Patents by Inventor Lawrence A. Schienbein

Lawrence A. Schienbein 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: 6979916
    Abstract: A single- or multi-phase step wave power converter includes multiple transformers configured to receive DC voltage from one or more power sources. Each of the transformers includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers are each configured to supply a step for a step wave AC output. Bridge circuits are supplied for controlling input of DC voltage into the primary windings of the transformers. Steps for the step wave AC output are output from the secondary windings based upon the input provided to the primary windings. DC source management circuitry manages which DC power source(s) supplies DC voltage input to each of the bridge circuits. The management circuitry provides seamless power switching between the plurality of DC power sources based on each power source's performance characteristics. A pulse-width modulator can also be provided to the step wave power converter to modulate the input into a selected primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: International Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Gerald W. Droppo, Matthew K. Donnelly, Brent Earle Harris
  • Patent number: 6882063
    Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: International Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Droppo, Lawrence A. Schienbein, Brent Earle Harris, Donald J. Hammerstrom
  • Patent number: 6738692
    Abstract: A power conversion and energy management system preferably includes a controller, one or more standard modules, and a custom (or semi-custom) backplane. The backplane preferably accommodates one or more modules and uses the modules to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections. The standard modules are preferably power modules such as an inverter module, converter module, or grid connect module. In addition to accommodating the modules, the backplane can include system components other than power electronics. The backplane can, for example, include external connectors, disconnects, fusing, and so forth, for a given application. The backplane can further include internal DC and AC buses to interconnect the modules. The backplane can also include a communications module, a user interface, a socket for control firmware, and slots for accommodating the standard modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Sustainable Energy Technologies
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Gerald W. Droppo, Brent Earle Harris
  • Publication number: 20040004403
    Abstract: A single- or multi-phase step wave power converter includes multiple transformers configured to receive DC voltage from one or more power sources. Each of the transformers includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers are each configured to supply a step for a step wave AC output. Bridge circuits are supplied for controlling input of DC voltage into the primary windings of the transformers. Steps for the step wave AC output are output from the secondary windings based upon the input provided to the primary windings. DC source management circuitry manages which DC power source(s) supplies DC voltage input to each of the bridge circuits. The management circuitry provides seamless power switching between the plurality of DC power sources based on each power source's performance characteristics. A pulse-width modulator can also be provided to the step wave power converter to modulate the input into a selected primary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: International Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Gerald W. Droppo, Matthew K. Donnelly, Brent Earle Harris
  • Publication number: 20030201674
    Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: International Power System, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Droppo, Lawrence A. Schienbein, Brent Earle Harris, Donald J. Hammerstrom
  • Patent number: 6628011
    Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Power System, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald W. Droppo, Lawrence A. Schienbein, Brent Earle Harris, Donald J. Hammerstrom
  • Patent number: 6608404
    Abstract: A single- or multi-phase step wave power converter includes multiple transformers configured to receive DC voltage from one or more power sources. Each of the transformers includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers are each configured to supply a step for a step wave AC output. Bridge circuits are supplied for controlling input of DC voltage into the primary windings of the transformers. Steps for the step wave AC output are output from the secondary windings based upon the input provided to the primary windings. DC source management circuitry manages which DC power source(s) supplies DC voltage input to each of the bridge circuits. The management circuitry provides seamless power switching between the plurality of DC power sources based on each power source's performance characteristics. A pulse-width modulator can also be provided to the step wave power converter to modulate the input into a selected primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: International Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Gerald W. Droppo, Matthew K. Donnelly, Brent Earle Harris
  • Publication number: 20030036806
    Abstract: A power conversion and energy management system preferably includes a controller, one or more standard modules, and a custom (or semi-custom) backplane. The backplane preferably accommodates one or more modules and uses the modules to control power quality and/or flow to one or more input and/or output connections. The standard modules are preferably power modules such as an inverter module, converter module, or grid connect module. In addition to accommodating the modules, the backplane can include system components other than power electronics. The backplane can, for example, include external connectors, disconnects, fusing, and so forth, for a given application. The backplane can further include internal DC and AC buses to interconnect the modules. The backplane can also include a communications module, a user interface, a socket for control firmware, and slots for accommodating the standard modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Donald J. Hammerstrom, Gerald W. Droppo, Brent Earle Harris
  • Publication number: 20020047309
    Abstract: A DC to DC Converter includes an electrical circuit that allows batteries and other electrical energy storage devices to be charged from or to discharge to a variable voltage DC bus. This electrical circuit also enables seamless integration with other energy storage devices and/or DC power sources, such as fuel cells, to provide DC power for a Power Management System. A Power Management System preferably provides both full power source management and power conditioning. The Power Management System is able to manage power flow to and from multiple, isolated power sources and energy storage devices to deliver high quality alternating current (“AC”) power to a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Gerald W. Droppo, Lawrence A. Schienbein, Brent Earle Harris, Donald J. Hammerstrom
  • Publication number: 20010004170
    Abstract: A single- or multi-phase step wave power converter includes multiple transformers configured to receive DC voltage from one or more power sources. Each of the transformers includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers are each configured to supply a step for a step wave AC output. Bridge circuits are supplied for controlling input of DC voltage into the primary windings of the transformers. Steps for the step wave AC output are output from the secondary windings based upon the input provided to the primary windings. DC source management circuitry manages which DC power source(s) supplies DC voltage input to each of the bridge circuits. The management circuitry provides seamless power switching between the plurality of DC power sources based on each power source's performance characteristics. A pulse-width modulator can also be provided to the step wave power converter to modulate the input into a selected primary winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Gerald W. Droppo, Matthew K. Donnelly, Brent Earle Harris
  • Patent number: 6198178
    Abstract: A single- or multi-phase step wave power converter includes multiple transformers configured to receive DC voltage from one or more power sources. Each of the transformers includes a primary winding and a secondary winding. The transformers are each configured to supply a step for a step wave AC output. Bridge circuits are supplied for controlling input of DC voltage into the primary windings of the transformers. Steps for the step wave AC output are output from the secondary windings based upon the input provided to the primary windings. DC source management circuitry manages which DC power source(s) supplies DC voltage input to each of the bridge circuits. The management circuitry provides seamless power switching between the plurality of DC power sources based on each power source's performance characteristics. A pulse-width modulator can also be provided to the step wave power converter to modulate the input into a selected primary winding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: International Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Schienbein, Gerald W. Droppo, Matthew K. Donnelly, Brent Earle Harris