Patents by Inventor Matthew L. Wilhide

Matthew L. Wilhide 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: 20240063635
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs). Each ESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A shared system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, William S. Heglund
  • Patent number: 11870249
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs). Each ESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A shared system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L Wilhide, William S. Heglund
  • Patent number: 11431177
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module system includes a first power stage having a short circuit switch to connect the first power stage to a power bus, a second power stage stacked in series with the first power stage and having a short circuit switch to connect the second power stage to the power bus, and a controller. The controller is operably connected to the first and second power stage short circuit switches to discharge one of the first and second power stage through the other of the first and second power stage in a state of charge balancing mode. Aircraft electrical systems and methods of controlling connectivity of hybrid energy storage modules to electrical systems are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 11264904
    Abstract: An energy storage module (ESM) assembly, ESM and method of balancing current flow on a direct current bus are provided. The ESM assembly includes a bidirectional DC-DC converter, an ESM having first and second energy cell strings connected in parallel relative to one another and configured to be connected to respective inputs of the bidirectional DC-DC converter. The ESM is configured to absorb current from the bidirectional DC-DC converter when the bidirectional DC-DC converter is operated in a buck mode. The ESM is configured to source current to the bidirectional DC-DC converter when the bidirectional DC-DC converter is operated in a boost mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 10931129
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems, methods, and devices for voltage regulation of a hybrid energy storage module (HESM). The embodiments include a system controller including a first voltage regulator and a second voltage regulator, a first HESM coupled to the system controller, where the first HESM is coupled to a first bus, and a second HESM coupled to the system controller, where the second HESM is coupled to a second bus, and the first bus and the second bus are different.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, William S. Heglund
  • Patent number: 10875397
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module (HESM) configured to be used on an aircraft to provide electrical energy may include a battery and an ultracapacitor each configured to receive the electrical energy, store the electrical energy, and discharge the electrical energy, a power bus in electronic communication with the battery and the ultracapacitor, and a controller coupled to the battery and the ultracapacitor and configured to control charging and discharging of the battery and of the ultracapacitor such that a measured voltage of the power bus is adjusted based upon at least one of a battery state of charge (SOC) or an ultracapacitor SOC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Patent number: 10868475
    Abstract: An energy storage module (ESM) assembly includes an ESM having an energy source and a multi-level dual active bridge (ML-DAB). The ML-DAB is connected to the energy source to source current therefrom, or send current thereto, or both. A system architecture includes the ESM assembly having an ESM with an energy source, and a ML-DAB connected to the energy source to source current therefrom, or send current thereto, or both. The system architecture includes a DC bus connected to the ESM assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Frank Z. Feng
  • Patent number: 10814740
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module (HESM) configured to be used on an aircraft to provide electrical energy includes a first energy storage component and a second energy storage component each configured to receive the electrical energy, store the electrical energy, and discharge the electrical energy. The HESM also includes a controller coupled to the first energy storage component and the second energy storage component. The controller is configured to control charging and discharging of the first energy storage component and of the second energy storage component such that the first energy storage component is charged to a desired first energy storage component state of charge (SOC) before the second energy storage component is charged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Publication number: 20200266728
    Abstract: An energy storage module (ESM) assembly includes an ESM having an energy source and a multi-level dual active bridge (ML-DAB). The ML-DAB is connected to the energy source to source current therefrom, or send current thereto, or both. A system architecture includes the ESM assembly having an ESM with an energy source, and a ML-DAB connected to the energy source to source current therefrom, or send current thereto, or both. The system architecture includes a DC bus connected to the ESM assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Frank Z. Feng
  • Publication number: 20200266652
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of high energy storage modules (HESMs). Each HESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Publication number: 20200127568
    Abstract: An energy storage module (ESM) assembly, ESM and method of balancing current flow on a direct current bus are provided. The ESM assembly includes a bidirectional DC-DC converter, an ESM having first and second energy cell strings connected in parallel relative to one another and configured to be connected to respective inputs of the bidirectional DC-DC converter. The ESM is configured to absorb current from the bidirectional DC-DC converter when the bidirectional DC-DC converter is operated in a buck mode. The ESM is configured to source current to the bidirectional DC-DC converter when the bidirectional DC-DC converter is operated in a boost mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicant: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 10630420
    Abstract: An electrical power system for an aircraft may comprise a hybrid energy storage system, a first high voltage bus coupled to an input of said hybrid energy storage system, a second high voltage bus coupled to an output of said hybrid energy storage system, and a directed energy system coupled to the second high voltage bus. The hybrid energy storage system receives DC power via the input from said first high voltage bus, converts the DC power to a converted DC power, and dynamically stores the converted DC power and/or provides said converted DC power via said output to said directed energy system via the second high voltage bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: William S. Heglund, Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Patent number: 10545552
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module (HESM) may include a battery and an ultracapacitor each configured to receive the electrical energy, store the electrical energy, and discharge the electrical energy, a power bus in electronic communication with the battery and the ultracapacitor, and a controller coupled to the battery and the ultracapacitor and configured to control charging and discharging of the battery and of the ultracapacitor such that the ultracapacitor and the battery are simultaneously enabled in response to a power demand slew rate exceeding a power demand slew rate threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Patent number: 10511167
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a DC bus including a positive rail configured to provide a positive DC voltage, a negative rail configured to provide a negative DC voltage, and a ground rail. A first ESM and a second ESM are connected to the DC bus. Each ESM includes an energy storage device. The first and second ESM are connected to and configured to provide an output voltage to a respective one of the positive and negative rail. A node connects the first and second ESMs to each other and to the ground rail. A controller is configured to determine values for the output voltages for use during at least one of a discharging mode and a charging mode bus based on a difference between a state of charge value of the first and second energy storage devices. A method of operating an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Publication number: 20190359064
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a bus current controller configured to adjust a direct current (DC) provided on a DC bus, and a plurality of energy storage modules (ESMs). Each ESM includes at least one energy storage device, and includes a DC/DC converter configured to control charging of the at least one energy storage device from the DC bus and discharging of the at least one energy storage device onto the DC bus. A shared system controller is configured to control the bus current controller and the plurality of DC/DC converters. A method of controlling an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, William S. Heglund
  • Publication number: 20190326763
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems, methods, and devices for voltage regulation of a hybrid energy storage module (HESM). The embodiments include a system controller including a first voltage regulator and a second voltage regulator, a first HESM coupled to the system controller, where the first HESM is coupled to a first bus, and a second HESM coupled to the system controller, where the second HESM is coupled to a second bus, and the first bus and the second bus are different.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, William S. Heglund
  • Publication number: 20190305550
    Abstract: An example electrical power system includes a DC bus including a positive rail configured to provide a positive DC voltage, a negative rail configured to provide a negative DC voltage, and a ground rail. A first ESM and a second ESM are connected to the DC bus. Each ESM includes an energy storage device. The first and second ESM are connected to and configured to provide an output voltage to a respective one of the positive and negative rail. A node connects the first and second ESMs to each other and to the ground rail. A controller is configured to determine values for the output voltages for use during at least one of a discharging mode and a charging mode bus based on a difference between a state of charge value of the first and second energy storage devices. A method of operating an electrical power system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventor: Matthew L. Wilhide
  • Publication number: 20190288521
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module system includes a first power stage having a short circuit switch to connect the first power stage to a power bus, a second power stage stacked in series with the first power stage and having a short circuit switch to connect the second power stage to the power bus, and a controller. The controller is operably connected to the first and second power stage short circuit switches to discharge one of the first and second power stage through the other of the first and second power stage in a state of charge balancing mode. Aircraft electrical systems and methods of controlling connectivity of hybrid energy storage modules to electrical systems are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 10211632
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage module includes a bus lead and two or more high-power modules connectable to the bus lead. A controller is operably connected to a first of the high-power modules and a second of the high-power module. The controller has a pulse mode, where the first high-power module is connected to the bus lead. The controller also has an extended mode, where both the first high-power module and the second high-power module are connected to the bus lead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney
  • Patent number: 10205321
    Abstract: An electrical accumulator arrangement includes a plurality of energy storage modules having source and return leads. The source lead of a first energy storage module is connected to the return lead of a second energy storage module. The return lead of the first energy storage module is electrically isolated from the source lead of the second energy storage module to pulse voltage across rails of a multi-level direct current power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew L. Wilhide, Christopher J. Courtney