Patents Assigned to Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
  • ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20180123352
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
  • AUTOMATIC TRANSFER SWITCH DEVICE HEALTH MONITORING
    Publication number: 20180088177
    Abstract: A method includes measuring, by at least one processor, a time at which control circuitry sends an instruction to a switch structured to control transmission of electrical power. The method further includes sensing, by at least one sensor, a change in position of the switch in response to the instruction, and determining, by the at least one processor, a delay between the time at which the control circuitry sends the instruction and a time at which the change in position occurs. The method still further includes recording, by the at least one processor, the delay in a delay measurement queue and taking, by the at least one processor, an action with respect to the switch in response to the delay measurement queue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiaxiang Yan, Brian Gregory Dye
  • FAN INLET CONE FOR IMPROVED SEALING WITH A GENSET FAN AND HOUSING
    Publication number: 20180080469
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for cooling a generator set are provided. One genset assembly includes a housing defining an internal volume and structured to allow air flow therethrough. The genset assembly further includes a generator operatively coupled to an engine within the internal volume via a genset shaft, the generator positioned within the internal volume of the housing. The genset further includes a fan operatively coupled to a first end of the genset shaft distal from the engine and an inlet cone, at least a portion of inlet cone is positioned within an outlet defined by the housing, the inlet cone rigidly coupled to at least one of the generator or the engine and positioned coaxially with respect to the fan about an axis of the genset shaft such that the inlet cone and the fan move in concert with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Steffl
  • Reconfigurable converter
    Patent number: 9917530
    Abstract: A reconfigurable converter includes a power circuit receives a direct current (DC) power signal and provides an alternating current (AC) output signal across at least three phases. The power circuit comprises a plurality of legs, each leg comprising an output node. A coupling device provides a first output configuration and a second output configuration for the plurality of legs. In the first output configuration, the coupling device comprises a coupling portion coupling at least two output nodes to provide a common output terminal. In the second output configuration, the coupling device comprises separate output terminals, each connected to one of the at least two output nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Dziuba, Filip Stepancik, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Yefrem I. Pekar
  • ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A VARIABLE SPEED ELECTRICAL GENERATOR
    Publication number: 20180041151
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are disclosed herein for controlling a variable speed electrical generator. The method includes setting a threshold for a parameter of an output power of the generator set, operating an engine of the generator set at a first speed to provide the output power to a load, comparing the parameter of the output power to the threshold over a plurality of changes in a demand of the load, and determining whether to adjust a speed of the engine from the first speed to a second speed in response to the comparison of the parameter to the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark E. Turpin
  • CONTROL OF AN ENGINE-DRIVEN GENERATOR TO ADDRESS TRANSIENTS OF AN ELECTRICAL POWER GRID CONNECTED THERETO
    Publication number: 20180041153
    Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2017
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
  • SYNCHRONIZATION OF PARALLEL GENSETS WITH SOURCE ARBITRATION
    Publication number: 20180034276
    Abstract: A method of synchronization comprises receiving, at a first generator set, data indicating a characteristic for a component of a voltage for a source, and receiving, at a second generator set, the data indicating the characteristic for the component of the voltage for the source. The method also includes calculating, by each of the first and second generator sets, a speed offset parameter and a voltage offset parameter based on the received data. The first and second generator sets are configured to receive the same data indicating the component and independently calculate the same speed offset parameter and voltage offset parameter. The method further includes controlling operation of the first and second generator sets based on the calculated speed offset and voltage offset parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark H. Schultz, Paul R. Dahlen
  • MASTERLESS DISTRIBUTED POWER TRANSFER CONTROL
    Publication number: 20180034278
    Abstract: A method of power transfer control among a plurality of power sources coupled through a distribution system. The method comprises determining, at each power source of the plurality of power sources, an assignment of priorities for each of the plurality of power sources. The method also comprises obtaining, at each power source, information indicating an availability of each of the plurality of power sources and determining a set of available power sources, and identifying, at each power source, a preferred power source and a standby power source from the plurality of power sources. The method further comprises determining to change the preferred power source from a first power source to a second power source in response to detecting a condition, and conducting the power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Novak, Kevin J. Aufderhar, Paul R. Dahlen
  • Crank only exercise mode
    Patent number: 9874190
    Abstract: Methods and systems for exercising a genset are disclosed herein. The method includes detecting whether the genset is in a first mode or a second mode, and activating a plurality of exercise cycles of the genset. Activating the plurality of exercise cycles comprises, in response to detecting the genset is in the first mode, ignite fuel to activate the genset during each of the plurality of exercise cycles of the genset; and in response to detecting the genset is in the second mode, cranking the genset without igniting fuel during at least a first subset of the plurality of exercise cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Dan G. Priem, Leo T. Steffl
  • Providing protection against arc-flash in a genset
    Patent number: 9847634
    Abstract: An arc flash protection device including a sensor, a timer, and a controller. The sensor is configured to detect a presence of at least one entity or arc flash protection qualifying event in proximity to the generator set. The controller is configured to initiate an arc flash protection regime when the presence of the at least one person or arc flash protection qualifying event is detected in proximity to the generator set. The arc flash protection regime includes shutting down the generator set automatically upon detection of a short circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc., Cumming Power Generation Ltd. (UK)
    Inventors: Jacob W. Smith, Brian B. Brady, Glaucio G. De Oliveira, Ahmed Nazmul Jaffer, Richard Meadows
  • Control system for hydraulically powered AC generator
    Patent number: 9841101
    Abstract: Systems and methods for use in controlling a hydraulically powered AC generator are provided. One control system includes a valve system. The valve system includes a fixed valve configured to provide a substantially constant flow rate of the fluid through the fixed valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The valve system further includes a variable valve configured to provide a variable flow rate of the fluid through the variable valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a sensor device configured to measure a speed of movement of a component of the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a control circuit configured to control the variable flow rate of the variable valve based on the speed of movement of the component measured by the sensor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Torney, Nick V. Halstead, Hans L. Drabek, Eric G. Bollensen, James C. Alexander, Tony Leakey, Gerald R. Williams
  • Energy storage system
    Patent number: 9812866
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on one or more signals received from the generator set coupled to the inverter via an AC bus. The controller is configured to, based on the one or more signals, control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by the generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set to maintain the generator set within a range of one or more operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
  • Control of an engine-driven generator to address transients of an electrical power grid connected thereto
    Patent number: 9793842
    Abstract: A technique for providing electric power to an electric power utility grid includes driving an electric power alternator coupled to the grid with a spark-ignited or direct injection internal combustion engine; detecting a change in electrical loading of the alternator; in response to the change, adjusting parameters of the engine and/or generator to adjust power provided by the engine. In one further forms of this technique, the adjusting of parameters for the engine includes retarding spark timing and/or interrupting the spark ignition; reducing or retarding direct injection timing or fuel amount and/or interrupting the direct injection; and/or the adjusting of parameters for the generator including increasing the field of the alternator or adding an electrical load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: John R. Pendray, Patrick M. Pierz, Bradford K. Palmer, Andrew Kitchen
  • Energy storage system
    Patent number: 9780567
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling power flow to and from an energy storage system are provided. One energy storage system includes an energy storage device and a bidirectional inverter configured to control a flow of power into or out of the energy storage device via a plurality of phases. The energy storage system further includes a controller configured to control the bidirectional inverter based on a load condition on one or more phases. The controller is configured to control the bidirectional inverter to store power generated by a generator set in the energy storage device and transmit power from the energy storage device to a load driven by the generator set in response to detecting a load imbalance between the phases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Michelle Hunt, Elias M. Ayana, Bradford K. Palmer
  • Split phase power conversion apparatuses, methods and systems
    Patent number: 9768677
    Abstract: Split phase power conversion apparatuses, methods and systems are disclosed. One exemplary embodiment includes a generator, an AC/DC converter coupled with the generator, a DC bus coupled with the AC/DC converter, and an inverter coupled with the DC bus. The inverter includes first, second, and third legs each including a plurality of switches. A first controller provides a control signal to the first leg based upon a voltage between a first system output and a second system output and a first current provided to the first system output. A second controller provides a second control signal to the second leg based upon a voltage between the second system output and a third system output and a second current provided to the third system output. A third controller controls the third leg to provide an output equal to one half of the DC bus voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Elias Ayana, Shabari Nath, Abel Solorzano, Andrew Walseth, Sergey Kunin, Brad Palmer
  • Automatic transfer switch and method thereof
    Patent number: 9748052
    Abstract: A system and method for an automatic transfer switch comprising a fixed contact, a first oscillating rod communicatively and operatively connected to a first movable contact, a second oscillating rod communicatively and operatively connected to a second movable contact, a link rod communicatively and operable connected to the first and second oscillating rods, and a guide plate. The automatic transfer switch is operable to position the guide plate based at least on a state of a solenoid. A permanent magnetic actuator communicatively and operatively connected to the link rod via a third oscillating rod is operable to rotate the first oscillating rod or the second oscillating rod based at least on the position of the guide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Ji, Daniel Wang, David Cheng, Tony Hu
  • Modular inverter platform providing physical and electrical configurability and scalability
    Patent number: 9722510
    Abstract: Modular inverter platforms and methods for providing physical and electrical configurability and scalability are disclosed. The modular inverter apparatus includes a printed circuit board (PCB) comprising at least two modules and one or more mounting components structured to switch the at least two modules between a plurality of physical configurations. The modular inverter apparatus also includes a plurality of electrical interconnections structured to electrically connect the at least two modules and to switch the at least two modules between a plurality of electrical configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Kunin, Bradford K. Palmer, Elias M. Ayana
  • REDUCING MOISTURE USING ELECTRICAL CURRENT
    Publication number: 20170214346
    Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize continuous field flash as integrated alternator heaters in a genset are disclosed herein. The method includes detecting that a generator set is in a non-rotating state, enabling a field flash circuit of the generator set to operate while the generator set is in the non-rotating state, and activating the field flash circuit so that current flows through and heats at least a portion of an alternator of the generator set and reduces a moisture on the at least a portion of the generator set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventor: Dan G. Priem
  • Cabinet for use with a genset enclosure
    Patent number: D801924
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: Dan G. Priem, Peter P. Larson, Mohnish Tuladhar, Jeffrey Everly, Tim Schooler, Marcel Pozo, Karthik Deivasigamani, Surrendra Kolluru
  • Genset enclosure
    Patent number: D818435
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: James Matthews, Todd Radke, Mariann Peterschick