Patents by Inventor Kent M. Harmon
Kent M. Harmon 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: 7690456Abstract: A switch/power conditioning module may be added to a hybrid vehicle to selectively supply power from an AC power bus to a load, providing on-vehicle standby power generating capability with a minimum of added hardware and/or when the vehicle is stationary.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: April 6, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Duo Deng, Kent M. Harmon, John D. Franklin
-
Patent number: 7656059Abstract: A system and method for transferring power from power sources to an AC power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment electrically couples an external AC power source to a first input power control (IPC) module that is rated at a first AC input power capacity and that is rated at a first direct current (DC) input power capacity, operates the first IPC module up to the first AC input power capacity in response to receiving AC power from an external AC power source, electrically couples an external DC power source to a second IPC module that is rated at a second AC input power capacity and that is rated at a second DC input power capacity, and operates the second IPC module up to the second DC input power capacity in response to receiving DC power from an external DC power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: February 2, 2010Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Patent number: 7557464Abstract: A system and method for isolating sources and loads of a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment includes at least a DC bus operable at a DC bus voltage; a non-isolated first primary converter module electrically coupled to the DC bus and operable to receive a first amount of power from a first power source, and operable to convert the received power from the first power source into a first amount of DC power at the DC bus voltage; and an isolated second primary converter module electrically coupled to the DC bus and operable to receive a second amount of power from a second power source, and operable to convert the received power from the second power source into a second amount of DC power at the DC bus voltage, wherein the second power source is electrically isolated from the DC bus by the isolated second primary converter module.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Patent number: 7531915Abstract: A system and method for controlling power flow between power sources and a load in a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method for transferring power from a plurality of power sources to an AC system through an IPC module. The IPC module receives a first amount of power from a first power source that is external to the IPC module, receives a second amount of power from a second power source that is external to the IPC module, controls at least a first amount of direct current (DC) power through a first primary converter module coupled to a DC bus, receives a second amount of DC power from a second primary converter module coupled to the DC bus, converts the first and the second amounts of DC power into AC power, and transfers the AC power to the AC power system.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20090019299Abstract: An electrical power converter system adjusts a wakeup voltage periodically, to permit earlier connection and/or operation, to increase performance. The electrical power converter system selects between a mathematically adjusted wakeup voltage based on at least one previous period, and a table derived wakeup voltage that takes into account historical information. The electrical power converter system is particularly suited to applications with periodicity such as solar based photovoltaic power generation.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2008Publication date: January 15, 2009Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.Inventors: Duo Deng, Anil Tuladhar, Kent M. Harmon
-
Patent number: 7474016Abstract: A system and method for responding to abrupt load changes on a power system transfers an initial amount of power from an external power source to the AC power system through a secondary converter module; senses an abrupt load change occurring-on the AC power system; and transfers auxiliary direct current (DC) power to the secondary converter module.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon, Glenn R. Kowalske
-
Patent number: 7466571Abstract: An electrical power converter system adjusts a wakeup voltage periodically, to permit earlier connection and/or operation, to increase performance. The electrical power converter system selects between a mathematically adjusted wakeup voltage based on at least one previous period, and a table derived wakeup voltage that takes into account historical information. The electrical power converter system is particularly suited to applications with periodicity such as solar based photovoltaic power generation.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2008Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.Inventors: Duo Deng, Anil Tuladhar, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20070273213Abstract: A system and method for responding to abrupt load changes on a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment transfers an initial amount of power from an external power source to the AC power system through a secondary converter module; senses an abrupt load change occurring on the AC power system; where, in response to sensing the abrupt load change, transfers auxiliary direct current (DC) power to the secondary converter module, wherein the auxiliary DC power corresponds to at least a portion of the abrupt load change; where, in response to sensing the abrupt load change, transfers the initial amount of power from the external power source and the auxiliary DC power through the secondary converter module to the AC power system; and where, in response to sensing the abrupt load change, maintains transfer of the initial amount of power from the external power source through the secondary converter module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon, Glenn R. Kowalske
-
Publication number: 20070273211Abstract: A system and method for controlling power flow between power sources and a load in a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment is a method for transferring power from a plurality of power sources to an AC system through an IPC module. The IPC module receives a first amount of power from a first power source that is external to the IPC module, receives a second amount of power from a second power source that is external to the IPC module, controls at least a first amount of direct current (DC) power through a first primary converter module coupled to a DC bus, receives a second amount of DC power from a second primary converter module coupled to the DC bus, converts the first and the second amounts of DC power into AC power, and transfers the AC power to the AC power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20070273210Abstract: A system and method for transferring power from power sources to an AC power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment electrically couples an external AC power source to a first input power control (IPC) module that is rated at a first AC input power capacity and that is rated at a first direct current (DC ) input power capacity, operates the first IPC module up to the first AC input power capacity in response to receiving AC power from an external AC power source, electrically couples an external DC power source to a second IPC module that is rated at a second AC input power capacity and that is rated at a second DC input power capacity, and operates the second IPC module up to the second DC input power capacity in response to receiving DC power from an external DC power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20070274113Abstract: A system and method for isolating sources and loads of a power system are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment includes at least a DC bus operable at a DC bus voltage; a non-isolated first primary converter module electrically coupled to the DC bus and operable to receive a first amount of power from a first power source, and operable to convert the received power from the first power source into a first amount of DC power at the DC bus voltage; and an isolated second primary converter module electrically coupled to the DC bus and operable to receive a second amount of power from a second power source, and operable to convert the received power from the second power source into a second amount of DC power at the DC bus voltage, wherein the second power source is electrically isolated from the DC bus by the isolated second primary converter module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20070273214Abstract: A system and method for coupling generation resources to an electric grid at a common location are disclosed. Briefly described, one embodiment includes at least a direct current (DC) bus operable at a DC bus voltage, a plurality of primary converter module sites on the DC bus, each of the primary converter module sites operable to electrically couple one of a plurality of primary converter modules to the DC bus, and a secondary converter module coupled to the DC bus and electrically coupleable to the AC system, the secondary converter module operable to convert an amount of DC current received from the DC bus into AC power that is transferred to the AC system at an AC system voltage, wherein the amount of DC current corresponds to power received from the plurality of primary converter modules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2006Publication date: November 29, 2007Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
-
Patent number: 7269036Abstract: An electrical power converter system adjusts a wakeup voltage periodically, to permit earlier connection and/or operation, to increase performance. The electrical power converter system selects between a mathematically adjusted wakeup voltage based on at least one previous period, and a table derived wakeup voltage that takes into account historical information. The electrical power converter system is particularly suited to applications with periodicity such as solar based photovoltaic power generation.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive CorporationInventors: Duo Deng, Anil Tuladhar, Kent M. Harmon
-
Patent number: 6927988Abstract: A method for diagnosing faults using a load. In the method IGBTs are controlled such that certain currents are expected. If the currents are not as expected, a fault may be diagnosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 9, 2005Assignee: Ballard Power Systems CorporationInventors: Bing Cheng, Kent M. Harmon
-
Patent number: 6845020Abstract: A power conversion system which comprises a controller and conversion assemblies which selectively rectify and invert an electrical signal. Conversion assemblies comprise a plurality of integrated gate bipolar transistor assemblies. The power conversion system is effective to convert DC current to AC current, to convert AC current to DC current, and to control the output frequency of a received electrical signal to a conventional operating range.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Ballard Power Systems CorporationInventors: Duo Deng, Dumitru D. Raceu, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20040034508Abstract: A method for diagnosing faults using a load. In the method IGBTs are controlled such that certain currents are expected. If the currents are not as expected, a fault may be diagnosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Applicant: Ballard Power Systems CorporationInventors: Bing Cheng, Kent M. Harmon
-
Publication number: 20040027839Abstract: A power conversion system which comprises a controller and conversion assemblies which selectively rectify and invert an electrical signal. Conversion assemblies comprise a plurality of integrated gate bipolar transistor assemblies. The power conversion system is effective to convert DC current to AC current, to convert AC current to DC current, and to control the output frequency of a received electrical signal to a conventional operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2003Publication date: February 12, 2004Applicant: Ballard Power Systems CorporationInventors: Duo Deng, Dumitru D. Raceu, Kent M. Harmon