Patents by Inventor Fengfeng Tao
Fengfeng Tao 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: 11125842Abstract: This disclosure regards a magnetic resonance imaging system including a scanner, and gradient drivers. The scanner is to be implemented within a scan room that is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Gradient coils are designed to create a linear gradient in the magnetic field generated in the scanner by a primary magnet. These coils are energized by gradient drivers. The gradient drivers use transformers and other electrical devices in a switching stage configured to generate pulse-width-modulated power. The transformers may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient drivers within the scan room. The gradient drivers also use a filtering stage which uses inductors and other electrical devices to smooth the pulse-width-modulated power. The inductors within the filters may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient driver within the scan room. Additionally, an inductor with a hollow wire may be used to circulate fluid to facilitate cooling the gradient driver.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2020Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLCInventors: Ruxi Wang, Xiaohu Liu, Han Peng, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate
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Patent number: 10809326Abstract: A gate driver circuit is provided. The gate driver circuit includes an isolated gate driver power supply circuit. The isolated gate driver power supply circuit includes a coreless transformer and a resonance converter coupled to the coreless transformer. A method of manufacturing an isolated gate driver power supply circuit for a gate driver circuit is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLCInventors: Ruxi Wang, Krishna Mainali, Juan Antonio Sabate, Xiaohu Liu, Fengfeng Tao
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Publication number: 20200174089Abstract: This disclosure regards a magnetic resonance imaging system including a scanner, and gradient drivers. The scanner is to be implemented within a scan room that is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Gradient coils are designed to create a linear gradient in the magnetic field generated in the scanner by a primary magnet. These coils are energized by gradient drivers. The gradient drivers use transformers and other electrical devices in a switching stage configured to generate pulse-width-modulated power. The transformers may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient drivers within the scan room. The gradient drivers also use a filtering stage which uses inductors and other electrical devices to smooth the pulse-width-modulated power. The inductors within the filters may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient driver within the scan room. Additionally, an inductor with a hollow wire may be used to circulate fluid to facilitate cooling the gradient driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Xiaohu Liu, Han Peng, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate
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Patent number: 10585155Abstract: This disclosure regards a magnetic resonance imaging system including a scanner, and gradient drivers. The scanner is to be implemented within a scan room that is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Gradient coils are designed to create a linear gradient in the magnetic field generated in the scanner by a primary magnet. These coils are energized by gradient drivers. The gradient drivers use transformers and other electrical devices in a switching stage configured to generate pulse-width-modulated power. The transformers may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient drivers within the scan room. The gradient drivers also use a filtering stage which uses inductors and other electrical devices to smooth the pulse-width-modulated power. The inductors within the filters may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient driver within the scan room. Additionally, an inductor with a hollow wire may be used to circulate fluid to facilitate cooling the gradient driver.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ruxi Wang, Xiaohu Liu, Han Peng, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate
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Patent number: 10431978Abstract: A system and method for conditioning DC power received from hybrid DC power sources is disclosed. A power conversion circuit is coupled to a respective DC power source to selectively condition the output power generated thereby to a DC bus voltage. The power conversion circuit includes a switch arrangement and capacitors arranged to provide a charge balancing in the power conversion circuit. A controller in operable communication with the switch arrangement receives inputs on a DC bus voltage and at least one parameter related to operation of the DC power source, and determines an adjustable voltage to be output from the conversion circuit to the DC bus based on the received inputs. The controller then selectively controls operation of the switch arrangement in order to generate the determined adjustable voltage.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fengfeng Tao, Ahmed Elasser, Song Chi, Maja Harfman Todorovic
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Patent number: 10404186Abstract: A power module includes an input bus, a switching device, and an output bus. The input bus includes a first coating of a high permeability magnetic conductive material and is configured to receive input direct current (DC) electrical power from an electrical power source. The switching device is electrically coupled to the first input bus, and is configured to selectively connect and disconnect to facilitate converting the input DC electrical power into output alternating current (AC) electrical power. The output bus includes a second coating of the high permeability magnetic conductive material, and is electrically coupled to the first switching device. The output bus is configured to supply the output AC electrical power to an electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2016Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Michael Joseph Schutten, Fengfeng Tao, Maja Harfman-Todorovic, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Philip Michael Cioffi, Ljubisa Dragoljub Stevanovic
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Publication number: 20190235035Abstract: A gate driver circuit is provided. The gate driver circuit includes an isolated gate driver power supply circuit. The isolated gate driver power supply circuit includes a coreless transformer and a resonance converter coupled to the coreless transformer. A method of manufacturing an isolated gate driver power supply circuit for a gate driver circuit is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2018Publication date: August 1, 2019Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Krishna Mainali, Juan Antonio Sabate, Xiaohu Liu, Fengfeng Tao
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Patent number: 10185141Abstract: The present disclosure presents techniques to facilitate improving operation of an electrical system, which includes a bus structure that cascades multiple electrical devices. The bus structure includes a first outer conductive layer implemented as a positive layer; a second outer conductive layer implemented as a negative layer; a first intermediate conductive layer neighboring the first outer conductive layer; a second intermediate conductive layer neighboring the second outer conductive layer; and a third intermediate conductive layer neighboring the second intermediate conductive layer, in which the third intermediate conductive layer is implemented as an inter-device layer that facilitates electrically coupling at least two of the electrical devices in series.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ruxi Wang, Douglas Link, Melissa Freeman, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate, Eladio Clemente Delgado
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Publication number: 20180372819Abstract: This disclosure regards a magnetic resonance imaging system including a scanner, and gradient drivers. The scanner is to be implemented within a scan room that is shielded from electromagnetic interference. Gradient coils are designed to create a linear gradient in the magnetic field generated in the scanner by a primary magnet. These coils are energized by gradient drivers. The gradient drivers use transformers and other electrical devices in a switching stage configured to generate pulse-width-modulated power. The transformers may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient drivers within the scan room. The gradient drivers also use a filtering stage which uses inductors and other electrical devices to smooth the pulse-width-modulated power. The inductors within the filters may have non-magnetic cores to facilitate implementing the gradient driver within the scan room. Additionally, an inductor with a hollow wire may be used to circulate fluid to facilitate cooling the gradient driver.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Xiaohu Liu, Han Peng, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate
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Publication number: 20180373020Abstract: The present disclosure presents techniques to facilitate improving operation of an electrical system, which includes a bus structure that cascades multiple electrical devices. The bus structure includes a first outer conductive layer implemented as a positive layer; a second outer conductive layer implemented as a negative layer; a first intermediate conductive layer neighboring the first outer conductive layer; a second intermediate conductive layer neighboring the second outer conductive layer; and a third intermediate conductive layer neighboring the second intermediate conductive layer, in which the third intermediate conductive layer is implemented as an inter-device layer that facilitates electrically coupling at least two of the electrical devices in series.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2017Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Ruxi Wang, Douglas Link, Melissa Freeman, Fengfeng Tao, Juan Antonio Sabate, Eladio Clemente Delgado
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Publication number: 20180123476Abstract: A power module includes an input bus, a switching device, and an output bus. The input bus includes a first coating of a high permeability magnetic conductive material and is configured to receive input direct current (DC) electrical power from an electrical power source. The switching device is electrically coupled to the first input bus, and is configured to selectively connect and disconnect to facilitate converting the input DC electrical power into output alternating current (AC) electrical power. The output bus includes a second coating of the high permeability magnetic conductive material, and is electrically coupled to the first switching device. The output bus is configured to supply the output AC electrical power to an electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2016Publication date: May 3, 2018Inventors: Michael Joseph Schutten, Fengfeng Tao, Maja Harfman-Todorovic, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Philip Michael Cioffi, Ljubisa Dragoljub Stevanovic
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Publication number: 20170366006Abstract: A system and method for conditioning DC power received from hybrid DC power sources is disclosed. A power conversion circuit is coupled to a respective DC power source to selectively condition the output power generated thereby to a DC bus voltage. The power conversion circuit includes a switch arrangement and capacitors arranged to provide a charge balancing in the power conversion circuit. A controller in operable communication with the switch arrangement receives inputs on a DC bus voltage and at least one parameter related to operation of the DC power source, and determines an adjustable voltage to be output from the conversion circuit to the DC bus based on the received inputs. The controller then selectively controls operation of the switch arrangement in order to generate the determined adjustable voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Fengfeng Tao, Ahmed Elasser, Song Chi, Maja Harfman Todorovic
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Patent number: 9800132Abstract: A power conversion system may include a plurality of power devices and a sensor operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of power devices and configured to detect a voltage, current, or electromagnetic signature signal associated with the plurality of power devices. The power converter may also include circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of power devices and the sensor. The circuitry may send a respective gate signal to each respective power device of the plurality of power devices, such that each respective gate signal is delayed by a respective compensation delay that is determined for the respective power device based on a respective time delay of the respective power device and a maximum time delay of the plurality of power devices.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Michael Szczesny, Rajib Datta, Fengfeng Tao, Jian Dai, Xu She, Tannous Frangieh
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Patent number: 9748767Abstract: A system and method for conditioning DC power received from hybrid DC power sources is disclosed. A power conversion circuit is coupled to a respective DC power source to selectively condition the output power generated thereby to a DC bus voltage. The power conversion circuit includes a switch arrangement and capacitors arranged to provide a charge balancing in the power conversion circuit. A controller in operable communication with the switch arrangement receives inputs on a DC bus voltage and at least one parameter related to operation of the DC power source, and determines an adjustable voltage to be output from the conversion circuit to the DC bus based on the received inputs. The controller then selectively controls operation of the switch arrangement in order to generate the determined adjustable voltage.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fengfeng Tao, Ahmed Elasser, Song Chi, Maja Harfman Todorovic
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Patent number: 9722595Abstract: A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Fengfeng Tao, Michael Joseph Schutten, Jeffrey Joseph Nasadoski, Maja Harfman-Todorovic, John Stanley Glaser
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Publication number: 20170187369Abstract: A system includes a SiC semiconductor power device; a power supply board that is configured to provide power to a first gate driver board via a connector; the first gate driver board that is coupled and configured to provide current to the SiC semiconductor power device, wherein the first gate driver board is coupled to the power supply board via the connector, and wherein the first gate driver board is separated from the power supply board; and an interconnect board that is coupled to the first gate driver board, wherein the interconnect board is configured to couple the first gate driver board a second gate driver board.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Fengfeng Tao, Michael Joseph Schutten, Jeffrey Joseph Nasadoski, Maja Harfman-Todorovic, John Stanley Glaser
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Publication number: 20170187277Abstract: A power conversion system may include a plurality of power devices and a sensor operably coupled to at least one of the plurality of power devices and configured to detect a voltage, current, or electromagnetic signature signal associated with the plurality of power devices. The power converter may also include circuitry operably coupled to the plurality of power devices and the sensor. The circuitry may send a respective gate signal to each respective power device of the plurality of power devices, such that each respective gate signal is delayed by a respective compensation delay that is determined for the respective power device based on a respective time delay of the respective power device and a maximum time delay of the plurality of power devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Paul Michael Szczesny, Rajib Datta, Fengfeng Tao, Jian Dai, Xu She, Tannous Frangieh
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Patent number: 9595888Abstract: A power converter is provided. The power converter includes a converter leg including switches for converting power. The power converter also includes a controller for switching the switches using a pulse width modulation technique. The power converter further includes an interface inductor coupled to the converter leg for avoiding a reverse recovery of current in the switches during operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fengfeng Tao, Maja Harfman Todorovic, Luis Jose Garces, Rui Zhou, Donald Gene Marabell, Robert Louis Steigerwald
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Patent number: 9401708Abstract: A gate drive unit includes a charging device, a switch, and a timing module. The charging device is conductively coupled with an electrical energy source and a power switch between the electric energy source and the charging device. The switch closes to transfer electrical energy from the energy source to the charging device. The timing module is configured to close the switch to direct the electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the charging device for a designated charging time period in order to charge the charging device with the electrical energy while the power switch is in an OFF state. The timing module opens the switch to cause the electrical energy stored in the charging device to be transferred out of the charging device in the form of a trigger current that is conducted to a gate terminal of the power switch to activate the power switch to an ON state from the OFF state.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2014Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fengfeng Tao, Ahmed Elasser, Mohammed Agamy, Patrick Kirlew
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Publication number: 20160115118Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process, novel process steps and novel intermediates useful in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active compounds, in particular neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2016Publication date: April 28, 2016Inventors: Guoliang Zhu, Desong SHI, Junhui WEI, Fengfeng TAO