Patents by Inventor David Greenleaf
David Greenleaf 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: 10356228Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include a serial communication link between a controller and a power electronics module, where a continuous bit stream passes through the serial communications link.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Patent number: 10236113Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The device may also include a high voltage coil disposed on the PCB and a low voltage coil disposed on the PCB. Further, a conductive shield forms a three-dimensional enclosure around the high voltage coil and confines an electric field generated by the device to the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Carroll Lovell, Mark Eugene Shepard, Andrew David McArthur, Qin Chen, Todd David Greenleaf
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Patent number: 9748947Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for operating insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). For example, there is provided a method that can include detecting a desaturation condition in an IGBT and initiating a turn off procedure when desaturation is detected. The turn off procedure can include holding a gate of the IGBT at at least one voltage level intermediate between a positive rail voltage and a negative rail voltage of an operational range of the IGBT.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTDInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Tobias Schuetz, Todd David Greenleaf, Terry Michael Tackman
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Publication number: 20170213636Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The device may also include a high voltage coil disposed on the PCB and a low voltage coil disposed on the PCB. Further, a conductive shield forms a three-dimensional enclosure around the high voltage coil and confines an electric field generated by the device to the PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2017Publication date: July 27, 2017Inventors: Alan Carroll Lovell, Mark Eugene Shepard, Andrew David McArthur, Qin Chen, Todd David Greenleaf
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Patent number: 9620278Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The device may also include a high voltage coil disposed on the PCB and a low voltage coil disposed on the PCB. Further, a conductive shield forms a three-dimensional enclosure around the high voltage coil and confines an electric field generated by the device to the PCB.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Carroll Lovell, Mark Eugene Shepard, Andrew David McArthur, Qin Chen, Todd David Greenleaf
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Patent number: 9496864Abstract: A gate drive circuit for applying a voltage to a gate of a semiconductor switching device is disclosed. The gate drive circuit includes a gate drive controller that provides voltage commands for operating the semiconductor switching device, a plurality of primary gate resistors coupled between the gate drive controller and the semiconductor switching device, one or more secondary gate resistors connected in parallel with the primary gate resistors, a primary transistor connected in series with each of the primary gate resistors, and a secondary transistor connected in series with each of the secondary gate resistors. Further, one of the primary or secondary transistors receives the one or more voltage commands from the gate drive controller and provides one or more corresponding voltage levels to the semiconductor switching device via one of the primary or secondary gate resistors so as to control the on-off behavior of the semiconductor switching device.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Todd David Greenleaf
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Publication number: 20160182034Abstract: A gate drive circuit for applying a voltage to a gate of a semiconductor switching device is disclosed. The gate drive circuit includes a gate drive controller that provides voltage commands for operating the semiconductor switching device, a plurality of primary gate resistors coupled between the gate drive controller and the semiconductor switching device, one or more secondary gate resistors connected in parallel with the primary gate resistors, a primary transistor connected in series with each of the primary gate resistors, and a secondary transistor connected in series with each of the secondary gate resistors. Further, one of the primary or secondary transistors receives the one or more voltage commands from the gate drive controller and provides one or more corresponding voltage levels to the semiconductor switching device via one of the primary or secondary gate resistors so as to control the on-off behavior of the semiconductor switching device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: June 23, 2016Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Todd David Greenleaf
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Patent number: 9362859Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of switching elements contained within a single-phase bridge circuit of a power convertor may include monitoring gate voltages of a first switching element and a second switching element of the single-phase bridge circuit and controlling the first and second switching elements so that each switching element is alternated between an activated state and a deactivated state. In addition, the method may include transmitting a gating command signal to adjust the first switching element from the deactivated state to the activated state when: a first gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the first switching element to the activated state; a second gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the second switching element to the deactivated state; and the gate voltage of the second switching element is less than a predetermined voltage threshold.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Todd David Greenleaf
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Publication number: 20160065701Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include a serial communication link between a controller and a power electronics module, where a continuous bit stream passes through the serial communications link.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Patent number: 9184650Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include at least one power source for selectively providing power to one or more power semiconductor devices controlled by a gate driver. The gate driver may include at least one controller coupled to at least one power semiconductor device interface via a first channel and a second channel configured to provide galvanic isolation of information communicated between the controller and the at least one power semiconductor device interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Publication number: 20150235757Abstract: A device includes a printed circuit board (PCB). The device may also include a high voltage coil disposed on the PCB and a low voltage coil disposed on the PCB. Further, a conductive shield forms a three-dimensional enclosure around the high voltage coil and confines an electric field generated by the device to the PCB.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2014Publication date: August 20, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Carroll Lovell, Mark Eugene Shepard, Andrew David McArthur, Qin Chen, Todd David Greenleaf
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Patent number: 9048831Abstract: A system for regulating semiconductor devices may include a current regulator configured to regulate one or more currents provided to an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The current regulator may regulate the currents by generating a current profile based at least in part on a collector voltage value associated with the IGBT, a rate of collector voltage change value associated with the IGBT, or any combination thereof. The current profile may include one or more current values to be provided to a gate of the IGBT such that the current values are configured to limit the rate of collector voltage change to a first value. The current regulator may then send the one or more current values to a current source configured to supply the gate of the IGBT with one or more currents that correspond to the one or more current values.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Publication number: 20150084337Abstract: In one aspect, a method for controlling the operation of switching elements contained within a single-phase bridge circuit of a power convertor may include monitoring gate voltages of a first switching element and a second switching element of the single-phase bridge circuit and controlling the first and second switching elements so that each switching element is alternated between an activated state and a deactivated state. In addition, the method may include transmitting a gating command signal to adjust the first switching element from the deactivated state to the activated state when: a first gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the first switching element to the activated state; a second gate drive command is received that is associated with switching the second switching element to the deactivated state; and the gate voltage of the second switching element is less than a predetermined voltage threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Anthony Michael Klodowski, Todd David Greenleaf
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Publication number: 20140097886Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include at least one power source for selectively providing power to one or more power semiconductor devices controlled by a gate driver. The gate driver may include at least one controller coupled to at least one power semiconductor device interface via a first channel and a second channel configured to provide galvanic isolation of information communicated between the controller and the at least one power semiconductor device interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Publication number: 20140015571Abstract: A system for regulating semiconductor devices may include a current regulator configured to regulate one or more currents provided to an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT). The current regulator may regulate the currents by generating a current profile based at least in part on a collector voltage value associated with the IGBT, a rate of collector voltage change value associated with the IGBT, or any combination thereof The current profile may include one or more current values to be provided to a gate of the IGBT such that the current values are configured to limit the rate of collector voltage change to a first value. The current regulator may then send the one or more current values to a current source configured to supply the gate of the IGBT with one or more currents that correspond to the one or more current values.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
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Publication number: 20120199121Abstract: A dry powder inhaler incorporates a cyclone chamber (4) comprising at least one air inlet (6) and an outlet (10) wherein the configuration of the air inlet (6) and the shape of the chamber (4) is such that in use a reverse flow cyclone is set up in the chamber (4). The chamber (4) further comprises flow disrupter means, e.g. the upper surface (14) of a protrusion (12) from the base, disposed so as in use to restrict air flowing from the base of the chamber (4) in an axial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2010Publication date: August 9, 2012Applicant: CAMBRIDGE CONSULTANTS LIMITEDInventors: Rachel Striebig, Peter Hodson, David Harris, David Greenleaf, Marek Myszko, Amanda Jane Fuller, Matthew Allen
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Patent number: 7609072Abstract: A method of conditioning tantalum capacitors on printed wire assemblies is disclosed. According to the method, each of the capacitors on an assembly is subjected to the same conditioning level during testing. To condition the tantalum capacitors, surge currents are induced in the capacitors in a controlled manner as a way of aging the capacitors so that they can be used without de-rating rating with low failure rates. The level of voltage, timing and current levels are set by circuitry used to perform the testing. The same circuits that are used with the capacitors in a system application are also used for the tantalum capacitor test circuit during the conditioning process.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2007Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Todd David Greenleaf
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Publication number: 20080246492Abstract: A method of conditioning tantalum capacitors on printed wire assemblies is disclosed. According to the method, each of the capacitors on an assembly is subjected to the same conditioning level during testing. To condition the tantalum capacitors, surge currents are induced in the capacitors in a controlled manner as a means of aging the capacitors so that they can be used without de-rating rating with low failure rates. The level of voltage, timing and current levels are set by circuitry used to perform the testing. The same circuits that are used with the capacitors in a system application are also used for the tantalum capacitor test circuit during the conditioning process.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2007Publication date: October 9, 2008Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Allen Michael Ritter, Todd David Greenleaf
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Publication number: 20070246042Abstract: A dose counter for use with an inhaler comprising a container for medicament equipped with a reciprocal actuation means to dispense a dose of medicament therefrom, the dose counter comprising: a fixed ratchet member, a trigger member constructed and arranged to undergo reciprocal movement coordinated with the reciprocal movement between the actuation means and the container, said reciprocal movement comprising an outward stroke and a return stroke, a counter member constructed and arranged to undergo a predetermined counting movement each time a dose is dispensed, the counter member being biased towards the ratchet and trigger members and being capable of counting motion in a direction generally orthogonal to the direction of reciprocal movement of the trigger member, the counter member comprising: a first region for interaction with the trigger member which comprises at least one inclined surface which is engaged by the trigger member during its outward stroke causing the counter member to undergo counting mType: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2004Publication date: October 25, 2007Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANYInventors: Graham Purkins, Lee Kristensen, Sarah Jones, David Greenleaf
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Patent number: 6411147Abstract: Grouped gating control logic allows for one or more inputs in a group to be active at any given time. Once an input signal in a group is active, all other pulse trains received in the same group can be locked out. Thus, by using a finite state machine to control gate pulses, the noise margin of the gating unit can be regulated and an extra level of protection is available should one of the input gating signals be defective.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jordan Brantley Casteel, Todd David Greenleaf