John P Melvin

US Patent:

7408274, Aug 5, 2008

Filed:

Dec 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/319825

Inventors:

James D. Sullivan - Galena OH, US
John A. Melvin - Westerville OH, US

Assignee:

Inpower LLC - Galena OH

International Classification:

H01H 35/00

US Classification:

307130, 307131, 361115, 324422, 340638

Abstract:

A circuit for controlling at least two power switches that are series connected between a source of electrical power and an electrical load, for energizing the load in response to a signal at a control input. The circuit includes a programmed controller having an input as the control input and a voltage sensor circuit connected to sense the voltage between the power switches and apply a voltage signal to a controller input. It may also have a sensor for sensing the current through the switches and applying a current signal to the controller. The controller inputs the voltage between the switches or the current through the switches to provide a sensed first value. It compares the sensed first value to an expected first value that exists if both switches are turned off. One of the two switches is turned on if the sensed first value is equal to the expected first value. If the first switch was turned on, the voltage at the node between the switches or the current through the switches is sensed to provide a sensed second value.

US Patent:

20050177288, Aug 11, 2005

Filed:

Jul 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/882156

Inventors:

James Sullivan - Galena OH, US
John Melvin - Westerville OH, US
Charles Bennett - Westerville OH, US

International Classification:

G06F019/00

US Classification:

701036000, 307010100

Abstract:

An interdependent control apparatus for an accessory mounted to a vehicle. An accessory control connector is connected to the vehicle's on board diagnostic port data bus and an accessory microcontroller is in data communication with the accessory control connector. An output device associated with and operating a component of the accessory is in data communication with the accessory microcontroller for control of an accessory parameter. Parameters of a vehicle are also controlled by the accessory microcontroller. Data from the accessory is also input to the accessory microcontroller representing a parameter of the accessory. Data is input from both the data bus and the vehicle accessory to the accessory microcontroller. Output control data from the accessory microcontroller can control a vehicle parameter and most importantly controls an accessory parameter. This is particularly useful for safety interlocks to stop the engine operation in response to a potentially hazardous event, such as a change in one or more of the vehicle input parameters.

US Patent:

55281222, Jun 18, 1996

Filed:

Nov 29, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/346462

Inventors:

James D. Sullivan - Galena OH
John A. Melvin - Westerville OH

Assignee:

Ventron Corporation - Galena OH

International Classification:

H01M 1044
H01M 1046

US Classification:

320 6

Abstract:

A battery equalizer for equalizing the voltage on series connected batteries synchronously switches the opposite ends of a tapped autotransformer in alternately reversing connection to the distally opposite terminals of the battery by alternately turning transistor switches on and off in alternate pairs while maintaining a center tap of the autotransformer connected to an intermediate terminal of the series batteries. Switching is accomplished by power field effect transistors and a voltage converter converts the upper battery voltage to a floating voltage so that the voltages of the two batteries can be differenced. The differenced voltage provides an error signal for driving a pulse width modulator which switches the transistors. Two protective power switching field effect transistors are interposed in the circuit and connected to prevent damage to the circuitry in the event of misconnection.

US Patent:

62888811, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Aug 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/375884

Inventors:

John A. Melvin - Westerville OH
James D. Sullivan - Westerville OH

International Classification:

H02H 700

US Classification:

361 18

Abstract:

A voltage regulator protecting both the regulator and the electrical system. A flyback diode is protected by an autoprotected MOSFET in series with the flyback diode and controlling it by a drive circuit connected to the vehicle ignition switch. Protection against overcurrent is provided by a resettable fuse, having a thermal protection circuit, in series with the power switch. A relay is in series with the resettable fuse. The controlled switch is controlled by the output of a voltage detector. A latching circuit holds it open as long as the circuit remains connected to the battery. Overvoltage protection is provided by a voltage detector which opens the relay if the battery voltage exceeds a pre-selected voltage. To accommodate lead-acid and maintenance-free batteries, the regulator has two input ignition terminals one of which controls the set point voltage. The resettable fuse is physically mounted in thermal connection to the power switch which switches the field.

US Patent:

59821426, Nov 9, 1999

Filed:

May 22, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/083735

Inventors:

James D. Sullivan - Galena OH
John A. Melvin - Westerville OH

Assignee:

Vanner, Inc. - Hilliard OH

International Classification:

H02J 700

US Classification:

320118

Abstract:

A three terminal battery equalizer which includes a DC--DC converter has a first filter inductor in the switched, current conducting path connected to the battery ground and a second filter inductor in the switched, current path connected to the non-grounded, non-interconnected terminal of a second battery, and has a capacitor connected between the filter inductors for maintaining the same magnitude of current in the battery equalizer during the time interval when the switching transistors of the DC--DC converter are turned off, as when the transistor switches are turned on. The circuit further includes an error signal feedback circuit for controlling the transistor switches and protective feedback circuits, all providing signals which are integrated to eliminate the effect of alternating voltages, resulting from isolation of the control circuit from the battery circuit. The protective circuits include output current detection for overload protection, reverse polarity protection and temperature compensation.