Patents by Inventor Edward Chan

Edward Chan 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).

  • Patent number: 10206314
    Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly including a stacked array of module frames, a manifold, and a pair of endplates is provided. The stacked array of module frames may each define a passthrough in registration with other of the passthroughs to define a manifold cavity, a power stage cavity, and a plurality of outlets open to the respective passthroughs and oriented relative to the power stage cavities to deliver coolant therebetween. The manifold may be disposed within the manifold cavity and defines a manifold inlet open to an inlet chamber and manifold ports for alignment with the plurality of outlets. One of the endplates may define an inlet open to the manifold inlet and another one of the endplates may define an outlet open to a manifold outlet. The inlets, outlets, and ports are arranged with one another to provide a coolant path between the endplate inlet and endplate outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Tienli Wang, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Publication number: 20190037737
    Abstract: A method of forming a power-module assembly includes arranging power stages in a cavity of a container such that the power stages are spaced apart from walls of the container. The method further includes inserting a core between each of the power stages, and installing a manifold on top of the power stages. The method also includes putting resin into the cavity to form a housing of the power-module assembly, and removing the core to reveal coolant chambers between each of the power stages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Guangyin LEI, Michael W. DEGNER, Edward Chan-Jiun JIH
  • Patent number: 10137798
    Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly is provided. The assembly many include an array of stacked frames, a power stage housed within each of the frames, and busbars. Each of the power stages may include a pair of opposite polarity terminals extending therefrom. The busbars may be dispersed along the array to electrically connect like polarity terminals. The power stages may be arranged with one another such that like polarity terminals are adjacent one another and the busbars define an alternating sequence corresponding to the polarity of the terminals. The terminals may be located on the respective power stages such that the busbars are alternately dispersed in a linear sequence along a side face defined by portions of the frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael W. Degner, Guangyin Lei, Chingchi Chen, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 10135319
    Abstract: A vehicle electric machine includes a stator having an end face and a yoke region defining a channel. End windings are adjacent to the end face. An annular cover has inner and outer walls defining an annular cavity configured to receive the end windings. The channel opens into the cavity, and a radial distance between the inner and outer walls is less than or equal to a radial length of the end face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Prasad Dev Hanumalagutti, Michael W. Degner, Franco Leonardi, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 10123465
    Abstract: A method of forming a power-module assembly includes arranging power stages in a cavity of a container such that the power stages are spaced apart from walls of the container. The method further includes inserting a core between each of the power stages, and installing a manifold on top of the power stages. The method also includes putting resin into the cavity to form a housing of the power-module assembly, and removing the core to reveal coolant chambers between each of the power stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 10097066
    Abstract: An electric machine for a vehicle includes a stator having slots and a yolk region defining a plurality of channels extending between the opposing end faces of the stator. Windings extend through the slots and have end windings adjacent to the end faces. A rotor is disposed within the stator. The electric machine also includes first and second annular covers each defining a cavity having a plurality of walls partitioning the cavity into a plurality of cooling chambers that are circumferentially isolated from each other. Each of the covers is attached to one of the end faces such that a corresponding one of the end windings is disposed within one of the cavities, and such that each of the channels is in direct fluid communication with a corresponding one of the cooling chambers of the first cover and with a corresponding one of the cooling chambers of the second cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Prasad Dev Hanumalagutti, Michael W. Degner, Franco Leonardi, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Publication number: 20180283526
    Abstract: A vehicle system is disclosed. The vehicle system includes an automatic transmission fluid cooling conduit. The automatic transmission fluid cooling conduit includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, and an elbow portion connecting the inlet and outlet portions and having an inner surface defining a cavity in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet portions. The automatic transmission fluid cooling conduit also includes an oleophobic or hydrophobic coating on the inner surface. The oleophobic or hydrophobic coating is configured to reduce eddy currents in the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: MYUNG KI SUNG, EDWARD CHAN-JIUN JIH, MICHAEL W. DEGNER
  • Publication number: 20180287469
    Abstract: An electric machine is disclosed. The electric machine includes a stator core within a transaxle housing and having a channel-less outer surface portion. The electric machine also includes one or more layers of an oleophobic or hydrophobic patterned coating defining boundaries wrapping around a perimeter of the stator core, and one or more layers of an oleophilic or hydrophilic coating on the portion within the boundaries configured to direct coolant flow over the oleophilic or hydrophilic coating within the boundaries.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: MYUNG KI SUNG, EDWARD CHAN-JIUN JIH, MICHAEL W. DEGNER
  • Publication number: 20180287464
    Abstract: An electric machine is disclosed. The electric machine includes a stator core defining a cavity and having end-windings protruding from the cavity, and a rotor configured to rotate within the cavity and having end plates defining a plurality of holes for providing coolant. The electric machine also includes one or more layers of an oleophobic or hydrophobic coating disposed on portions of the end plate corresponding to the holes to increase coolant flow to the end-windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: MYUNG KI SUNG, EDWARD CHAN-JIUN JIH, MICHAEL W. DEGNER
  • Patent number: 10086538
    Abstract: A cover for a housing of an electric machine is provided. The cover may include an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall. The outer sidewall may be spaced apart from the inner sidewall to define a coolant channel therebetween. The inner sidewall and outer sidewall may be defined by an interior surface of the cover such that the coolant channel receives end windings of a stator of the electric machine when the cover is secured to the housing. The interior surface of the cover may define features between the sidewalls to promote turbulence of coolant flowing through the coolant channel. The interior surface of the cover may define a meandering trough between the sidewalls to form a predetermined coolant path relative to a location of the end windings when the cover is secured to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Prasad Dev Hanumalagutti, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Guangyin Lei, Franco Leonardi
  • Patent number: 10037977
    Abstract: A power electronics assembly includes a case and an array of power stages disposed within the case. Each of the power stages includes a transistor-based switching arrangement configured to change direct current from a traction battery to alternating current for an electric machine. The power stages are bonded together via a resin to form a monolithic power module adhered to a wall of the case. This disclosure also discloses methods for forming power electronic assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Chingchi Chen, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 10017073
    Abstract: A vehicle power module assembly is provided. The assembly may include a first frame, a second frame, and power stages. The first frame may define a first pair of coolant cavities. The second frame may define a second pair of coolant cavities in communication with the first pair of cavities to define a serial coolant path. Each of the frames may house one of the power stages disposed between the respective pairs of cavities such that coolant flowing through the cavities is in thermal communication with the power stages. The assembly may further include a pair of endplates, one of which defines a channel to divert coolant from a last of the pair of coolant cavities to the outlet cutouts in substantial registration with one another. Each of the first frame and second frame may further define a pass-through fluidly connecting the pair of coolant cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 10014794
    Abstract: An electronic device for an electric powertrain of a vehicle is disclosed. The device includes a power module assembly having a housing that defines a first side, and an array of power modules disposed within the housing. Each of the power modules includes first electrical contact patches at least partially embedded in the first side and having an attachment surface substantially parallel to the first side. A capacitor assembly includes a housing defining a second side that is substantially coplanar with the first side, and an array of second electrical contact patches at least partially embedded in the second side. The second electrical contact patches have an attachment surface substantially parallel to the second side. A busbar mechanically and electrically couples at least one of the first contact patches to at least one of the second contact patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Chingchi Chen, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 10000126
    Abstract: A power inverter includes a plurality of power modules that each have a frame defining a cavity, and a power stage disposed within the cavity. Each of the frames have a pair of engaging surfaces. The frames are arranged in a stack such that the engaging surfaces adjacent to each other abut. A plurality of seals are interleaved with the modules such that each of the seals is disposed between engaging surfaces of the frames abutting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Andreas R. Schamel
  • Publication number: 20180157461
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to streaming influencer device audio content to listener devices. In some embodiments, a computing platform may receive, from a first influencer device, first stream information associated with a first music stream. Subsequently, the computing platform may identify a plurality of listener devices that subscribe to receive music streams from the first influencer device. The music sharing computing platform then may evaluate first tracking information associated with a first listener device of the plurality of listener devices to enforce one or more playback restrictions on the first listener device, and may evaluate second tracking information associated with a second listener device of the plurality of listener devices to enforce the one or more playback restrictions on the second listener device. Based on evaluating the tracking information, the computing platform may share the first music stream with the first listener device and the second listener device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Touch, Ryan Britt, Jon Kraft, Edward Chan
  • Patent number: 9961808
    Abstract: A power-electronics assembly includes a plurality of power modules each having a body, a power stage disposed in the body and having opposing major sides, and a coolant channel defined in the body at a location adjacent to one of the major sides. The modules are arranged in a stack such that the coolant channels are interleaved with the power stages. At least one of the bodies defines a passageway extending between adjacent channels to connect the adjacent channels in fluid communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 9954409
    Abstract: A power supply is provided. The power supply device includes a power module and a capacitor. The power module includes inverting circuitry and is configured to deliver electrical power to an electric machine. The capacitor is disposed adjacent to the power module and is arranged to limit voltage variation at the inverting circuitry input due to ripple current. The inverting circuitry and the capacitor are surrounded by a monolithic non-metal casing that provides voltage isolation between the power module and the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Chingchi Chen, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 9950628
    Abstract: A power-electronics system includes a plurality of power modules each having a power stage and defining a side pocket. The power stages are stacked in an array such that the side pockets are interleaved with the power stages. A dummy module defines a first coolant pocket and is disposed within the array such that the first coolant pocket cooperates with one of the side pockets to define a coolant chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Guangyin Lei, Michael W. Degner, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih
  • Patent number: 9936129
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating a high resolution image from a plurality of images captured from a plurality of sensors. The pixels in one sensor have at least one of different size, shape, or orientation than pixels in another sensor. The difference in size, shape, or orientation of the pixels and the interconnection of pixels on respective sensors provides a high level of certainty that there will be sufficient difference in the captured images, with limited loss in image content, to generate a relatively high resolution image from the images captured by the respective sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: OBSIDIAN SENSORS, INC.
    Inventors: Bing Wen, Edward Chan, Shen-Ge Wang, Jian Ma, John Hong
  • Patent number: 9919608
    Abstract: A power-module assembly includes a plurality of power modules that each have a power stage with opposing major sides and minor sides surrounded by a frame. The frame extends past the major sides and cooperates with the major sides to define pockets on each side of the power module. The modules are arranged in a stack such that pockets adjacent to each other cooperate to form coolant chambers interleaved with the modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tienli Wang, Guangyin Lei, Edward Chan-Jiun Jih, Michael W. Degner