Patents Assigned to Cummins Power Generation Inc.
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Publication number: 20110180043Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system, integrated on a genset engine or any internal combustion engine, with an electrical sensor and crank position sensor is described. Since a genset engine's exhaust emissions and general performance are a function of spark timing, integration of electrical and crank position sensors on a genset engine provides optimal engine performance and efficiency when the electrical draws fluctuate. The electrical sensor and crank position sensor send data to the electronic control unit (ECU), and this data is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) and optimal spark timing. The ECU varies the spark timing in accordance with the speed and load of the engine and actuates the fuel injector to send the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted allowing the engine to meet performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Jeffrey D. Peterson, Matthew J. Ethen, Kristopher G. Knight, Peter J. Vancalligan
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Publication number: 20110180041Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system integrating an alcohol sensor is provided on a genset engine. The EFI system provides acceptable engine performance and efficiency when using fuels or fuel blends over a wide band and when starting from a cold state, i.e., starting the engine after the engine has not run for a relatively long period of time. The alcohol sensor enables acceptable operation while the genset engine is cold. The alcohol sensor sends data to the electronic control unit (ECU) and this data, as well as data provided by other sensors that may be available such as an air flow sensor, is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The ECU actuates the fuel injector which sends the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted. The fuel mixture, at the requested AFR, enables the engine to start and operate efficiently from a cold state even if the fuel blend has been changed from a previous operation of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
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Publication number: 20110148228Abstract: A generator housing includes a top portion, a plurality of side portions, and a base portion. The top, sides, and base portions are connected to form an enclosure, such that a generator can be housed inside the enclosure. The top and side portions include an air and exhaust flow structure that facilitates cooling of a generator maintained inside the housing, that provides a sound attenuation function, and that releases exhaust created by a generator. At least one of the side portions and the top portion may be opened and closed to provide access inside the housing. The base portion includes a structure that facilitates installation and transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2011Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.Inventors: Raymond William GRAVLIN, John Carl KLESK, Paige NELSON, Alanna HEBNER, Michael ZAMARRIPA
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Patent number: 7902705Abstract: A generator housing includes a top portion, a plurality of side portions, and a base portion. The top, sides, and base portions are connected to form an enclosure, such that a generator can be housed inside the enclosure. The top and side portions include an air and exhaust flow structure that facilitates cooling of a generator maintained inside the housing, that provides a sound attenuation function, and that releases exhaust created by a generator. At least one of the side portions and the top portion may be opened and closed to provide access inside the housing. The base portion includes a structure that facilitates installation and transport.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: Raymond William Gravlin, John Carl Klesk, Paige Nelson, Alanna Hebner, Michael Zamarripa
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Patent number: 7786616Abstract: A local power generation system generates DC voltage at an inverter input, modulated to generate an AC power signal to a load. The inverter input voltage may be obtained from an engine generator, providing a rectified AC power signal. An energy storage device helps maintain DC voltage at the inverter input when load power draw increases or during engine startup or acceleration, for example, until the engine accommodates increased power demand. The system may also be used in an uninterruptible power supply (UPS), in which the load draws power from a utility-provided AC power source until a fault condition appears. When the fault condition appears, the load switches its power draw from the utility-provided AC power source to the inverter output. The energy storage device is charged through a bidirectional DC-to-DC converter and through an inverter operating in rectifier mode to rectify a utility-provided AC power signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2003Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Mark Naden, Randall Bax
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Patent number: 7721537Abstract: A system includes a combustion engine for a genset. The engine having an exhaust to emit water and exhaust gases from the exhaust and a sound-dampening device coupled between the exhaust and a muffler, the sound-dampening device including a tubular member having internal rings.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Deborah A. Klinkert, Douglas L. Hanson
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Patent number: 7646113Abstract: A method is provided for connecting a 110 V genset to a transfer switch feeding a 220 V service entrance such that all 220 V loads are automatically blocked out and all 110 V circuits are accessed. The method includes wiring of the genset to the transfer switch such that the two hot 220 V terminals on the genset entrance side of the transfer switch are connected together and wired to the hot 110 V side of the genset. The neutral lead of the transfer switch is connected to the neutral side of the genset, as per normal practice.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.Inventor: Paul H. Plahn
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Patent number: 7552839Abstract: A fluid fill/storage/overflow reservoir/tank suitable for use with, for example, a liquid cooled engine, includes a clip-in provision for an oil stick tube that does not require removal of the oil stick tube from an engine assembly upon removal of the fluid fill/storage/overflow reservoir/tank from the engine assembly.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventor: Bradley D. Padget
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Publication number: 20090091069Abstract: An active torque cancellation system is provided. The system includes a generator set having a combustion engine and mounted to an application structure. The system also includes an active power management module coupled to the engine which actively reduces vibrations in the application structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.Inventors: Paul H. PLAHN, John HUGHES, Elias AYANA, Krzysztof WEJRZANOWSKI, Abdeslem MEBARKI
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Publication number: 20090075124Abstract: Methods and systems for maintaining near operational mode internal temperatures of a high temperature fuel cell system during a hibernation mode are provided. Embodiments of the claimed invention include powering an electric heater adjacent to the high temperature fuel cell system to heat the high temperature fuel cell system. The use of an electrical heater allows the fuel cell system to maintain approximate operation mode internal temperatures during a hibernation mode and eliminates the problems of excess noise, vibration and exhaust emissions typical of previous fuel cell system heating methods. Gross energy savings of 67% and a fuel consumption reduction rate of 33% have been shown when substituting this method with previous fuel cell system heating methods with no additional manufacturing costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION INC.Inventors: Charles VESELY, Bradford PALMER, Xin LI
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Patent number: 7482704Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods of disabling an automatic generator starting (AGS) actuator, such as used with a fuel-powered AC power generator providing AC electrical power to a recreational vehicle (RV) or other vehicle. The AGS actuator is disabled in response to a fault condition, such as may be indicative of a risk of hazardous gas, such as carbon monoxide (CO) accumulating near the vehicle, potentially in an enclosed area. After such disabling is performed, the vehicle driver would then have to consciously re-engage the AGS actuator. Factors useful for determining whether the fault condition exist include, among other things, transmission position, wheel rotation, vehicle engine operation status, ignition status, and/or an exhaust gas sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2003Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventor: Dan G. Priem
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Publication number: 20080185801Abstract: A generator housing includes a top portion, a plurality of side portions, and a base portion. The top, sides, and base portions are connected to form an enclosure, such that a generator can be housed inside the enclosure. The top and side portions include an air and exhaust flow structure that facilitates cooling of a generator maintained inside the housing, that provides a sound attenuation function, and that releases exhaust created by a generator. At least one of the side portions and the top portion may be opened and closed to provide access inside the housing. The base portion includes a structure that facilitates installation and transport.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2008Publication date: August 7, 2008Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.Inventors: Raymond William GRAVLIN, John Carl KLESK, Paige NELSON, Alanna HEBNER, Michael ZAMARRIPA
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Patent number: 7377237Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 27, 2008Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Carney, John C. Hughes, Kevin J. Keene, Deborah A. Klinkert, Bradley D. Padget
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Patent number: 7343884Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine such as a generator engine, and a power converter such as an inverter, includes an engine cooling circuit, a power converter cooling circuit and a common coolant tank operatively coupled to both the engine and the power converter via the engine cooling circuit and the power converter cooling circuit respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Carney, Tommy J. Harder, David A. Overland, Bradley D. Padget
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Publication number: 20080060589Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Carney, John C. Hughes, Kevin J. Keene, Deborah A. Klinkert, Bradley D. Padget
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Publication number: 20080061067Abstract: A fluid fill/storage/overflow reservoir/tank suitable for use with, for example, a liquid cooled engine, includes a clip-in provision for an oil stick tube that does not require removal of the oil stick tube from an engine assembly upon removal of the fluid fill/storage/overflow reservoir/tank from the engine assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventor: Bradley D. Padget
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Publication number: 20080060370Abstract: A method of controlling a cooling system is provided for a hybrid power system that includes an engine that employs an engine cooling circuit to deliver coolant to the engine, the engine cooling circuit including a radiator and a main fan to draw air through the radiator. When the hybrid power system further includes an inverter, then the inverter is cooled via an inverter cooling circuit that is formulated as one portion of the cooling system to deliver coolant to the inverter, the inverter cooling circuit including a heat exchanger located such that the main fan draws air through the heat exchanger when the main fan is active. The cooling system also includes a secondary fan to selectively draw air though the heat exchanger during operation of an inverter cooling circuit coolant pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Kevin J. Keene, Mitchell E. Peterson
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Publication number: 20080060590Abstract: A cooling system for a hybrid power system that includes an engine such as a generator engine, and a power converter such as an inverter, includes an engine cooling circuit, a power converter cooling circuit and a common coolant tank operatively coupled to both the engine and the power converter via the engine cooling circuit and the power converter cooling circuit respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Applicant: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Allen B. Carney, Tommy J. Harder, David A. Overland, Bradley D. Padget
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Patent number: D564450Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Cummins Power Generation Inc.Inventors: Raymond William Gravlin, John Carl Klesk
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Patent number: D630581Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2010Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: Jian Xu, Daniel A. Norrick, Yulin Chen, Zhaoyu Xue