Patents by Inventor Michael Lynn Westra

Michael Lynn Westra 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: 9225299
    Abstract: A method and generator for modifying interactions between a load and the generator are described. The method includes applying output power to the load using a power amplifier, controlling a level of the output power responsive to a power control setting, and adjusting a conduction angle of the power amplifier to reduce a level of sensitivity of the power amplifier to variations of an impedance of the load. The generator includes a compensation subsystem coupled to the power amplifier that controls a conduction angle of the power amplifier to enable a sensitivity of the power amplifier to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mueller, Michael Lynn Westra, Jeremy Richardson, Gideon Van Zyl
  • Patent number: 8716984
    Abstract: A method and generator for modifying interactions between a load and the generator are described. The method includes applying output power to the load using a power amplifier, controlling a level of the output power responsive to a power control setting, and adjusting a conduction angle of the power amplifier to reduce a level of sensitivity of the power amplifier to variations of an impedance of the load. The generator includes a compensation subsystem coupled to the power amplifier that controls a conduction angle of the power amplifier to enable a sensitivity of the power amplifier to be adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mueller, Michael Lynn Westra, Jeremy Richardson, Gideon Van Zyl
  • Publication number: 20120218042
    Abstract: A method and generator for modifying interactions between a load and the generator are described. The method includes applying output power to the load using a power amplifier, controlling a level of the output power responsive to a power control setting, and adjusting a conduction angle of the power amplifier to reduce a level of sensitivity of the power amplifier to variations of an impedance of the load. The generator includes a compensation subsystem coupled to the power amplifier that controls a conduction angle of the power amplifier to enable a sensitivity of the power amplifier to be adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Mueller, Michael Lynn Westra, Jeremy Richardson, Gideon Van Zyl
  • Patent number: 8195312
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a mass flow controller comprising a digital controller, a valve, and a sensor. The digital controller is adapted to implement a control loop having a proportional signal modifier in series with an integral signal modifier. The integral signal modifier is adapted to receive a combination signal and output an integrated signal. The valve is adapted to receive the integrated signal and adjust a valve opening in accordance with the integrated signal. The sensor is adapted to output a measured flow rate signal indicative of an actual fluid flow rate in the mass flow controller. The measured flow rate signal is received by the proportional signal modifier and used in conjunction with a setpoint signal to determine the error signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd
    Inventors: Alexei V. Smirnov, Michael Lynn Westra, Demitri Widener
  • Patent number: 8160833
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a mass flow controller. The mass flow controller may comprise a pair of thermal sensing elements, a bridge circuit adapted to receive at least one first signal from the pair of thermal sensing elements and a differential amplifier adapted to (i) receive at least one bridge signal from the bridge circuit, and (ii) emit an output signal generally proportional to a flow rate of fluid passing through the mass flow controller. The mass flow controller is also comprised in one embodiment of a filter portion of a control module having one or more first filters comprising substantially permanent parameters adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for a baseline fluid upon a change in the flow rate and one or more second filters comprising variable parameters, with each of the one or more second filters being adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for non-baseline fluids upon a change in the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd
    Inventors: Alexei V. Smirnov, Michael Lynn Westra, Dax Widener
  • Publication number: 20110054702
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention comprises a mass flow controller comprising a digital controller, a valve, and a sensor. The digital controller is adapted to implement a control loop having a proportional signal modifier in series with an integral signal modifier. The integral signal modifier is adapted to receive a combination signal and output an integrated signal. The valve is adapted to receive the integrated signal and adjust a valve opening in accordance with the integrated signal. The sensor is adapted to output a measured flow rate signal indicative of an actual fluid flow rate in the mass flow controller. The measured flow rate signal is received by the proportional signal modifier and used in conjunction with a setpoint signal to determine the error signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexei V. Smirnov, Michael Lynn Westra, Demetri Dax Widener
  • Publication number: 20110015791
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention comprises a mass flow controller. The mass flow controller may comprise a pair of thermal sensing elements, a bridge circuit adapted to receive at least one first signal from the pair of thermal sensing elements and a differential amplifier adapted to (i) receive at least one bridge signal from the bridge circuit, and (ii) emit an output signal generally proportional to a flow rate of fluid passing through the mass flow controller. The mass flow controller is also comprised in one embodiment of a filter portion of a control module having one or more first filters comprising substantially permanent parameters adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for a baseline fluid upon a change in the flow rate and one or more second filters comprising variable parameters, with each of the one or more second filters being adapted to provide a more accurate output signal for non-baseline fluids upon a change in the flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: ADVANCED ENERGY INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Alexei V. Smirnov, Michael Lynn Westra, Dax Widener