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).
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Patent number: 7560903Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 14, 2009Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20080013253Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2005Publication date: January 17, 2008Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Guy Thrap, Steve Shelton, Adrian Schneuwly, Philippe Lauper, Raymond Soliz
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Publication number: 20070184711Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Guy Thrap, Ray Soliz, Jeffrey Johnstone, Steven Stanley
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Publication number: 20070177334Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20070177335Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing hi-current double-layer capacitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2007Publication date: August 2, 2007Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20070139863Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2007Publication date: June 21, 2007Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20070120549Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2007Publication date: May 31, 2007Applicant: MAXWELL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Patent number: 7203056Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20070054559Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2005Publication date: March 8, 2007Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Guy Thrap, James Borkenhagen, Mark Wardas, Babak Maheronnaghsh
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Patent number: 7180277Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Patent number: 7180726Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2004Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20060244427Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2005Publication date: November 2, 2006Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20060203429Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Guy Thrap, James Borkenhagen, Mark Wardas
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Publication number: 20060146480Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2004Publication date: July 6, 2006Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20060120022Abstract: Thermal protection is provided in systems utilizing high-current double-layer capacitors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2004Publication date: June 8, 2006Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20060087287Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2004Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20060018073Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2005Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20050269988Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2004Publication date: December 8, 2005Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20050225305Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2004Publication date: October 13, 2005Applicant: Maxwell Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Guy Thrap
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Publication number: 20050052169Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventor: Guy Thrap