Patents by Inventor Terry Michael Tackman

Terry Michael Tackman 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).

  • IGBT gate drive circuit and method
    Patent number: 9748947
    Abstract: There are provided methods and systems for operating insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). For example, there is provided a method that can include detecting a desaturation condition in an IGBT and initiating a turn off procedure when desaturation is detected. The turn off procedure can include holding a gate of the IGBT at at least one voltage level intermediate between a positive rail voltage and a negative rail voltage of an operational range of the IGBT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: GE ENERGY POWER CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY LTD
    Inventors: Robert Gregory Wagoner, Tobias Schuetz, Todd David Greenleaf, Terry Michael Tackman
  • System and method of controlling an electronic component of a wind turbine using contingency communications
    Patent number: 9157415
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Allen Seymour, James Michael Nowak, David Smith, Terry Michael Tackman, Allen Michael Ritter
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT OF A WIND TURBINE USING CONTINGENCY COMMUNICATIONS
    Publication number: 20150267684
    Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlling an electrical component, e.g. a power bridge, of a wind turbine using contingency communications. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, by the electrical component, a standard set of commands for a first time frame. A next step includes receiving, by the electrical component, one or more contingency sets of commands for time frames beyond the first time frame. The method also includes determining if the standard set of commands is received within a start window of the first time frame. A further step includes implementing, by the electrical component, the standard set of commands during the first time frame if the standard set of commands is received within the start window. The method also includes implementing, by the electrical component, one of the contingency sets of commands received during a previous time frame if the standard set of commands is not received within the start window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Allen Seymour, James Michael Nowak, David Smith, Terry Michael Tackman, Allen Michael Ritter