Patents by Inventor Christopher J. Liegel

Christopher J. Liegel 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).

  • Auxiliary commutated silicon-controlled rectifier circuit methods and systems
    Patent number: 9998116
    Abstract: An illustrative device includes a first silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) and a second silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) connected in anti-parallel and a first commutation module, which includes a first voltage source, a first diode, and a first self-commutating semiconductor switch. The device also includes a second commutation module including a second voltage source, a second diode, and a second self-commutating semiconductor switch. The first voltage source, the first diode, and the first self-commutating semiconductor switch of the first commutation module are connected in series. The second voltage source, the second diode, and the second self-commutating semiconductor switch of the second commutation module are connected in series. The first SCR, the second SCR, the first commutation module, and the second commutation module are connected in parallel. The commutation modules are configured to apply reverse bias voltages to the first and second SCRs to turn off the SCRs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Schneider, Donald G. Rosene, Christopher J. Liegel, Joshua D. Kagerbauer, William E. Brumsickle
  • AUXILIARY COMMUTATED SILICON-CONTROLLED RECTIFIER CIRCUIT METHODS AND SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20170040999
    Abstract: An illustrative device includes a first silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) and a second silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) connected in anti-parallel and a first commutation module, which includes a first voltage source, a first diode, and a first self-commutating semiconductor switch. The device also includes a second commutation module including a second voltage source, a second diode, and a second self-commutating semiconductor switch. The first voltage source, the first diode, and the first self-commutating semiconductor switch of the first commutation module are connected in series. The second voltage source, the second diode, and the second self-commutating semiconductor switch of the second commutation module are connected in series. The first SCR, the second SCR, the first commutation module, and the second commutation module are connected in parallel. The commutation modules are configured to apply reverse bias voltages to the first and second SCRs to turn off the SCRs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Robert S. Schneider, Donald G. Rosene, Christopher J. Liegel, Joshua D. Kagerbauer, William E. Brumsickle