Patents by Inventor Kunlun Chen

Kunlun Chen 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: 10644609
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, including a capacitor module having a plurality of connecting terminals and a plurality of switch elements. Each switch element has at least one switch terminal coupled to a corresponding connecting terminal, wherein the switch elements are configured for mutually exclusive operation via a control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: GE Energy Power Conversion Technology, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Richard S. Zhang, Kunlun Chen, Stefan Schroeder, Zhihui Yuan, Jie Shen
  • Patent number: 10003279
    Abstract: A method used to control the operation of a converting device such that it can provide multi-level output voltage for loads. This method comprises at least the steps of: determine whether the load which the converter is providing electricity for is operating under the first condition or the second condition; generate the first pulse signal after determining that this load is operating under the first condition, select at least one of at least three different current paths, such that when the converter is selecting any of the current paths, it can provide output voltage at the same level; as well as generate the second pulse signal after determining that this load is operating under the second condition, such that the converter can perform the regular energy conversion operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bo Qu, Yingqi Zhang, Jie Shen, Kunlun Chen, Ying Zhang
  • Patent number: 9825518
    Abstract: An exemplary power conversion system includes a power conversion device and a control system. The power conversion device converts electrical power from one form to another. The power conversion device includes at least one switching element capable of being turned off to block an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element. The control system is electrically coupled to the power conversion device for monitoring an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element and for monitoring at least one parameter in association with the operation of the power conversion system. The control system further generates an over-current threshold value that is variable with respect to at least one monitored parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jie Shen, Stefan Schroeder, Kunlun Chen, Laigui Qin
  • Patent number: 9634576
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes at least one multi-level power converter and a controller coupled to the at least one multi-level power converter. The controller includes a first CMV injection module and a second CMV injection module. The first CMV injection module generates a first CMV signal for modifying at least one voltage command to achieve a first function in association with operation of the power conversion system. The second CMV injection module generates a second CMV signal based at least in part on a local limit either for modifying the at least one voltage command or for further modifying the at least one modified voltage command to achieve a second function in association with operation of the power conversion system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Jie Shen, Stefan Schroeder, Kunlun Chen, Shuitao Yang, Bo Qu, Qin Lei
  • Patent number: 9564832
    Abstract: A circuit includes first and second electronic switches, first and second excitation circuits, and first and second inductors. The first and second electronic switches are electrically coupled in series. The first and second excitation circuits are used for respectively controlling the first and second electronic switches to be turned on and turned off and are configured to synchronously switch the first and second electronic switches. The first inductor is electrically coupled between the first excitation circuit and the first electronic switch, for transmitting the switch control signal of the first excitation circuit to the first electronic switch. The second inductor is electrically coupled between the second excitation circuit and the second electronic switch, for transmitting the switch control signal of the second excitation circuit to the second electronic switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tao Wu, Yingqi Zhang, Fan Zhang, Kunlun Chen, Xin Hao
  • Patent number: 9225162
    Abstract: A protection system includes a control module, a switch, and an inductive device. The control module is used to provide control signals and switching signals based at least in part on a detected signal measured by a detecting device. The control signals include a first control signal corresponding to a normal mode and a second control signal corresponding to a fault mode. The switch is switched on and off according to the switching signals. The inductive device is coupled with the switch. The inductive device is controlled to be operated with a first inductance in response to the first control signal provided from the control module and a second inductance in response to the second control signal provided from the control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yingqi Zhang, Tao Wu, Fan Zhang, Kunlun Chen
  • Publication number: 20150303819
    Abstract: A method used to control the operation of a converting device such that it can provide multi-level output voltage for loads. This method comprises at least the steps of: determine whether the load which the converter is providing electricity for is operating under the first condition or the second condition; generate the first pulse signal after determining that this load is operating under the first condition, select at least one of at least three different current paths, such that when the converter is selecting any of the current paths, it can provide output voltage at the same level; as well as generate the second pulse signal after determining that this load is operating under the second condition, such that the converter can perform the regular energy conversion operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Bo QU, Yingqi ZHANG, Jie SHEN, Kunlun CHEN, Ying ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20150295488
    Abstract: An exemplary power conversion system includes a power conversion device and a control system. The power conversion device converts electrical power from one form to another. The power conversion device includes at least one switching element capable of being turned off to block an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element. The control system is electrically coupled to the power conversion device for monitoring an electrical current flowing through the at least one switching element and for monitoring at least one parameter in association with the operation of the power conversion system. The control system further generates an over-current threshold value that is variable with respect to at least one monitored parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Jie Shen, Stefan Schroeder, Kunlun Chen, Laigui Qin
  • Publication number: 20150214828
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus, including a capacitor module having a plurality of connecting terminals and a plurality of switch elements. Each switch element has at least one switch terminal coupled to a corresponding connecting terminal, wherein the switch elements are configured for mutually exclusive operation via a control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Fan Zhang, Richard S. Zhang, Kunlun Chen, Stefan Schroeder, Zhihui Yuan, Jie Shen
  • Publication number: 20150008750
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes at least one multi-level power converter and a controller coupled to the at least one multi-level power converter. The controller includes a first CMV injection module and a second CMV injection module. The first CMV injection module generates a first CMV signal for modifying at least one voltage command to achieve a first function in association with operation of the power conversion system. The second CMV injection module generates a second CMV signal based at least in part on a local limit either for modifying the at least one voltage command or for further modifying the at least one modified voltage command to achieve a second function in association with operation of the power conversion system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventors: Jie Shen, Stefan Schroeder, Kunlun Chen, Shuitao Yang, Bo Qu, Qin Lei
  • Publication number: 20140177120
    Abstract: A protection system includes a control module, a switch, and an inductive device. The control module is used to provide control signals and switching signals based at least in part on a detected signal measured by a detecting device. The control signals include a first control signal corresponding to a normal mode and a second control signal corresponding to a fault mode. The switch is switched on and off according to the switching signals. The inductive device is coupled with the switch. The inductive device is controlled to be operated with a first inductance in response to the first control signal provided from the control module and a second inductance in response to the second control signal provided from the control module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yingqi Zhang, Tao WU, Fan Zhang, Kunlun Chen
  • Publication number: 20140104911
    Abstract: A circuit includes first and second electronic switches, first and second excitation circuits, and first and second inductors. The first and second electronic switches are electrically coupled in series. The first and second excitation circuits are used for respectively controlling the first and second electronic switches to be turned on and turned off and are configured to synchronously switch the first and second electronic switches. The first inductor is electrically coupled between the first excitation circuit and the first electronic switch, for transmitting the switch control signal of the first excitation circuit to the first electronic switch. The second inductor is electrically coupled between the second excitation circuit and the second electronic switch, for transmitting the switch control signal of the second excitation circuit to the second electronic switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Tao Wu, Yingqi Zhang, Fan Zhang, Kunlun Chen, Xin Hao
  • Patent number: 7633775
    Abstract: A power generation system for supplying a resultant output voltage is provided. The system comprises a power converter system. The power converter system comprises at least two power converter bridges, each configured for switching at a low frequency and generating a corresponding converter output voltage including a fundamental voltage component and harmonic components, and at least two power converter transformers. Each power converter bridge is coupled to a primary winding of a corresponding power converter transformer and a secondary winding of one power converter transformer is coupled to a secondary winding of a second power converter transformer. The resultant output voltage comprises a sum of the fundamental voltage components of each converter output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Allen Michael Ritter, Kunlun Chen, John Douglas D'Atre
  • Publication number: 20090045782
    Abstract: A power conversion system includes two three-level converters, and a phase shifted transformer coupled to the converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Allen Michael Ritter, Haiqing Weng, Luis Jose Garces, Kunlun Chen, Haitao Zhang
  • Patent number: 7359223
    Abstract: A power converter system for supplying an output voltage is provided. The power converter system is adapted to operate in a normal mode and a fault mode. The system comprises a plurality of bridges and a plurality of transformers. The system further comprises a plurality of dc link capacitors, each coupled across a corresponding bridge. The system also includes a controller adapted for, during the normal mode, switching each bridge with a respective normal phase shift. During the fault mode, the controller is adapted for switching each of the remaining ones of the bridges with a respective adjusted phase shift to generate the output voltage. During the fault mode, at least one of the plurality of bridges is bypassed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Kunlun Chen, Haiqing Weng, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju
  • Patent number: 7327134
    Abstract: A method to balance transformer flux among a plurality of transformers is disclosed. The plurality of transformers is connected to a plurality of converters, each transformer having an associated converter. The method comprises determining a reference flux value, measuring an actual flux value for each transformer, and developing a plurality of voltage command signals in relation to a plurality of variance values between the reference flux value and each actual flux value. In response to the voltage command signals being received at a modulator in signal communication with the plurality of converters, the method proceeds by generating a plurality of switching signals to reduce each of the variance values by making available the plurality of switching signals to each of the associated plurality of converters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Haiqing Weng, Kunlun Chen, Rajib Datta, Allen Michael Ritter
  • Publication number: 20080024114
    Abstract: A method to balance transformer flux among a plurality of transformers is disclosed. The plurality of transformers is connected to a plurality of converters, each transformer having an associated converter. The method comprises determining a reference flux value, measuring an actual flux value for each transformer, and developing a plurality of voltage command signals in relation to a plurality of variance values between the reference flux value and each actual flux value. In response to the voltage command signals being received at a modulator in signal communication with the plurality of converters, the method proceeds by generating a plurality of switching signals to reduce each of the variance values by making available the plurality of switching signals to each of the associated plurality of converters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Haiqing Weng, Kunlun Chen, Rajib Datta, Allen Michael Ritter
  • Patent number: 7203078
    Abstract: A system for generating an output power to a load is provided. The system comprises a generator configured for generating a variable frequency output power and a dual mode rectifier coupled to the generator and configured for being switched between a passive mode and an active mode. The dual mode rectifier comprises a passive rectifier coupled to output terminals of the generator and configured for operating in the passive mode and an active converter coupled to tappings from windings of the generator and configured for operating in the active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Kunlun Chen
  • Publication number: 20060227578
    Abstract: A power converter system for supplying an output voltage is provided. The power converter system is adapted to operate in a normal mode and a fault mode. The system comprises a plurality of bridges and a plurality of transformers. The system further comprises a plurality of dc link capacitors, each coupled across a corresponding bridge. The system also includes a controller adapted for, during the normal mode, switching each bridge with a respective normal phase shift. During the fault mode, the controller is adapted for switching each of the remaining ones of the bridges with a respective adjusted phase shift to generate the output voltage. During the fault mode, at least one of the plurality of bridges is bypassed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Publication date: October 12, 2006
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Kunlun Chen, Haiqing Weng, Ravisekhar Raju
  • Publication number: 20060126242
    Abstract: A power generation system for supplying a resultant output voltage is provided. The system comprises a power converter system. The power converter system comprises at least two power converter bridges, each configured for switching at a low frequency and generating a corresponding converter output voltage including a fundamental voltage component and harmonic components, and at least two power converter transformers. Each power converter bridge is coupled to a primary winding of a corresponding power converter transformer and a secondary winding of one power converter transformer is coupled to a secondary winding of a second power converter transformer. The resultant output voltage comprises a sum of the fundamental voltage components of each converter output voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Inventors: Rajib Datta, Allen Ritter, Kunlun Chen, John D'Atre