Patents by Inventor Virgil Lee Beaston

Virgil Lee Beaston 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).

  • Patent number: 11843278
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Powin, LLC
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Publication number: 20220360105
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Powin, LLC
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 11336111
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Powin, LLC
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Publication number: 20210083505
    Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a microgrid power system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the microgrid power system comprises a power station including an AC power source and a stabilizing battery system. The power station may be configured to generate an AC power and to provide the first AC power to a power distribution network. A plurality of load centers may be connected to the power distribution system. Each load center may include a local battery and a switch connecting the power station to a local load. A system controller may open the switch to provide power from the local battery to the local load, and close the switch to provide power from the power station to the local load. In an embodiment, a microgrid controller may determine an amount of AC power generated by the power station that may be consumed by each load center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Virgil Lee BEASTON
  • Publication number: 20210083329
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a monitoring system may monitor a selected number of battery packs residing within a battery energy storage system. The monitoring system may include a plurality of battery pack monitoring devices each configured to monitor a battery pack. In an embodiment, the battery pack monitoring device may include a battery pack monitoring controller having a memory and a processor. The battery pack monitoring device may also include a voltage sensor, an ambient temperature sensor, an electric current sensor, a cell voltage sensor, and a cell temperature sensor, each coupled to the processor of the battery pack monitoring controller. The measured voltages, temperatures, and electric current may be stored in the memory of the battery pack monitoring controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: Virgil Lee BEASTON
  • Patent number: 10699278
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring battery usage information. In an embodiment, battery usage data is received from a battery energy storage system comprising a battery pack. The battery usage data may include battery identification information, one or more battery sensor measurements for a period of time, and a cumulative warranty value for the battery pack. A project to which the battery pack belongs may then be determined based on the received battery identification information. Finally, the battery usage data may be stored in a warranty database. The warranty database may store battery usage data for a plurality of battery packs. The warranty database may further be partitioned by project, and the battery usage data for is stored in a partition of the warranty database for the determined project.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Daniel Dee Williams
  • Patent number: 10536007
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electrical energy storage unit, a control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”) includes a battery system controller and a plurality of battery packs. Each battery pack of the plurality of battery packs has a plurality of battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the plurality of battery cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts an amount of energy stored in each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control a state-of-charge of each battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. In an embodiment, the battery cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Robert Nelson Tyrrell
  • Patent number: 10270266
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10263436
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Yunhua Gao
  • Patent number: 10254350
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a warranty tracker embedded in a battery pack. In an embodiment, the warranty tracker may include a memory device and a warranty controller. The warranty controller may receive an electric current measurement indicating a rate of charge or discharge of the battery pack from a device that is external to the battery pack. A warranty value may then be calculated using the received electric current measurement and added to a stored cumulative warranty value. The memory device may store the cumulative warranty value, which may be used to evaluate warranty conditions. In various embodiments, the warranty tracker may also include a temperature sensor and/or a voltage sensor. The warranty controller may then use received temperature and/or voltage measurements in the calculation of the warranty value. In an embodiment, the stored cumulative warranty value may be used to determine expiration of a warranty.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10153521
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a battery pack having an operating issue or defect. In an embodiment, a balancing charger may be configured to charge a battery pack. An amount of time that the balancing charger is operating may be recorded. The recorded time may then be compared to a threshold time that indicates a determined variance from an expected operating time. If the recorded time exceeds the threshold time, the battery pack may be determined to have an operating issue or defect. In an embodiment, the threshold time may be adjusted based on an average battery cell or battery module temperature of the battery pack. In various embodiments, an alert may also be issued in response to determining that the battery pack has an operating issue or defect and operation of the battery pack may be halted to prevent any potential adverse effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10122186
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery pack that may be used in an battery energy storage system. In an embodiment, the battery pack may include an integrated battery management system (BMS) having isolated, distributed, daisy-chained battery module controllers. The daisy-chained battery module controllers may be coupled to a battery pack controller, which may charge and/or discharge the battery pack using the battery modules controllers and a balancing charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph Nystrom, Virgil Lee Beaston, Patten Atwood Emmons
  • Publication number: 20180233931
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 10040363
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods are directed to a battery assisted charging station. A battery system comprising plurality of batteries and a battery management system software controlling the operations of the battery system, function together with a vehicle charging system that charges electric vehicles using one or both of stored power provided by a battery system, and power provided by a utility power grid. The battery system uses the power grid to charge the batteries therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Daniel Dee Williams, Patten Atwood Emmons
  • Publication number: 20180181967
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for monitoring battery usage information. In an embodiment, battery usage data is received from a battery energy storage system comprising a battery pack. The battery usage data may include battery identification information, one or more battery sensor measurements for a period of time, and a cumulative warranty value for the battery pack. A project to which the battery pack belongs may then be determined based on the received battery identification information. Finally, the battery usage data may be stored in a warranty database. The warranty database may store battery usage data for a plurality of battery packs. The warranty database may further be partitioned by project, and the battery usage data for is stored in a partition of the warranty database for the determined project.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Daniel Dee WILLIAMS
  • Publication number: 20180123357
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”) includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Robert Nelson TYRRELL
  • Patent number: 9923247
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery pack that may be used in an battery energy storage system. In an embodiment, the battery pack may include an integrated battery management system (BMS) having isolated, distributed, daisy-chained battery module controllers. The daisy-chained battery module controllers may be coupled to a battery pack controller, which may charge and/or discharge the battery pack using the battery modules controllers and a balancing charger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee Beaston, Patrick Joseph Nystrom, Patten Atwood Emmons
  • Patent number: 9882401
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 9847654
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”)) includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Publication number: 20170345101
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit may include a battery system controller and battery packs having a battery pack operating system. Each battery pack may have battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, and a battery pack operating system that includes a suite of modules including among other modules, a module that tracks battery lifetime usage, a module that ensures the battery cells are used in accordance with warranty requirements, and a balancing module. The balancing module may control a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells. In an embodiment, the cells may be lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventor: Virgil Lee BEASTON