Patents by Inventor Robert J. Vovos
Robert J. Vovos 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: 11953547Abstract: An apparatus that allows for access to any and all registers of a central processing unit in a line replaceable unit (LRU) without a need to open the housing of the LRU is provided. The apparatus may receive write or read packets from an external device and relay the same to an LRU. The apparatus may receive state information from one or more registers of the LRU in response. The apparatus may transmit or transfer the state information to an external device. The apparatus may be used to update firmware in the LRU, for diagnostics or testing.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2021Date of Patent: April 9, 2024Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Cummings, Robert J. Vovos
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Publication number: 20230406286Abstract: A system for controlling load sharing between multiple generators mechanically coupleable to the output shaft of a prime mover is provided. The system may comprise a first processor; and at least two inverters operably connectable to at least two generators, respectively. The generators provide AC power to the respective inverter and each inverter provides DC power to a respective DC link. Each inverter may comprise a processor configured to control a respective generator. The processor may be configured to receive a common speed command from the first processor, adjust the common speed command based on a speed of the same output shaft to create a droop, determine a torque command based on the adjusted speed command and supply the determined torque command to the corresponding generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2022Publication date: December 21, 2023Applicant: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Arthur P. Lyons
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Publication number: 20230204665Abstract: An apparatus that allows for access to any and all registers of a central processing unit in a line replaceable unit (LRU) without a need to open the housing of the LRU is provided. The apparatus may receive write or read packets from an external device and relay the same to an LRU. The apparatus may receive state information from one or more registers of the LRU in response. The apparatus may transmit or transfer the state information to an external device. The apparatus may be used to update firmware in the LRU, for diagnostics or testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Cummings, Robert J. Vovos
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Patent number: 11671050Abstract: Passive filters, line replaceable units and a modular power supply are provided. In one example the modular power supply has a DC bus link having a positive line and a negative line with at least one passive filter and an inductor having a first end and a second end, the first end coupleable to a phase output. A diode bridge having at least a first diode and a second diode, with an anode of the first diode coupleable to the second end of the inductor and a cathode of the first diode coupleable to the positive line, wherein a cathode of the second diode is coupleable to the second end of the inductor and an anode of the second diode is coupleable to the negative line, and wherein the first diode and the second diode are each configured to produce a combined reverse recovery charge that achieves a target DV/DT for an output voltage of the at least one passive filter.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Peter A. Carruthers, Benjamin T. Webster
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Patent number: 11558051Abstract: An electronic power device including transistors formed on a circuit assembly formed of a plurality of layers. The layers include gate drive layers, gate return layers, and power layers. A gate drive circuit is formed on the circuit assembly, and is connected to the gate and source of each of the transistors through the gate drive layers and the gate return layers. A voltage supply connection is provided to each of the plurality of transistors interleaved through the power layers. The circuit assembly includes a multilayer circuit board and/or a multilayer ceramic substrate. The ceramic substrate includes the power layers and transistors. The gate drive and return layers and gate drive circuit may be formed within the ceramic substrate or the circuit board. The ceramic substrate may be located in a modular housing. The circuit board may be outside the modular housing or inside the modular housing.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2021Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Lemberg, Robert J. Vovos
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Publication number: 20220263452Abstract: Passive filters, line replaceable units and a modular power supply are provided. In one example the modular power supply has a DC bus link having a positive line and a negative line with at least one passive filter and an inductor having a first end and a second end, the first end coupleable to a phase output. A diode bridge having at least a first diode and a second diode, with an anode of the first diode coupleable to the second end of the inductor and a cathode of the first diode coupleable to the positive line, wherein a cathode of the second diode is coupleable to the second end of the inductor and an anode of the second diode is coupleable to the negative line, and wherein the first diode and the second diode are each configured to produce a combined reverse recovery charge that achieves a target DV/DT for an output voltage of the at least one passive filter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Peter A. Carruthers, Benjamin T. Webster
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Patent number: 11394340Abstract: Passive filters, line replaceable units and a modular power supply are provided. The passive filter comprises an inductor and a diode bridge. The inductor has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupleable to a phase output of an inverter. The diode bridge comprises a first diode and a second diode. The anode of the first diode is coupled to the second end of the inductor and a cathode of the first diode is coupleable to a positive DC bus voltage. The cathode of the second diode is coupled to the second end of the inductor and the anode of the second diode is coupleable to a negative DC bus voltage. The passive filter output is coupleable to cable(s) for an AC electric machine. A reverse recovery charge of the diodes achieves a target DV/DT for an output voltage of the passive filter at operating temperatures.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2020Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Peter A. Carruthers, Benjamin T. Webster
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Publication number: 20210341544Abstract: A fault detection system for a system having a single DC input and a plurality of A/C loads such as an electric or hybrid electric vehicle. A plurality of inverters convert DC to 3-phase A/C and supply A/C power to a corresponding individual A/C load. Each inverter includes a common mode current transformer and a controller. An individual corresponding common mode current transformer is coupled to the 3-phase A/C output of the inverter. An individual corresponding controller is coupled to the output of an individual corresponding common mode current transformer and is coupled to an individual corresponding A/C load. Each controller is configured to detect a fault at the individual corresponding A/C load and in the case of detection of a fault at an individual corresponding A/C load, the corresponding controller disables the A/C load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Peter A. Carruthers, Andrew S. Clark, Arthur P. Lyons, Benjamin T. Webster
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Publication number: 20210344297Abstract: Passive filters, line replaceable units and a modular power supply are provided. The passive filter comprises an inductor and a diode bridge. The inductor has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupleable to a phase output of an inverter. The diode bridge comprises a first diode and a second diode. The anode of the first diode is coupled to the second end of the inductor and a cathode of the first diode is coupleable to a positive DC bus voltage. The cathode of the second diode is coupled to the second end of the inductor and the anode of the second diode is coupleable to a negative DC bus voltage. The passive filter output is coupleable to cable(s) for an AC electric machine. A reverse recovery charge of the diodes achieves a target DV/DT for an output voltage of the passive filter at operating temperatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2020Publication date: November 4, 2021Applicant: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Peter A. Carruthers, Benjamin T. Webster
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Patent number: 10903834Abstract: An electronic power device formed by a plurality of FETs formed on a circuit board formed of a plurality of layers, the plurality of transistors being formed on a first surface of the circuit board, the plurality of layers including a plurality of gate drive layers, a plurality of gate return layers, and a plurality of power layers. A gate drive circuit is formed on a second surface of the circuit board, the second surface being opposite the first surface, the gate drive circuit being connected to the gate and source of each of the plurality of transistors through the plurality of gate drive layers and the plurality of gate return layers. A voltage supply is connected to the drain of each of the plurality of transistors, the connections of the voltage supply to each of the plurality of transistors being interleaved through the plurality of power layers.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2020Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Lemberg, Andrew S. Clark, Thomas J. Cummings, Robert J. Vovos
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Patent number: 10882407Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a likelihood that an engine exceeds its torque or power limit at a specific speed are provided. Also provided are systems and methods for reducing a likelihood that DC-DC converters and AC inverters overload a generator at a specific speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2018Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Bart W. Mancini, Arthur P. Lyons, Robert J. Vovos
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Publication number: 20190389406Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing a likelihood that an engine exceeds its torque or power limit at a specific speed are provided. Also provided are systems and methods for reducing a likelihood that DC-DC converters and AC inverters overload a generator at a specific speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Bart W. Mancini, Arthur P. Lyons, Robert J. Vovos
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Patent number: 10305407Abstract: Controllers, method and programs for controlling machines are provided. For example, A method comprises determining a resistance value for a loss compensation resistor, updating at least one control equation based on an equivalent circuit using the resistance value and controlling the machine based on the updated at least one control equation. The resistance value represents a plurality of electro-magnetic losses of a machine. The resistance value can be determined from an inverse resistance value.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Arthur P. Lyons
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Patent number: 9950639Abstract: In one aspect, a system for torsional damping of electric traction drives comprises dual Kalman filters to correct for oscillations based on measured traction motor speed and commanded traction motor torque. A first Kalman filter can perform a state space estimate of the shaft torque providing negative feedback to the final torque command in order to eliminate resonant components from the commanded torque and quickly damp external disturbances. A second Kalman filter provides a state space estimation of the load torque or, equivalently, load acceleration. This second Kalman filter can ignore commanded torque and can provide a damping feedback when the wheel speed deviates from the vehicle speed.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, James A. Dupuy, Arthur P. Lyons
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Patent number: 9935573Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable storage devices for a four quadrant voltage limiter that limits a commanded phase voltage to within a volt second capability of an inverter by maintaining a rotor flux and folding back a torque under both motoring and regeneration torque commands. In one embodiment: (a) in a motoring operation, an upper limit for a q-axis voltage is enforced; and (b) in a regeneration operation a lower limit for the q-axis voltage is enforced.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: BAE Systems Controls Inc.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Arthur P. Lyons
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Publication number: 20170219657Abstract: A method, battery module, an energy storage device and a power management system is provided. The capacity of the module and energy storage device is determined during current balancing between cells of the module. The capacity is subsequently used to control power to and from the energy storage device to maintain the energy storage device within a predetermined range of the maximum capacity of the energy storage device. The determined capacity is used as a maximum capacity for the energy storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2016Publication date: August 3, 2017Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS Controls Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Vovos
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Publication number: 20160111994Abstract: Controllers, method and programs for controlling machines are provided. For example, A method comprises determining a resistance value for a loss compensation resistor, updating at least one control equation based on an equivalent circuit using the resistance value and controlling the machine based on the updated at least one control equation. The resistance value represents a plurality of electro-magnetic losses of a machine. The resistance value can be determined from an inverse resistance value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: BAE SYSTEMS INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INTERGRATION INC.Inventors: Robert J. VOVOS, Arthur P. LYONS
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Publication number: 20160079901Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable storage devices for a four quadrant voltage limiter that limits a commanded phase voltage to within a volt second capability of an inverter by maintaining a rotor flux and folding back a torque under both motoring and regeneration torque commands. In one embodiment: (a) in a motoring operation, an upper limit for a q-axis voltage is enforced; and (b) in a regeneration operation a lower limit for the q-axis voltage is enforced.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Robert J. VOVOS, Arthur P. LYONS
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Publication number: 20160059735Abstract: In one aspect, a system for torsional damping of electric traction drives comprises dual Kalman filters to correct for oscillations based on measured traction motor speed and commanded traction motor torque. A first Kalman filter can perform a state space estimate of the shaft torque providing negative feedback to the final torque command in order to eliminate resonant components from the commanded torque and quickly damp external disturbances. A second Kalman filter provides a state space estimation of the load torque or, equivalently, load acceleration. This second Kalman filter can ignore commanded torque and can provide a damping feedback when the wheel speed deviates from the vehicle speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: March 3, 2016Inventors: Robert J. VOVOS, James A. DUPUY, Arthur P. LYONS
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Patent number: 9263948Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an input output balanced bidirectional buck-boost converter and associated system and method. In one example, a DC/DC bidirectional buck-boost power converter has both input and output voltages centered around chassis. This converter allows for overlapping input and output voltages, and allows for use of offset based leakage fault detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: BAE SYSTEMS CONTROLS INC.Inventors: Robert J. Vovos, Peter A. Carruthers, Arthur P. Lyons