Joshua Walker Wright

US Patent:

7332835, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

Nov 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/563774

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
William James Premerlani - Scotia NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US
Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore - Bangalore, IN

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Niskayuna NY

International Classification:

H01H 57/00
H01H 47/02

US Classification:

307134, 200600, 307 77, 361207

Abstract:

MEMS-based switching module, as may be electrically connected to other such modules in a series circuit, to achieve a desired voltage rating is provided. A switching array may be made up of a plurality of such switching modules (e. g. , used as building blocks of the switching array) with circuitry configured so that any number of modules can be connected in series to achieve the desired voltage rating (e. g. , voltage scalability).

US Patent:

7473859, Jan 6, 2009

Filed:

Jan 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/622483

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
William James Premerlani - Scotia NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US
Christopher Keimel - Schenectady NY, US
Long Que - Rexford NY, US
Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore - Bangalore, IN
Abhijeet Dinkar Sathe - Bangalore, IN
Xuefeng Wang - Schenectady NY, US
Edward Keith Howell - Hendersonville NC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Niskayuna NY

International Classification:

H01H 51/22

US Classification:

200181, 200329

Abstract:

A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e. g. , a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e. g. , a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e. g. , an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence. The gating voltage control sequence may comprise a first interval for ramping up the gating voltage to a voltage level for producing an electrostatic force sufficient to accelerate the actuator through a portion of the gap to be traversed by the actuator to reach a respective actuating condition. The gating voltage control sequence may further comprise a second interval for ramping down the gating voltage to a level sufficient to reduce the electrostatic force acting on the movable actuator.

US Patent:

7643256, Jan 5, 2010

Filed:

Dec 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/567296

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
William James Premerlani - Scotia NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US
Edward Keith Howell - Hendersonville NC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Niskayuna NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361 8, 361 2, 361 13, 361 31

Abstract:

A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.

US Patent:

7876538, Jan 25, 2011

Filed:

Nov 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/563726

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
William James Premerlani - Scotia NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Niskayuna NY

International Classification:

H02H 3/00

US Classification:

361 2

Abstract:

A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.

US Patent:

20080211347, Sep 4, 2008

Filed:

Mar 2, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/681205

Inventors:

Joshua Isaac Wright - Arlington VA, US
Nicole Christine Reeves - Albany NY, US
John Norton Park - Rexford NY, US

International Classification:

H01L 41/107

US Classification:

310318

Abstract:

A circuit for controlling operation of a load. In one example, a MEMS switch is positioned in the circuit to place the load in one of a conducting state or a nonconducting state. A piezoelectric transformer provides a relatively high voltage output signal or a relatively low voltage output signal to control movement of the switch between a closed position, placing the load in the conducting state, and an open position. The high voltage output signal includes a frequency component in the resonant frequency range of the transformer. Control circuitry provides an input voltage signal to the piezoelectric transformer to provide the high voltage output signal or the low voltage output signal at the output terminals of the piezoelectric transformer.

Author:

Joshua Wright

ISBN #:

1741144353