David Chai Tang

US Patent:

7210304, May 1, 2007

Filed:

Feb 9, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/054483

Inventors:

James M. Nagashima - Cerritos CA, US
Karl D. Conroy - Huntington Beach CA, US
Eric R. Ostrom - Bellflower CA, US
Gregory S. Smith - Woodland Hills CA, US
George John - Cerritos CA, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US
Terence G. Ward - Redondo Beach CA, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

F23D 23/12

US Classification:

622592, 62310

Abstract:

In order to provide a modular arrangement, an inverter for an electric traction motor used to drive an automotive vehicle is positioned in proximity with the traction motor. The inverter is located within a compartment adjacent to one end of the electric traction motor and is cooled in a closed system by spraying a liquid coolant directly onto the inverter. The liquid coolant absorbs heat from the inverter and is cooled by a heat exchange arrangement comprising a reservoir with pipes carrying a second coolant from the radiator of the automotive vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, the coolant is collected from the inverter in an annular reservoir that is integral with the compartment containing the inverter. In accordance with one embodiment of the cooling arrangement, heat from the inverter vaporizes the liquid coolant by absorbing heat from the inverter during a phase change from a liquid to a vapor. The vaporized coolant is condensed by a circulating second coolant in pipes connected to the vehicle's radiator through a condenser that is preferably coaxial with the motor and the annular reservoir, which annular reservoir in the second embodiment collects overspray liquid coolant.

US Patent:

7279862, Oct 9, 2007

Filed:

Aug 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/462432

Inventors:

Brian Welchko - Torrance CA, US
Jonathan B Huse - Rancho Santa Margaritia CA, US
Silva Hiti - Redondo Beach CA, US
Brendan M. Conlon - Rochester Hills MI, US
Constantin C. Stancu - Anaheim CA, US
Khwaja M. Rahman - Troy MI, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US
William R. Cawthorne - Milford MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G05B 9/02

US Classification:

318564, 318565, 318616, 318563, 388804, 361 23

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a multi-phase inverter, a fault detector to indicate a detection of a fault, a sensor to provide a speed signal indicative of whether a speed of a PM motor is greater than a transition speed, and a controller. The controller is operable to apply either an open-circuit response or a short-circuit response to the multi-phase inverter. The open-circuit response is applied when the speed of the PM motor is greater than the transition speed and a fault is detected. The short-circuit response is applied when the speed of the PM motor is less than the transition speed and the fault is detected. The transition speed is either a fixed predetermined speed or an adjusted predetermined speed.

US Patent:

7312653, Dec 25, 2007

Filed:

Mar 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/077475

Inventors:

Keming Chen - Torrance CA, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G01F 1/10

US Classification:

327545, 361245, 361246

Abstract:

A reverse polarity protected system comprises a voltage source that includes positive and negative terminals. A polarity-sensitive device has a first terminal that communicates with the positive terminal of the voltage source, and that includes a second terminal. A low-resistance switch communicates with the first and second terminals of the voltage source, and communicates with the second terminal of the polarity-sensitive device. The low-resistance switch assumes a conducting state between the second terminal of the polarity-sensitive device and the negative terminal of the voltage source when a first voltage at the positive terminal of the voltage source minus a second voltage at the negative terminal of the voltage source is greater than a threshold voltage. Otherwise, the low-resistance switch assumes a non-conducting state.

US Patent:

7549833, Jun 23, 2009

Filed:

May 4, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/417845

Inventors:

David Tang - Rego Park NY, US

International Classification:

B65G 59/02
B65G 1/133
B66C 1/00
B66C 3/00

US Classification:

414797, 414737, 4147521, 901 6

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for automatically placing a sheet of glass in a glass frame. The apparatus includes a frame, a carriage, a first gripper, and a second gripper. The carriage is movably mounted to the frame to automatically move between a first position where the carriage is by a stack of glass sheets on a glass rack to a second position where the carriage is by the glass frame. The first gripper is movably mounted to the carriage and moves relative to the carriage to automatically engage the sheet of glass from the stack of glass sheets on the glass rack at the first position of the carriage and to automatically release the sheet of glass at the second position of the carriage. The second gripper automatically engages the sheet of glass when the first gripper automatically releases the sheet of glass at the second position of the carriage, and then automatically places the sheet of glass in the glass frame.

US Patent:

RE42200, Mar 8, 2011

Filed:

Dec 21, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/962370

Inventors:

Brian Welchko - Torrance CA, US
Jonathan B. Huse - Rancho Santa Margarita CA, US
Silva Hiti - Redondo Beach CA, US
Brendan M. Conlon - Rochester Hills MI, US
Constantin C. Stancu - Anaheim CA, US
Khwaja M. Rahman - Troy MI, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US
William R. Cawthorne - Milford MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G05B 9/02

US Classification:

318564, 318565, 318616, 318563, 388804, 361 23

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a multi-phase inverter, a fault detector to indicate a detection of a fault, a sensor to provide a speed signal indicative of whether a speed of a PM motor is greater than a transition speed, and a controller. The controller is operable to apply either an open-circuit response or a short-circuit response to the multi-phase inverter. The open-circuit response is applied when the speed of the PM motor is greater less than the transition speed and a fault is detected. The short-circuit response is applied when the speed of the PM motor is less greater than the transition speed and the fault is detected. The transition speed is either a fixed predetermined speed or an adjusted predetermined speed.

US Patent:

7944160, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Mar 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/047120

Inventors:

Silva Hiti - Redondo Beach CA, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US
Brian A. Welchko - Torrance CA, US
Milun Perisic - Torance CA, US
Constantin C. Stancu - Anaheim CA, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H02P 21/00

US Classification:

31840002, 31840003

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for discharging a direct current (DC) bus providing power to a motor control circuit in an electric motor system. The method includes the steps of detecting a predetermined discharge signal and generating operational control signals comprising phase currents for dissipating energy from the DC bus through a passive load in response to detecting the predetermined discharge signal, wherein the passive load includes motor windings of an electric motor of the electric motor system. The method also includes the step of providing the operational control signals to the motor control circuit for discharging the DC bus through the motor control circuit and the motor windings of the electric motor.

US Patent:

7944161, May 17, 2011

Filed:

Mar 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/047123

Inventors:

Silva Hiti - Redondo Beach CA, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US
Brian A. Welchko - Torrance CA, US
Milun Perisic - Torrance CA, US
Constantin C. Stancu - Anaheim CA, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

H02P 21/00

US Classification:

31840002

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus are provided for improved discharge of a DC bus which provides power to an inverter. An electric motor system provided with the improved discharge method for discharge of the DC bus includes an electric motor, the inverter which provides electric control for the permanent magnet electric motor, the direct current (DC) bus which provides power to the inverter, and a processor. The processor generates operational control signals and provides such operational control signals to the inverter. In response to detecting a predetermined discharge signal, the processor generates operational control signals for generating a ripple current in motor windings of the electric motor to dissipate energy from the DC bus through a passive load, the passive load including the motor windings of the electric motor.

US Patent:

7973433, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Jul 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/178847

Inventors:

David F. Nelson - Agoura Hills CA, US
George John - Cerritos CA, US
Gregory S. Smith - Woodland Hills CA, US
David Tang - Fontana CA, US
James M. Nagashima - Cerritos CA, US
Gabriel Gallegos-Lopez - Torrance CA, US

International Classification:

H01H 9/54
H01H 33/59
H01H 47/00
H01H 85/46
H01H 3/26
H01H 3/28

US Classification:

307140, 257712, 257713, 257714, 257E2308, 257E23097, 257E23098

Abstract:

A power switch apparatus includes a substrate; a semiconductor die mounted on the substrate and including power electronics circuitry for a high power, alternating current motor application; and gate drive circuitry mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the power electronics circuitry on the semiconductor die.