Patents by Inventor Philippe Ernest

Philippe Ernest 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: 10952308
    Abstract: A system for protecting a transformer is provided. The system includes an inductor electrically disposed between the transformer and a load powered by the transformer, and a resistor electrically disposed in parallel with the inductor between the transformer and the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yannick Louvrier, Christophe Robert, Dominique Poincloux, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest
  • Patent number: 10813204
    Abstract: A system for grid control of an electromagnetic ray tube is provided. The system includes a power source, a rectifier, and a grid conductor. The power source is disposed apart from the electromagnetic ray tube and operative to generate an AC current. The rectifier is integrated into the electromagnetic ray tube and electrically coupled to a grid electrode of the electromagnetic ray tube. The grid conductor electrically couples the power source to the rectifier. The rectifier is operative to convert the AC current to a DC current that powers the grid electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Stephane Gautrais, Etienne Clemot, Nicolas Levilly, Dominique Poincloux, Antonio Caiafa
  • Patent number: 10750602
    Abstract: A system for compensating for a back emission current in an X-ray generator is provided. The system includes a transformer, a common, and a voltage source. The transformer is operative to provide power to an electron emitter of the X-ray generator. The common is electrically coupled to an anode of the X-ray generator. The anode is operative to receive electrons emitted by the electron emitter such that the back emission current is generated between the common and the electron emitter. The voltage source electrically couples the common to the transformer and is operative to generate an offset voltage that reduces the back emission current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Yannick Louvrier, Julien Nicolle, Christophe Robert, Elie Herve, Philippe Ernest
  • Patent number: 10692684
    Abstract: A circuit assembly includes plural voltage control modules configured to be operably coupled in series to a connection and configured to control voltage delivered to an X-ray electrode. Each voltage module includes an on/off circuit portion, a balancing circuit portion, and a tuning circuit portion. The on/off circuit portion is configured to provide a voltage for activating or deactivating the X-ray electrode. The balancing circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the on/off circuit portion, and includes a capacitor and a resistor coupled in parallel. The tuning circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the balancing circuit portion and the on/off circuit portion, and is configured to adjust a voltage provided to the X-ray electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Philippe Ernest, Dominique Poincloux
  • Patent number: 10644612
    Abstract: A power converter with a modular, compact architecture with a reduced component count is disclosed. The power converter includes parallel power conversion sections and utilizes one or more mutual coupling input inductors with multiple windings. The windings are connected in pairs in a differential mode between a power source and the parallel power conversion sections. Each power conversion section receives the same input voltage and generates the same output voltage. As a result of the winding connections and the same input and output voltages, the input of the power converter exhibits current balancing and sharing between each branch of the parallel configuration, allowing a single current sensor to provide a measurement of the current and a single controller to control operation of each of the power conversion sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Guillermo Garcia Soto, Christophe Robert, Philippe Ernest
  • Patent number: 10645787
    Abstract: A system for providing electrical power to a load is provided. The system includes at least two inverters and at least two resonant circuits. The inverters are operative to electrically connect to a power source. The resonant circuits are each electrically connected to at least one of the inverters and operative to provide electrical power to the load. The resonant circuits are coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Niranjan Kumar, Nicolas Levilly, Yash Veer Singh, Guillermo Garcia Soto
  • Publication number: 20200068692
    Abstract: A system for grid control of an electromagnetic ray tube is provided. The system includes a power source, a rectifier, and a grid conductor. The power source is disposed apart from the electromagnetic ray tube and operative to generate an AC current. The rectifier is integrated into the electromagnetic ray tube and electrically coupled to a grid electrode of the electromagnetic ray tube. The grid conductor electrically couples the power source to the rectifier. The rectifier is operative to convert the AC current to a DC current that powers the grid electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: PHILIPPE ERNEST, STEPHANE GAUTRAIS, ETIENNE CLEMOT, NICOLAS LEVILLY, DOMINIQUE POINCLOUX, ANTONIO CAIAFA
  • Publication number: 20190182944
    Abstract: A system for providing electrical power to a load is provided. The system includes at least two inverters and at least two resonant circuits. The inverters are operative to electrically connect to a power source. The resonant circuits are each electrically connected to at least one of the inverters and operative to provide electrical power to the load. The resonant circuits are coupled to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: PHILIPPE ERNEST, NIRANJAN KUMAR, NICOLAS LEVILLY, YASH VEER SINGH, GUILLERMO GARCIA SOTO
  • Publication number: 20190165689
    Abstract: A power converter with a modular, compact architecture with a reduced component count is disclosed. The power converter includes parallel power conversion sections and utilizes one or more mutual coupling input inductors with multiple windings. The windings are connected in pairs in a differential mode between a power source and the parallel power conversion sections. Each power conversion section receives the same input voltage and generates the same output voltage. As a result of the winding connections and the same input and output voltages, the input of the power converter exhibits current balancing and sharing between each branch of the parallel configuration, allowing a single current sensor to provide a measurement of the current and a single controller to control operation of each of the power conversion sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Guillermo Garcia Soto, Christophe Robert, Philippe Ernest
  • Publication number: 20190150259
    Abstract: A system for protecting a transformer is provided. The system includes an inductor electrically disposed between the transformer and a load powered by the transformer, and a resistor electrically disposed in parallel with the inductor between the transformer and the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: YANNICK LOUVRIER, CHRISTOPHE ROBERT, DOMINIQUE POINCLOUX, DENIS PERRILLAT-AMEDE, PHILIPPE ERNEST
  • Publication number: 20190150256
    Abstract: A system for compensating for a back emission current in an X-ray generator is provided. The system includes a transformer, a common, and a voltage source. The transformer is operative to provide power to an electron emitter of the X-ray generator. The common is electrically coupled to an anode of the X-ray generator. The anode is operative to receive electrons emitted by the electron emitter such that the back emission current is generated between the common and the electron emitter. The voltage source electrically couples the common to the transformer and is operative to generate an offset voltage that reduces the back emission current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: YANNICK LOUVRIER, JULIEN NICOLLE, CHRISTOPHE ROBERT, ELIE HERVE, PHILIPPE ERNEST
  • Patent number: 10165663
    Abstract: An x-ray system for simultaneously or concurrently measuring currents of multiple emitters is provided. The x-ray system includes a high voltage direct current (DC) supply configured to supply tube current to the multiple emitters and plural emitter circuits. Each of these circuits includes each comprising an alternating current (AC) voltage supply, at least one of the multiple emitters operatively coupled to the AC voltage supply and the high voltage DC supply, and a circuit coupling the AC voltage supply and the high voltage DC voltage supply to the at least one of the multiple filaments. At least one of the emitter circuits has a current measurement device between the high voltage DC supply and the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Uwe Wiedmann, Philippe Ernest, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Dominique Poincloux, Jean-Francois Larroux
  • Patent number: 10014623
    Abstract: A high voltage connector is provided. The high voltage connector includes multiple electrical conductors, and at least one autotransformer. The high voltage connector is configured to couple a high voltage cable to an X-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Stephane Gautrais, Yannick Louvrier, Nicolas Levilly
  • Publication number: 20180145444
    Abstract: A high voltage connector is provided. The high voltage connector includes multiple electrical conductors, and at least one autotransformer. The high voltage connector is configured to couple a high voltage cable to an X-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Stephane Gautrais, Yannick Louvrier, Nicolas Levilly
  • Publication number: 20180145609
    Abstract: An inverter for a computed tomography (CT) system is provided. The inverter includes a hybrid switch. The hybrid switch includes a silicon carbide metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (SiC MOSFET) portion, an insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) portion, a first gate associated within the SiC MOSFET portion, and a second gate associated with the IGBT portion. The SiC MOSFET portion and the IGBT portion of the hybrid switch are configured to be independently controlled via the first gate and the second gate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Yannick Louvrier, Christophe Robert, Philippe Ernest, Nicolas Levilly
  • Patent number: 9930765
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator an X-ray tube includes an anode and a cathode and is energized with at least a first high voltage potential. A dynamic damper with a frequency dependent impedance is interposed between the X-ray tube and a source of the high voltage potential. The impedance of the dynamic damper increases with an increase in frequency associated with tube-spit. In an X-ray generator with resonant switching to provide a first kV level and a second kV level to the X-ray tube, the impedance of the dynamic damper is low at the operational frequency of the resonant switch to promote energy recovery when the resonant switch operates to provide a first kV level to the X-ray tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yannick Louvrier, Philippe Ernest, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Dominique Poincloux, Christophe Robert
  • Publication number: 20170290136
    Abstract: An x-ray system for simultaneously or concurrently measuring currents of multiple emitters is provided. The x-ray system includes a high voltage direct current (DC) supply configured to supply tube current to the multiple emitters and plural emitter circuits. Each of these circuits includes each comprising an alternating current (AC) voltage supply, at least one of the multiple emitters operatively coupled to the AC voltage supply and the high voltage DC supply, and a circuit coupling the AC voltage supply and the high voltage DC voltage supply to the at least one of the multiple filaments. At least one of the emitter circuits has a current measurement device between the high voltage DC supply and the emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Uwe Wiedmann, Philippe Ernest, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Dominique Poincloux, Jean-Francois Larroux
  • Publication number: 20170231076
    Abstract: In an X-ray generator an X-ray tube includes an anode and a cathode and is energized with at least a first high voltage potential. A dynamic damper with a frequency dependent impedance is interposed between the X-ray tube and a source of the high voltage potential. The impedance of the dynamic damper increases with an increase in frequency associated with tube-spit. In an X-ray generator with resonant switching to provide a first kV level and a second kV level to the X-ray tube, the impedance of the dynamic damper is low at the operational frequency of the resonant switch to promote energy recovery when the resonant switch operates to provide a first kV level to the X-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yannick Louvrier, Philippe Ernest, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Dominique Poincloux, Christophe Robert
  • Patent number: 9729054
    Abstract: An interleaved double boost converter including two simple boost converters each having a diode, an input inductor, a switch connected to the anode of the diode and a filter capacitor connected to the cathode of the diode, the two switches and the two filter capacitors being connected at a mid-point, the interleaved double boost converter further including a control circuit controlling the switches adapted to control: at a first phase, the opening of a first switch the other remaining closed, both switches initially being closed; at a second phase, the opening of the second switch which had remained closed; and at a third phase, the closing of both switches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Yannick Louvrier
  • Publication number: 20170171954
    Abstract: A circuit assembly includes plural voltage control modules configured to be operably coupled in series to a connection and configured to control voltage delivered to an X-ray electrode. Each voltage module includes an on/off circuit portion, a balancing circuit portion, and a tuning circuit portion. The on/off circuit portion is configured to provide a voltage for activating or deactivating the X-ray electrode. The balancing circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the on/off circuit portion, and includes a capacitor and a resistor coupled in parallel. The tuning circuit portion is coupled in parallel to the balancing circuit portion and the on/off circuit portion, and is configured to adjust a voltage provided to the X-ray electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: ANTONIO CAIAFA, PHILIPPE ERNEST, DOMINIQUE POINCLOUX