Patents by Inventor Douglas S. Carlson
Douglas S. Carlson 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: 8480419Abstract: A busbar connector assembly for coupling first and second terminals on a two-terminal device to first and second contacts on a power module is provided. The first terminal resides proximate the first contact and the second terminal resides proximate the second contact. The assembly comprises a first bridge having a first end configured to be electrically coupled to the first terminal, and a second end configured to be electrically coupled to the second contact, and a second bridge substantially overlapping the first bridge and having a first end electrically coupled to the first contact, and a second end electrically coupled to the second terminal.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Meghan Ann Holbrook, Douglas S. Carlson
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Patent number: 8476989Abstract: A filter for an automotive electrical system includes a substrate having first and second conductive members. First and second input terminals are mounted to the substrate. The first input terminal is electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second input terminal is electrically connected to the second conductive member. A plurality of capacitors are mounted to the substrate. Each of the capacitors is electrically connected to at least one of the first and second conductive members. First and second power connectors are mounted to the substrate. The first power connector is electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second power connector is electrically connected to the second conductive member. A common mode choke is coupled to the substrate and arranged such that the common mode choke extends around at least a portion of the substrate and the first and second conductive members.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nicholas Hayden Herron, Douglas S. Carlson, David Tang, Mark D. Korich
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Patent number: 8279620Abstract: A power electronics assembly is provided. A first support member includes a first plurality of conductors. A first plurality of power switching devices are coupled to the first support member. A first capacitor is coupled to the first support member. A second support member includes a second plurality of conductors. A second plurality of power switching devices are coupled to the second support member. A second capacitor is coupled to the second support member. The first and second pluralities of conductors, the first and second pluralities of power switching devices, and the first and second capacitors are electrically connected such that the first plurality of power switching devices is connected in parallel with the first capacitor and the second capacitor and the second plurality of power switching devices is connected in parallel with the second capacitor and the first capacitor.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Nicholas Hayden Herron, Brooks S. Mann, Mark D. Korich, Cindy Chou, David Tang, Douglas S. Carlson, Alan L. Barry
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Publication number: 20110069466Abstract: A power electronics assembly is provided. A first support member includes a first plurality of conductors. A first plurality of power switching devices are coupled to the first support member. A first capacitor is coupled to the first support member. A second support member includes a second plurality of conductors. A second plurality of power switching devices are coupled to the second support member. A second capacitor is coupled to the second support member. The first and second pluralities of conductors, the first and second pluralities of power switching devices, and the first and second capacitors are electrically connected such that the first plurality of power switching devices is connected in parallel with the first capacitor and the second capacitor and the second plurality of power switching devices is connected in parallel with the second capacitor and the first capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: NICHOLAS HAYDEN HERRON, BROOKS S. MANN, MARK D. KORICH, CINDY CHOU, DAVID TANG, DOUGLAS S. CARLSON, ALAN L. BARRY
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Publication number: 20110043303Abstract: A filter for an automotive electrical system includes a substrate having first and second conductive members. First and second input terminals are mounted to the substrate. The first input terminal is electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second input terminal is electrically connected to the second conductive member. A plurality of capacitors are mounted to the substrate. Each of the capacitors is electrically connected to at least one of the first and second conductive members. First and second power connectors are mounted to the substrate. The first power connector is electrically connected to the first conductive member, and the second power connector is electrically connected to the second conductive member. A common mode choke is coupled to the substrate and arranged such that the common mode choke extends around at least a portion of the substrate and the first and second conductive members.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: NICHOLAS HAYDEN HERRON, DOUGLAS S. CARLSON, DAVID TANG, MARK D. KORICH
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Publication number: 20100173509Abstract: A busbar connector assembly for coupling first and second terminals on a two-terminal device to first and second contacts on a power module is provided. The first terminal resides proximate the first contact and the second terminal resides proximate the second contact. The assembly comprises a first bridge having a first end configured to be electrically coupled to the first terminal, and a second end configured to be electrically coupled to the second contact, and a second bridge substantially overlapping the first bridge and having a first end electrically coupled to the first contact, and a second end electrically coupled to the second terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MEGHAN ANN HOLBROOK, DOUGLAS S. CARLSON
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Patent number: 7742317Abstract: A method and apparatus for precharging a DC to DC power converter system is provided. The system includes a boost circuit for generating a boosted output voltage from an input voltage. The input voltage is monitored. A predetermined current limit is compared to a current in the boost circuit, and the current limited is increased when the input voltage is greater than a predetermined value.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Keming Chen, Douglas S. Carlson, Sung Chung
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Publication number: 20090161389Abstract: A method and apparatus for precharging a DC to DC power converter system is provided. The system includes a boost circuit for generating a boosted output voltage from an input voltage. The input voltage is monitored. A predetermined current limit is compared to a current in the boost circuit, and the current limited is increased when the input voltage is greater than a predetermined value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: KEMING CHEN, DOUGLAS S. CARLSON, SUNG CHUNG
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Patent number: 7092267Abstract: A power supply generates alternating current and direct current from a constant-voltage source. A multi-phase pulse width modulation voltage source inverter is connected across the source to output multi-phase alternating current. At least one waveform generator is bridged in parallel with the inverter, with each waveform generator outputting zero-sequence waveform current compensated to maintain the multi-phase current within a predetermined tolerance from a desired set point. A rectifier receives the waveform current and generates direct current.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Douglas S. Carlson, John S. Hsu, James M. Nagashima, Constantin C. Stancu, Donald J. Adams, Gui-Jia Su, Gregory S. Smith
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Patent number: 6831442Abstract: A method for providing additional dc inputs or outputs (49, 59) from a dc-to-ac inverter (10) for controlling motor loads (60) comprises deriving zero-sequence components (Vao, Vbo, and Vco) from the inverter (10) through additional circuit branches with power switching devices (23, 44, 46), transforming the voltage between a high voltage and a low voltage using a transformer or motor (42, 50), converting the low voltage between ac and dc using a rectifier (41, 51) or an H-bridge (61), and providing at least one low voltage dc input or output (49, 59). The transformation of the ac voltage may be either single phase or three phase. Where less than a 100% duty cycle is acceptable, a two-phase modulation of the switching signals controlling the inverter (10) reduces switching losses in the inverter (10). A plurality of circuits for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignees: General Motors Corporation, UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: John S. Hsu, Gui-Jia Su, Donald J. Adams, James M. Nagashima, Constantin Stancu, Douglas S. Carlson, Gregory S. Smith
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Patent number: 6707222Abstract: A method for making a motor and auxiliary devices with a unified stator body comprises providing a piece of material (10) having an area larger than a cross section of the stator (11), removing material from the piece of material (10) to form a pattern for a cross section of a core (11) for the stator, and removing material from the piece of material (10) outside the cross section of the core of the stator (11) to allow positioning of cores (22, 23, 24) for supporting windings (25, 26, 27) of least one additional electromagnetic device, such as a transformer (62) in a dc-to-dc converter (61, 62) that provides a low. voltage dc output. An article of manufacture made according to the invention is also disclosed and apparatus made with the method and article of manufacture are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLCInventors: John S. Hsu, Gui-Jia Su, Donald J. Adams, James M. Nagashima, Constantin Stancu, Douglas S. Carlson, Gregory S. Smith
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Publication number: 20040004852Abstract: A method for providing additional dc inputs or outputs (49, 59) from a dc-to-ac inverter (10) for controlling motor loads (60) comprises deriving zero-sequence components (Vao, Vbo, and Vco) from the inverter (10) through additional circuit branches with power switching devices (23, 44, 46), transforming the voltage between a high voltage and a low voltage using a transformer or motor (42, 50), converting the low voltage between ac and dc using a rectifier (41, 51) or an H-bridge (61), and providing at least one low voltage dc input or output (49, 59). The transformation of the ac voltage may be either single phase or three phase. Where less than a 100% duty cycle is acceptable, a two-phase modulation of the switching signals controlling the inverter (10) reduces switching losses in the inverter (10). A plurality of circuits for carrying out the invention are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2002Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: John S. Hsu, Gui-Jia Su, Donald J. Adams, James M. Nagashima, Constantin Stancu, Douglas S. Carlson, Gregory S. Smith
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Publication number: 20040004410Abstract: A method for making a motor and auxiliary devices with a unified stator body comprises providing a piece of material (10) having an area larger than a cross section of the stator (11), removing material from the piece of material (10) to form a pattern for a cross section of a core (11) for the stator, and removing material from the piece of material (10) outside the cross section of the core of the stator (11) to allow positioning of cores (22, 23, 24) for supporting windings (25, 26, 27) of least one additional electromagnetic device, such as a transformer (62) in a dc-to-dc converter (61, 62) that provides a low voltage dc output. An article of manufacture made according to the invention is also disclosed and apparatus made with the method and article of manufacture are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2002Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: John S. Hsu, Gui-Jia Su, Donald J. Adams, James M. Nagashima, Constantin Stancu, Douglas S. Carlson, Gregory S. Smith
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Patent number: 6617820Abstract: A method of generating low voltage auxiliary power forms for electric or hybrid vehicle use by tapping power from the traction motor primary winding with a secondary winding and rectifier.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2001Date of Patent: September 9, 2003Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Douglas S. Carlson, Constantin C. Stancu, James M. Nagashima, Silva Hiti, Khwaja M. Rahman
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Publication number: 20030048089Abstract: A method of generating low voltage auxiliary power forms for electric or hybrid vehicle use by tapping power from the traction motor primary winding with a secondary winding and rectifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2001Publication date: March 13, 2003Inventors: Douglas S. Carlson, Constantin C. Stancu, James M. Nagashima, Silva Hiti, Khwaja M. Rahman
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Patent number: 6326819Abstract: A current buffer for a gate driver having an input end and an output end. An independent path electrically couples the above input and output end. The current buffer further includes two switches controlling flows of electrical current via the switches to the output end from a positive and a negative power source respectively. A control circuit controls the switches between an ON and OFF state. When the buffer receives a suitable input signal at the input end, one of the switches is triggered to ON state, the current at the output end are the sum of current that flows from the switch, as well as the current that flows via the independent path. Upon reaching a threshold point, the switch is switched to OFF state. An equilibrium state is reached via the independent path.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 1999Date of Patent: December 4, 2001Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventor: Douglas S. Carlson