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).
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Patent number: 9467065Abstract: A system for controlling a multilevel soft switching power converter including a DC bus, a pair of switching arms, and a controller is disclosed. The DC bus has a positive rail and a negative rail operable to have a voltage potential present across the DC bus. Each switching arm is connected between the positive rail and the negative rail and includes four soft switches. Each soft switch is connected between the positive rail, the negative rail, or one of three intermediate connections between the positive and negative rails. Each soft switch is also controlled by a gating signal. A flying capacitor is connected between the first intermediate connection and the third intermediate connection and an output terminal is connected at the second intermediate connection of each switching arm. A controller is operable to generate each of the gating signals utilizing at least three control routines.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nicolas Levilly, Philippe Ernest, Julien Bouhraoua, Janusz Rodziewicz
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Publication number: 20160262250Abstract: A power generation system includes an input to receive a low-voltage alternating current and a number N of voltage-conversion modules coupled to the input, each electrically connected in series. Each voltage-conversion module includes a transformer configured to convert the low-voltage alternating current into a high voltage alternating current. Each voltage-conversion module includes a multiplier configured to convert the high-voltage alternating current from the transformer into a high-voltage direct current. The multiplier includes a positive multiplier part and a negative multiplier part. The positive multiplier part and the negative multiplier part each includes a. pair of input terminals connected in parallel with the transform and at least one multiplier stage comprising a single diode and a capacitor assembly. The number N is an even number between 4 and 24.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2016Publication date: September 8, 2016Inventors: Saijun MAO, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Niranjan Kumar, Xu Chu
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Patent number: 9438120Abstract: A system includes a two-channel inverter for receiving a non-zero variable input voltage, first and second input channels each electrically coupled to the two-channel inverter, a transformer having a primary winding in electrical communication with the first and second input channels and secondary windings, and an active resonant circuit in electrical communication with the secondary windings for generating a switching output voltage at each of two different voltage levels. The active resonant circuit includes switching devices arranged in an anti-parallel configuration, a capacitor electrically coupled in series with the switching devices for receiving and storing energy during a first portion of a resonance cycle and for discharging the energy during a second portion of the resonance cycle, an inductor electrically coupled in series with the capacitor and the switching devices for transferring the energy to and from the capacitor during the resonance cycle, and an output.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Antonio Caiafa, Philippe Ernest, Dominique Poincloux
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Publication number: 20160190956Abstract: A system for controlling a multilevel soft switching power converter including a DC bus, a pair of switching arms, and a controller is disclosed. The DC bus has a positive rail and a negative rail operable to have a voltage potential present across the DC bus. Each switching arm is connected between the positive rail and the negative rail and includes four soft switches. Each soft switch is connected between the positive rail, the negative rail, or one of three intermediate connections between the positive and negative rails. Each soft switch is also controlled by a gating signal. A flying capacitor is connected between the first intermediate connection and the third intermediate connection and an output terminal is connected at the second intermediate connection of each switching arm. A controller is operable to generate each of the gating signals utilizing at least three control routines.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2014Publication date: June 30, 2016Inventors: Nicolas Levilly, Philippe Ernest, Julian Bouhraoua, Janusz Rodziewicz
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Patent number: 9369060Abstract: A power generation system includes an input to receive a low-voltage alternating current and a number N of voltage-conversion modules coupled to the input, each electrically connected in series. Each voltage-conversion module includes a transformer configured to convert the low-voltage alternating current into a high-voltage alternating current. Each voltage-conversion module includes a multiplier configured to convert the high-voltage alternating current from the transformer into a high-voltage direct current. The multiplier includes a positive multiplier part and a negative multiplier part. The positive multiplier part and the negative multiplier part each includes a pair of input terminals connected in parallel with the transform and at least one multiplier stage comprising a single diode and a capacitor assembly. The number N is an even number between 4 and 24.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2013Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Saijun Mao, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Niranjan Kumar, Xu Chu
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Patent number: 9253864Abstract: Apparatus and methods to control an electron beam of an x-ray tube are provided. One apparatus includes at least one of (i) a first switching unit having a voltage source and a pair of switches connected in series and configured to switch between open and closed positions to change an output voltage to engage or bypass the voltage source or (ii) a second switching unit connected to a voltage source and having a first pair of switches connected in series and a second pair of switches connected in series, wherein the first and second pair of switches are connected in parallel, and wherein the first and second pairs of switches are configured to switch between open and closed position to change an output voltage generated from the voltage source. The first and second switching units are connected in series and a third switching unit provided that is amplitude controllable.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Antonio Caiafa, Uwe Wiedmann, Philippe Ernest, Georges William Baptiste, Dominique Poincloux, Yan Jiang
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Publication number: 20150207415Abstract: A system includes a two-channel inverter for receiving a non-zero variable input voltage, first and second input channels each electrically coupled to the two-channel inverter, a transformer having a primary winding in electrical communication with the first and second input channels and secondary windings, and an active resonant circuit in electrical communication with the secondary windings for generating a switching output voltage at each of two different voltage levels. The active resonant circuit includes switching devices arranged in an anti-parallel configuration, a capacitor electrically coupled in series with the switching devices for receiving and storing energy during a first portion of a resonance cycle and for discharging the energy during a second portion of the resonance cycle, an inductor electrically coupled in series with the capacitor and the switching devices for transferring the energy to and from the capacitor during the resonance cycle, and an output.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 22, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Antonio Caiafa, Philippe Ernest, Dominique Poincloux
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Publication number: 20150180340Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2014Publication date: June 25, 2015Inventors: Philippe ERNEST, Yannick LOUVRIER
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Publication number: 20150063546Abstract: Apparatus and methods to control an electron beam of an x-ray tube are provided. One apparatus includes at least one of (i) a first switching unit having a voltage source and a pair of switches connected in series and configured to switch between open and closed positions to change an output voltage to engage or bypass the voltage source or (ii) a second switching unit connected to a voltage source and having a first pair of switches connected in series and a second pair of switches connected in series, wherein the first and second pair of switches are connected in parallel, and wherein the first and second pairs of switches are configured to switch between open and closed position to change an output voltage generated from the voltage source. The first and second switching units are connected in series and a third switching unit provided that is amplitude controllable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2014Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Antonio Caiafa, Uwe Wiedmann, Philippe Ernest, Georges William Baptiste, Dominique Poincloux, Yan Jiang
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Patent number: 8189741Abstract: An electrical power supply of an X-ray tube. A high voltage generation device having a primary capacitor is configured to transmit a high voltage to the X-ray tube. At least one voltage source is configured to supply the primary capacitor. An energy storage device has an auxiliary capacitor that is configured to receive from the primary capacitor a quantity of energy and to return said energy to the primary capacitor. A control device arranged in series between the high voltage generation device and the storage device is configured to connect or isolate the storage device from the high voltage generation device so the X-ray tube is powered by a variable high voltage very rapidly between a first high voltage and a second high voltage.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philippe Ernest, Georges William Baptiste
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Patent number: 8098124Abstract: A high-voltage transformer has a plurality of elementary transformers. Each elementary transformer comprises an elementary primary circuit configured to be powered by an elementary primary voltage, an elementary secondary circuit comprising at least one secondary winding and at least one capacitor that is connected to the terminals of a secondary winding, and an elementary magnetic circuit configured to couple the elementary primary circuit and the elementary secondary circuit. The output voltage of the transformer is equal to the sum of the elementary balanced secondary voltages, and the elementary primary circuits are connected to one another so as to form a common circuit with the elementary transformers. The common circuit is configured to be supplied by a primary voltage, which is equal to the sum of the elementary primary voltages.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Georges-William Baptiste, Patrick Feat
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Publication number: 20120002789Abstract: A monoblock X-ray generating device is provided. The device includes a rotor, a stator, an anode and a cathode positioned in a first module, the first module comprising a first cooling circuit. The device further includes a high voltage transformer positioned in a second module, the second module comprising a second cooling circuit. The first and second cooling circuits are positioned apart from each other, and one of the first and the second modules comprises a male connector and the other of the first and the second modules comprises a mating female connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Inventors: Gwenael LEMARCHAND, Philippe Ernest, Philippe Blin, Thierry Toledo, Daniel Dumourier
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Patent number: 7903432Abstract: A power generation system comprises a power source, a transformer module for converting a low voltage from the power source into a higher voltage, and a voltage-multiplier module for amplifying higher voltage from the transformer module. The transformer module comprises a number N of transformer units. Each transformer unit comprises at least one transformer, and each transformer comprises a magnetic core, a primary winding, and a secondary winding. Primary windings of the transformers in the transformer module are electrically coupled in parallel to the power source, secondary windings of the transformers of each transformer unit comprise a pair of output terminal, and N is equal to or greater than two. The voltage-multiplier module comprises the number N of multipliers. Each multiplier module comprises a positive and a negative input terminal, and a positive and a negative output terminal.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jing Luo, Saijun Mao, Yunfeng Liu, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Xiaoming Yuan
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Patent number: 7898239Abstract: A high-voltage (HV) generator of an X-ray device comprises a high-voltage measurement device. The measurement device comprises a compact component integrating both the measurement resistor and the capacitors enabling both the protection of said resistor and the elimination of the parasitic effects of the generator. The capacitors are made on insulating plates preferably made of ceramic, a succession of metallized strips and insulating strips. The plates are positioned relative to one another in such a way that the capacitors are discrete and series-mounted. To do this, between two successive plates, the metallized strips of the bottom plate overlap two metallized strips of the plate directly above.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philippe Ernest, Laurence Abonneau-Casteignau, Florent Liffran
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Publication number: 20100301985Abstract: A power generation system comprises a power source, a transformer module for converting a low voltage from the power source into a higher voltage, and a voltage-multiplier module for amplifying higher voltage from the transformer module. The transformer module comprises a number N of transformer units. Each transformer unit comprises at least one transformer, and each transformer comprises a magnetic core, a primary winding, and a secondary winding. Primary windings of the transformers in the transformer module are electrically coupled in parallel to the power source, secondary windings of the transformers of each transformer unit comprise a pair of output terminal, and N is equal to or greater than two. The voltage-multiplier module comprises the number N of multipliers. Each multiplier module comprises a positive and a negative input terminal, and a positive and a negative output terminal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jing Luo, Saijun Mao, Yunfeng Liu, Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Xiaoming Yuan
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Publication number: 20100245014Abstract: A high-voltage transformer has a plurality of elementary transformers. Each elementary transformer comprises an elementary primary circuit configured to be powered by an elementary primary voltage, an elementary secondary circuit comprising at least one secondary winding and at least one capacitor that is connected to the terminals of a secondary winding, and an elementary magnetic circuit configured to couple the elementary primary circuit and the elementary secondary circuit. The output voltage of the transformer is equal to the sum of the elementary balanced secondary voltages, and the elementary primary circuits are connected to one another so as to form a common circuit with the elementary transformers. The common circuit is configured to be supplied by a primary voltage, which is equal to the sum of the elementary primary voltages.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: September 30, 2010Inventors: Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Georges-William Baptiste, Patrick Feat
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Patent number: 7777506Abstract: A high-voltage generator of an X-ray apparatus comprises a high-voltage measurement device. The measurement device comprises a compact component comprising both the measurement resistor and a film capacitor used both to protect said resistor and eliminate the parasitic effects induced by parasitic capacitances of the generator. The film capacitor is made in insulating films by a sequence of metalized strips and insulating strips. The films are positioned relative to one another in such a way that the film capacitor is formed by series-mounted discrete capacitors. To this end, between two successive films, the width of the bottom strips of the film crosses two metalized strips of the top film.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philippe Ernest, Laurence Abonneau-Casteignau, Florent Liffran
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Patent number: 7668295Abstract: A system and method to improve the high voltage performance of an x-ray tube with electrostatic deflection of an electron beam focal spot. The system and method provides protection of bias circuits from high voltage transients and spit protection in x-ray tubes through the use of a high voltage transient suppression and spit protection circuit assembly coupled between the bias circuits of a high voltage generator and an x-ray tube vacuum housing of an x-ray generation system.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric Co.Inventors: Liang Tang, Philippe Ernest, Georges-William Baptiste, Fengfeng Tao
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Patent number: 7526067Abstract: An electrical power supply for an X-ray tube comprising a current source, a transformer with a primary circuit and a secondary circuit coupled with a resistor (R), the unit supplying a high-voltage generator provided with an equivalent input capacitor is used, when the generator is powered on, to limit the intensity of the inrush current appearing in the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Philippe Ernest, Georges William Baptiste
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Publication number: 20080285716Abstract: A system and method to improve the high voltage performance of an x-ray tube with electrostatic deflection of an electron beam focal spot. The system and method provides protection of bias circuits from high voltage transients and spit protection in x-ray tubes through the use of a high voltage transient suppression and spit protection circuit assembly coupled between the bias circuits of a high voltage generator and an x-ray tube vacuum housing of an x-ray generation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2007Publication date: November 20, 2008Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Liang Tang, Philippe Ernest, Georges-William Baptiste, Fengfeng Tao