Patents by Inventor Dennis L. Stephens
Dennis L. Stephens 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: 9733288Abstract: The resonant frequency of a reactive circuit is determined in situ by determining phase angle differences between an A.C. driving voltage applied to a transformer primary winding and an induced alternating current in the transformer secondary winding. The phase angle is determined indirectly by detecting when the driving voltage applied to the primary changes its polarity and when an induced current in the secondary changes its polarity. The time difference between those polarity changes indicates whether the voltage leads or lags the current or is in phase. A driving voltage frequency is adjusted in real time until the phase angle differences disappear. A duty cycle of the driving signal applied to the primary is also adjusted to change the voltage induced in the secondary winding. The duty cycle is adjusted by changing either a phase of primary driving voltages or the duty cycle of primary driving voltages.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2015Date of Patent: August 15, 2017Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis L. Stephens, Patrick A. O'Gorman
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Publication number: 20170097381Abstract: The resonant frequency of a reactive circuit is determined in situ by determining phase angle differences between an A.C. driving voltage applied to a transformer primary winding and an induced alternating current in the transformer secondary winding. The phase angle is determined indirectly by detecting when the driving voltage applied to the primary changes its polarity and when an induced current in the secondary changes its polarity. The time difference between those polarity changes indicates whether the voltage leads or lags the current or is in phase. A driving voltage frequency is adjusted in real time until the phase angle differences disappear. A duty cycle of the driving signal applied to the primary is also adjusted to change the voltage induced in the secondary winding. The duty cycle is adjusted by changing either a phase of primary driving voltages or the duty cycle of primary driving voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2015Publication date: April 6, 2017Inventors: Dennis L. Stephens, Patrick A. O'Gorman
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Patent number: 9509225Abstract: An output voltage of an LLC resonant converter circuit is received. The received output voltage is analyzed to determine whether the received output voltage is within an acceptable operational range. When the output voltage is not within the acceptable operational range and the operational frequency is below a maximum predetermined frequency, the operational frequency of the LLC resonant converter circuit is adjusted. The adjustment of the operational frequency is effective to change the output voltage to a value that is within the acceptable operational range. When the output voltage is not within the acceptable operational range and the operational frequency is above the maximum predetermined frequency, a phase shift in the LLC resonant converter circuit is adjusted. This adjustment is effective to change the output voltage to a value that is within the acceptable operational range.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Dennis L. Stephens, Young G. Kang
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Publication number: 20160079862Abstract: An output voltage of an LLC resonant converter circuit is received. The received output voltage is analyzed to determine whether the received output voltage is within an acceptable operational range. When the output voltage is not within the acceptable operational range and the operational frequency is below a maximum predetermined frequency, the operational frequency of the LLC resonant converter circuit is adjusted. The adjustment of the operational frequency is effective to change the output voltage to a value that is within the acceptable operational range. When the output voltage is not within the acceptable operational range and the operational frequency is above the maximum predetermined frequency, a phase shift in the LLC resonant converter circuit is adjusted. This adjustment is effective to change the output voltage to a value that is within the acceptable operational range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Dennis L. Stephens, Young G. Kang
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Patent number: 8624570Abstract: Methods and systems for power conversion are disclosed, including receiving at least one interrupt indicative of a transient power condition of the power converter and switching the processor to operate in a second mode from a first mode responsive to the interrupt. The switching enables the processor to allocate greater resources to process a power output parameter of the power converter operating in the transient power condition compared to resources allocated by the processor operating in the first mode to process the power output parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 8569907Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrical system topology for voltage regulation in a 12-volt vehicle power distribution system. Particularly, a single transistor power converter is configured to operate in both as a traditional voltage regulator mode (i.e., as buck converter to reduce the field voltage applied to an alternator to a value less than that available from the main bus) and as an alternator field current boost converter (i.e., as a boost converter to boost the field voltage applied to an alternator to a value greater than that available from the main bus). The converter may also include a controller that incorporates a thermal model of the alternator to limit the amount of voltage boost applied and/or direct temperature measurement of the alternator or alternator components. Additionally, these two approaches may be combined such that measured temperatures are used to refine the temperature estimated by the thermal estimator.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2005Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Publication number: 20120261984Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Donald J. Remboski, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 8159083Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Donald J. Remboski, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 8140286Abstract: The linear position of a moving mechanical component is determined. A plurality of values of a quantity using a plurality of sensors is sensed and the sensed values are indicative of the linear position of the mechanical component. The plurality of sensed values are converted into a plurality of best linear position estimates concerning the mechanical component. One or more compensations are applied to at least some of the plurality of best linear position estimates. Each of the compensations are applied to account for a relative positioning of one of the plurality of sensors with respect to the others. A plurality of weighting factors associated with each of the plurality of best linear position estimates are determined. The position of the mechanical component is determined using the plurality of best linear position estimates and the plurality of weighting factors.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Publication number: 20110089928Abstract: Methods and systems for power conversion are disclosed, including receiving at least one interrupt indicative of a transient power condition of the power converter and switching the processor to operate in a second mode from a first mode responsive to the interrupt. The switching enables the processor to allocate greater resources to process a power output parameter of the power converter operating in the transient power condition compared to resources allocated by the processor operating in the first mode to process the power output parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Publication number: 20110040513Abstract: The linear position of a moving mechanical component is determined. A plurality of values of a quantity using a plurality of sensors is sensed and the sensed values are indicative of the linear position of the mechanical component. The plurality of sensed values are converted into a plurality of best linear position estimates concerning the mechanical component. One or more compensations are applied to at least some of the plurality of best linear position estimates. Each of the compensations are applied to account for a relative positioning of one of the plurality of sensors with respect to the others. A plurality of weighting factors associated with each of the plurality of best linear position estimates are determined. The position of the mechanical component is determined using the plurality of best linear position estimates and the plurality of weighting factors.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Patrick O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7847523Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing power loss in generator are disclosed, including providing one or more operating parameters for a generator, and determining an optimal field power and an optimal phase angle, where the optimal field power and the optimal phase angle substantially minimize a power loss in operating the generator at the one or more operating parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2008Date of Patent: December 7, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Conway, Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Publication number: 20100194192Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Donald J. Remboski, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7701079Abstract: Disclosed herein are a variety of different electrical system topologies intended to mitigate the impact of large intermittent loads on a 12 volt vehicle power distribution system. In some embodiments the intermittent load is disconnected from the remainder of the system and the voltage supplied to this load is allowed to fluctuate. In other embodiments, the voltage to critical loads is regulated independently of the voltage supplied to the remainder of the system. The different topologies described can be grouped into three categories, each corresponding to a different solution technique. One approach is to regulate the voltage to the critical loads. A second approach is to isolate the intermittent load that causes the drop in system voltage. The third approach is to use a different type of alternator that has a faster response than the conventional Lundell wound field machine.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Donald J. Remboski, Dennis L. Stephens
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Publication number: 20090212746Abstract: Methods and systems for minimizing power loss in generator are disclosed, including providing one or more operating parameters for a generator, and determining an optimal field power and an optimal phase angle, where the optimal field power and the optimal phase angle substantially minimize a power loss in operating the generator at the one or more operating parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Conway, Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7443142Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7339327Abstract: An apparatus and method for driving a halogen lamp. A driving circuit is provided that is operable near a series resonance frequency. The driving circuit is coupled to the lamp in a series configuration. During startup, the circuit is driven above resonance. After the lamp has warmed up, the circuit is driven substantially at resonance. A controller is coupled to the driving circuit. The controller is operable to control the frequency of operation of the driving circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2005Date of Patent: March 4, 2008Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7271570Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automotive electrical system including a FET based rectifier and method of controlling the FET based rectifier without using either an alternator shaft position sensor or current sensors on each phase of the alternator output to control the switching of the FETs. In accordance with the teachings herein, the voltage and current on the DC bus of the automotive electrical system are sensed and switching of the FETs is controlled by a microcontroller that determines the appropriate switching times based on these sensed parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 18, 2007Assignee: Temic Automotive of North America, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O′Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7193395Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2006Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens
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Patent number: 7095214Abstract: Disclosed herein are two techniques, neutral point switching and field voltage boost, that will increase the output of today's 12 volt automotive electrical systems in vehicle idle conditions solely by the addition of circuitry. Neutral point switching enables the flow of a third harmonic current, which does not normally flow at low speeds, but only at high speed. Boosting the field voltages can be obtained by integrating a field voltage boost circuit and voltage regulator to increase the field voltage, and consequently the field current, above the level obtained from the battery. Furthermore, the transient response of the alternator to a change in load is improved by temporarily increasing the field voltage above the level needed to sustain the load. These two techniques are compatible, and thus may be implemented together, or may be implemented independently. No changes to a standard alternator are required to accommodate the proposed additional circuitry.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Motorola, Inc.Inventors: Patrick A. O'Gorman, Dennis L. Stephens