Patents by Inventor Ray M. Ransom
Ray M. Ransom 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: 8462528Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy using an energy conversion module that includes one or more switching elements. An exemplary electrical system comprises a DC interface, an AC interface, an isolation module, a first conversion module between the DC interface and the isolation module, and a second conversion module between the AC interface and the isolation module. A control module is configured to operate the first conversion module to provide an injection current to the second conversion module to reduce a magnitude of a current through a switching element of the second conversion module before opening the switching element.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
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Patent number: 8464040Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing the BIOS of a hardware peripheral device to manage multiple peripheral devices simultaneously without modifying the application software of the peripheral device. The apparatus comprises a logic control unit and a memory in communication with the logic control unit. The memory is partitioned into a plurality of ranges, each range comprising one or more blocks of memory, one range being associated with each instance of the peripheral application and one range being reserved for storage of a data pointer related to each peripheral application of the plurality. The logic control unit is configured to operate multiple instances of the control application by duplicating one instance of the peripheral application for each peripheral device of the plurality and partitioning a memory device into partitions comprising one or more blocks of memory, one partition being associated with each instance of the peripheral application.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Ray M. Ransom
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Patent number: 8446117Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the multi-phase machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting a duty cycle of PWM waveforms so that the correct phase voltage command signals are applied at the angle transitions. This can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita, Ray M. Ransom, Milun Perisic
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Patent number: 8410635Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for deactivating a matrix conversion module. An electrical system comprises an alternating current (AC) interface, a matrix conversion module coupled to the AC interface, an inductive element coupled between the AC interface and the matrix conversion module, and a control module. The control module is coupled to the matrix conversion module, and in response to a shutdown condition, the control module is configured to operate the matrix conversion module to deactivate the first conversion module when a magnitude of a current through the inductive element is less than a threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Ray M. Ransom
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Publication number: 20130076405Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are provided for discharging a voltage bus using a transistor. An exemplary gate drive circuit associated with the transistor includes a pulse generation module having an input and an output and a switched capacitance arrangement coupled between the output and a reference voltage node. The pulse generation module is configured to generate a voltage pulse at its output in response to a control signal at the input. In one embodiment, the control signal results in the voltage pulse having a duty cycle that operates the transistor associated with the gate drive circuit in a linear mode when the switched capacitance arrangement is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: RAY M. RANSOM, DAVID TANG
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Publication number: 20130049703Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electrical system. The electrical system, for example, includes a first load, an interface configured to receive a voltage from a voltage source, and a controller configured to receive the voltage through the interface and to provide a voltage and current to the first load. The controller may be further configured to, receive information on a second load electrically connected to the voltage source, determine an amount of reactive current to return to the voltage source such that a current drawn by the electrical system and the second load from the voltage source is substantially real, and provide the determined reactive current to the voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: MILUN PERISIC, CHRISTOPHER P. LAWRENCE, RAY M. RANSOM, LATEEF A. KAJOUKE
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Patent number: 8350523Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating a charging system with galvanic isolation adapted for multiple operating modes. A vehicle charging system comprises a DC interface, an AC interface, a first conversion module coupled to the DC interface, and a second conversion module coupled to the AC interface. An isolation module is coupled between the first conversion module and the second conversion module. The isolation module comprises a transformer and a switching element coupled between the transformer and the second conversion module. The transformer and the switching element are cooperatively configured for a plurality of operating modes, wherein each operating mode of the plurality of operating modes corresponds to a respective turns ratio of the transformer.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2009Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
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Publication number: 20120306454Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for initiating a charging system. The method, for example, may include, but is not limited to, providing, by the charging system, an incrementally increasing voltage to a battery up to a first predetermined threshold while the energy conversion module has a zero-percent duty cycle, providing, by the charging system, an incrementally increasing voltage to the battery from an initial voltage level of the battery up to a peak voltage of a voltage source while the energy conversion module has a zero-percent duty cycle, and providing, by the charging system, an incrementally increasing voltage to the battery by incrementally increasing the duty cycle of the energy conversion module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Ray M. RANSOM, Milun PERISIC, Lateef A. KAJOUKE
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Publication number: 20120268078Abstract: A system and method of discharging a bus capacitor of a bidirectional matrix converter of a vehicle are presented here. The method begins by electrically shorting the AC interface of the converter after an AC energy source is disconnected from the AC interface. The method continues by arranging a plurality of switching elements of a second energy conversion module into a discharge configuration to establish an electrical current path from a first terminal of an isolation module, through an inductive element, and to a second terminal of the isolation module. The method also modulates a plurality of switching elements of a first energy conversion module, while maintaining the discharge configuration of the second energy conversion module, to at least partially discharge a DC bus capacitor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Lateef A. KAJOUKE, Milun PERISIC, Ray M. RANSOM
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Patent number: 8288887Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering current using a matrix converter in a vehicle. An electrical system comprises an AC interface, a first conversion module coupled to the AC interface, an inductive element coupled between the AC interface and the first conversion module, and a control module coupled to the first conversion module. The control module is configured to operate the first conversion module in a bidirectional operating mode to commutate current bidirectionally. When a magnitude of the current through the inductive element is greater than a first threshold value, the control module operates the conversion module in a unidirectional operating mode, wherein current is commutated unidirectionally.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ray M. Ransom, Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic
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Patent number: 8283900Abstract: A method for controlling a boost converter having a duty cycle includes the steps of receiving an electric current command for the boost converter, measuring a source current for the boost converter, regulating the duty cycle as a function of the electric current command and the source current, subject to a first minimum limit if a rapid change in duty cycle is required above a predetermined threshold and a second minimum limit if the rapid change in duty cycle is not required.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2009Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technologies Operations LLCInventors: Seok-Joo Jang, Ray M. Ransom
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Patent number: 8233295Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for quickly approximating a peak summed magnitude (A) of a phase voltage (Vph) waveform in a multi-phase system that implements third harmonic injection.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Ray M. Ransom, Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez, Michael H. Kinoshita
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Publication number: 20120187876Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus are provided for controlling third harmonic voltages when operating a multi-phase machine in an overmodulation region. The multi-phase machine can be, for example, a five-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system that includes a five-phase PWM controlled inverter module that drives the five-phase machine. Techniques for overmodulating a reference voltage vector are provided. For example, when the reference voltage vector is determined to be within the overmodulation region, an angle of the reference voltage vector can be modified to generate a reference voltage overmodulation control angle, and a magnitude of the reference voltage vector can be modified, based on the reference voltage overmodulation control angle, to generate a modified magnitude of the reference voltage vector.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2011Publication date: July 26, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Milun PERISIC, Michael H. KINOSHITA, Ray M. RANSOM, Gabriel GALLEGOS-LOPEZ
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Publication number: 20120169263Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, systems and apparatus for controlling operation of a multi-phase machine in a vector controlled motor drive system when the multi-phase machine operates in an overmodulation region. The disclosed embodiments provide a mechanism for adjusting a duty cycle of PWM waveforms so that the correct phase voltage command signals are applied at the angle transitions. This can reduce variations/errors in the phase voltage command signals applied to the multi-phase machine so that phase current may be properly regulated thus reducing current/torque oscillation, which can in turn improve machine efficiency and performance, as well as utilization of the DC voltage source.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2011Publication date: July 5, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: GABRIEL GALLEGOS-LOPEZ, MICHAEL H. KINOSHITA, RAY M. RANSOM, MILUN PERISIC
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Publication number: 20120126755Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for an electrical system. The electrical system includes a load, an interface configured to receive a voltage from a voltage source, and a controller configured to receive the voltage from the voltage source through the interface and to provide a voltage and current to the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2010Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MILUN PERISIC, LATEEF A. KAJOUKE, RAY M. RANSOM
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Publication number: 20120113700Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy using an energy conversion module. An exemplary method for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface using an energy conversion module coupled between the input interface and the output interface comprises the steps of determining an input voltage reference for the input interface based on a desired output voltage and a measured voltage at the output interface, determining a duty cycle control value based on a ratio of the input voltage reference and the measured voltage, operating one or more switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy from the input interface to the output interface with a duty cycle influenced by the duty cycle control value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Lateef A. Kajouke, Milun Perisic, Ray M. Ransom
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Publication number: 20120113683Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module coupled between the input interface and the output interface, and a control module. The control module determines a duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface. The control module determines an input power error at the input interface and adjusts the duty cycle control value in a manner that is influenced by the input power error, resulting in a compensated duty cycle control value. The control module operates switching elements of the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MILUN PERISIC, RAY M. RANSOM, LATEEF A. KAJOUKE
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Publication number: 20120112549Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy from an input interface to an output interface. An electrical system includes an input interface, an output interface, an energy conversion module between the input interface and the output interface, an inductive element between the input interface and the energy conversion module, and a control module. The control module determines a compensated duty cycle control value for operating the energy conversion module to produce a desired voltage at the output interface and operates the energy conversion module to deliver energy to the output interface with a duty cycle that is influenced by the compensated duty cycle control value. The compensated duty cycle control value is influenced by the current through the inductive element and accounts for voltage across the switching elements of the energy conversion module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2010Publication date: May 10, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: MILUN PERISIC, RAY M. RANSOM, LATEEF A. KAJOUKE
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Publication number: 20120014140Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for delivering energy using an energy conversion module that includes one or more switching elements. An exemplary electrical system comprises a DC interface, an AC interface, an isolation module, a first conversion module between the DC interface and the isolation module, and a second conversion module between the AC interface and the isolation module. A control module is configured to operate the first conversion module to provide an injection current to the second conversion module to reduce a magnitude of a current through a switching element of the second conversion module before opening the switching element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2010Publication date: January 19, 2012Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: LATEEF A. KAJOUKE, MILUN PERISIC, RAY M. RANSOM
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Publication number: 20110271086Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing the BIOS of a hardware peripheral device to manage multiple peripheral devices simultaneously without modifying the application software of the peripheral device. The apparatus comprises a logic control unit and a memory in communication with the logic control unit. The memory is partitioned into a plurality of ranges, each range comprising one or more blocks of memory, one range being associated with each instance of the peripheral application and one range being reserved for storage of a data pointer related to each peripheral application of the plurality. The logic control unit is configured to operate multiple instances of the control application by duplicating one instance of the peripheral application for each peripheral device of the plurality and partitioning a memory device into partitions comprising one or more blocks of memory, one partition being associated with each instance of the peripheral application.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventor: RAY M. RANSOM