetermined time period, estimate an operating characteristic of the motor from the measured back-emf voltage, and trigger the plurality of switching devices to reconnect the power source to the motor following estimation of the operating characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Inventors: Dongxiao Wu, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yahan Hua, Vijay Bhavaraju, Kaijam M. Woodley, Steven Andrew Dimino
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Publication number: 20150349653Abstract: A system and method for controlling switching in an AC-AC converter is disclosed. A controller for the AC-AC converter determines a direction of current flow on supply lines that provide AC power to the AC-AC converter and determines a switching pattern for each of a plurality of line-side switches and each of a plurality of floating-neutral side switches in the AC-AC converter based on the determined direction of current flow on each of the supply lines. The controller causes the line-side switches and the floating-neutral side switches to operate in an ON or OFF condition according to the determined switching pattern, such that a controlled current flow is output from the AC-AC converter. The controller also implements a safe-switching routine when transitioning from a first switching pattern to a second switching pattern that prevents a non-zero current from being interrupted during the transitioning between the first and second switching patterns.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 3, 2015Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yakov Lvovich Familiant, Qiang Fu, Vijay Bhavaraju
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Patent number: 9160257Abstract: A system and method for automatically defining and tuning operating parameters for a motor control device with minimal or no operator input is disclosed. The system includes a motor control device electrically connectable to an AC motor and a controller that is programmed to define a motor start-up function based on a rated current of the motor, the motor start-up function comprising an initial torque factor and an initial ramp time. The controller also triggers switching devices of the motor according to the motor start-up function to inject current into the motor during a first trial run, monitors operating conditions of the motor and motor control device during the first trial run, modifies the motor start-up function based on the monitored operating conditions, and triggers the plurality of switching devices according to the modified motor start-up function to inject current into the motor during a subsequent trial run.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Yahan Hua, Dongxiao Wu, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, David Lee Klapstein, Steven Andrew Dimino, Kaijam M. Woodley
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Publication number: 20150180377Abstract: A system and method for automatically defining and tuning operating parameters for a motor control device with minimal or no operator input is disclosed. The system includes a motor control device electrically connectable to an AC motor and a controller that is programmed to define a motor start-up function based on a rated current of the motor, the motor start-up function comprising an initial torque factor and an initial ramp time. The controller also triggers switching devices of the motor according to the motor start-up function to inject current into the motor during a first trial run, monitors operating conditions of the motor and motor control device during the first trial run, modifies the motor start-up function based on the monitored operating conditions, and triggers the plurality of switching devices according to the modified motor start-up function to inject current into the motor during a subsequent trial run.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2013Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Yahan Hua, Dongxiao Wu, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, David Lee Klapstein, Steven Andrew Dimino, Kaijam M. Woodley
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Patent number: 8947030Abstract: A load control device to control current flow to an AC load includes a circuit having line-side switches and floating-neutral side switches, along with a controller connected to the circuit that is programmed to control the circuit so as to cause each of the line-side switches and each of the floating-neutral side switches to switch between an On condition or an Off condition to selectively operate the circuit in an active mode and a free-wheeling mode. A full phase voltage is provided to the AC load during the active mode and a zero voltage is provided to the AC load during the free-wheeling mode. The controller applies a modulating function to the circuit, so as to modulate a supply voltage to control a frequency and an average of a load voltage present across terminals of the AC load, thereby enabling variable frequency operation of the AC load.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2012Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: Yakov Lvovich Familiant, Zeljko Radomir Jankovic, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Vijay Bhavaraju
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Publication number: 20140184118Abstract: A load control device to control current flow to an AC load includes a circuit having line-side switches and floating-neutral side switches, along with a controller connected to the circuit that is programmed to control the circuit so as to cause each of the line-side switches and each of the floating-neutral side switches to switch between an On condition or an Off condition to selectively operate the circuit in an active mode and a free-wheeling mode. A full phase voltage is provided to the AC load during the active mode and a zero voltage is provided to the AC load during the free-wheeling mode. The controller applies a modulating function to the circuit, so as to modulate a supply voltage to control a frequency and an average of a load voltage present across terminals of the AC load, thereby enabling variable frequency operation of the AC load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: EATON CORPORATIONInventors: Yakov Lvovich Familiant, Zeljko Radomir Jankovic, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Vijay Bhavaraju
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Publication number: 20140184190Abstract: A load control device includes an input and an output connectable to an AC source and an AC load, respectively, with one or more supply lines each corresponding to a phase in the load connecting the input and output. Line-side switches are connected between a line terminal and load terminal, and floating-neutral side switches are connected to the load terminal at one end and at a common neutral connection at another end. A controller determines a direction of current flow on each of the supply lines, determines a switching pattern for each of the line-side switches and each of the floating-neutral side switches based on the determined direction of current flow, and causes each of the line-side switches and floating-neutral side switches to operate in an On condition or an Off condition according to the determined switching pattern, such that a controlled uninterrupted current is provided to the AC load.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2012Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: Zeljko Radomir Jankovic, Vijay Bhavaraju, Bruno Patrice-Bernard Lequesne, Yakov Lvovich Familiant
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Patent number: 6993983Abstract: A magnetostrictive force sensor universally usable in any environment with similar signals unaffected by the surrounding material. To this end, a sensor comprising a shaft of magnetostrictive material with an inductance coil wound around the shaft is provided with a magnetic shell enclosing the coil only or both the coil and the shaft. Upon application of the magnetic field, the resultant flow of magnetic flux is confined to a path through the shaft and the magnetic shell. By confining the magnetic flux path, the dependency of the sensor signal on the surrounding material and environment is essentially eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Bruno Patrice Bernard Lequesne, Donald T. Morelli, Thaddeus Schroeder, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Thomas Allen Baudendistel
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Patent number: 6650110Abstract: A target wheel sensor assembly includes a sensor that is placed near a target wheel. The sensor includes a magnet to create a flux and a sensing element to sense changes in the flux as the target wheel rotates. The target wheel is alternatingly formed with multiple teeth and multiple slots. Each tooth includes a flat portion that is parallel to the bottom of the sensor and a chamfered portion contiguous to the flat portion. The chamfered portion forms an angle, &agr;, with the bottom of the sensor. As the target wheel rotates, the shape of the teeth in conjunction with the slots cause the sensor to output an asymmetric signal. The shape of the signal is used to determine the direction of motion of the target wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno Patrice Bernard, Avoki M. Omekanda
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Patent number: 6639399Abstract: A target wheel sensor assembly includes a target wheel, a magnet, and a sensing element placed therebetween. The magnet and the sensing element are configured so that as the target wheel rotates the sensing element outputs an asymmetric signal. This asymmetric signal is used to determine the position of the target wheel as it rotates and the direction of motion of the target wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2001Date of Patent: October 28, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno Patrice Bernard, Avoki M. Omekanda
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Patent number: 6614223Abstract: An analog angle encoder having a simply constructed magnet assembly, wherein rotation of a magnetic field relative to a magnetosensitive device provides a varying output of the magnetosensitive device that varies sinusoidally with the angle of relative rotation. The simply constructed magnet assembly is of a closed-path geometry composed of a single piece of magnetic material wherein only a first portion thereof is magnetized for providing the aforesaid magnetic field for the sensor. The remaining portion of the magnet material (the second portion) remains unmagnetized and does not substantially influence the magnetic field produced by the first portion any more than, for example, air would cause.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2001Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno Patrice Bernard Lequesne, Avoki M. Omekanda, Steven Douglas Thomson
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Patent number: 6577123Abstract: A linear position sensor assembly includes a moving target and a stationary magnet. A magnetic sensor is placed adjacent to the magnet and senses changes in the magnetic flux density caused by the target moving within a magnetic field generated by the stationary magnet. The magnetic sensor outputs a signal that is linear over nearly the entire length of the target.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno Patrice Bernard Lequesne, Avoki M. Omekanda
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Patent number: 6566867Abstract: In an angle-based binary encoded crankshaft position sensing system, a target wheel is coupled to a crankshaft and a single VR sensor is juxtaposed with the target wheel for sensing the angular position of the wheel and, hence, the angular position of the crankshaft. To permit the use of a single VR sensor in conjunction with an angle-based binary encoded system, the periphery of the target wheel is formed with teeth and slots defining a binary pattern. The slots are wider than the teeth, and the depth of the slots relative to the portion of the periphery defining a nominal radius is greater than the height of the teeth relative to the nominal periphery. With this structure, the signal generated by the sensor in response to a slot advantageously is symmetric to the signal generated by the sensor in response to a tooth.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1999Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno Patrice Bernard Lequesne
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Publication number: 20030034775Abstract: An analog angle encoder having a simply constructed magnet assembly, wherein rotation of a magnetic field relative to a magnetosensitive device provides a varying output of the magnetosensitive device that varies sinusoidally with the angle of relative rotation. The simply constructed magnet assembly is of a closed-path geometry composed of a single piece of magnetic material wherein only a first portion thereof is magnetized for providing the aforesaid magnetic field for the sensor. The remaining portion of the magnet material (the second portion) remains unmagnetized and does not substantially influence the magnetic field produced by the first portion any more than, for example, air would cause.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2001Publication date: February 20, 2003Inventors: Thaddeus Schroeder, Bruno Patrice Bernard Lequesne, Avoki M. Omekanda, Steven Douglas Thomson
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Patent number: 6498451Abstract: Disclosed is an electric motor system with reduced torque ripple comprising a sinusoidally magnetized permanent magnet, a sinusoidal inverter, a higher resolution position sensor, a composite iron stator yoke, a composite reinforced plastic rotor core and shaft; and a high gear ratio gear reduction box. The novel combination of magnet, inverter, sensor, plastic rotor core and shaft and high gear ratio gear box substantially reduces the torque ripple on the shaft of said motor system.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2000Date of Patent: December 24, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Nady Boules, Rassem Ragheb Henry, Chandra Sekhar Namuduri, Thomas Wolfgang Nehl, Bruno Patrice Bernard, Shaotang Chen