Patents by Inventor Marcellus Harper

Marcellus Harper 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: 10284028
    Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (WPT) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the WPT primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the WPT primary pad or WPT secondary pad in response to determining that the WPT secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the WPT primary pad and the WPT secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the WPT primary pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Steve Ball, Marcellus Harper, Michael Masquelier, Hunter Wu
  • Patent number: 10205384
    Abstract: A resonant AC-to-DC converter apparatus includes an inductance circuit comprising an inductor with a first and connected in series with each phase of an AC power source comprising a fundamental frequency, and a capacitance circuit that includes a capacitance for each phase. Each capacitance is connected between a second end of the inductor of a phase and a neutral connection, and the capacitance and the inductor of the connected phase form a resonant frequency. The apparatus includes a rectification circuit with an input and an output, the input connected, for each phase, in series with the second end of the inductor of the phase. The resonant frequency is related to the fundamental frequency to provide a gain at the fundamental frequency, the gain boosting a voltage of the input to the rectification circuit at the fundamental frequency above an output voltage of the AC source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrice Lethellier, Marcellus Harper, Ryan Calder
  • Publication number: 20180367030
    Abstract: A resonant AC-to-DC converter apparatus includes an inductance circuit comprising an inductor with a first and connected in series with each phase of an AC power source comprising a fundamental frequency, and a capacitance circuit that includes a capacitance for each phase. Each capacitance is connected between a second end of the inductor of a phase and a neutral connection, and the capacitance and the inductor of the connected phase form a resonant frequency. The apparatus includes a rectification circuit with an input and an output, the input connected, for each phase, in series with the second end of the inductor of the phase. The resonant frequency is related to the fundamental frequency to provide a gain at the fundamental frequency, the gain boosting a voltage of the input to the rectification circuit at the fundamental frequency above an output voltage of the AC source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, MARCELLUS HARPER, RYAN CALDER
  • Patent number: 10141794
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ping detection module that detects a ping signal transmitted from a secondary pad to a primary pad. The secondary pad is located on a mobile device and the primary pad is located on a stationary wireless power transfer (“WPT”) device. The stationary WPT device transmits power through the primary pad to the secondary pad of the mobile device during a wireless power transfer operation. The apparatus includes a signal strength module that determines a signal strength of the ping signal received at the primary pad, and an alignment module that determines an amount of alignment of the secondary pad with respect to the primary pad based on the determined signal strength of the received ping signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Wireless Advanced Vehicle Electrification, INC.
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Patrice Lethellier, Hunter Wu
  • Publication number: 20170346348
    Abstract: An approach module determines that a wireless power transfer (“WPT”) secondary pad on a vehicle approaching a WPT primary pad is within an approach distance threshold from the primary pad. A pulse module generates an electrical alignment pulse in the primary or secondary pad in response to determining that the secondary pad is within the approach distance. A measurement module determines an amount of magnetic coupling between the primary pad and the secondary pad, and a feedback module that provides an alignment signal to a driver of the vehicle. The alignment signal represents magnetic coupling. The pulse module continues to provide electrical alignment pulses, the measurement module continues to determine an amount of magnetic coupling in response to the electrical alignment pulses, and the feedback module continues to provide alignment signals indicative of an amount of magnetic coupling as the vehicle moves in relation to the primary pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: PATRICE LETHELLIER, STEVE BALL, MARCELLUS HARPER, MICHAEL MASQUELIER, HUNTER WU
  • Publication number: 20170057370
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ping detection module that detects a ping signal transmitted from a secondary pad to a primary pad. The secondary pad is located on a mobile device and the primary pad is located on a stationary wireless power transfer (“WPT”) device. The stationary WPT device transmits power through the primary pad to the secondary pad of the mobile device during a wireless power transfer operation. The apparatus includes a signal strength module that determines a signal strength of the ping signal received at the primary pad, and an alignment module that determines an amount of alignment of the secondary pad with respect to the primary pad based on the determined signal strength of the received ping signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: MARCELLUS HARPER, PATRICE LETHELLIER, HUNTER WU
  • Publication number: 20170063170
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a ping detection module that detects a ping signal transmitted from a secondary pad to a primary pad. The secondary pad is located on a mobile device and the primary pad located on a stationary WPT device, where the stationary WPT device transmits power through the primary pad to the secondary pad of the mobile device during a wireless power transfer operation. The ping signal includes a mobile device ID and the mobile device ID is unique to the mobile device. The apparatus includes an ID detection module that detects the mobile device ID from the ping signal received at the primary pad and a pairing module that pairs the stationary WPT device with the mobile device in response to detecting the mobile device ID of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: MARCELLUS HARPER, PATRICE LETHELLIER, HUNTER WU
  • Publication number: 20160020599
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining and exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and comprising a control element. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Patent number: 9146207
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and a control element within the electronic device. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: HZO, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard, Blake Stevens, Max Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20150001200
    Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for sensing moisture within an electronic device are disclosed. A device may include a housing and a display defining an exterior of an electronic device and an interior of the electronic device. Further, the device may include an integrated circuit (IC) within the electronic device and a control element within the electronic device. The device may also include a moisture sensor such as an inductive sensor, a capacitance sensor, or both. The moisture sensor, which may be part of the IC, together with the control element may sense moisture within the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Marcellus Harper, Jason Maynard