Patents by Inventor Richard Lukaszewski
Richard Lukaszewski 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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Publication number: 20140225625Abstract: A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Zhijun Liu, Brian Patrick Brown, David W. Kirschnik, Russ J. Kerkman, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Gary Skibinski, Carlos Daniel Rodriguez-Valdez
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Patent number: 8736091Abstract: The present techniques include methods and systems for operating converter to maintain a lifespan of the converter. In some embodiments, the operating frequency of the converter may be increased such that stress may be reduced on the bond wires of the converter. More specifically, embodiments involve calculating the aging parameters for certain operating conditions of the converter operating in a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) mode and determining whether the MPPT operation results in aging the converter to a point which reduces the converter lifespan below a desired lifespan. If the MPPT operation reduces the converter lifespan below the desired lifespan, the frequency of the converter may be increased such that the converter may be controlled to operate at a percentage of MPPT. Thus, in some embodiments, power output may be optimized with respect to maintaining a desired lifespan of the converter.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2010Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Russel J. Kerkman, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Haihui Lu, Zhenhuan Yuan
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Patent number: 8698504Abstract: A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Zhijun Liu, Brian Patrick Brown, David W. Kirschnik, Russ J. Kerkman, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Gary Skibinski, Carlos Daniel Rodriguez-Valdez
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Publication number: 20130286702Abstract: The present techniques include methods and systems for operating an inverter to maintain a lifespan of the inverter. In some embodiments, the switching frequency and/or the output current of the inverter may be changed such that stress may be reduced on the inverter bond wires of the inverter. More specifically, embodiments involve calculating the aging parameters for certain operating conditions of the inverter and determining whether the operating conditions result in aging the inverter to a point which reduces the inverter lifespan below a desired lifespan. If the operating conditions reduce the inverter lifespan below the desired lifespan, the switching frequency may be reduced to a lower or minimum switching frequency of the inverter and/or the output current of the inverter may be reduced to a maximum output current at the minimum switching frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2013Publication date: October 31, 2013Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel J. Kerkman
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Patent number: 8570775Abstract: Power conversion systems and control techniques are presented in which a bus transient control component bypasses selected phases of a rectifier during a protective mode of operation to reduce common mode voltages or currents.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Yuan Xiao, Richard Lukaszewski, Navid R. Zargari
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Patent number: 8570003Abstract: A double fed induction generator (DFIG) system and controller are presented in which the rotor side converter is preloaded with one or more initial values for resuming regulated operation to counteract transients upon deactivation of the crowbar protection circuit to provide grid fault ride through.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Haihui Lu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Lixiang Wei, Russel Kerkman, Richard Lukaszewski, Ahmed Mohamed Sayed Ahmed
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Publication number: 20130249501Abstract: A double fed induction generator (DFIG) converter method are presented in which rotor side current spikes are attenuated using series-connected damping resistance in response to grid fault occurrences or grid fault clearances.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2012Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Haihui Lu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Lixiang Wei, Russel Kerkman, Richard Lukaszewski, Ahmed Mohamed Sayed Ahmed
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Publication number: 20130242623Abstract: A power conversion system with multiple parallel connected motor drives including a plurality of rectifiers and a corresponding inverters connected by windings of a single common mode choke.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Yuan Xiao, Navid Zargari, Richard Lukaszewski
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Patent number: 8519655Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel Kerkman, Brian J. Seibel
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Patent number: 8471516Abstract: The present techniques include methods and systems for operating an inverter to maintain a lifespan of the inverter. In some embodiments, the switching frequency and/or the output current of the inverter may be changed such that stress may be reduced on the inverter bond wires of the inverter. More specifically, embodiments involve calculating the aging parameters for certain operating conditions of the inverter and determining whether the operating conditions result in aging the inverter to a point which reduces the inverter lifespan below a desired lifespan. If the operating conditions reduce the inverter lifespan below the desired lifespan, the switching frequency may be reduced to a lower or minimum switching frequency of the inverter and/or the output current of the inverter may be reduced to a maximum output current at the minimum switching frequency.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel J. Kerkman
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Patent number: 8432052Abstract: The present techniques include methods and systems for operating a wind power system to maintain a lifespan of the rotor side converter. In some embodiments, the current of the rotor side converter may be minimized to reduce the stress and/or junction temperature variation in the switching transistors and bond wires of the converter. More specifically, embodiments involve using a minimal current in the rotor side converter based on the rotor side and grid side reactive powers. If the grid side reactive power is greater than a maximum grid side reactive power, the grid side reactive power may be reduced. Further, if the total reactive power does not meet the grid reactive power requirements, the minimal current in the rotor side converter may be adjusted such that the system may sufficiently power the grid.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Haihui Lu, Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel J. Kerkman, Zhenhuan Yuan
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Patent number: 8373406Abstract: Electrical power quality test circuitry for testing response of an electrical device to input power disturbances is provided. The test circuitry includes a power structure having a rectifier configured to convert incoming AC voltage to DC voltage on a DC bus, and a power inverter configured to convert DC voltage from the bus to three-phase output AC voltage applied to the electrical device. The test circuitry also includes a control circuit configured to apply control signals to at least the power inverter to emulate at least one of a change in the amplitude of at least one phase of the output AC voltage at least one phase angle of at least one phase of the output AC voltage, and a frequency change for all phases of the output AC voltage.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2009Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ahmed Mohamed Sayed Ahmed, Gary L. Skibinski, Richard A. Lukaszewski
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Publication number: 20120262129Abstract: A double fed induction generator (DFIG) system and controller are presented in which the rotor side converter is preloaded with one or more initial values for resuming regulated operation to counteract transients upon deactivation of the crowbar protection circuit to provide grid fault ride through.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2011Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Haihui Lu, Zhenhuan Yuan, Lixiang Wei, Russel Kerkman, Richard Lukaszewski, Ahmed Mohamed Sayed Ahmed
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Publication number: 20120249038Abstract: The present techniques include methods and systems for detecting the grounding condition of an electrical system to automatically determine a suitable electrical drive configuration. The drive includes a test resistor which may be connected or disconnected from the drive to measure different drive voltages. The measured drive voltages are analyzed to determine a type of grounding configuration of the electrical system in which the drive is to be installed. Embodiments also include determining ground resistance condition such as a high resistance ground (HRG) fault or a ground resistance fault when the drive is in operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, David W. Kirschnik, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Gary L. Skibinski
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Publication number: 20120235607Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel Kerkman, Brian J. Seibel
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Publication number: 20120212982Abstract: Power conversion systems and control techniques are presented in which a bus transient control component bypasses selected phases of a rectifier during a protective mode of operation to reduce common mode voltages or currents.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2011Publication date: August 23, 2012Applicant: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Yuan Xiao, Richard Lukaszewski, Navid R. Zargari
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Patent number: 8188693Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide novel techniques for using a switched converter to provide for three-phase alternating current (AC) rectification, regenerative braking, and direct current (DC) voltage boosting. In particular, one of the three legs of the switched converter is controlled with a set of pulse width modulation (PWM) control signals so that the input AC phase having the highest voltage is rectified and one of the switches in the two other legs is turned on to allow for added voltage. This switching activity allows for voltage from multiple AC line mains to be combined, resulting in an overall boost of the DC voltage of the rectifier. The DC voltage boost can then be applied to the common DC bus in order to ameliorate voltage sags, help with motor starts, and increase the ride-through capability of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Russel Kerkman, Brian J. Seibel
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Publication number: 20120086458Abstract: A method is provided for detection of a ground fault in a high resistance network in a voltage source power conversion circuit comprising a power converter that converts incoming AC power to DC power applied to a DC bus and an inverter that converts DC power from the DC bus to output AC power. The method includes detecting a midpoint-to-ground voltage between a low side of the DC bus and a ground potential and detecting the presence of a ground fault in a high resistance network based upon the detected midpoint-to-ground voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Zhijun Liu, Brian Patrick Brown, David W. Kirschnik, Russ J. Kerkman, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Gary Skibinski, Carlos Daniel Rodriguez-Valdez
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Patent number: 8148929Abstract: A power electronics device with an improved IGBT protection mechanism is provided. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for reducing the switching frequency of an inverter module based on the junction temperature variation of the IGBT.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Lixiang Wei, Masahiro Tsuyoshi, Richard A. Lukaszewski
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Patent number: 8117008Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting junction device temperature of at least a first switching device in a power conversion module that includes the first switching device and at least a second switching device, the method comprising the steps of identifying a cross thermal impedance value indicative of how the temperature of the second switching device effects the first switching device temperature and using the cross thermal impedance value to predict the temperature of the at least a first switching device.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Russel J. Kerkman, Lixiang Wei, Richard A. Lukaszewski, Brian P. Brown, Neil Gollhardt, Bruce W. Weiss