Patents by Inventor René Spée

René Spée 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: 6841971
    Abstract: A system for equalizing the voltages across first and second batteries coupled in series at a common terminal comprising a capacitive storage element, first and second inductive storage elements, first and second switch circuits, and a control unit. The capacitive storage element is coupled to first and second nodes. The first inductive storage element is coupled between the first node and the first battery. The second inductive storage element is coupled between the second node and the second battery. The first switch circuit is coupled between the first node and the common terminal. The second switch circuit is coupled between the second node and the common terminal. The control circuit operates the first and second switch circuits to control current flow to the first and second batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Alpha Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: René Spée, Thanh Le, Seth W. Jennings
  • Patent number: 5798631
    Abstract: A variable speed, constant frequency (VSCF) system utilizes a doubly-fed machine (DFM) to maximize the output power of the system. The system includes a power converter that provides a frequency signal and a current signal to the DFM. The power converter is controlled by an adaptive controller. The controller signals the converter to vary its frequency signal and thereby the rotor speed of the DFM until a maximum power output is sensed. The controller also signals the converter to vary its current signal and thereby the portions of power carried by the respective windings until a maximum power output is sensed. The control can be augmented to not only maximize power and efficiency, but also provide for harmonic and reactive power compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and Through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Rene Spee, Shibashis Bhowmik, Johan H. R. Enslin
  • Patent number: 5083077
    Abstract: An onboard power generation system for use on board a vehicle, such as a passenger car, includes a brushless doubly-fed generator. The generator has a rotor with rotor conductors and a stator with stator windings, the stator windings comprising first and second polyphase stator systems. The generator rotor is mechanically coupled to and driven by the vehicle engine with a driving force to produce an AC power output from the first polyphase stator system. The generation system has a rectifier which receives and rectifies the generator first polyphase stator system AC power output into DC power for delivery to a DC bus of the generator power system. A sensor senses a parameter of the AC power output received by the rectifier and produces a sensor signal in response thereto. A converter receives the sensor signal, and in response thereto, converts power received from an excitation power source into excitation power for the generator second polyphase stator system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: The State of Oregon Acting by and through the State Board of Higher Education on Behalf of Oregon State University
    Inventors: Alan Wallace, Rene Spee