Patents by Inventor Joshua Isaac Wright
Joshua Isaac Wright 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: 9000496Abstract: A FET includes elongated, mutually parallel source regions separated by gate and drain regions. Conductive bridges extend over the gate and drain regions and not in electrical contact therewith to electrically and thermally interconnect the sources. A layer of dielectric is applied over surfaces, and an aperture is defined over the bridges. A thick layer of metal is applied over and in thermal and electrical contact with the bridges. Electrical and thermal connections can be made to the thick metal.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2007Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Peter N. Bronecke, Raymond Albert Fillion, Joshua Isaac Wright, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Laura Jean Meyer
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Patent number: 8072723Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: December 6, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William James Premerlani, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, David James Lesslie, Joshua Isaac Wright, Parag Thakre
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Patent number: 8050000Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabqapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
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Publication number: 20110096444Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
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Patent number: 7876538Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
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Patent number: 7643256Abstract: A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Edward Keith Howell
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Patent number: 7633725Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes detection circuitry configured to detect occurrence of a zero crossing of an alternating source voltage or an alternating load current. The system also includes switching circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry and comprising a micro-electromechanical system switch. Additionally, the system includes control circuitry coupled to the detection circuitry and the switching circuitry and configured to perform arc-less switching of the micro-electromechanical system switch responsive to a detected zero crossing of an alternating source voltage or alternating load current.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: December 15, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Christopher Keimel, John N. Park, Ajit Achuthan, Wensen Wang, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kristina Margaret Korosi, Somashekhar Basavaraj
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Patent number: 7542250Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2007Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: William James Premerlani, Fengfeng Tao, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park, Robert Joseph Caggiano, David James Lesslie, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Edward Keith Howell
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Patent number: 7473859Abstract: A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e.g., a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e.g., a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e.g., an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Christopher Keimel, Long Que, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Abhijeet Dinkar Sathe, Xuefeng Wang, Edward Keith Howell
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Publication number: 20080316664Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for over-current protection. The method comprising monitoring a load current value of a load current passing through a plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system devices, determining if the monitored load current value varies from a predetermined load current value, and generating a fault signal in the event that the monitored load current value varies from the predetermined load current value. The method also comprises diverting the load current from the plurality of micro-electromechanical switching system, devices in response to the fault signal and determining if the variance in the load current value was due to a true fault trip or a false nuisance trip.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2007Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: William James Premerlani, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, David James Lesslie, Joshua Isaac Wright, Parag Thakre
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Publication number: 20080310058Abstract: The present invention comprises MEMS enabled apparatus for the detection of arc-faults and the elimination of arc-flash conditions. The apparatus comprises an arc-flash detection component and a current limiting component. The current limiting component comprises a logic circuit in communication with the user interface, an MEMS protection circuit in communication with the logic circuit, and a switching circuit in communication with the MEMS protection circuit. The switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices and a voltage limiting device, wherein the voltage limiting device is configured to prevent an over voltage event during a current limiting operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2007Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: William James Premerlani, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park
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Publication number: 20080211347Abstract: A circuit for controlling operation of a load. In one example, a MEMS switch is positioned in the circuit to place the load in one of a conducting state or a nonconducting state. A piezoelectric transformer provides a relatively high voltage output signal or a relatively low voltage output signal to control movement of the switch between a closed position, placing the load in the conducting state, and an open position. The high voltage output signal includes a frequency component in the resonant frequency range of the transformer. Control circuitry provides an input voltage signal to the piezoelectric transformer to provide the high voltage output signal or the low voltage output signal at the output terminals of the piezoelectric transformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2007Publication date: September 4, 2008Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Nicole Christine Reeves, John Norton Park
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Publication number: 20080190748Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a MEMS structure further comprising: a MEMS device (240) having a first surface with one or more contact structures (244, 245 and 246) thereon connected to functional elements of the MEMS device (240), a dielectric layer (100) overlying the first surface defining openings therein through which the contact structures (244, 245 and 246) are exposed, a patterned metallization layer (254, 255 and 256) comprising conductive material extending from the contact structures (244, 245 and 246) through the openings in the dielectric layer (100) and onto a surface of the dielectric layer and a first heat sink (190) in thermal communication with the metallization layer (254, 255 and 256).Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: Stephen Daley Arthur, Ahmed Elasser, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Christopher Fred Keimel, Arun Virupaksha Gowda
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Publication number: 20080169707Abstract: A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e.g., a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e.g., a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e.g., an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2007Publication date: July 17, 2008Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Christopher Keimel, Long Que, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Abhijeet Dinkar Sathe, Xuefeng Wang, Edward Keith Howell
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Publication number: 20080165457Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2007Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventors: William James Premerlani, Fengfeng Tao, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park, Robert Joseph Caggiano, David James Lesslie, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Edward Keith Howell
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Publication number: 20080137238Abstract: A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: June 12, 2008Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Edward Keith Howell
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Patent number: 7332835Abstract: MEMS-based switching module, as may be electrically connected to other such modules in a series circuit, to achieve a desired voltage rating is provided. A switching array may be made up of a plurality of such switching modules (e.g., used as building blocks of the switching array) with circuitry configured so that any number of modules can be connected in series to achieve the desired voltage rating (e.g., voltage scalability).Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore
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Patent number: 7303947Abstract: A FET includes elongated, mutually parallel source regions separated by gate and drain regions. Conductive bridges extend over the gate and drain regions and not in electrical contact therewith to electrically and thermally interconnect the sources. A layer of dielectric is applied over surfaces, and an aperture is defined over the bridges. A thick layer of metal is applied over and in thermal and electrical contact with the bridges. Electrical and thermal connections can be made to the thick metal.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2005Date of Patent: December 4, 2007Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Peter N. Bronecke, Raymond Albert Fillion, Joshua Isaac Wright, Jesse Berkley Tucker, Laura Jean Meyer
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Publication number: 20070139831Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2006Publication date: June 21, 2007Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
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Publication number: 20060018795Abstract: Methods for making multifunctional microfluidic systems, and apparatuses prepared thereby are disclosed comprising an environmentally responsive component integrated into the substrate and exposed to the channels of a microfluidic chip.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2004Publication date: January 26, 2006Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Jeffrey Bernard Fortin, Andrew Michael Leach, Joshua Isaac Wright, Scott Boyette