Patents by Inventor Bernard Wayne Benson

Bernard Wayne Benson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110079025
    Abstract: A thermal storage device for generating a thermal storage medium from a fluid and including a storage tank for containing the fluid, a refrigeration system having a heat exchanger positioned in the storage tank, a pump for pumping the fluid through the storage tank, a storage medium detection device, and a controller. The storage medium detection device generates a signal corresponding to at least one parameter of the pump. The controller controls the refrigeration system in one of a first mode and a second mode based on the signal. The at least one heat exchanger removes heat from the fluid to generate the thermal storage medium thereon when the refrigeration system operates in the first mode, and the at least one heat exchanger does not remove heat from the fluid thereby terminating generation of the thermal storage medium when the refrigeration system operates in the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: William F. Mohs, Bernard Wayne Benson
  • Patent number: 7743616
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. A sensor is in electrical communication with the generator to sense a load of the generator and to deliver a signal indicative of the generator load. A controller is in electrical communication with the generator, the prime mover, and the sensor, and receives the signal indicative of the generator load. The controller selectively operates the generator at one of the first speed and the second speed in response to the signal indicative of the generator load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Bernard Wayne Benson, Randy S. Burnham, Erich Lucht
  • Publication number: 20080087029
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. A sensor is in electrical communication with the generator to sense a load of the generator and to deliver a signal indicative of the generator load. A controller is in electrical communication with the generator, the prime mover, and the sensor, and receives the signal indicative of the generator load. The controller selectively operates the generator at one of the first speed and the second speed in response to the signal indicative of the generator load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Bernard Wayne Benson, Randy S. Burnham, Erich Lucht