Patents by Inventor RIGOBERTO J. RODRIGUEZ

RIGOBERTO J. RODRIGUEZ 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).

  • Publication number: 20240056007
    Abstract: An example system includes a power electronics system; a starter electrically connected to the power electronics system and configured to start a gas-turbine engine of an aircraft; and an energy storage system electrically connected to the power electronics system and configured to provide direct current (DC) electrical energy to the power electronics system, wherein the power electronics system is configured to deliver alternating current (AC) electrical energy to the starter to start the gas-turbine engine using the DC electrical energy from the energy storage system and AC electrical energy sourced from an AC electrical bus of the aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Inventors: Peter Schenk, Erik A. Munevar, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10427527
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Mark J. Blackwelder, John T. Alt
  • Publication number: 20180170190
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Mark J. Blackwelder, John T. Alt
  • Patent number: 9937803
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc., Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Mark J. Blackwelder, John T. Alt
  • Patent number: 9889807
    Abstract: A system of a vehicle may include an electrical load, a generator, and first and second conduits. The electrical load of the vehicle may include a high energy device that utilizes above 270 volts during operations of the vehicle. The generator may be coupled to an engine of the vehicle and configured to generate electrical power at a voltage above 270 volts for the electrical load of the high energy device during operations of the vehicle. The first and second conduits may be arranged along each other to house respective first and second conductors that are electrically disposed between the electrical load and the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9853335
    Abstract: An energy storage thermal management system includes an energy storage compartment including a liquid coolant bath portion and a vapor portion. A plurality of energy storage cells are positioned within the energy storage compartment and submerged within the liquid coolant bath. A compressor is in communication with the vapor portion to remove vapor. A condenser is in communication with the compressor and returns liquid coolant to the energy storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Blackwelder, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Steve T. Gagne
  • Patent number: 9771157
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique airborne electrical power and thermal management system. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and electrical power and thermal management systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gagne, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, John R. Arvin
  • Publication number: 20170021783
    Abstract: A system of a vehicle may include an electrical load, a generator, and first and second conduits. The electrical load of the vehicle may include a high energy device that utilizes above 270 volts during operations of the vehicle. The generator may be coupled to an engine of the vehicle and configured to generate electrical power at a voltage above 270 volts for the electrical load of the high energy device during operations of the vehicle. The first and second conduits may be arranged along each other to house respective first and second conductors that are electrically disposed between the electrical load and the generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9534537
    Abstract: A system is disclosed one form of which is an aircraft that includes a pod capable of housing a work providing device. The pod can also include a thermal conditioning system and a power generation device that can be powered from the work providing device. The pod can provide thermal conditioning services and power services to a payload aboard the aircraft. In one non-limiting form the payload is a directed energy member that can be cooled using the thermal conditioning system and powered using the power generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Gagne, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, John R. Arvin
  • Patent number: 9516788
    Abstract: An electric device is disclosed capable of generating heat during operation. The electric device can be in thermal communication to dissipate the heat through the use of carbon nanotubes and/or a phase change material. In one form the electric device includes a housing that has the carbon nanotubes. The housing, furthermore, can be a composite that in some embodiments does not provide as effective heat transfer as the carbon nanotubes. The electric device can take the form of a power electronic device in some embodiments and a device having a rotor and stator in others. Such embodiments include motors and/or generators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Mark Jon Blackwelder
  • Publication number: 20160325629
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus with a prime mover coupled to a generator that is directly electrically coupled to an electric motor. A propeller or fan may be coupled to and driven by the electric motor. A bi-directional power converter may be coupled to the generator and further coupled to an energy storage device. The energy storage device may be selectively coupled to the electric motor. Methods of using the apparatus are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2016
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Mark J. Blackwelder, John T. Alt
  • Patent number: 9487303
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique machine. Another embodiment is a unique system for supplying electrical power to a machine, such as a vehicle, having an electrical load during operation. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9482156
    Abstract: An engine may have a recuperator that may be powered by an electrical generator driven by the engine. The recuperator may be disposed within or incorporated into a compressor discharge of the engine, such as in the form of a vane or tube. The engine may be configured to operate in a variety of modes at least some of which may use thermal energy from the recuperator to heat a fluid flow stream of the engine. An energy storage device may be used with an electrical generator to provide power to a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignees: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl D. Nordstrom, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9386730
    Abstract: A turbine engine may include a modular power electronics distribution system having a plurality of modules connectable to a pluggable interface. The pluggable interface may be configured to receive and distribute power to the plurality of modules. Each module may include at least one fault isolation switch and a coolant system including an inlet and return line, as well as a metering valve. At least one power bus may be configured to provide electrical power to at least one of a load or a source via a functional segment. The functional segment may be operable to supply electrical power to the load in a desired form. The modular power electronics distribution system may include a controller in communication with the plurality of modules, the controller configured to control at least one fault isolation switch and metering valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, Eric D. Schneider, Paul Rancuret
  • Publication number: 20160176529
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique airborne electrical power and thermal management system. Another embodiment is a unique aircraft. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for aircraft and electrical power and thermal management systems. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Inventors: Steven Gagne, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, John R. Arvin
  • Patent number: 9366182
    Abstract: An electrical power and thermal management system may include a power plant operable to provide power to an electrical generation device. The system may include at least one conversion/distribution assembly configured to provide electrical power to a first electrical bus. The system may also include a thermal management system configured to circulate coolant to at least one heat source. A controller may be in communication with the power plant, the electrical generation device, the conversion/distribution assembly, the electrical power bus, and the thermal management system. The controller may be configured to integrally manage electrical and thermal steady and transient demands, wherein the controller is operable to selectively distribute power to the electrical power bus and regulate produced thermal energy in response to electrical and thermal demands, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel
  • Publication number: 20160009405
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique machine. Another embodiment is a unique system for supplying electrical power to a machine, such as a vehicle, having an electrical load during operation. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9193311
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present disclosure is a unique aircraft. Another embodiment is a unique system for supplying electrical power to an aircraft electrical load during flight operations. Other embodiments include apparatuses, systems, devices, hardware, methods, and combinations for fluid driven actuation systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Siegel, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20150180100
    Abstract: An energy storage thermal management system includes an energy storage compartment including a liquid coolant bath portion and a vapor portion. A plurality of energy storage cells are positioned within the energy storage compartment and submerged within the liquid coolant bath. A compressor is in communication with the vapor portion to remove vapor. A condenser is in communication with the compressor and returns liquid coolant to the energy storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Mark J. Blackwelder, Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, Steve T. Gagne
  • Publication number: 20150173254
    Abstract: A turbine engine may include a modular power electronics distribution system having a plurality of modules connectable to a pluggable interface. The pluggable interface may be configured to receive and distribute power to the plurality of modules. Each module may include at least one fault isolation switch and a coolant system including an inlet and return line, as well as a metering valve. At least one power bus may be configured to provide electrical power to at least one of a load or a source via a functional segment. The functional segment may be operable to supply electrical power to the load in a desired form. The modular power electronics distribution system may include a controller in communication with the plurality of modules, the controller configured to control at least one fault isolation switch and metering valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Inventors: Rigoberto J. Rodriguez, William L. Siegel, Eric D. Schneider, Paul Rancuret