Patents by Inventor Grant MacLennan

Grant MacLennan 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: 20160203907
    Abstract: A high frequency inductor filter cooling apparatus, method of manufacture, and method of use thereof is described. In one embodiment, an inductor is potted in an epoxy-silica mixture to facilitate thermal transfer from the inductor. The inductor is optionally used with a capacitor to filter/invert/convert power. The inductor optionally comprises a distributed gap core and/or a powdered core material. In one example, a minimum carrier frequency used with the filter is above that usable by a traditional wound iron-steel inductor, such as greater than seven hundred or ten thousand Hertz at fifty or more amperes. Optionally, the inductor is used in an inverter/converter apparatus in conjunction with a notched low-pass filter, a low pass filter combined with a notch filter and a high frequency roll off filter, and/or one or more of a silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, and/or gallium nitride based transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward Handy, Grant A. MacLennan, Hans Wennerstrom
  • Publication number: 20160204689
    Abstract: The invention comprises an inverter/converter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output coupled to a high frequency inductor-capacitor filter apparatus. For example, an inverter/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency modulated by a fundamental frequency and a set of harmonic frequencies, where the minimum carrier frequency is above that usable by an iron-steel inductor, such as greater than ten kiloHertz at fifty or more amperes. An inductor-capacitor filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans Wennerstrom, Grant A. MacLennan, Edward Handy
  • Patent number: 9300197
    Abstract: A high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output is described. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided using a silicon carbide transistor that outputs power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 9257895
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Publication number: 20150310977
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus and method of use thereof. In one embodiment, an inductor is used to filter/convert power, where the inductor comprises a distributed gap core and/or a powdered core material. The inductor core is wound with one or more turns, where multiple turns are optionally electrically wired in parallel. In one example, the minimum carrier frequency is above that usable by an iron-steel inductor, such as greater than ten kiloHertz at fifty or more amperes. The core is optionally an annular core, solid rod core, or a core used for multiple phases, such as a ā€˜Cā€™ or ā€˜Eā€™ core. Optionally, the inductor is used in an inductor/converter apparatus, where output power has a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies, in conjunction with one or more of a silicon carbide, gallium arsenide, and/or gallium nitride based transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2014
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Publication number: 20150035466
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Publication number: 20150035467
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8947187
    Abstract: The invention comprises an electrical apparatus and method of manufacture. The apparatus includes a substantially annular inductor comprising an inductor core composed of at least a distributed gap material. The distributed gap material includes particles of alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials separated by a gap material. The particles comprise an average layer thickness of less than about one hundred micrometers, where a majority of said layered particles comprise an average cross sectional size of less than about one millimeter. The inductor is cooled using at least one of: a thermally conductive potting material, a liquid coolant in direct contact with the inductor, a cooling line through the potting material or liquid coolant, and a chill coil in a container about the potting material and/or the liquid coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Publication number: 20150029765
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided using a silicon carbide transistor that outputs power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8902034
    Abstract: The invention comprises a phase change inductor cooling system. The cooling system uses a non-conductive refrigerant in proximate and/or in direct contact with an inductor. Heat from the inductor changes the refrigerant from a liquid to a gas phase, which removes heat from the inductor. The gas phase refrigerant is subsequently removed from the inductor to remove heat from the environment about the inductor. The refrigerant is optionally recirculated using the steps of condensing and/or compressing the refrigerant prior to reintroduction into the environment proximate and/or in direct contact with the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8902035
    Abstract: The invention comprises an inductor configured for filtering medium and/or high voltage power. The inductor includes an inductor core formed of a plurality of coated magnetic particles, each of a majority of the coated magnetic particles including: a magnetic particle core and a non-magnetic coating about a corresponding magnetic particle core. The inductor optionally includes: (1) a main inductor spacer separating a first turn of a winding from a terminal turn of the winding and (2) a segmenting spacer separating two consecutive turns of the winding about said core. The inductor is configured to convert power into an output current, such as power of at least one thousand five hundred volts with an input current of at least fifty amperes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8830021
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8816808
    Abstract: An inductor cooling method and apparatus is provided, where the inductor comprises both a substantially annular core and an aperture therethrough. The aperture is circumferentially surrounded by the substantially annular core. A container holds a substantially non-conductive coolant and the inductor is immersed in the coolant. Optional spacers hold the inductor away from the container to allow room for coolant circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventors: Grant A. MacLennan, Benjamin L. Richie, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140191834
    Abstract: The invention comprises an electrical apparatus and method of manufacture. The apparatus includes a substantially annular inductor comprising an inductor core composed of at least a distributed gap material. The distributed gap material includes particles of alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials separated by a gap material. The particles comprise an average layer thickness of less than about one hundred micrometers, where a majority of said layered particles comprise an average cross sectional size of less than about one millimeter. The inductor is cooled using at least one of: a thermally conductive potting material, a liquid coolant in direct contact with the inductor, a cooling line through the potting material or liquid coolant, and a chill coil in a container about the potting material and/or the liquid coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8624702
    Abstract: The invention comprises an inductor mounting method and apparatus. An about annular inductor is mounted using a non-conducting mount element passing at least into a center opening of the inductor. Mounting hardware forces an edge surface of the mount into proximate contact with an edge of the inductor, where the mount and mounting hardware minimally contact the inductor. The mount optionally includes holes and/or grooves to further reduce mount/inductor contact, which aids liquid, convective, and/or radiative cooling of the inductor. The inductor is optionally composed of particles of magnetic material coated with carbon and embedded into an epoxy to yield a distributed gap material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventors: Grant A. MacLennan, Benjamin L. Richie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8624696
    Abstract: The invention comprises an electrical apparatus and method of manufacture. The apparatus includes a substantially annular inductor comprising an inductor core composed of at least a distributed gap material. The distributed gap material includes particles of alternating layers of magnetic and non-magnetic materials separated by a gap material. The particles comprise an average layer thickness of less than about one hundred micrometers, where a majority of said layered particles comprise an average cross sectional size of less than about one millimeter. The inductor is cooled using at least one of: a thermally conductive potting material, a liquid coolant in direct contact with the inductor, a cooling line through the potting material or liquid coolant, and a chill coil in a container about the potting material and/or the liquid coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Publication number: 20130308351
    Abstract: The invention comprises a high frequency inductor filter apparatus coupled with an inverter yielding high frequency harmonics and/or non-sixty Hertz output. For example, an inductor/converter apparatus is provided that uses a silicon carbide transistor to output power having a carrier frequency, modulated by a fundamental frequency, and a set of harmonic frequencies. A filter, comprising an inductor having a distributed gap core material and optional magnet wires, receives power output from the inverter/converter and processes the power by passing the fundamental frequency while reducing amplitude of the harmonic frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: CTM Magnetics, Inc.
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8519813
    Abstract: The invention comprises a liquid cooled inductor system including at least an inductor and an immersion fluid directly contacting at least a portion of the inductor, such as an inductor core and/or an inductor winding. The immersion fluid is a substantially non-electrically conducting fluid. Preferably, the inductor comprises an inductor core, such as an annularly shaped core, having a plurality of sub-millimeter sized coated particles having alternating magnetic and non-magnetic layers. Optionally, a cooling coil passes through the immersion fluid, the cooling coil carrying a liquid coolant used to remove heat from the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8416052
    Abstract: The invention comprises an inductor configured for filtering medium and/or high voltage power. The inductor includes an inductor core formed of a plurality of coated magnetic particles, each of a majority of the coated magnetic particles including: a magnetic particle core and a non-magnetic coating about a corresponding magnetic particle core. The inductor optionally includes: (1) a main inductor spacer separating a first turn of a winding from a terminal turn of the winding and (2) a segmenting spacer separating two consecutive turns of the winding about said core. The inductor is configured to convert power into an output current, such as power of at least one thousand five hundred volts with an input current of at least fifty amperes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan
  • Patent number: 8373530
    Abstract: The invention comprises a power converter method and apparatus, which is optionally part of a filtering method and apparatus. A corona potential is the potential for long term breakdown of winding wire insulation due to the high electric potentials between winding turns winding a mid-level power inductor in a converter system. The high electric potential creates ozone, which breaks down insulation coating the winding wire and results in degraded performance or failure of the inductor. In one embodiment, the inductor is configured with inductor winding spacers, such as a main inductor spacer and/or inductor segmenting winding spacers. The spacers are used to space winding turns of a winding coil about an inductor. The insulation of the inductor spacer minimizes energy transfer between windings and thus minimizes corona potential, formation of corrosive ozone through ionization of oxygen, correlated breakdown of insulation on the winding wire, and electrical shorts in the inductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Grant A. MacLennan