Patents Assigned to C. E. Niehoff & Co.
  • Patent number: 11811248
    Abstract: A system for generator-based charging of a battery module may include the battery module, a sensor located adjacent the battery module, a generator controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the generator controller to analyze one or more sensor signals received from the sensor. The sensor signals may correspond to a condition of the battery module. The generator controller may then calculate, based on the one or more sensor signals, a generator current value for use in charging the battery module. Next, the generator controller may generate a control signal comprising a command that may cause the generator to provide a charging current having the current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Dimitar Delevski
  • Patent number: 10770914
    Abstract: A system for generator-based charging of a battery module may include the battery module, a sensor located adjacent the battery module, a generator controller comprising a processor and a non-transitory memory device storing instructions. The battery modules include one or more battery types, such as lithium ion batteries. The generator controller analyzes one or more sensor signals received from the sensor, the signals associated with battery conditions including temperature, a current, a voltage, a state of charge, a state of health and the like. The generator controller calculates a generator current value for use in charging the battery module. Next, the generator controller may generate a control signal comprising a command that may cause the generator to provide a charging current having the current value. The control signal is generated using a first control loop associated with a battery voltage and a second control loop associated with a battery current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Dimitar Delevski
  • Patent number: 9973124
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator which provides electrical power to an electrical load. The generator includes two field coils. A first switch circuit is coupled with the first field coil and a second switch circuit is coupled with the second field coil. A control device, included in the electrical system, operates the first and second switch circuits to regulate the generator output voltage and, in the alternative, to further reconfigure and/or deactivate the switch circuits based on their operating states. The generator maybe further coupled with an electrical energy absorbing device and the control device maybe further configured to operate on a switch, coupled with the electrical energy absorbing device, in response to a shutdown condition, RPM, rate of change of RPM, and voltage transient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Dimitar Delevski, Issam Jabaji
  • Publication number: 20150333680
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator which provides electrical power to an electrical load. The generator includes two field coils. A first switch circuit is coupled with the first field coil and a second switch circuit is coupled with the second field coil. A control device, included in the electrical system, operates the first and second switch circuits to regulate the generator output voltage and, in the alternative, to further reconfigure and/or deactivate the switch circuits based on their operating states. The generator maybe further coupled with an electrical energy absorbing device and the control device maybe further configured to operate on a switch, coupled with the electrical energy absorbing device, in response to a shutdown condition, RPM, rate of change of RPM, and voltage transient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: C.E. NIEHOFF & CO.
    Inventors: Dimitar Delevski, Issam Jabaji
  • Publication number: 20140266013
    Abstract: An electrical system comprises a battery charger which charges or otherwise provides electrical power to an electrical subsystem via a switched-booster circuit. A control device, included in the electrical system, operates a switch module to controllably bypass a voltage-booster circuit according to the voltage of the electrical subsystem and/or the electrical current through the switched-booster circuit. The electrical system may further include additional electrical subsystems and the control device may be further configured to control the voltage-booster circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: C.E. NIEHOFF & CO.
    Inventors: James Becker, Stoyan Borissov Bekiarov
  • Patent number: 8823208
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator, voltage regulator, switch module, and control device. The generator includes a field coil and one or more stator windings coupled together via the switch module. The generator provides electrical current to one or more electrical loads. The voltage regulator maintains the generator output voltage at a constant voltage by varying the field current. The switch module may include low-power transistors. The control device monitors the field current, output voltage and stator current and applies control signals to the switch module to improve transient recovery due to sudden variations in the electrical load and increase system efficiency during normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Stoyan Borissov Bekiarov
  • Publication number: 20140244107
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator providing electrical power to a first and a second electrical subsystems at a regulation voltage. A control device ascertains the voltage of the first electrical subsystem, the voltage of the second electrical subsystem, and/or the electrical current to the second electrical subsystem and utilizes a switch module to ensure that the voltage of the first electrical subsystem remains at a predetermined voltage. The control device may be further configured to regulate the output voltage of the generator at the regulation voltage and further to change the regulation voltage as a function of the generator output voltage and voltage of the second electrical subsystem and/or as a function of the electrical current to the second electrical subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: C.E. NIEHOFF & CO.
    Inventors: Dimitar Delevski, Issam Jabaji
  • Patent number: 8432069
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to protect the generator from catastrophic failure while providing the electrical load in the electrical system with sufficient electrical power. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. In particular, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and either limits or ceases the total electrical output current of the generator, via a generator output power controller, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value. The control device may alternatively be configured to generate an error signal without varying the generator's total electrical output current even in the event of a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Ciaran Patterson
  • Patent number: 8289005
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator, voltage regulator, electrical energy source, and control device. The generator provides electrical current to one or more electrical loads. Voltage variations are suppressed by storing electrical energy of the field coil of the generator in the electrical energy source, and by proving electrical energy from the electrical energy source to the field coil. The control device comprises a controller and a charging module operative to maintain the voltage of the electrical energy source at a predetermined voltage that is above the regulation voltage so as to reduce the generator output voltage variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Stoyan Borissov Bekiarov
  • Patent number: 8283810
    Abstract: An electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to control electrical current through the electrical system via a switch module. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. Specifically, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and operates to control electrical current distribution throughout the electrical system, via one or more switch modules, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: James Becker, Issam Jabaji, Ciaran Patterson
  • Patent number: 8283797
    Abstract: This invention discloses a power control system comprising a prime mover and a generator driven by the prime mover. A control device is coupled with the generator to ascertain a change in speed of the generator and vary an output power of the generator according to the change. The control device applies a signal to reduce the generator output power and another signal to restore the generator output power. The power control system may include a transmission, a speed converter, and/or an accessory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: James Becker
  • Patent number: 8227941
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises a generator and a control device coupled with the generator and operable to protect the generator from catastrophic failure while providing the electrical load in the electrical system with sufficient electrical power. The control device determines a loss of symmetry between two alternating phase signals generated by a first and second phase windings of a single or multiple stator generator. In particular, the control device determines a first and second average values of two of the two or more alternating phase signals and either limits or ceases the total electrical output current of the generator, via a generator output power controller, when the first average value differs from the second average value by a predetermined value. The control device may alternatively be configured to generate an error signal without varying the generator's total electrical output current even in the event of a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Ciaran Patterson
  • Patent number: 8072092
    Abstract: A vehicle electrical system comprises two generators coupled with one or more electrical subsystem, each of which includes at least one of a stored energy source and electrical load. Each generator is regulated via its associated voltage regulator at a common regulation voltage. Sequential electrical power delivery from the generators is achieved via a sequencing means. Where two or more electrical subsystems are present, electrical isolation is achieved via an isolating means. Overcharge protection is achieved by sensing and responding to the highest voltage of the two or more electrical subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Ciaran Patterson
  • Patent number: D650332
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Mahmood Pourkermani, Nisvet Basic, Majid Naghshineh
  • Patent number: D665353
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: George D. Balaban
  • Patent number: D680073
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: C. E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Stoyan Borissov Bekiarov, Majid Naghshineh
  • Patent number: D680074
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Gerald Miller
  • Patent number: D680493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventors: Nisvet Basic, Ninos Canon, Issam Jabaji
  • Patent number: D705165
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: C.E. Niehoff & Co.
    Inventor: Ninos Canon
  • Patent number: D773995
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016