Gene W Wester

US Patent:

39847993, Oct 5, 1976

Filed:

Dec 17, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/533734

Inventors:

James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Fletcher
Gene W. Wester - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

H02M 3335
G05F 164

US Classification:

321 2

Abstract:

Boost, buck and buck-boost dc-to-dc converters employing a plurality of parallel staggered-phase power switches with two-loop control. A switched inductor voltage is coupled to a sense winding in each phase, and all sense windings are connected in series to one of two feedback loops to provide a signal that indicates when one of the power switches is on as the principal determinant of switching instants. A sequencer is triggered each time a pulse generator is triggered to turn on a different power switch in sequence at each switching instant.

US Patent:

41931114, Mar 11, 1980

Filed:

Jun 8, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/913888

Inventors:

Gene W. Wester - Pasadena CA

Assignee:

California Institute of Technology - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

H02M 770

US Classification:

363 84

Abstract:

A unity power factor converter capable of effecting either inversion (dc-to-dc) or rectification (ac-to-dc), and capable of providing bilateral power control from a DC source (or load) through an AC transmission line to a DC load (or source) for power flow in either direction, is comprised of comparators for comparing the AC current i with an AC signal i. sub. ref (or its phase inversion) derived from the AC ports to generate control signals to operate a switch control circuit for high speed switching to shape the AC current waveform to a sine waveform, and synchronize it in phase and frequency with the AC voltage at the AC ports, by selectively switching the connections to a series inductor as required to increase or decrease the current i.

US Patent:

40399257, Aug 2, 1977

Filed:

Jun 10, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/694855

Inventors:

James C. Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Fletcher
W. T. McLyman - Lakewood CA
Gene W. Wester - Pasadena CA

International Classification:

H02M 700

US Classification:

363 70

Abstract:

Failure detection and substitution of a spare module is provided in a system having a plurality of phase staggered modules connected in parallel to deliver regulated voltage from an unregulated source. Phase control signals applied to the active converter modules are applied to the spare module through NOR gates associated with and disabled by the power output of respective active modules such that failure of any one enables its phase control signal to be applied to the spare module, thus controlling the spare module to operate in the phase position of the failed module. A NAND gate detects when any one active module fails and enables a gate in the spare module, thus activating the spare module.