Patents by Inventor Steven V. Wybo

Steven V. Wybo 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: 11904726
    Abstract: An accessory power system includes an accessory power module having primary power switches, a transformer, and secondary rectifiers. The primary power switches are electrically connected to the high-voltage bus, and the secondary rectifiers are electrically connected to the low-voltage bus. A peak detector is coupled to the high-voltage bus. A controller is in communication with the peak detector circuit, and operatively connected to the primary power switches. The controller dynamically monitors, via the peak detector circuit, a ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus, compares the monitored voltage with a maximum threshold voltage, and disables the plurality of primary power switches when the ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus is greater than the maximum threshold voltage, and reactivates the primary power switches when the ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus is less than the maximum threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Steven V. Wybo, Ranya Badawi
  • Publication number: 20230211703
    Abstract: An accessory power system includes an accessory power module having primary power switches, a transformer, and secondary rectifiers. The primary power switches are electrically connected to the high-voltage bus, and the secondary rectifiers are electrically connected to the low-voltage bus. A peak detector is coupled to the high-voltage bus. A controller is in communication with the peak detector circuit, and operatively connected to the primary power switches. The controller dynamically monitors, via the peak detector circuit, a ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus, compares the monitored voltage with a maximum threshold voltage, and disables the plurality of primary power switches when the ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus is greater than the maximum threshold voltage, and reactivates the primary power switches when the ripple voltage of the high-voltage bus is less than the maximum threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Steven V. Wybo, Ranya Badawi
  • Patent number: 10554057
    Abstract: A discharge control system of a vehicle includes a traction power inverter module (TPIM) configured to convert a first direct current (DC) voltage output by a first battery to alternating current (AC) power and apply the AC power to an electric motor. An accessory power module (APM) is configured to convert the first DC voltage into a second DC voltage of a second battery. A voltage calculation module is configured to, when the first DC voltage is less than an operation threshold voltage of the APM, determine the second DC voltage based on a function of the first DC voltage and the operation threshold voltage. A diagnostic module is configured to indicate whether a discharge fault is present. A discharge control module is configured to, when the discharge fault is present, based the first DC voltage and the second DC voltage, selectively control operation of the TPIM and the APM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Kris Sevel, Steven V. Wybo
  • Patent number: 10160332
    Abstract: A topology for electric power distribution in a vehicle includes a high-voltage bus connected to a DC-DC electric power converter that is connected to a low-voltage DC load. The DC-DC electric power converter includes a high-voltage switching circuit, a transformer, and a low-voltage rectifier. The high-voltage switching circuit includes first and second switches arranged in series between positive and negative legs of the high-voltage electric power bus at a first node that connects to a leg of an inductor of the transformer. A controller receives a command to discharge the high-voltage electric power bus, and in response, controls a first gate circuit to operate a first switch in a linear mode, and controls a second gate circuit to operate a second switch in a pulsewidth-modulated mode. A duty cycle for the pulsewidth-modulated operation of the second switch is determined based upon the magnitude of electric current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Steven V. Wybo, Kris S. Sevel, Charles J. Swan
  • Publication number: 20180029479
    Abstract: A topology for electric power distribution in a vehicle includes a high-voltage bus connected to a DC-DC electric power converter that is connected to a low-voltage DC load. The DC-DC electric power converter includes a high-voltage switching circuit, a transformer, and a low-voltage rectifier. The high-voltage switching circuit includes first and second switches arranged in series between positive and negative legs of the high-voltage electric power bus at a first node that connects to a leg of an inductor of the transformer. A controller receives a command to discharge the high-voltage electric power bus, and in response, controls a first gate circuit to operate a first switch in a linear mode, and controls a second gate circuit to operate a second switch in a pulsewidth-modulated mode. A duty cycle for the pulsewidth-modulated operation of the second switch is determined based upon the magnitude of electric current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking Wang, Steven V. Wybo, Kris S. Sevel, Charles J. Swan
  • Patent number: 9731605
    Abstract: An electrified powertrain system for a vehicle includes an electric machine coupled to a driveline. An inverter controller communicates directly with an auxiliary power module. An ignition module indicates either a key-on state or a key-off state. When the ignition module is in a key-off state, a low-power DC/DC converter generates an output voltage originating on the high-voltage DC bus having a magnitude sufficient to activate the inverter controller. The inverter controller detects a key-off uncontrolled generator (UCG) mode. The inverter controller directly communicates detection of the key-off UCG mode to the auxiliary power module. The inverter controller controls the inverter. The auxiliary power module supplies electric power to operate low-voltage electrically-powered powertrain actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Konking (Michael) Wang, Aniket Kothari, William T. Ivan, Steven V. Wybo, Ying Tan, Michael M. Gandham
  • Publication number: 20160250927
    Abstract: An electrified powertrain system for a vehicle includes an electric machine coupled to a driveline. An inverter controller communicates directly with an auxiliary power module. An ignition module indicates either a key-on state or a key-off state. When the ignition module is in a key-off state, a low-power DC/DC converter generates an output voltage originating on the high-voltage DC bus having a magnitude sufficient to activate the inverter controller. The inverter controller detects a key-off uncontrolled generator (UCG) mode. The inverter controller directly communicates detection of the key-off UCG mode to the auxiliary power module. The inverter controller controls the inverter. The auxiliary power module supplies electric power to operate low-voltage electrically-powered powertrain actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Konking (Michael) Wang, Aniket Kothari, William T. Ivan, Steven V. Wybo, Ying Tan, Michael M. Gandham
  • Patent number: 8020650
    Abstract: A method sustains auxiliary power generation aboard a mild hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in response to a high-voltage (HV) electrical fault condition and executes one of a pair of default limp-home modes depending on the state of the engine at the time of the fault. Each limp-home mode sustains auxiliary power generation during the fault, and at least one mode charges capacitors in the HV bus circuit to provide magnetizing current to a motor generator unit (MGU). An HEV includes a controller and algorithm for sustaining auxiliary power generation during the above fault condition, with the algorithm adapted to control output of an auxiliary power module (APM) and execute one of a pair of default limp-home modes, including a mode in which the APM charges the capacitors to enable a power inverter module (PIM) to provide an initial excitation current to the MGU after the starter motor restarts the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Sean E. Gleason, Chandra S. Namuduri, Steven V. Wybo
  • Publication number: 20100236851
    Abstract: A method sustains auxiliary power generation aboard a mild hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in response to a high-voltage (HV) electrical fault condition and executes one of a pair of default limp-home modes depending on the state of the engine at the time of the fault. Each limp-home mode sustains auxiliary power generation during the fault, and at least one mode charges capacitors in the HV bus circuit to provide magnetizing current to a motor generator unit (MGU). An HEV includes a controller and algorithm for sustaining auxiliary power generation during the above fault condition, with the algorithm adapted to control output of an auxiliary power module (APM) and execute one of a pair of default limp-home modes, including a mode in which the APM charges the capacitors to enable a power inverter module (PIM) to provide an initial excitation current to the MGU after the starter motor restarts the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Keith D. Van Maanen, Sean E. Gleason, Chandra S. Namuduri, Steven V. Wybo