Patents by Inventor Enrico Santi

Enrico Santi 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).

  • Publication number: 20230403822
    Abstract: In the past, several microchannel configurations were developed to realize two-phase cooling for high-power electronics, but these were limited to small devices with sizes at ˜cm length. It has been a challenge to implement effective two-phase cooling to large devices with a length of ˜10 cm due to notorious scaling effects. Here, we devised a novel channel configuration to achieve effective two-phase cooling on devices with an area of ˜10 cm by ˜5 cm or larger, which is the prevailing size of major commercial electronics and power electronics devices. In a lab environment, we demonstrated that the novel channel configuration can meet their cooling needs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2022
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Inventors: CHEN LI, WEI CHANG, ENRICO SANTI, BO TIAN
  • Patent number: 11740268
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods and computer processes to separate and select frequency components of a signal in real time without phase delay by predicting or forecasting future values of the signal and using that forecast and past measurements in a noncausal zero-phase filtering algorithm are provided. The method of separating and selecting frequency components of a signal in real time without phase delay using a zero-phase filter, comprises obtaining past measurements of the signal; obtaining predicted values of the signal; and using the predicted values of the signal and the past measurements of the signal as components of an input signal in a noncausal zero-phase filtering algorithm for a zero-phase filter, the zero-phase filter producing an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Andrew S. Wunderlich, Enrico Santi
  • Publication number: 20220231508
    Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods and systems for intelligent load management in off-grid AC systems and provides methods and systems to control and prioritize loads, so that supply and demand can be balanced via an extremely robust and reliable system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Andrew Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 11303127
    Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods and systems for intelligent load management in off-grid AC systems and provides methods and systems to control and prioritize loads, so that supply and demand can be balanced via an extremely robust and reliable system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Andrew Wunderlich
  • Publication number: 20210341522
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, methods and computer processes to separate and select frequency components of a signal in real time without phase delay by predicting or forecasting future values of the signal and using that forecast and past measurements in a noncausal zero-phase filtering algorithm are provided. The method of separating and selecting frequency components of a signal in real time without phase delay using a zero-phase filter, comprises obtaining past measurements of the signal; obtaining predicted values of the signal; and using the predicted values of the signal and the past measurements of the signal as components of an input signal in a noncausal zero-phase filtering algorithm for a zero-phase filter, the zero-phase filter producing an output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Andrew S. Wunderlich, Enrico Santi
  • Patent number: 10819215
    Abstract: Many DC applications switching converter modules are multilevel, series connected converters. If an individual converter cell fails, it is desirable to be able to bypass the failed cell, in order to continue operating the rest of the converter. A bypass switch is provided as a hybrid switch, including a parallel combination of a slow mechanical switch with high current conduction capability and a low power semiconductor switch with faster acting switching capabilities. When the bypass switch is activated (closed), the low power semiconductor switch is turned on first and quickly establishes the bypass within 10 ?s or less, to temporarily conduct required current until the slower mechanical switch turns on. The mechanical switch is subsequently turned on with zero voltage, given the parallel-connected semiconductor switch being on. If desired, the semiconductor switch can then be turned off with zero voltage, given the presence of the mechanical switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventor: Enrico Santi
  • Publication number: 20200313437
    Abstract: The current disclosure provides methods and systems for intelligent load management in off-grid AC systems and provides methods and systems to control and prioritize loads, so that supply and demand can be balanced via an extremely robust and reliable system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Andrew Wunderlich
  • Publication number: 20180006548
    Abstract: Many DC applications switching converter modules are multilevel, series connected converters. If an individual converter cell fails, it is desirable to be able to bypass the failed cell, in order to continue operating the rest of the converter. A bypass switch is provided as a hybrid switch, including a parallel combination of a slow mechanical switch with high current conduction capability and a low power semiconductor switch with faster acting switching capabilities. When the bypass switch is activated (closed), the low power semiconductor switch is turned on first and quickly establishes the bypass within 10 ?s or less, to temporarily conduct required current until the slower mechanical switch turns on. The mechanical switch is subsequently turned on with zero voltage, given the parallel-connected semiconductor switch being on. If desired, the semiconductor switch can then be turned off with zero voltage, given the presence of the mechanical switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventor: Enrico Santi
  • Patent number: 8264058
    Abstract: A MOSFET driver compatible JFET device is disclosed. The JFET device can include a gate contact, a drain contact, and a source contact. The JFET device can further include a first gate region of semiconductor material adjacent the gate contact and a second region of semiconductor material adjacent the first gate region. The first gate region and the second gate region can form a first p-n junction between the first gate region and the second gate region. The JFET device can further include a channel region of semiconductor material adjacent the source contact. The channel region and the second gate region can form a second p-n junction between the second gate region and the channel region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Zhiyang Chen, Alexander Grekov
  • Publication number: 20100207126
    Abstract: A MOSFET driver compatible JFET device is disclosed. The JFET device can include a gate contact, a drain contact, and a source contact. The JFET device can further include a first gate region of semiconductor material adjacent the gate contact and a second region of semiconductor material adjacent the first gate region. The first gate region and the second gate region can form a first p-n junction between the first gate region and the second gate region. The JFET device can further include a channel region of semiconductor material adjacent the source contact. The channel region and the second gate region can form a second p-n junction between the second gate region and the channel region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2010
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Zhiyang Chen, Alexander Grekov
  • Patent number: 5969484
    Abstract: A discontinuous conduction mode (DCM) electronic ballast topology is presented which drives the lamp with line frequency voltage and current, just like a magnetic ballast. However, compared to magnetic ballast, its weight is substantially reduced due to operation at high switching frequency (40 kHz in the experimental prototype). The topology also ensures unity power factor at the input and stable lamp operation at the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Optimum Power Conversion, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Zhe Zhang, Slobodan Cuk
  • Patent number: 5790005
    Abstract: In a dc-to-dc converter, input and output inductors loosely coupled and isolation transformer windings closely coupled are implemented on a UI magnetic core in such a manner as to satisfy a zero-ripple condition k.sub.1 =n of current in the output inductor, where n is a turns ratio of the loosely coupled input and output inductors, and both inductors are chosen to have the same number of turns, and that number is an integer such that the value of the coupling coefficient k.sub.1 required to satisfy the zero-ripple condition is one achieved by modeling of core leakages instead of by adjusting the turns ratio n, thus making it feasible to implement the coupled inductors, and the transformer windings as well, in a single UI core and modeling the core losses by configuring the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Assignee: Optimum Power Conversion, Inc.
    Inventors: Enrico Santi, Slobodan Cuk