Patents by Inventor Conor ROCHFORD
Conor ROCHFORD 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: 11888328Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlling an active rectifier of a wireless power receiver. The exemplary methods can include determining a reference value of a current into the rectifier, the reference value being based on a load requirement; determining a required value change in a present input current into the rectifier based on the reference value; transmitting, to a wireless power transmitter, a signal representative of the required value change in the present input current; determining a new value of the present input current after transmitting the signal; and, when the new value is within a predetermined range of the required value change, driving at least one transistor in the rectifier with a PWM signal based on the new value.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2022Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Patent number: 11695271Abstract: Exemplary protection circuitry for wireless power systems can include a battery disconnect circuit, a load dump protection circuit, and/or a coil disconnect circuit. One or more of these protection circuits may be employed by a wireless power receiver. Further, one or more of these protection circuits may enable a wireless power receiver to be able to protect itself independently from a wireless power transmitter, thereby increasing safety of the wireless power system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Patent number: 11695270Abstract: The disclosure features circuits and methods for protecting transistors of a wireless power receiver, which can be controlled by gate drivers powered by an auxiliary power source. The circuit can include a comparator configured to generate a signal indicating a comparison of a value of the auxiliary power source to a predetermined threshold, and a fault latch coupled to the comparator. The fault latch can be configured to trigger based on the generated signal and transmit a signal to respective inputs of the gate drivers to cause a latched-on state of respective gates of the transistors. Switches respectively coupled to the gate drivers can be configured to disconnect respective outputs of the gate drivers from the respective transistor gates. Gate hold-up circuits respectively coupled to the respective transistor gates can be configured to maintain the latched-on state of the respective transistor gates for a period of time.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2021Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: WiTricity CorporationInventors: Conor Rochford, Milisav Danilovic
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Patent number: 11631999Abstract: Disclosed herein are active rectifiers for wireless power receivers. The exemplary active rectifier can include a first diode coupled between a first input of the rectifier and an output of the rectifier; a first transistor coupled between the first input and ground; a first capacitive snubber coupled in parallel to at least one of: (i) the first diode or (ii) the first transistor. The example active rectifier can include a second diode coupled between a second input of the rectifier and the output; a second transistor coupled between the second input and ground; and a second capacitive snubber coupled in parallel to at least one of: (i) the second diode or (ii) the second transistor.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2021Date of Patent: April 18, 2023Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Publication number: 20230079848Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlling an active rectifier of a wireless power receiver. The exemplary methods can include determining a reference value of a current into the rectifier, the reference value being based on a load requirement; determining a required value change in a present input current into the rectifier based on the reference value; transmitting, to a wireless power transmitter, a signal representative of the required value change in the present input current; determining a new value of the present input current after transmitting the signal; and, when the new value is within a predetermined range of the required value change, driving at least one transistor in the rectifier with a PWM signal based on the new value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Patent number: 11489332Abstract: Exemplary protection circuitry for wireless power systems can include a battery disconnect circuit, a load dump protection circuit, and/or a coil disconnect circuit. One or more of these protection circuits may be employed by a wireless power receiver. Further, one or more of these protection circuits may enable a wireless power receiver to be able to protect itself independently from a wireless power transmitter, thereby increasing safety of the wireless power system.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Milisav Danilovic, Morris P. Kesler, Conor Rochford
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Patent number: 11356079Abstract: Disclosed herein are tunable reactance circuits configured to present a tunable or variable capacitive reactance when energized. The circuits can include a switch configured to be controlled by a gate driver, the gate driver configured to receive a control signal indicating an on-time of the switch; a diode coupled antiparallel to a switch; and one or more capacitors coupled in parallel to the diode. The tunable capacitive reactance can be based on the on-time of the switch and a total capacitance value of the one or more capacitors. The exemplary tunable reactance circuits may be used in wireless power transmitters and/or receivers for efficient power transmission and/or to deliver a particular level of power to a load.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2021Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Conor Rochford, Bryan Esteban
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Publication number: 20210297004Abstract: Disclosed herein are active rectifiers for wireless power receivers. The exemplary active rectifier can include a first diode coupled between a first input of the rectifier and an output of the rectifier; a first transistor coupled between the first input and ground; a first capacitive snubber coupled in parallel to at least one of: (i) the first diode or (ii) the first transistor. The example active rectifier can include a second diode coupled between a second input of the rectifier and the output; a second transistor coupled between the second input and ground; and a second capacitive snubber coupled in parallel to at least one of: (i) the second diode or (ii) the second transistor.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Publication number: 20210281112Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for controlling an active rectifier of a wireless power receiver. The exemplary methods can include determining a reference value of a current into the rectifier, the reference value being based on a load requirement; determining a required value change in a present input current into the rectifier based on the reference value; transmitting, to a wireless power transmitter, a signal representative of the required value change in the present input current; determining a new value of the present input current after transmitting the signal; and, when the new value is within a predetermined range of the required value change, driving at least one transistor in the rectifier with a PWM signal based on the new value.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Publication number: 20210234534Abstract: Disclosed herein are tunable reactance circuits configured to present a tunable or variable capacitive reactance when energized. The circuits can include a switch configured to be controlled by a gate driver, the gate driver configured to receive a control signal indicating an on-time of the switch; a diode coupled antiparallel to a switch; and one or more capacitors coupled in parallel to the diode. The tunable capacitive reactance can be based on the on-time of the switch and a total capacitance value of the one or more capacitors. The exemplary tunable reactance circuits may be used in wireless power transmitters and/or receivers for efficient power transmission and/or to deliver a particular level of power to a load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Conor Rochford, Bryan Esteban
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Publication number: 20210234365Abstract: The disclosure features circuits and methods for protecting transistors of a wireless power receiver, which can be controlled by gate drivers powered by an auxiliary power source. The circuit can include a comparator configured to generate a signal indicating a comparison of a value of the auxiliary power source to a predetermined threshold, and a fault latch coupled to the comparator. The fault latch can be configured to trigger based on the generated signal and transmit a signal to respective inputs of the gate drivers to cause a latched-on state of respective gates of the transistors. Switches respectively coupled to the gate drivers can be configured to disconnect respective outputs of the gate drivers from the respective transistor gates. Gate hold-up circuits respectively coupled to the respective transistor gates can be configured to maintain the latched-on state of the respective transistor gates for a period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Inventors: Conor Rochford, Milisav Danilovic
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Patent number: 11017942Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for determining a current of a resonator coil during operation of a wireless power system having the resonator coil, in which the resonator coil is coupled to a fixed capacitive network and a reactance circuit. The systems and methods can include determining a first signal which can include receiving a current in an inductor of the reactance circuit; converting the current to a voltage signal; and scaling the voltage signal. The systems and methods can include determining a second signal which can include receiving an output voltage at an output of the reactance circuit; dividing the output voltage; and integrating the divided scaled voltage to produce an inverted differentiated voltage signal. The methods can include summing the first signal and the second signal to produce a summed signal; and determining the current in the resonator coil based on the summed signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: WITRICITY CORPORATIONInventors: Conor Rochford, Milisav Danilovic
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Publication number: 20200373768Abstract: Exemplary protection circuitry for wireless power systems can include a battery disconnect circuit, a load dump protection circuit, and/or a coil disconnect circuit. One or more of these protection circuits may be employed by a wireless power receiver. Further, one or more of these protection circuits may enable a wireless power receiver to be able to protect itself independently from a wireless power transmitter, thereby increasing safety of the wireless power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Morris P. Kesler, Conor Rochford
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Publication number: 20200373752Abstract: Exemplary protection circuitry for wireless power systems can include a battery disconnect circuit, a load dump protection circuit, and/or a coil disconnect circuit. One or more of these protection circuits may be employed by a wireless power receiver. Further, one or more of these protection circuits may enable a wireless power receiver to be able to protect itself independently from a wireless power transmitter, thereby increasing safety of the wireless power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Inventors: Milisav Danilovic, Conor Rochford
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Publication number: 20200143982Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for determining a current of a resonator coil during operation of a wireless power system having the resonator coil, in which the resonator coil is coupled to a fixed capacitive network and a reactance circuit. The systems and methods can include determining a first signal which can include receiving a current in an inductor of the reactance circuit; converting the current to a voltage signal; and scaling the voltage signal. The systems and methods can include determining a second signal which can include receiving an output voltage at an output of the reactance circuit; dividing the output voltage; and integrating the divided scaled voltage to produce an inverted differentiated voltage signal. The methods can include summing the first signal and the second signal to produce a summed signal; and determining the current in the resonator coil based on the summed signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2019Publication date: May 7, 2020Inventors: Conor Rochford, Milisav Danilovic
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Patent number: 9484801Abstract: A power converter system includes first and second input terminals; a converter connected to the first and second input terminals and including an output terminal; a start-up circuit connected to a first capacitor and configured to charge the first capacitor during start-up and hiccup conditions; a voltage source connected to the first and second input terminals and configured to provide, during the start-up and hiccup conditions, a voltage proportional to a voltage applied to the first and second input terminals; and a voltage buffer including a MOSFET with a gate connected to the voltage source, a source connected to the start-up circuit, and a drain connected to one of the first and second input terminals.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventors: Alexander Asinovski, Joseph Gonsalves, Conor Rochford
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Publication number: 20150222176Abstract: A power converter system includes first and second input terminals; a converter connected to the first and second input terminals and including an output terminal; a start-up circuit connected to a first capacitor and configured to charge the first capacitor during start-up and hiccup conditions; a voltage source connected to the first and second input terminals and configured to provide, during the start-up and hiccup conditions, a voltage proportional to a voltage applied to the first and second input terminals; and a voltage buffer including a MOSFET with a gate connected to the voltage source, a source connected to the start-up circuit, and a drain connected to one of the first and second input terminals.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: August 6, 2015Inventors: Alexander ASINOVSKI, Joseph GONSALVES, Conor ROCHFORD