Patents by Inventor Trishan Esram

Trishan Esram 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: 11468460
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ronald B. Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20210097560
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ronald B. Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 10740775
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ron Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
  • Patent number: 9806628
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SunPower Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
  • Publication number: 20160164427
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
  • Patent number: 9225256
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: SUNPOWER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
  • Patent number: 8817510
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a DC-to-AC inverter is disclosed. The DC-to-AC inverter may be configured to convert DC power received from an alternative energy source to AC power for supplying an AC grid or load. The inverter may determine whether the power presently supplied by the alternative energy source is less than a predetermined amount of power and, if so, disable an output converter of the inverter. Additionally, the inverter may predict the voltage of a DC bus of the inverter at a future point in time and, if the predicted DC bus voltage is greater than a predetermined maximum DC bus voltage, enable the output converter to transfer energy from the DC bus to the AC grid to reduce the DC bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trishan Esram, Alexander Gray, Eric Martina, Patrick Chapman
  • Publication number: 20140172503
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are representative embodiments of methods, apparatus, and systems for facilitating operation and control of a resource distribution system (such as a power grid). For example, embodiments of the disclosed technology can be used to improve the resiliency of a power grid and to allow for improved consumption of renewable resources. Further, certain implementations facilitate a degree of decentralized operations not available elsewhere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Donald J. Hammerstrom, Ron Melton, Trishan Esram, John E. Hathaway
  • Publication number: 20140036563
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of a pre-determined amount of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an energy storage capacitor, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller includes feedforward controller configured to perform a calculation to determine a value for the duty cycle for the input converter such that: (1) the input converter delivers the pre-determined amount of power and (2) the magnitude of a ripple signal reflected into the input source is attenuated toward zero. The input converter controller may also include a quadrature corrector configured to determine the effectiveness of the calculation in attenuating the ripple and to adaptively alter the calculation to improve the effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Trishan Esram, Eric Martina, Brian T. Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8503200
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of a pre-determined amount of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an energy storage capacitor, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller includes feedforward controller configured to perform a calculation to determine a value for the duty cycle for the input converter such that: (1) the input converter delivers the pre-determined amount of power and (2) the magnitude of a ripple signal reflected into the input source is attenuated toward zero. The input converter controller may also include a quadrature corrector configured to determine the effectiveness of the calculation in attenuating the ripple and to adaptively alter the calculation to improve the effectiveness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Trishan Esram, Eric Martina, Brian Kuhn
  • Patent number: 8482947
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter configured to deliver power from the unipolar input source to the AC grid and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an active filter, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller, an active filter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller is configured to control a current delivered by the input converter to a galvanically isolated unipolar bus of the inverter. The output converter is configured to control the output converter to deliver power to the AC grid. Additionally, the active filter controller is configured to control the active filter to supply substantially all the power that is deliver by the output controller to the AC grid at a grid frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Brian T. Kuhn, Robert S. Balog, Jonathan W. Kimball, Philip T. Krein, Alexander Gray, Trishan Esram
  • Patent number: 8451638
    Abstract: Reverse recovery avoidance when converting power is provided. A first switch and second switch may be operated to supply an AC load with positive current, respective to the AC load, from a DC power source. A third and fourth switch may be operated to supply the AC load with negative current, respective to the AC load, from the DC power source. Four diodes may be employed with the switches. One diode may conduct the positive current when the first switch is off and the second switch is on. Another diode may conduct the negative current when the third switch is off and the fourth switch is on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Trishan Esram
  • Publication number: 20130027998
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a DC-to-AC inverter is disclosed. The DC-to-AC inverter may be configured to convert DC power received from an alternative energy source to AC power for supplying an AC grid or load. The inverter may determine whether the power presently supplied by the alternative energy source is less than a predetermined amount of power and, if so, disable an output converter of the inverter. Additionally, the inverter may predict the voltage of a DC bus of the inverter at a future point in time and, if the predicted DC bus voltage is greater than a predetermined maximum DC bus voltage, enable the output converter to transfer energy from the DC bus to the AC grid to reduce the DC bus voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Trishan Esram, Alexander Gray, Eric Martina, Patrick Chapman
  • Patent number: 8279649
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a DC-to-AC inverter is disclosed. The DC-to-AC inverter may be configured to convert DC power received from an alternative energy source to AC power for supplying an AC grid or load. The inverter may determine whether the power presently supplied by the alternative energy source is less than a predetermined amount of power and, if so, disable an output converter of the inverter. Additionally, the inverter may predict the voltage of a DC bus of the inverter at a future point in time and, if the predicted DC bus voltage is greater than a predetermined maximum DC bus voltage, enable the output converter to transfer energy from the DC bus to the AC grid to reduce the DC bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Trishan Esram, Alexander Gray, Eric Martina, Patrick L. Chapman
  • Patent number: 8227942
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for interconnecting an array of power generating assemblies includes a cable assembly having a plurality of continuous conductors and a plurality of cable connectors electrically coupled to the continuous conductors. The continuous conductors are configured to receive inverter AC power generated by inverters and deliver the combined AC power to an AC grid or other power sink. The cable connectors are configured to mate with corresponding connectors of the inventers to deliver the AC power to the continuous conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco A. Marroquin, Thomas Paul Parker, Stephen P. Wurmlinger, Robert S. Balog, Trishan Esram, Jeremiah Noel Foley
  • Patent number: 8207637
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for interconnecting an array of power generating assemblies includes a cable assembly having a plurality of continuous conductors and a plurality of cable connectors electrically coupled to the continuous conductors. The continuous conductors are configured to receive inverter AC power generated by inverters and deliver the combined AC power to an AC grid or other power sink. The cable connectors are configured to mate with corresponding connectors of the inventers to deliver the AC power to the continuous conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: SolarBridge Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marco A. Marroquin, Thomas Paul Parker, Stephen P. Wurmlinger, Robert S. Balog, Trishan Esram, Jeremiah Noel Foley
  • Publication number: 20120155128
    Abstract: Reverse recovery avoidance when converting power is provided. A first switch and second switch may be operated to supply an AC load with positive current, respective to the AC load, from a DC power source. A third and fourth switch may be operated to supply the AC load with negative current, respective to the AC load, from the DC power source. Four diodes may be employed with the switches. One diode may conduct the positive current when the first switch is off and the second switch is on. Another diode may conduct the negative current when the third switch is off and the fourth switch is on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: SOLARBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Trishan Esram
  • Publication number: 20120104872
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for interconnecting an array of power generating assemblies includes a cable assembly having a plurality of continuous conductors and a plurality of cable connectors electrically coupled to the continuous conductors. The continuous conductors are configured to receive inverter AC power generated by inverters and deliver the combined AC power to an AC grid or other power sink The cable connectors are configured to mate with corresponding connectors of the inventers to deliver the AC power to the continuous conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Marco A. Marroquin, Thomas Paul Parker, Stephen P. Wurmlinger, Robert S. Balog, Trishan Esram, Jeremiah Noel Foley
  • Publication number: 20120087165
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a DC-to-AC inverter is disclosed. The DC-to-AC inverter may be configured to convert DC power received from an alternative energy source to AC power for supplying an AC grid or load. The inverter may determine whether the power presently supplied by the alternative energy source is less than a predetermined amount of power and, if so, disable an output converter of the inverter. Additionally, the inverter may predict the voltage of a DC bus of the inverter at a future point in time and, if the predicted DC bus voltage is greater than a predetermined maximum DC bus voltage, enable the output converter to transfer energy from the DC bus to the AC grid to reduce the DC bus voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SOLARBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Trishan Esram, Alexander Gray, Eric Martina, Patrick L. Chapman
  • Publication number: 20120087159
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the delivery of a pre-determined amount of power from a DC source to an AC grid includes an inverter and an inverter controller. The inverter includes an input converter, an energy storage capacitor, and an output converter. The inverter controller includes an input converter controller and an output converter controller. The input converter controller includes feedforward controller configured to perform a calculation to determine a value for the duty cycle for the input converter such that: (1) the input converter delivers the pre-determined amount of power and (2) the magnitude of a ripple signal reflected into the input source is attenuated toward zero. The input converter controller may also include a quadrature corrector configured to determine the effectiveness of the calculation in attenuating the ripple and to adaptively alter the calculation to improve the effectiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SOLARBRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick L. Chapman, Trishan Esram, Eric Martina, Brian Kuhn