Patents by Inventor Christopher Buenrostro
Christopher Buenrostro 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: 11910493Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system for heating a bulk medium includes two or more electrodes spaced apart from one another and coupled to the bulk medium; and a power control system coupled to the electrodes, the power control system configured to heat the bulk medium by shaping a density of the current along a current path between the electrodes, thereby, producing an effective resistance along the current path in the bulk medium that is greater than the resistance of the bulk medium to a DC current, in which the power control system shapes the density of the current within a depth of the bulk medium by tuning a skin-depth of the current, and in which the power control system shapes the density of the current in a direction across the current path by the power control system by tuning a proximity effect of the current.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: De-Ice Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Publication number: 20230348074Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to methods and systems for heating the exterior surface of a bulk medium such as an aircraft. An exemplary system includes a series of individual heating elements, a sensor, and a control system. The heating elements are arranged on a skin of the an aircraft. The sensor is positioned on the skin in a location that corresponds with a region of relatively low temperature within a heating pattern produced by the heating elements. The control system is connected to the heating elements and the sensor. The control system configured to control power supplied to the heating elements responsive to output from the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro, Nathan Fritz, Curtis Serrano
-
Publication number: 20200383175Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system for heating a bulk medium includes two or more electrodes spaced apart from one another and coupled to the bulk medium; and a power control system coupled to the electrodes, the power control system configured to heat the bulk medium by shaping a density of the current along a current path between the electrodes, thereby, producing an effective resistance along the current path in the bulk medium that is greater than the resistance of the bulk medium to a DC current, in which the power control system shapes the density of the current within a depth of the bulk medium by tuning a skin-depth of the current, and in which the power control system shapes the density of the current in a direction across the current path by the power control system by tuning a proximity effect of the current.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Patent number: 10708979Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system for heating a bulk medium includes two or more electrodes spaced apart from one another and coupled to the bulk medium; and a power control system coupled to the electrodes, the power control system configured to heat the bulk medium by shaping a density of the current along a current path between the electrodes, thereby, producing an effective resistance along the current path in the bulk medium that is greater than the resistance of the bulk medium to a DC current, in which the power control system shapes the density of the current within a depth of the bulk medium by tuning a skin-depth of the current, and in which the power control system shapes the density of the current in a direction across the current path by tuning a proximity effect of the current.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2017Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: De-Ice TechnologiesInventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Patent number: 10686337Abstract: The disclosure features apparatus, methods, and systems for wireless power transfer that include a power source featuring at least one resonator, a power receiver featuring at least one resonator, a first detector featuring one or more loops of conductive material and configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver, a second detector featuring conductive material, and control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, where during operation, the control electronics are configured to measure the electrical signal of the first detector and compare the measured electrical signal of the first detector to baseline electrical information for the first detector to determine information about whether debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Arunanshu Mohan Roy, Noam Katz, Andre B. Kurs, Christopher Buenrostro, Simon Verghese, Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Herbert Toby Lou
-
Patent number: 10651688Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically tuning circuit elements. One aspect includes a variable capacitance device. The device includes a first capacitor, a first switch, a second capacitor, a second switch, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to adjust respective capacitances of the first and second capacitors by causing a first control signal to be applied to the first-switch control terminal for a duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the first switch, and by causing a second control signal to be applied to the second-switch control terminal for the duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the second switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Curt Karnstedt, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Patent number: 10651689Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically tuning circuit elements. One aspect includes a zero voltage switching device including a switch, a first comparator, a second comparator and a controller. The switch includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and a control terminal. The first comparator includes a first input terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the switch and a second input terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the switch. The second comparator includes a first input terminal electrically connected to a reference voltage and a second input terminal electrically connected to the control terminal of the switch. The controller is configured to: detect a zero voltage condition across the switch, and, in response, cause a control signal to be applied to the control terminal of the switch.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Curt Karnstedt, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Publication number: 20200062408Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure can be embodied in a systems for heating an exterior surface of a bulk medium. In one example, the system includes two or more coupling strips spaced apart from one another and attached to the bulk medium. Each of the coupling strips has a multi-layer structure extending along a surface of the bulk medium that forms, in combination with the bulk medium, an electrical transmission line. The multi-layer structure includes a first dielectric layer over the bulk medium, a conductive layer over the first dielectric layer, a second dielectric layer over the conductive layer, and a conductive shielding layer over the second dielectric layer. A power control system is coupled to the conductive layer of each of the coupling strips and to the bulk medium. The power control system is configured to heat the bulk medium by providing current to the coupling strips.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro, Sean David Kropp
-
Publication number: 20200022222Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system for heating a bulk medium includes two or more electrodes spaced apart from one another and coupled to the bulk medium; and a power control system coupled to the electrodes, the power control system configured to heat the bulk medium by shaping a density of the current along a current path between the electrodes, thereby, producing an effective resistance along the current path in the bulk medium that is greater than the resistance of the bulk medium to a DC current, in which the power control system shapes the density of the current within a depth of the bulk medium by tuning a skin-depth of the current, and in which the power control system shapes the density of the current in a direction across the current path by tuning a proximity effect of the current.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2017Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Alexandru Bratianu-Badea, Ruben Toubiana, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Publication number: 20190181694Abstract: The disclosure features apparatus, methods, and systems for wireless power transfer that include a power source featuring at least one resonator, a power receiver featuring at least one resonator, a first detector featuring one or more loops of conductive material and configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver, a second detector featuring conductive material, and control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, where during operation, the control electronics are configured to measure the electrical signal of the first detector and compare the measured electrical signal of the first detector to baseline electrical information for the first detector to determine information about whether debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Arunanshu Mohan Roy, Noam Katz, Andre B. Kurs, Christopher Buenrostro, Simon Verghese, Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Herbert Toby Lou
-
Publication number: 20190109495Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically tuning circuit elements. One aspect includes a variable capacitance device. The device includes a first capacitor, a first switch, a second capacitor, a second switch, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to adjust respective capacitances of the first and second capacitors by causing a first control signal to be applied to the first-switch control terminal for a duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the first switch, and by causing a second control signal to be applied to the second-switch control terminal for the duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the second switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Curt Karnstedt, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Publication number: 20190109496Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically tuning circuit elements. One aspect includes a variable capacitance device. The device includes a first capacitor, a first switch, a second capacitor, a second switch, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to adjust respective capacitances of the first and second capacitors by causing a first control signal to be applied to the first-switch control terminal for a duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the first switch, and by causing a second control signal to be applied to the second-switch control terminal for the duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the second switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Curt Karnstedt, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Patent number: 10211681Abstract: The disclosure features apparatus, methods, and systems for wireless power transfer that include a power source featuring at least one resonator, a power receiver featuring at least one resonator, a first detector featuring one or more loops of conductive material and configured to generate an electrical signal based on a magnetic field between the power source and the power receiver, a second detector featuring conductive material, and control electronics coupled to the first and second detectors, where during operation, the control electronics are configured to measure the electrical signal of the first detector and compare the measured electrical signal of the first detector to baseline electrical information for the first detector to determine information about whether debris is positioned between the power source and the power receiver.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Arunanshu Mohan Roy, Noam Katz, Andre B. Kurs, Christopher Buenrostro, Simon Verghese, Morris P. Kesler, Katherine L. Hall, Herbert Toby Lou
-
Publication number: 20180375379Abstract: The disclosure features wireless power transmitters that include a power source, a first coil connected to the power source, a second coil connected in series to the first coil, and a third coil positioned in proximity to the second coil, where during operation of the wireless power transmitters, the power source applies a driving voltage to the first and second coils, the first coil generates a first magnetic field that transfers power to a receiver resonator, the second coil generates a second magnetic field that induces a voltage across the third coil, and the induced voltage across the third coil is applied to a component of the wireless power transmitters.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Christopher Buenrostro, Paul Gerardus Hlebowitsh
-
Patent number: 10141788Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically tuning circuit elements. One aspect includes a variable capacitance device. The device includes a first capacitor, a first switch, a second capacitor, a second switch, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to adjust respective capacitances of the first and second capacitors by causing a first control signal to be applied to the first-switch control terminal for a duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the first switch, and by causing a second control signal to be applied to the second-switch control terminal for the duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the second switch.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Curt Karnstedt, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Patent number: 10075019Abstract: The disclosure features wireless power transmitters that include a power source, a first coil connected to the power source, a second coil connected in series to the first coil, and a third coil positioned in proximity to the second coil, where during operation of the wireless power transmitters, the power source applies a driving voltage to the first and second coils, the first coil generates a first magnetic field that transfers power to a receiver resonator, the second coil generates a second magnetic field that induces a voltage across the third coil, and the induced voltage across the third coil is applied to a component of the wireless power transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Christopher Buenrostro, Paul Gerardus Hlebowitsh
-
Publication number: 20180175829Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for detecting characteristics of an input signal. One aspect includes a first finite input response (FIR) filter, a second FIR filter, and a controller coupled with the first and second FIR filters. The first FIR filter receives an input signal and a first reference signal. The first FIR filter filters the first reference signal to generate a first sinusoidal signal and mixes the first sinusoidal signal and the input signal to generate a first mixed signal. The second FIR filter receives the input signal and a second reference signal. The second FIR filter filters the second reference signal to generate a second sinusoidal signal and mixes the second sinusoidal signal and the input signal to generate a second mixed signal. The controller determines characteristics of the input signal based on the first and second mixed signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2018Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Paul Gerardus Hlebowitsh, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Publication number: 20170149280Abstract: The disclosure features wireless power transmitters that include a power source, a first coil connected to the power source, a second coil connected in series to the first coil, and a third coil positioned in proximity to the second coil, where during operation of the wireless power transmitters, the power source applies a driving voltage to the first and second coils, the first coil generates a first magnetic field that transfers power to a receiver resonator, the second coil generates a second magnetic field that induces a voltage across the third coil, and the induced voltage across the third coil is applied to a component of the wireless power transmitters.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Christopher Buenrostro, Paul Gerardus Hlebowitsh
-
Publication number: 20170117751Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for dynamically tuning circuit elements. One aspect includes a variable capacitance device. The device includes a first capacitor, a first switch, a second capacitor, a second switch, and control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to adjust respective capacitances of the first and second capacitors by causing a first control signal to be applied to the first-switch control terminal for a duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the first switch, and by causing a second control signal to be applied to the second-switch control terminal for the duration of time in response to detecting a zero voltage condition across the second switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Curt Karnstedt, Christopher Buenrostro
-
Patent number: 9602168Abstract: Improved configurations for wireless energy transfer can include system elements of a wireless energy transfer system that may pair in-band and out-of-band communication channels by exchanging related information. Energy transfer signals may be modulated according to defined waveforms. Information about the signal may be transmitted using an out-of-band communication channel. A system element that receives both the signal and information may verify that they correspond to the same system element.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Michael F. Lamenza, Kylee D. Sealy, Herbert Toby Lou, Christopher Buenrostro, Alexander P. McCauley, Morris P. Kesler, Matthew J. MacDonald, Katherine L. Hall, Konrad J. Kulikowski