Patents by Inventor Todd G. Nakanishi
Todd G. Nakanishi 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: 10291145Abstract: An inverter assembly for a power system is provided. The inverter assembly includes a plurality of stackable housing members and a plurality of inverter units received within the plurality of stackable housing members. Each of the plurality of inverter units includes a filter capacitor having a plurality of auxiliary connectors extending outwardly. The inverter assembly also includes a bus bar configured to be connected to the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units to establish electrical connection among the plurality of inverter units.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason E. Friedlund, Todd G. Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20180166995Abstract: An inverter assembly for a power system is provided. The inverter assembly includes a plurality of stackable housing members and a plurality of inverter units received within the plurality of stackable housing members. Each of the plurality of inverter units includes a filter capacitor having a plurality of auxiliary connectors extending outwardly. The inverter assembly also includes a bus bar configured to be connected to the plurality of auxiliary connectors of the filter capacitor of each of the plurality of inverter units to establish electrical connection among the plurality of inverter units.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason E. Friedlund, Todd G. Nakanishi
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Patent number: 9279625Abstract: A heat sink for power modules can be incorporated into a power module of a machine. In embodiments, an alloy is extruded to form a body with a plurality of divider webs integral thereto and defining a plurality of longitudinal passage segments inside the body. The body is machined to remove alternating end portions of the divider webs to define a fitting end turn area and a return end turn area disposed in opposing relationship with each other, thereby forming a serpentine fluid passage. A fitting end cap is welded to the body. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the fitting end cap are respectively in fluid communication with a passage inlet and a passage outlet of the serpentine fluid passage.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd G. Nakanishi, Jon N. Husser, Keith E. Dixler
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Publication number: 20150123850Abstract: A radar sensor assembly that includes a radar sensor and a holder assembly is provided. The holder assembly includes a base plate, a first wall, a second wall, a third wall, and a bottom wall. Each of the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall extends from the base plate, and along with the bottom wall, define a sensor-holding portion. The first side and the second side define a sliding side to allow slidable accommodation of the radar sensor, in the sensor-holding portion. The sliding side includes a retention tab, which depresses to facilitate sliding of the radar sensor into the sensor-holding portion, and lifts to retain the radar sensor in the sensor-holding portion. At least one of the first wall, the second wall, and the third wall, includes one or more retention elements that prevent displacement of the radar sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Fazal A. Goraya, Melissa A. McTavish, Daniel J. Frericks, Todd G. Nakanishi
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Publication number: 20150116938Abstract: A heat sink for power modules can be incorporated into a power module of a machine. In embodiments, an alloy is extruded to form a body with a plurality of divider webs integral thereto and defining a plurality of longitudinal passage segments inside the body. The body is machined to remove alternating end portions of the divider webs to define a fitting end turn area and a return end turn area disposed in opposing relationship with each other, thereby forming a serpentine fluid passage. A fitting end cap is welded to the body. A fluid inlet and a fluid outlet of the fitting end cap are respectively in fluid communication with a passage inlet and a passage outlet of the serpentine fluid passage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd G. Nakanishi, Jon N. Husser, Keith E. Dixler
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Patent number: 6054765Abstract: A parallel dual switch module that is characterized by improved mechanical and electrical packaging efficiency and low cost. The module includes a common terminal defined by a first stamped elongate metal plate insert molded into the module housing, and positive and negative terminals defined by second and third stamped elongate metal plates disposed side-by-side atop the common terminal. Connection areas formed on the positive and negative terminals extend in opposite lateral directions, and interdigitate with connection areas formed on the common terminal, thereby forming two linear parallel rows of connection areas. Adjacent each row of connection areas, and mounted on a baseplate of the module is a set of parallel connected transistors subassemblies. A molded elongate gate collection component is mounted on the baseplate between the sets of transistor subassemblies, and beneath the common terminal.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 1998Date of Patent: April 25, 2000Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: Charles Tyler Eytcheson, Monty Bradford Hayes, Lisa Ann Viduya, Roger Allen Mock, Eric Von Kierstead, Todd G. Nakanishi, Robert John Campbell, Erich William Gerbsch
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Patent number: 5895974Abstract: A durable substrate subassembly for a high power transistor switching module. The substrate subassembly is durable because wire bonds to the semiconductor device electrodes are replaced with a soldered metal/ceramic composite conductor. The part of the composite conductor contacting the semiconductor device has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to that of the semiconductor device. The metal of the composite conductor is preferably a strip of copper foil. The ceramic portion is a layer of alumina on the copper foil that is generally coextensive with the semiconductor device electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Assignee: Delco Electronics Corp.Inventors: Charles Tyler Eytcheson, Todd G. Nakanishi, Frank David Lachenmaier, Michael D. Bramel
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Patent number: 5523620Abstract: A readily manufacturable low inductance linear semiconductor switching module having coplanar contacts. Also disclosed is a pretestable terminal subassembly for such a module, and a method of making such a terminal subassembly. The module can contain high power, high frequency semiconductor switching devices, operating at high power but low inductance. The module incorporates compositional, geometrical and electrical symmetry in a linear configuration. The terminal subassembly is readily fabricated and assembled into the module. In addition, it permits use of short internal leads that are readily connected to the terminal subassembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 1994Date of Patent: June 4, 1996Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: Charles T. Eytcheson, Todd G. Nakanishi, Michael D. Bramel, John D. Tagle, Frank D. Lachenmaier
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Patent number: 5011062Abstract: A welding mask for ultrasonic welding has a part positioning window that receives a first metallic part that is ultrasonically welded to a second metallic part. The mask is engaged with a top surface of the second part and the first part is then placed in the window with its lower surface engaging an upper surface of the second part. The first part is then engaged by ultrasonic welding apparatus which vibrates it and causes it to be welded to the second part. The internal walls defining the window are comprised of a first portion having parallel surfaces which can contact the edges of the first part. Extending from the first portion to the lower surface of the mask is a slanted or chamfered surface that slants away from the edges of the first part and does not contact the edges of the first part. The purpose of the chamfered surface is to prevent the first part from becoming adhered to the welding mask during ultrasonic welding.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 1990Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Assignee: Delco Electronics CorporationInventors: Todd G. Nakanishi, Matthew F. Taylor