Patents by Inventor Geraldo Nojima

Geraldo Nojima 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: 20200136522
    Abstract: An apparatus, such as a power converter, includes first, second and third core bus plates arranged in parallel. The apparatus also includes a first bus extension plate joined to the first core bus plate and extending therefrom at a first angle and a second bus extension plate joined to the second core bus plate and extending therefrom at a second angle. The apparatus further includes a third bus extension plated joined with the third core bus plate and disposed parallel to the first bus extension plate and a fourth bus extension plate joined with the third core bus plate and disposed parallel to the second bus extension plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Patent number: 10566964
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a string of series-connected voltage clamp devices (e.g., metal-oxide varistors (MOVs)) coupled to at least one electronic device (e.g., a transistor or other semiconductor device). The apparatus further includes a bypass circuit configured to selectively bypass a subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices to control a level at which a voltage applied to the at least one electronic device is clamped. A control circuit may be configured to cause the bypass circuit to bypass the subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices responsive to a voltage applied to the at least one electronic device. For example, the control circuit may be configured to cause the bypass circuit to bypass the subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices responsive to a magnitude of the voltage applied to the at least one electronic device exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20190304720
    Abstract: An electrical contact is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions extending radially outwardly from the hub portion. The electrical contact is made from conductive materials and insulating materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Koustubh Dnyandeo ASHTEKAR, Steven Z. CHEN, Geraldo NOJIMA, Robert Patton GRIFFIN
  • Patent number: 10410813
    Abstract: An electrical contact is for a vacuum switching apparatus. The electrical contact includes a hub portion and a plurality of petal portions extending radially outwardly from the hub portion. The electrical contact is made from conductive materials and insulating materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Koustubh Dnyandeo Ashtekar, Steven Z. Chen, Geraldo Nojima, Robert Patton Griffin
  • Publication number: 20180351499
    Abstract: A system includes an above-surface control unit and a subsea motor drive unit. The above-surface control unit includes a variable speed motor control circuit configured to generate at least one switch control signal and a first communications circuit configured to transmit the at least one switch control signal over a communications medium. The subsea motor drive unit includes a driver circuit configured to be coupled to an electric motor and comprising at least one semiconductor switch and a second communications circuit coupled to the first communications circuit via the communications medium and configured to recover the transmitted at least one switch control signal and to apply the recovered at least one switch control signal to the driver circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Geraldo Nojima, Audun Magne Askeland
  • Publication number: 20180331534
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a string of series-connected voltage clamp devices (e.g., metal-oxide varistors (MOVs)) coupled to at least one electronic device (e.g., a transistor or other semiconductor device). The apparatus further includes a bypass circuit configured to selectively bypass a subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices to control a level at which a voltage applied to the at least one electronic device is clamped. A control circuit may be configured to cause the bypass circuit to bypass the subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices responsive to a voltage applied to the at least one electronic device. For example, the control circuit may be configured to cause the bypass circuit to bypass the subset of the string of series-connected voltage clamp devices responsive to a magnitude of the voltage applied to the at least one electronic device exceeding a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Patent number: 10050575
    Abstract: A system includes an above-surface control unit and a subsea motor drive unit. The above-surface control unit includes a variable speed motor control circuit configured to generate at least one switch control signal and a first communications circuit configured to transmit the at least one switch control signal over a communications medium. The subsea motor drive unit includes a driver circuit configured to be coupled to an electric motor and comprising at least one semiconductor switch and a second communications circuit coupled to the first communications circuit via the communications medium and configured to recover the transmitted at least one switch control signal and to apply the recovered at least one switch control signal to the driver circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignees: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited, One Subsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Geraldo Nojima, Audun Magne Askeland
  • Publication number: 20180062544
    Abstract: A motor starter includes a first switch configured to couple and decouple an AC power source to a motor, a second switch configured to bypass the first switch, and a control circuit configured to operate the first switch to modulate an AC voltage applied to the motor from the AC power source at a frequency that is less than a fundamental frequency of the AC voltage and to operate the second switch to bypass the first switch responsive to operation of the motor meeting a predetermined criterion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Vaneyll, Benjamin Stewart Wells, Geraldo Nojima
  • Patent number: 9673629
    Abstract: A direct current to alternating current inverter sub-system is for a HVDC distribution system. The DC to AC inverter sub-system includes an enclosure and a DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter having a DC input electrically connectable to a HVDC cable and a DC output. A DC to AC inverter includes a DC input electrically connected to the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter and an AC output electrically connectable to an AC transmission line. The DC to AC inverter is mounted in an enclosure with the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter, in order that the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter is directly electrically connected within the enclosure to the DC input of the DC to AC inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harry Broussard, Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20170104327
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a semiconductor switch configured to interrupt a current between a power source and a load, an inductor coupled in series with the semiconductor switch, and a capacitor coupled to a node between the inductor and the load. The apparatus further includes a current sensor configured to sense a current provided to the load and a control circuit coupled to the current sensor and configured to control the semiconductor switch responsive to the sensed current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20160181967
    Abstract: A system includes a controller circuit configured to provide control inputs to at least one component of a subsea electrical system, a simulator circuit coupled to the controller circuit and configured to maintain a model of the subsea electrical system and apply the control inputs to the model concurrent with provision of the control inputs to the at least one component and a monitor circuit coupled to the simulator circuit and configured to identify a status of the subsea electrical system responsive to the model. The simulator circuit may be configured to modify the model responsive to feedback signals received from the subsea electrical system and the monitor circuit may be configured to identify the status of the subsea electrical system responsive to a modification of the model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20160181964
    Abstract: A system includes an above-surface control unit and a subsea motor drive unit. The above-surface control unit includes a variable speed motor control circuit configured to generate at least one switch control signal and a first communications circuit configured to transmit the at least one switch control signal over a communications medium. The subsea motor drive unit includes a driver circuit configured to be coupled to an electric motor and comprising at least one semiconductor switch and a second communications circuit coupled to the first communications circuit via the communications medium and configured to recover the transmitted at least one switch control signal and to apply the recovered at least one switch control signal to the driver circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20160134118
    Abstract: A direct current to alternating current inverter sub-system is for a HVDC distribution system. The DC to AC inverter sub-system includes an enclosure and a DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter having a DC input electrically connectable to a HVDC cable and a DC output. A DC to AC inverter includes a DC input electrically connected to the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter and an AC output electrically connectable to an AC transmission line. The DC to AC inverter is mounted in an enclosure with the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter, in order that the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter is directly electrically connected within the enclosure to the DC input of the DC to AC inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: HARRY BROUSSARD, GERALDO NOJIMA
  • Patent number: 9270119
    Abstract: A direct current to alternating current inverter sub-system is for a HVDC distribution system. The DC to AC inverter sub-system includes an enclosure and a DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter having a DC input electrically connectable to a HVDC cable and a DC output. A DC to AC inverter includes a DC input electrically connected to the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter and an AC output electrically connectable to an AC transmission line. The DC to AC inverter is mounted in an enclosure with the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter, in order that the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter is directly electrically connected within the enclosure to the DC input of the DC to AC inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harry Broussard, Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20140347897
    Abstract: A direct current to alternating current inverter sub-system is for a HVDC distribution system. The DC to AC inverter sub-system includes an enclosure and a DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter having a DC input electrically connectable to a HVDC cable and a DC output. A DC to AC inverter includes a DC input electrically connected to the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter and an AC output electrically connectable to an AC transmission line. The DC to AC inverter is mounted in an enclosure with the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter, in order that the DC output of the DC to DC galvanically isolated buck converter is directly electrically connected within the enclosure to the DC input of the DC to AC inverter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION
    Inventors: HARRY BROUSSARD, GERALDO NOJIMA
  • Patent number: 8655553
    Abstract: A monitoring system is for an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle supply equipment. The electric vehicle supply equipment is structured to communicate with the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The monitoring system includes a monitoring component structured to monitor communication and monitor energy or power flow between the electric vehicle supply equipment and the electric vehicle, a storage component cooperating with the monitoring component to store information corresponding to the monitored communication and the monitored energy or power flow between the electric vehicle supply equipment and the electric vehicle, and a power supply structured to power at least one of the monitoring component and the storage component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Geraldo Nojima, William E. Wilkie
  • Publication number: 20130257146
    Abstract: Electric vehicle supply equipment includes an alternating current to direct current converter having an alternating current input and a direct current output. A direct current bus is electrically interconnected with the direct current output of the alternating current to direct current converter. Each of a plurality of direct current to direct current converters includes an input powered by the direct current bus and an output structured to charge a corresponding one of a plurality of different electric vehicles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: GERALDO NOJIMA, William E. Wilkie
  • Patent number: 8503180
    Abstract: As applications of variable frequency drives (VFD) (50) continue to grow so do challenges to provide VFD (50) systems meeting application specific requirements. For multiple reasons to include safety standards and electromagnetic interference, reduced ground leakage current is desirable. Building high output voltage VFDs (50) using transistors rated at voltages lower than the VFD output voltage is desireable for economic reasons. The apparatus and method described herein meet these challenges and others, in part by placing an electrically insulating plate (cp176) having high thermal conductivity, a low dielectric constant, and high dielectric strength between the heat sink plate of a VFD power semiconductor module and a grounded cooling plate (80 TE).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SMC Electrical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima
  • Publication number: 20130116886
    Abstract: A monitoring system is for an electric vehicle and an electric vehicle supply equipment. The electric vehicle supply equipment is structured to communicate with the electric vehicle to charge the electric vehicle. The monitoring system includes a monitoring component structured to monitor communication and monitor energy or power flow between the electric vehicle supply equipment and the electric vehicle, a storage component cooperating with the monitoring component to store information corresponding to the monitored communication and the monitored energy or power flow between the electric vehicle supply equipment and the electric vehicle, and a power supply structured to power at least one of the monitoring component and the storage component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Geraldo NOJIMA, William E. WILKIE
  • Patent number: 7834579
    Abstract: A method and circuit enabling off-the-shelf controllers designed for use with a two-level AC drive inverter bridge (1920) to drive inverter bridges with three-or-more levels. Signals from an ordinary induction motor controller or a two-level induction motor controller (2200) are used to drive the twelve-or-more switches of a three-or-more level inverter bridge (1920), as are used in medium-and-high voltage applications. The proper sequence and timing of switching for the three-or-more-level inverter bridge is based in-part upon either the output of the six pulse-width modulators, or the output of the flux and torque control device, or the voltage control device (2210), of the two-level controller (2200).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Geraldo Nojima