Patents by Inventor Mark J. Underhill

Mark J. Underhill 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).

  • Publication number: 20230122529
    Abstract: An autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle camera system including a camera having a field of view, wherein the camera is operable to receive optical information in the field of view. A display located in the camera field of view. A controller in electrical connection with the camera, wherein the controller is operable to conduct a Built-in-Test. Wherein the Built-in-Test is configured to present one or more images in the camera field of view via the display to determine functionality of the camera system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Mark J. Underhill, Richard Fosdick, Michael G. Fattey
  • Publication number: 20220014117
    Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Mark J. Underhill, Danielle Reni, Raymond Druce
  • Patent number: 11159102
    Abstract: A voltage converter (110, 210) having a first bidirectional voltage line (112, 212), a second bidirectional voltage line (114, 214), a power storage element (L1) arranged between the first bidirectional voltage line and the second bidirectional voltage line, a switch element electronically coupled to the power storage element, a controller (141) for controlling the switch, and the controller configured and arranged to adjust a current flow between the first voltage line and the second voltage line such that a voltage level on the second bidirectional voltage line is substantially maintained at a target DC voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Underhill, Danielle Reni, Raymond Druce
  • Patent number: 8390220
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unique improvement (23) in an electronic motor drive (20) having an LC filter (21) to reduce conducted emissions from a motor (M) back to a voltage source (V1). The improvement broadly includes diode (24) in series with the inductor (L1) of said filter to prevent transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source; and a bypass switch (25) arranged in parallel with the diode and selectively operable to enable transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Underhill
  • Publication number: 20110074319
    Abstract: The present invention provides a unique improvement (23) in an electronic motor drive (20) having an LC filter (21) to reduce conducted emissions from a motor (M) back to a voltage source (V1). The improvement broadly includes diode (24) in series with the inductor (L1) of said filter to prevent transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source; and a bypass switch (25) arranged in parallel with the diode and selectively operable to enable transmission of regenerative power from the motor to said voltage source. The switch may be a transistor. The improvement may further include a freewheeling diode (26) arranged to allow inductor current flow when the switch is turned off. The invention allows the designer to use an undamped input filter, even in the presence of ah high input voltage ripple or multiple axes on a high source impedance distribution bus. This, in turn, allows the filter to be smaller, lighter and/or more efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventor: Mark J. Underhill
  • Patent number: 5602452
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved current spike limiting circuit (49) for a DC brushless motor controller (21) arranged to operate in six-step mode. The controller has three electrically-controllable first switches (A.sub.U, B.sub.U, C.sub.U) arranged between a supply voltage (22) and a terminal (26, 28, 29) of a respective one of the field coils (A, B, C), and has three electrically-controllable second switches (A.sub.L, B.sub.L, C.sub.L) severally arranged between a ground (23) and the field coils. The improved circuit broadly comprises a regeneration polarity comparator (50) for sensing regenerative operation of the motor; a tachometer (58) for sensing motor speed; and an adjustable pulse generator (55) from momentarily opening a conducting one of the first switches for a predetermined time interval (t.sub.p) after a predetermined delay (t.sub.d) following a point in time (t.sub.s) when one of the second switches is closed and another of the second switches is opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Assignee: Moog Inc.
    Inventor: Mark J. Underhill
  • Patent number: 4760324
    Abstract: A high efficiency switching power supply includes a non-dissipative snubber circuit which provides dual polarity power utilized by a driver of the switching transistor. The snubber circuit, protecting the switching transistor in the supply and utilizing an inductor for storing energy normally dissipated as heat, charges filter capacitors with the stored energy to provide the dual polarity power sources. Zener diodes, paralelling the filter capacitors, regulate the power sources to provide output voltages sufficient for the driver to ensure saturation and cut-off of the switching transistor. The power sources allow the driver to directly drive the switching transistor for a high efficiency, small size, low cost and lightweight switching power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1988
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Mark J. Underhill