John C Herrmann

US Patent:

50308440, Jul 9, 1991

Filed:

Jun 25, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/542622

Inventors:

Edward Li - Roselle IL
John E. Herrmann - Mundelein IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H01H 930

US Classification:

307135

Abstract:

A DC power switch (10) for a capacitive load (11) has a main transistor (Q1) in series with the load between positive and negative DC bus terminals (B. sup. +, B. sup. -). A secondary transistor (Q2) and a resistor (R. sub. 1) are connected in series and this series connection is connected in parallel to the main transistor (Q1). A control circuit (20; 50) is connected to the main and secondary transistors (Q1, Q2) and controls them. In response to an enable signal (26), the secondary transistor (Q2) is initially turned on such that it and the resistor provide the initial charging current for the capacitor load (11) and subsequently the secondary transistor is turned off and the main transistor is turned on such that it provides the subsequent current required by the load. This configuration minimizes the power dissipation ratings required for the transistors while balancing this requirement with the relative rapid providing of charging current for the capacitive load. Fault detection circuitry (30-33) makes sure both the main and secondary transistors are off and interrupts the supply of DC power to the load (11) in the event of a detected fault.

US Patent:

61696498, Jan 2, 2001

Filed:

Jul 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/354980

Inventors:

Greg H. Fasullo - Dallas TX
Jin He - Plano TX
John A. Herrmann - Plano TX
Greg P. Jorgenson - Quinlan TX

Assignee:

Lucent Technologies Inc. - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H02H 100

US Classification:

361115

Abstract:

For use with a power supply having first and second circuit protection devices, a detection circuit, a method of monitoring the protection devices and a power supply employing the circuit or the method. In one embodiment, the detection circuit includes (1) a bridge circuit coupled to the first and second circuit protection devices, (2) a resistor parallel-coupled across one of the first and second circuit protection devices and (3) a sensing circuit, coupled to the bridge circuit and the resistor, that senses an imbalance in the bridge circuit and develops therefrom a failure signal when at least one of the first and second circuit protection devices becomes inoperable.

US Patent:

52474402, Sep 21, 1993

Filed:

May 3, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/695052

Inventors:

Zbynek A. Capurka - Palatine IL
John E. Herrmann - Mundelein IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

B60Q 104
G06F 1550

US Classification:

36442405

Abstract:

The present invention provides for automatic control of the performance of a transportation vehicle based on the vehicle's geographic location. This is accomplished by determining the geographic location of the vehicle by employing a navigation system (107) and comparing its location output to a predetermined performance control requirement then modifying the control of the vehicle as a result. Such control modification includes control of a vehicle's lights by a vehicle lights controller (109).

US Patent:

50417681, Aug 20, 1991

Filed:

Apr 12, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/336474

Inventors:

John E. Herrmann - Mundelein IL

Assignee:

Motorola, Inc. - Schaumburg IL

International Classification:

H02P 506
H02K 2908

US Classification:

318138

Abstract:

In a three phase full wave type brushless DC motor control system, the neutral (common) terminal (15) is connected to the positive terminal (14A) of a battery (14) with the negative battery terminal (14B) connected to ground comprising a reference terminal (27) for the control system. Pairs of upper and lower controllable switching drive devices (21A-22A, 23B-24B, 25C-26C) are utilized to control current in windings (13A-13C) of the motor (13). Diodes (29-34) are connected across each of the switching devices for handling inductive transient signals. An effective storage capacitor, preferably comprising individual storage capacitors (36-38) connected across each pair of switching devices, is used to store a boost voltage, above battery voltage, which is generated by inductive transient signals. This configuration not only returns inductive energy in the windings to the battery and/or other windings in the motor, but also substantially reduces radiated noise and conducted noise and therefore provides less battery voltage ripple.