Patents by Inventor Guy Thrap

Guy Thrap 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: 7560903
    Abstract: A power module includes double layer capacitors, a voltage booster, a charging circuit, and a switching assembly. In discharging mode, the switching assembly connects the voltage booster to the output of the power module. The voltage booster enhances the voltage of the cells as needed for operation of a load at the output of the module. In charging mode, the switching assembly connects the charging circuit to the output of the module to receive electric energy from an external charger connected to the output of the module. The charging circuit converts the received energy into energy suitable for recharging the cells. In end-of-cycle discharging mode, the switching assembly connects the voltage booster to the charging circuit, causing these devices to loop into each other. Inefficiencies in the voltage booster and the charging circuit dissipate the energy in the cells, rendering the battery fail-safe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20080013253
    Abstract: Electrical energy storage cells, for example, electrochemical double layer capacitor cells, are assembled into a module within an enclosure. The enclosure is built using modular construction so that it can be fitted to a variable number of cells. In exemplary embodiments, the enclosure may be expanded or reduced in size in one, two, or all three dimensions by inserting or removing additional panels. The panels may be interconnected using tongue and groove connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Thrap, Steve Shelton, Adrian Schneuwly, Philippe Lauper, Raymond Soliz
  • Publication number: 20070184711
    Abstract: It is desirable to be able to securely connect individual electrical components within an electrical module. An electrical module is provided in which a plurality of energy storage components are connected together using a clamp instead of wiring or bus bar connections. In one configuration, for example, a first energy storage component comprising a first terminal and second terminal is connected to a second energy storage component comprising a third terminal and a fourth terminal. The first terminal of the first energy storage component is electrically connected to a third terminal of the second energy storage component using a clamp comprising a recess. The recess of the clamp receives at least a portion of the first terminal of the first energy storage component and at least a portion of the third terminal of the second energy storage component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Guy Thrap, Ray Soliz, Jeffrey Johnstone, Steven Stanley
  • Publication number: 20070177334
    Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20070177335
    Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing hi-current double-layer capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20070139863
    Abstract: A plurality of high capacitance capacitors are coupled to supply or accept large currents. Bus bars are welded to the capacitors to provide improved thermal performance as well as self-supporting rigidity to the geometrical structure formed by the capacitors and the bus bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20070120549
    Abstract: Electronic circuits couple energy storage devices, such as double layer capacitors or rechargeable battery cells, to a power supply output, thereby improving noise suppression and extending ride-through capability of the power supply. In a typical circuit, an energy storage device is coupled in series with a switch that controls the charging current into the energy storage device. The switch is controlled by a comparator that receives a signal related to the voltage level of the power supply. In some embodiments, the comparator also receives a feedback signal related to a charging current flowing into the energy storage device. The circuit is configured so that the switch limits the charging current to a predetermined current level, or does not allow the charging current to flow until the output voltage of the power supply reaches a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Patent number: 7203056
    Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors. For example, in one implementation, an interconnection coupled to at least one double-layer capacitor that carries capacitor current to or from the at least one double-layer capacitor is functionally coupled to the at least one double-layer capacitor to reduce a temperature of the capacitor is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20070054559
    Abstract: A thermally fitted interconnect couples energy storage cells without the use of additional materials of fasteners. Variations of the interconnect can be used to facilitate fitting of multiple energy storage cell with multiple cell to cell spacings in a rapid and inexpensive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: March 8, 2007
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Thrap, James Borkenhagen, Mark Wardas, Babak Maheronnaghsh
  • Patent number: 7180277
    Abstract: Electronic circuits couple energy storage devices, such as double layer capacitors or rechargeable battery cells, to a power supply output, thereby improving noise suppression and extending ride-through capability of the power supply. In a typical circuit, an energy storage device is coupled in series with a switch that controls the charging current into the energy storage device. The switch is controlled by a comparator that receives a signal related to the voltage level of the power supply. In some embodiments, the comparator also receives a feedback signal related to a charging current flowing into the energy storage device. The circuit is configured so that the switch limits the charging current to a predetermined current level, or does not allow the charging current to flow until the output voltage of the power supply reaches a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Patent number: 7180726
    Abstract: A plurality of high capacitance capacitors are coupled to supply or accept large currents. Bus bars are welded to the capacitors to provide improved thermal performance as well as self-supporting rigidity to the geometrical structure formed by the capacitors and the bus bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20060244427
    Abstract: A power module includes double layer capacitors, a voltage booster, a charging circuit, and a switching assembly. In discharging mode, the switching assembly connects the voltage booster to the output of the power module. The voltage booster enhances the voltage of the cells as needed for operation of a load at the output of the module. In charging mode, the switching assembly connects the charging circuit to the output of the module to receive electric energy from an external charger connected to the output of the module. The charging circuit converts the received energy into energy suitable for recharging the cells. In end-of-cycle discharging mode, the switching assembly connects the voltage booster to the charging circuit, causing these devices to loop into each other. Inefficiencies in the voltage booster and the charging circuit dissipate the energy in the cells, rendering the battery fail-safe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20060203429
    Abstract: A thermally fitted interconnect couples energy storage cells without the use of additional materials of fasteners. Variations of the interconnect can be used to facilitate fitting of multiple energy storage cell with multiple cell to cell spacings in a rapid and inexpensive manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Guy Thrap, James Borkenhagen, Mark Wardas
  • Publication number: 20060146480
    Abstract: A plurality of high capacitance capacitors are coupled to supply or accept large currents. Bus bars are welded to the capacitors to provide improved thermal performance as well as self-supporting rigidity to the geometrical structure formed by the capacitors and the bus bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20060120022
    Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Publication date: June 8, 2006
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20060087287
    Abstract: A voltage monitoring circuit is connected to monitor voltage of fewer than all cells of a series stack of energy storage cells. The individual cell voltages in the stack are balanced using voltage equalizers, so that the voltage of any one cell or a combination of selected cells is indicative of the voltage of each individual cell in the stack. Monitoring the voltage of the selected cells can thus replace monitoring the individual cell voltages. The voltage monitoring circuit can be combined with one of the voltage equalizers. In one exemplary embodiment, each energy storage cell is a double layer capacitor cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20060018073
    Abstract: A circuit is provided for protecting double-layer capacitors in applications that are subject to transients. Predetermined thresholds can be set to protect the double-layer capacitors from the transients and concomitant damage that may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 26, 2006
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20050269988
    Abstract: An energy storage module includes a number of cells coupled in series between two end terminals, and intermediate terminal or terminals providing access to one or more junctions between individual cells of the module. Voltages of the module's cells are balanced by an intra-module voltage balancer. Two or more such modules are connected in series. To balance voltages of the modules, inter-module voltage balancers are used. In one embodiment, an inter-module voltage balancer is connected to a junction of two modules and to intermediate terminals of the two modules. The inter-module balancer attempts to balance voltages of one or more cells of one of the two modules against one or more cells of the other module. Through operation of the intra-module balancers of each module, voltages of both modules are balanced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20050225305
    Abstract: Electronic circuits couple energy storage devices, such as double layer capacitors or rechargeable battery cells, to a power supply output, thereby improving noise suppression and extending ride-through capability of the power supply. In a typical circuit, an energy storage device is coupled in series with a switch that controls the charging current into the energy storage device. The switch is controlled by a comparator that receives a signal related to the voltage level of the power supply. In some embodiments, the comparator also receives a feedback signal related to a charging current flowing into the energy storage device. The circuit is configured so that the switch limits the charging current to a predetermined current level, or does not allow the charging current to flow until the output voltage of the power supply reaches a predetermined voltage level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Guy Thrap
  • Publication number: 20050052169
    Abstract: An energy storage system is described for use in, for example, electronics systems such as a bank of computers. The disclosed energy storage systems allows the use of an efficient energy source, such as ultracapacitors, while providing a desired voltage level for an extended period of time. One embodiment of the energy storage system provides power to a load. The system includes a power module including at least one ultracapacitor adapted to store and discharge energy. The power module provides an output voltage as the ultracapacitor discharges energy. The system also includes a voltage regulator for boosting the output voltage of the power module. The voltage regulator may include a voltage converter. The voltage converter may be adapted to boost the output voltage when the output voltage falls below a predetermined threshold. The voltage converter may include a plurality of interleaving inductor circuits, each of the circuits including a switch and an inductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventor: Guy Thrap