Patents by Inventor Michael Alan Finnern

Michael Alan Finnern 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).

  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20220203837
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Applicant: Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station
    Patent number: 11247568
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20200391595
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben SARKAR, Michael Alan FINNERN, Michael Walker
  • Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station
    Patent number: 10723231
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20190351777
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben SARKAR, Michael Alan FINNERN, Michael WALKER
  • Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station
    Patent number: 10384553
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20180236887
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2018
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Applicant: Proterra, Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben SARKAR, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station
    Patent number: 9975444
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20180072175
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben SARKAR, Michael Alan FINNERN, Michael WALKER
  • Systems and methods for charging an electric vehicle at a charging station
    Patent number: 9764653
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • Methods for electric bus charging to increase battery life
    Patent number: 9496735
    Abstract: The invention provides for an energy storage system that has a first plurality of battery cells that each are capable of a first C-rate. The plurality of battery cells can be charged at an equivalent rate on a kWh/minute basis as a second plurality of battery cells that each are capable of second C-rate, with the second C-rate being higher than the first C-rate. The first plurality of battery cells may have an energy storage capacity which is approximately twice the energy storage capacity for the second plurality of cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Seamus McGrath, Michael Alan Finnern
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHARGING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20160311335
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging an electric bus having a charging interface on its roof may include determining that an approaching bus is supposed to be charged at the charging station, lowering the charging head of the charging station to land on the roof of the bus, and moving the bus with the charge head on its roof to engage the charging head with the charging interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Applicant: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben SARKAR, Michael Alan FINNERN, Michael WALKER
  • Systems and methods for automatic connection and charging of an electric vehicle at a charging station
    Patent number: 9365128
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for connecting an electric or hybrid electric vehicle to a charging station. Automated charging and docking processes may be provided. In some embodiments, a vehicle arrival and position may be detected. The vehicle may be charged with a charging arm and some automated vehicle positioning may occur. The vehicle may be charged and released. Fault detection may occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EQUIVALENT RAPID CHARGING WITH DIFFERENT ENERGY STORAGE CONFIGURATIONS
    Publication number: 20130229153
    Abstract: The invention provides for an energy storage system that has a first plurality of battery cells that each are capable of a first C-rate. The plurality of battery cells can be charged at an equivalent rate on a kWh/minute basis as a second plurality of battery cells that each are capable of second C-rate, with the second C-rate being higher than the first C-rate. The first plurality of battery cells may have an energy storage capacity which is approximately twice the energy storage capacity for the second plurality of cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2011
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: PROTERRA INC
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Seamus McGrath, Michael Alan Finnern
  • FAST CHARGE STATIONS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN AREAS WITH LIMITED POWER AVAILABILTY
    Publication number: 20130221918
    Abstract: Systems and methods for charging a vehicle are provided. Electric or hybrid electric vehicles may be charged in areas with limited power availability or in situations where a gradual draw of power from an external energy source is desired. The external energy source may be used to charge a stationary energy storage system at a first rate, and the stationary energy storage system may be used to charge the vehicle energy storage system at a second rate. Preferably, the second rate may be greater than the first rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Dale Hill, Reuben Sarkar, Nicky G. Gallegos, Michael Alan Finnern
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATIC CONNECTION AND CHARGING OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AT A CHARGING STATION
    Publication number: 20130193918
    Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for connecting an electric or hybrid electric vehicle to a charging station. Automated charging and docking processes may be provided. In some embodiments, a vehicle arrival and position may be detected. The vehicle may be charged with a charging arm and some automated vehicle positioning may occur. The vehicle may be charged and released. Fault detection may occur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Inventors: Reuben Sarkar, Michael Alan Finnern, Michael Walker