Patents by Inventor Mark E. Shepard
Mark E. Shepard 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: 10356228Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include a serial communication link between a controller and a power electronics module, where a continuous bit stream passes through the serial communications link.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
-
Publication number: 20160065701Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include a serial communication link between a controller and a power electronics module, where a continuous bit stream passes through the serial communications link.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
-
Patent number: 9184650Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include at least one power source for selectively providing power to one or more power semiconductor devices controlled by a gate driver. The gate driver may include at least one controller coupled to at least one power semiconductor device interface via a first channel and a second channel configured to provide galvanic isolation of information communicated between the controller and the at least one power semiconductor device interface.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
-
Publication number: 20140097886Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for controlling power semiconductor devices are described. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, there is disclosed a system. The system may include at least one power source for selectively providing power to one or more power semiconductor devices controlled by a gate driver. The gate driver may include at least one controller coupled to at least one power semiconductor device interface via a first channel and a second channel configured to provide galvanic isolation of information communicated between the controller and the at least one power semiconductor device interface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Todd David Greenleaf, Alan Carroll Lovell
-
Patent number: 8259479Abstract: A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The system includes a boost converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The system also includes an inverter coupled to the boost converter by at least one conductor and configured to regulate a voltage drop across the at least one conductor. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the boost converter and the inverter.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, David Smith, Allen Michael Ritter, Mark E. Shepard
-
Publication number: 20120062044Abstract: A power conversion system for providing power to an electrical grid is described. The system includes a boost converter coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) array and configured to control a PV array voltage. The system also includes an inverter coupled to the boost converter by at least one conductor and configured to regulate a voltage drop across the at least one conductor. The system also includes a system controller configured to control operation of the boost converter and the inverter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, David Smith, Allen Michael Ritter, Mark E. Shepard
-
Patent number: 7984118Abstract: A control system having a host computer and one or more control computers connected to an interface for control of a process or machinery. The control computers are capable of automatically initiated network address assignment and configuration when powered up after installation. The network address is based on a location identifier situated in the interface that corresponds to a specific connection thereof to the control computer. The control computer reads the location identifier from the interface and requests a network address. The host computer assigns the network address based on the location identifier. Configuration of the control computer then proceeds. The procedure applies to newly installed control computers, whether first time installment or a replacement for a failed control computer.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2004Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Fred Henry Boettner, Stephen J. Sullivan, Craig William Moyer, Gary Kraterfield, Robert Kirby, Mark E. Shepard
-
Patent number: 7680034Abstract: A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system is provided. The control system includes a first processor, a second processor, an input-output node, a first communication channel, a second communication channel, and a signal selector. The first and second processors have a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon. The first and second processors each generate an output signal based on the control algorithm, the state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system. The first communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the first processor and the input-output node, while the second communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the second processor and the input-output node. The signal selector communicates either the output signal from the first processor or the output signal from the second processor to the electromechanical system.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dennis Brian King, John N. Cunningham, Fred Henry Boettner, Mark E. Shepard
-
Publication number: 20080125886Abstract: A redundant control system for controlling an electromechanical system is provided. The control system includes a first processor, a second processor, an input-output node, a first communication channel, a second communication channel, and a signal selector. The first and second processors have a control algorithm and state variables resident thereon. The first and second processors each generate an output signal based on the control algorithm, the state variables, and an input signal from the electromechanical system. The first communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the first processor and the input-output node, while the second communication channel communicates the input signal and the output signal between the second processor and the input-output node. The signal selector communicates either the output signal from the first processor or the output signal from the second processor to the electromechanical system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2006Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventors: Dennis Brian King, John N. Cunningham, Fred Henry Boettner, Mark E. Shepard
-
Patent number: 7324360Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting power from a power source are described. In one example embodiment, the method includes controlling multiple transformer and switchgear units coupled to a power source, and controlling multiple converter units connected in parallel. Each converter unit is coupled to a respective one of the transformer and switchgear units to form an individual thread. The transformer and switchgear unit and power converters are controlled so that the carrier waveforms for each individual thread are interleaved between each other over a carrier cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Allen Michel Ritter, Richard S. Zhang, Luis Jose Garces, Rajib Datta, Ravisekhar Nadimpalli Raju, Mark E. Shepard
-
Patent number: 5808240Abstract: A low inductance bus bar arrangement includes two electrical conductors and an insulating system. The insulation system includes an insulation material and is disposed between the conductors. The insulation material has a thickness equal to or greater than a thickness threshold such that partial discharge in the insulating material is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1996Date of Patent: September 15, 1998Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Christopher S. Czerwinski, Mark E. Shepard
-
Patent number: 5635689Abstract: A speed command signal is applied to a variable voltage, variable frequency controller for driving a three-phase induction motor that operates a positive displacement pump for supplying fluid to a hydraulic elevator drive cylinder. An accelerometer mounted on the car provides an acceleration-related feedback signal to the car speed command input of the motor control, thereby to dampen low frequency resonant modes of the elevator car. A sensor on a check valve between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic cylinder provides a signal indicative of when the pump pressure is sufficient to support the car load, and the check valve begins to open; the signal is used to memorize ramped-up motor speed at that point, which equals the motor speed necessary to overcome pump leakage in order to support the car. That speed is added into the car speed command at the input of the motor controller to compensate for pump leakage.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 1995Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Mark E. Shepard, Richard N. Fargo, Harold Terry
-
Patent number: 5635688Abstract: At the beginning of a run of an elevator 4, from an elevator control 14 a stiction removing velocity signal 20 is provided to a drive control 24 for commanding the elevator until stiction is broken; then as soon as the elevator 4 moves a normal dictated velocity signal 21 controls the elevator 4 throughout the remainder of the run. In further accordance with the present invention, the stiction removing velocity signal 20 is provided prior to the dictated velocity signal 21 only when the elevator 4 is operating in a regenerative mode, as determined by the elevator 4 moving in the up direction while lightly loaded or moving in the down direction while heavily loaded.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1994Date of Patent: June 3, 1997Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Raj Kantesaria, Mark E. Shepard, Donald F. Cominelli
-
Patent number: 4718559Abstract: Selective non-magentic detection of non-ferrous metallic particles in a mixture of same with ferrous metallic particles and non-metallic particles derived from homogenized and magnetically treated municipal or like waste by a plurality of electronic detectors and separation of a non-ferrous metallic concentrate from said mixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1985Date of Patent: January 12, 1988Assignee: Magnetic Separation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Garry R. Kenny, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Mark E. Shepard
-
Patent number: 4541530Abstract: Separation of metallic particles from non-metallic particles of processed solid waste such as garbage to obtain a metallic concentrate, including use of such separation as the mid-step in a process which begins with homogenizing and magnetically treating components of the waste and ends with isolating the metallic concentrate as a high-purity metal fraction, for example, high-purity aluminum.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 1982Date of Patent: September 17, 1985Assignee: Magnetic Separation Systems, Inc.Inventors: Garry R. Kenny, Edward J. Sommer, Jr., Mark E. Shepard