Patents by Inventor Gregory R. Truckenbrod

Gregory R. Truckenbrod 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: 20210344252
    Abstract: Technologies described herein are directed to a generator concurrently providing different voltages to multiple components, some of which are unable to receive the full supply voltage output by the generator, without the addition of an electronic power converter or a transformer to the apparatus or system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Musibau Alowonle
  • Patent number: 10480840
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing power to a refrigeration unit or an air conditioner used on a hybrid vehicle. The system includes an accumulation choke, a PWM rectifier, and a frequency inverter. The accumulation choke is configured to receive a first AC power, a second AC power, and a DC power. The accumulation choke and PWM rectifier convert the received power into an intermediate DC power having a peak voltage. The PWM rectifier provides the intermediate DC power to the frequency inverter. The frequency inverter converts the intermediate DC power to an output AC power. The frequency inverter provides the output AC power to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Arnost Hurych, Bruce H. Kranz, Eric Kirby, Michael D. Gilman, Richard W. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170292745
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing power to a refrigeration unit or an air conditioner used on a hybrid vehicle. The system includes an accumulation choke, a PWM rectifier, and a frequency inverter. The accumulation choke is configured to receive a first AC power, a second AC power, and a DC power. The accumulation choke and PWM rectifier convert the received power into an intermediate DC power having a peak voltage. The PWM rectifier provides the intermediate DC power to the frequency inverter. The frequency inverter converts the intermediate DC power to an output AC power. The frequency inverter provides the output AC power to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Publication date: October 12, 2017
    Inventors: Gregory R. TRUCKENBROD, Arnost HURYCH, Bruce H. KRANZ, Eric KIRBY, Michael D. GILMAN, Richard W. SCHMIDT
  • Patent number: 9431820
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar, Christopher P. Henze
  • Publication number: 20160043543
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar, Christopher P. Henze
  • Patent number: 9211881
    Abstract: A method of controlling an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. The auxiliary power unit is in communication with an air conditioning system of the vehicle and includes an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine. The method includes determining a state of a compressor of the air conditioning system, the compressor including an off state and an on state, reducing an alternator load relative to the engine in response to the compressor being varied from the off state to the on state, increasing the alternator load relative to the engine after a predetermined time interval, and simultaneously operating the alternator up to an alternator load capacity and the compressor up to a compressor load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Waldschmidt, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Peter J. Loomis, Michael D. Turnquist
  • Patent number: 9172238
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar, Christopher P. Henze
  • Publication number: 20140339844
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar, Christopher P. Henze
  • Publication number: 20140316650
    Abstract: A method of controlling an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. The auxiliary power unit is in communication with an air conditioning system of the vehicle and includes an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine. The method includes determining a state of a compressor of the air conditioning system, the compressor including an off state and an on state, reducing an alternator load relative to the engine in response to the compressor being varied from the off state to the on state, increasing the alternator load relative to the engine after a predetermined time interval, and simultaneously operating the alternator up to an alternator load capacity and the compressor up to a compressor load capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: William Waldschmidt, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Peter J. Loomis, Michael D. Turnquist
  • Patent number: 8827017
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar, Christopher P. Henze
  • Patent number: 8798857
    Abstract: A method of controlling an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. The auxiliary power unit is in communication with an air conditioning system of the vehicle and includes an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine. The method includes determining a state of a compressor of the air conditioning system, the compressor including an off state and an on state, reducing an alternator load relative to the engine in response to the compressor being varied from the off state to the on state, increasing the alternator load relative to the engine after a predetermined time interval, and simultaneously operating the alternator up to an alternator load capacity and the compressor up to a compressor load capacity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: William Waldschmidt, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Peter J. Loomis, Michael D. Turnquist
  • Patent number: 8692398
    Abstract: The invention provides a mobile environment-controlled unit having a chassis, a compartment supported by the chassis, and an environmental-control system in environmental communication with the compartment. The environmental-control system includes a multiphase alternator powered by an internal combustion engine and supplies electrical power for the environmental-control system. The alternator has a first phase winding to generate a first high-voltage alternating phase current and a second phase winding to generate a second high-voltage alternating phase current. The environmental-control system further includes a magnetic sensor including a core, and a magnetic sensing device interconnected to the core and providing an output based on a sensed electromagnetic parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar
  • Publication number: 20130325257
    Abstract: A method of controlling an auxiliary power unit of a vehicle. The auxiliary power unit is in communication with an air conditioning system of the vehicle and includes an engine and an alternator coupled to the engine. The method includes determining a state of a compressor of the air conditioning system, the compressor including an off state and an on state, reducing an alternator load relative to the engine in response to the compressor being varied from the off state to the on state, increasing the alternator load relative to the engine after a predetermined time interval, and simultaneously operating the alternator up to an alternator load capacity and the compressor up to a compressor load capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: William Waldschmidt, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Peter J. Loomis, Michael D. Turnquist
  • Publication number: 20130255910
    Abstract: A mobile environment-controlled unit, such as an over-the-road compartment trailer, having an environmental-control system, such as a refrigeration unit, powered by an alternator and having a high-voltage alternating current (AC) bus. The unit incorporates a high resistance ground scheme and can incorporate a solid-state input module to detect phase-chassis faults. This combination provides an improvement in protection for mobile applications that cannot have a voltage reference (or neutral point) solidly connected to earth ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar, Christopher P. Henze
  • Publication number: 20130257048
    Abstract: A mobile unit (e.g., a vehicle or a mobile environment-controlled unit) having a multiphase alternator, such as a three-phase alternator. The unit incorporates a Hall Effect current sensor to monitor all three phases of the high-voltage AC bus from the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert N. Neddermeyer, III, Gregory R. Truckenbrod, Matthew S. Nelson, Ashok Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 8476872
    Abstract: A system for reducing an alternator's load on an engine when the engine drives a second load. The system includes an alternator, a battery, a resistor, and a switch. The alternator includes a stator, a voltage regulator, a rectifier, and a field coil. The battery has a first terminal coupled to the alternator and a second terminal coupled to the alternator. The resistor has a first lead coupled to the first terminal and a second lead coupled to the field coil. The switch is coupled in parallel across the resistor, and is open when the engine drives the second load and closed when the engine is not driving the second load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R. Truckenbrod, William L. Waldschmidt, John Steven McFadden, Vidhey Vijay Trivedi
  • Publication number: 20110037441
    Abstract: A system for reducing an alternator's load on an engine when the engine drives a second load. The system includes an alternator, a battery, a resistor, and a switch. The alternator includes a stator, a voltage regulator, a rectifier, and a field coil. The battery has a first terminal coupled to the alternator and a second terminal coupled to the alternator. The resistor has a first lead coupled to the first terminal and a second lead coupled to the field coil. The switch is coupled in parallel across the resistor, and is open when the engine drives the second load and closed when the engine is not driving the second load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory R. Truckenbrod, William L. Waldschmidt, John Steven McFadden, Vidhey Vijay Trivedi
  • Patent number: 4918932
    Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigeration system by determining an average air temperature by sensing and averaging evaporator return and discharge air temperatures, and developing an average error by using the average air temperature and a selected set point temperature. The average air temperature is then used to calculate a proportional error and an integral error, and the discharge air temperature is used to calculate a floor error. The proportional error, integral error and floor error are weighted by predetermined gain factors and then summed to provide an error signal which is used to modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system, with the control mode depending upon the location of the error signal relative to set point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Alan D. Gustafson, Lowell B. Naley, David A. Christiansen, Stanley O. Hoium, Robert L. Harrington, Dannis R. Johnson, Gregory R. Truckenbrod
  • Patent number: 4663725
    Abstract: A microprocessor based system monitors and controls a transport refrigeration system having a two speed compressor coupled to a condenser and an evaporator and further having two speed condenser and evaporator fans, a refrigerant modulating valve, and heater means to cool or heat a served space. A keypad is provided for operator entry of the temperature setpoint and for display selections. Return air and discharge air temperature sensors provide signals to the microprocessor for temperature control. The microprocessor is programmed to sequence or control the compressor, the fans, the modulating valve and the heater means for temperature control in accordance with one of four stored algorithms. One of the temperature sensors is used for control, and if it is detected to have failed automatic switchover is made to use of the other temperature sensor for temperature control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1987
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory R. Truckenbrod, David A. Christiansen, Herbert S. Falk, Richard A. Johnson, Robert G. Colclaser, III