Patents by Inventor Matthew J. Krolak
Matthew J. Krolak 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).
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Patent number: 11431176Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter modules (“modules”) each capable of supplying a predetermined electrical load. The plurality of parallel module converter modules can be networked to form a parallel module converter (“converter”) for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. Each module can include an internal protection controller and a logic controller. The individual modules can provide power to various loads in the vehicle either alone, or in concert with other modules. The system can enable fewer power controllers to be used, saving weight and time. The controllers in the system can also be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2017Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Adam J. Winstanley, Eugene V. Solodovnik, Kamiar J. Karimi, Shengyi Liu, Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak
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Patent number: 10784757Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2018Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu
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Patent number: 10305356Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2014Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu
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Publication number: 20190058382Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2018Publication date: February 21, 2019Inventors: Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu
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Patent number: 10079493Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter modules (“modules”) each capable of supplying a predetermined electrical load. The plurality of parallel module converter modules can be networked to form a parallel module converter (“converter”) for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. Each module can include an internal protection controller and a logic controller. The individual modules can provide power to various loads in the vehicle either alone, or in concert with other modules. The system can enable fewer power controllers to be used, saving weight and time. The controllers in the system can also be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2014Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Adam J. Winstanley, Eugene V. Solodovnik, Kamiar J. Karimi, Shengyi Liu, Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak
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Patent number: 10020759Abstract: Method and apparatus for powering electric motors. The electric motors are connected to a DC power supply by a parallel modular converter that includes a plurality of parallel power converters that convert the DC power to AC power. The parallel modular converter selectively connects different parallel power converters to different ones of the electric motors to provide an adequate supply of electrical power to meet the load conditions of the electric motor. As the load conditions of the electric motors dynamically change, the parallel modular converter can selectively connect certain PPCs to different motors to satisfy the changing load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu
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Patent number: 9991719Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle with reduced circulating current and phase-top-phase imbalance is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel modular converter modules. The system can also comprise a load balancer to ensure that differences in the properties (e.g., impedance) of the parallel modular converter modules do not create circulating currents or phase-to-phase imbalances. The load balancer can monitor the outputs to the plurality of parallel modular converter modules and modify the inputs to equalize, synchronize, or both the outputs.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu
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Patent number: 9991778Abstract: To provide current balancing between paralleled first and second inverter units of a modular converter system, a system controller is configured to determine a gate driver offset value based on respective voltages at the phase output nodes of the first and second inverter units. The system controller controls gate drivers for the first and second inverter units based on the determined gate driver offset value. In turn, the gate drivers drive the first and second inverter units with subsequent drive signals such that the amounts of current provided by the first and second inverter units when producing an in-phase power output are balanced.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu
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Publication number: 20170250622Abstract: To provide current balancing between paralleled first and second inverter units of a modular converter system, a system controller is configured to determine a gate driver offset value based on respective voltages at the phase output nodes of the first and second inverter units. The system controller controls gate drivers for the first and second inverter units based on the determined gate driver offset value. In turn, the gate drivers drive the first and second inverter units with subsequent drive signals such that the amounts of current provided by the first and second inverter units when producing an in-phase power output are balanced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 29, 2016Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu
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Publication number: 20170141717Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter modules (“modules”) each capable of supplying a predetermined electrical load. The plurality of parallel module converter modules can be networked to form a parallel module converter (“converter”) for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. Each module can include an internal protection controller and a logic controller. The individual modules can provide power to various loads in the vehicle either alone, or in concert with other modules. The system can enable fewer power controllers to be used, saving weight and time. The controllers in the system can also be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Adam J. WINSTANLEY, Eugene V. SOLODOVNIK, Kamiar J. KARIMI, Shengyi LIU, Lijun GAO, Matthew J. KROLAK
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Patent number: 9647455Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. The centralization of power distribution can enable the reduction of components. The system can enable fewer power controllers, filters, and other components to be used, saving weight and time. The system can enable the controllers, inverters, and filters, among other things, to be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy. The system can enable the use of a single input EMI filter, for example, reducing the number of filters in the system significantly. Methods for designing EMI filters for each electrical load are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu, Matthew J. Krolak
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Publication number: 20170040915Abstract: Method and apparatus for powering electric motors. The electric motors are connected to a DC power supply by a parallel modular converter that includes a plurality of parallel power converters that convert the DC power to AC power. The parallel modular converter selectively connects different parallel power converters to different ones of the electric motors to provide an adequate supply of electrical power to meet the load conditions of the electric motor. As the load conditions of the electric motors dynamically change, the parallel modular converter can selectively connect certain PPCs to different motors to satisfy the changing load conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Inventors: Matthew J. KROLAK, Shengyi LIU
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Patent number: 9564845Abstract: A system and method for controlling the main field current in an electrical generator is disclosed. The system can include a controller to sense the voltages and currents in the system to identify load faults. The system can also comprise one or more switches and an energy dissipator to absorb, store, or dissipate the main field current in the event of a load fault, such as a short circuit. In the event of a load fault, the controller can change the position of the one or more switches to redirect the main field current from the main field windings of the rotor to the energy dissipator. The energy dissipator can absorb or store the main field current significantly reducing the time required to stop the output current of the generator.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: February 7, 2017Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu
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Architecture and control method for dynamically conditioning multiple DC sources to drive an AC load
Patent number: 9496713Abstract: A power electronics and control architecture for powering an AC load from a multi-source power system through a single conversion stage is disclosed. A controllable DC-to-AC inverter accepts a DC output voltage range from a DC power source at a DC input, and outputs an adjustable AC at an AC output. A sensor measures an output power of the DC power source to obtain a measured output power, and a processor sets a power level at the DC input based on the measured output power. The processor sets the power level to control the output power of the DC power source, and synchronizes the adjustable AC to a common AC output of the multi-source power system.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2012Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Matthew J. Krolak, John M. Fifield, Shengyi Liu -
Patent number: 9379419Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method, and apparatus for battery thermal management. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves sensing, with at least one temperature sensor, a temperature of at least one battery cell, where at least one battery cell is at least partially submerged within a liquid contained within a battery case. The method further involves comparing the temperature of at least one battery cell with a maximum threshold temperature, and commanding a cooling unit to be activated when at least one processor determines that the temperature of at least one battery cell is above the maximum threshold temperature. Further, the method involves circulating, by at least one pump, the liquid via tubing from the battery case to the cooling unit back to the battery case.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventor: Matthew J. Krolak
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Publication number: 20160141988Abstract: A system and method for controlling the main field current in an electrical generator is disclosed. The system can include a controller to sense the voltages and currents in the system to identify load faults. The system can also comprise one or more switches and an energy dissipator to absorb, store, or dissipate the main field current in the event of a load fault, such as a short circuit. In the event of a load fault, the controller can change the position of the one or more switches to redirect the main field current from the main field windings of the rotor to the energy dissipator. The energy dissipator can absorb or store the main field current significantly reducing the time required to stop the output current of the generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu
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Publication number: 20160094040Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle with reduced circulating current and phase-top-phase imbalance is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel modular converter modules. The system can also comprise a load balancer to ensure that differences in the properties (e.g., impedance) of the parallel modular converter modules do not create circulating currents or phase-to-phase imbalances. The load balancer can monitor the outputs to the plurality of parallel modular converter modules and modify the inputs to equalize, synchronize, or both the outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Matthew J. Krolak, Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu
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Publication number: 20160094030Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. The centralization of power distribution can enable the reduction of components. The system can enable fewer power controllers, filters, and other components to be used, saving weight and time. The system can enable the controllers, inverters, and filters, among other things, to be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy. The system can enable the use of a single input EMI filter, for example, reducing the number of filters in the system significantly. Methods for designing EMI filters for each electrical load are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Lijun Gao, Shengyi Liu, Matthew J. Krolak
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Publication number: 20160094039Abstract: A system and method for providing power to a vehicle is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of parallel module converter modules (“modules”) each capable of supplying a predetermined electrical load. The plurality of parallel module converter modules can be networked to form a parallel module converter (“converter”) for prioritizing and allocating each electrical load to one or more parallel module converter modules. Each module can include an internal protection controller and a logic controller. The individual modules can provide power to various loads in the vehicle either alone, or in concert with other modules. The system can enable fewer power controllers to be used, saving weight and time. The controllers in the system can also be utilized at a higher level reducing unnecessary redundancy.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Adam J. Winstanley, Eugene V. Solodovnik, Kamiar J. Karimi, Shengyi Liu, Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak
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Publication number: 20160094114Abstract: A synchronous machine (100) has a frame (110), a shaft (115), a main section (120), and an exciter section (125). The main section (120) has a stator winding (130) which is mounted on the frame, and a rotor winding (135) which is mounted on the shaft. The exciter section has a transformer (140) and a rectifier (145). The transformer has a primary winding (140A) mounted on the frame and a secondary winding (140B) mounted on the shaft. The rectifier is mounted on the shaft and rectifies an output of the secondary winding to provide a rectified output to the rotor. A control unit (170) provides a high-frequency control signal to the primary winding. This signal is magnetically coupled to the secondary winding, rectified, and then applied to the rotor to control the operation of the synchronous machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2014Publication date: March 31, 2016Inventors: Lijun Gao, Matthew J. Krolak, Shengyi Liu