Patents by Inventor Tao Zeng

Tao Zeng 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: 10578124
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable inlet device of a compressor. In one example, a compressor may include an impeller rotatable about a central axis and an inlet conduit including a variable inlet device (VID) positioned upstream of the impeller and adjustable between and open position and a closed position that restricts and generates pre-swirl flow to the impeller. The VID may include a plurality of adjacently arranged blades forming a ring around the central axis with inner surfaces of the blades forming a flow passage through the VID, each of the blades being pivotable, about an axis arranged tangent to the ring, between the open and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Leon Hu
  • Publication number: 20190277188
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for operating an electric assisted turbocharger. In one example, a method may include adjusting a position of a turbine of the turbocharger responsive to a level of a power deficiency, and operating an electric motor of the turbocharger based on the power deficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Liangjun Hu
  • Patent number: 10367515
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) controller system may be configured for controlling switching in an associated digital-to-analog converter (DAC), based on a plurality of system inputs that include at least a first system input corresponding to an input applied to the DAC for controlling switching therein, and a second system input that includes a reference control signal. The DAC controller system may include a logic gate circuit that generates a gate output based on two gate inputs that include the first system input and an input set based on the second system input; and a plurality of timing circuits that generate timing outputs for controlling timing of switching in the DAC, which include at least one timing circuit that generates a timing output based on the gate output, with the timing output configured for application in conjunction with and for adjusting a timing output of another timing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Maxlinear, Inc.
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 10291246
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for digital-to-analog conversions with adaptive digital offsets. A digital offset may be determined and applied to a digital input to a digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and digital-to-analog conversions are then applied via the DAC to the digital input with the digital offset. The digital offset may be set to account for one or more conditions relating to inputs to the DAC, with the one or more conditions affecting switching characteristics of one or more of a plurality of conversion elements in the DAC. The digital offset may be determined dynamically and adaptively, such as based on the input and/or conditions relating to the input. The adjustments may be selectively applied to the digital offset for particular input conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 10280850
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for compound boosted engine comprising an electric supercharger. In one example, the electric supercharger may be double-ended with a compressor arranged on either side of an electric motor and rotationally coupled to the electric motor via shafts. The electric supercharger may be configured to provide boost assist to a twin turbocharger system via a bypass channel adapted with a bypass valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Daniel William Kantrow, Liangjun Hu
  • Publication number: 20190115929
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) controller system may be configured for controlling switching in an associated digital-to-analog converter (DAC), based on a plurality of system inputs that include at least a first system input corresponding to an input applied to the DAC for controlling switching therein, and a second system input that includes a reference control signal. The DAC controller system may include a logic gate circuit that generates a gate output based on two gate inputs that include the first system input and an input set based on the second system input; and a plurality of timing circuits that generate timing outputs for controlling timing of switching in the DAC, which include at least one timing circuit that generates a timing output based on the gate output, with the timing output configured for application in conjunction with and for adjusting a timing output of another timing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20190078587
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable inlet device of a compressor. In one example, a compressor may include a casing forming a recirculation passage surrounding an intake passage, an active casing treatment surrounding a wall separating the intake passage and the recirculation passage and adapted to selectively control a flow of gas through a plurality of ports disposed in the wall, and an impeller. Additionally, a variable inlet device may be position in the intake passage, upstream of the impeller, the variable inlet device including a plurality of adjacently arranged blades forming a ring, each of the blades being pivotable, about an axis arranged tangent to the ring, between the open and closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Leon Hu
  • Publication number: 20190078586
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable inlet device of a compressor. In one example, a compressor may include an impeller rotatable about a central axis and an inlet conduit including a variable inlet device (VID) positioned upstream of the impeller and adjustable between and open position and a closed position that restricts and generates pre-swirl flow to the impeller. The VID may include a plurality of adjacently arranged blades forming a ring around the central axis with inner surfaces of the blades forming a flow passage through the VID, each of the blades being pivotable, about an axis arranged tangent to the ring, between the open and closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Leon Hu
  • Patent number: 10224946
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing dynamic element matching (DEM) in digital-to-analog converters (DACs). One or more parameters associated with the DAC and/or a signal being converted via the DAC; and based on the one or more parameters, conditions affecting dynamic element matching in the DAC may be assessed. Based on the assessing of the conditions, one or more adjustments may be determined and dynamically applied to the dynamic element matching in the DAC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop
  • Publication number: 20190063351
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Eric Warren Curtis, Satheesh Makkapati, Brad Alan Boyer, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David R. Hanna, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Publication number: 20190044524
    Abstract: In a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that includes one or more conversion circuits, with each conversion circuit configured to handle one or more bits in an input signal to the DAC, one or more types of errors that occur during operation of the DAC may be detected, and one or more adjustments may be determined for correcting the one or more types of errors that occur during operation of the DAC and/or for reducing effects resulting from the one or more types of errors. At least one of the one or more adjustments may applied, with the at least one of the one or more adjustments is applied to only a subset of one or more conversion circuits. The DAC may be adaptive switched among a plurality of modes, and adjustments may be applied only in one or more of the modes but not in all of the modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop
  • Patent number: 10190487
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a variable inlet device of a compressor. In one example, a compressor may include the variable inlet device arranged within an inlet conduit of the compressor. The variable inlet device may be adjustable to control the gas flow through the compressor, the variable inlet including a pair of semi-cylindrical shells that are pivotable, about a set of hinges, between an open and closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Leon Hu
  • Patent number: 10158368
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) controller system may be configured for controlling switching in an associated digital-to-analog converter (DAC), based on a plurality of system inputs that include at least a first system input corresponding to an input applied to the DAC for controlling switching therein, and a second system input that includes a reference control signal. The DAC controller system may include a logic gate circuit that generates a gate output based on two gate inputs that include the first system input and an input set based on the second system input; and a plurality of timing circuits that generate timing outputs for controlling timing of switching in the DAC, which include at least one timing circuit that generates a timing output based on the gate output, with the timing output configured for application in conjunction with and for adjusting a timing output of another timing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu
  • Patent number: 10145320
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for controlling boost pressure and exhaust gas recirculation in a split exhaust system. In one example, a first portion of exhaust may be routed from a cylinder to an exhaust turbine via a first exhaust valve and a second, remaining portion of exhaust may be routed as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) via a second exhaust valve, the timing and lift of each of the first valve profile and the second valve profile adjusted based on boost error and EGR error. Further, motor torque from an electric motor may be supplied to the turbocharger to attain a desired boost pressure and a desired EGR flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tao Zeng, Eric Warren Curtis, Satheesh Makkapati, Brad Alan Boyer, Joseph Norman Ulrey, David R. Hanna, Devesh Upadhyay
  • Patent number: 10097195
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with enhanced dynamic element matching (DEM) and calibration. DEM may be adapted based on assessment of one or more conditions that may affect the DACs or DEM functions thereof. The one or more condition may comprise amount of signal backoff. The adaption may comprise switching the DEM function (as a whole, or partially—e.g., individual DEM elements) on or off based on the assess conditions. The DACs may incorporate use of calibration. The DEM and/or the calibration may be applied to only a portion of the DAC, such as a particular segment (e.g., a middle segment comprising bits between the MSBs and the LSBs).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop
  • Publication number: 20180287624
    Abstract: A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) controller system may be configured for controlling switching in an associated digital-to-analog converter (DAC), based on a plurality of system inputs that include at least a first system input corresponding to an input applied to the DAC for controlling switching therein, and a second system input that includes a reference control signal. The DAC controller system may include a logic gate circuit that generates a gate output based on two gate inputs that include the first system input and an input set based on the second system input; and a plurality of timing circuits that generate timing outputs for controlling timing of switching in the DAC, which include at least one timing circuit that generates a timing output based on the gate output, with the timing output configured for application in conjunction with and for adjusting a timing output of another timing circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180226980
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing dynamic element matching (DEM) in digital-to-analog converters (DACs). One or more parameters associated with the DAC and/or a signal being converted via the DAC; and based on the one or more parameters, conditions affecting dynamic element matching in the DAC may be assessed. Based on the assessing of the conditions, one or more adjustments may be determined and dynamically applied to the dynamic element matching in the DAC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop
  • Patent number: 9991899
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptive configuration and control of digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Performance of a plurality of conversion elements in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) may be assessed based on particular input conditions associated with a digital input to the DAC, and the DAC may be configured based on the assessing of performance. Each conversion element of the plurality of conversion elements handles a particular bit in the digital input. The configuring may comprise selecting a subset of the plurality of conversion elements, and setting only the subset of the plurality of conversion elements to apply a particular type of operations. The particular type of operations pertains to applying digital-to-analog conversions via the DAC, and the particular type of operations relates to or affects performance. The particular input conditions may comprise signal backoff.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MAXLINEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu
  • Publication number: 20180097524
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for digital-to-analog converters (DACs) with enhanced dynamic element matching (DEM) and calibration. DEM may be adapted based on assessment of one or more conditions that may affect the DACs or DEM functions thereof. The one or more condition may comprise amount of signal backoff. The adaption may comprise switching the DEM function (as a whole, or partially—e.g., individual DEM elements) on or off based on the assess conditions. The DACs may incorporate use of calibration. The DEM and/or the calibration may be applied to only a portion of the DAC, such as a particular segment (e.g., a middle segment comprising bits between the MSBs and the LSBs).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop
  • Publication number: 20180062663
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adaptive configuration and control of digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Performance of a plurality of conversion elements in a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) may be assessed based on particular input conditions associated with a digital input to the DAC, and the DAC may be configured based on the assessing of performance. Each conversion element of the plurality of conversion elements handles a particular bit in the digital input. The configuring may comprise selecting a subset of the plurality of conversion elements, and setting only the subset of the plurality of conversion elements to apply a particular type of operations. The particular type of operations pertains to applying digital-to-analog conversions via the DAC, and the particular type of operations relates to or affects performance. The particular input conditions may comprise signal backoff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Gaurav Chandra, Tao Zeng, Shantha Murthy Prem Swaroop, Jianyu Zhu