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: 7690456
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Kent M. Harmon, John D. Franklin
  • Patent number: 7656059
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7557464
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7531915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20090019299
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS US, INC.
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Anil Tuladhar, Kent M. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7474016
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon, Glenn R. Kowalske
  • Patent number: 7466571
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Anil Tuladhar, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20070273213
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon, Glenn R. Kowalske
  • Publication number: 20070273211
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20070273210
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20070274113
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20070273214
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Inventors: Kon-King M. Wang, Kent M. Harmon
  • Patent number: 7269036
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Anil Tuladhar, Kent M. Harmon
  • Patent number: 6927988
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Cheng, Kent M. Harmon
  • Patent number: 6845020
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Dumitru D. Raceu, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20040034508
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Bing Cheng, Kent M. Harmon
  • Publication number: 20040027839
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Ballard Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Duo Deng, Dumitru D. Raceu, Kent M. Harmon