Patents by Inventor Blake Richards

Blake Richards 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: 20250032260
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing cardiac devices comprises an inflow and an outflow chamber, a mount for supporting a prosthetic valve, and a fluid driving device operable to vary a pressure differential of a fluid between the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber in repeating cycles. The apparatus can comprise a bypass valve to modulate pressure characteristics across the prosthetic valve, reservoirs to maintain a pressure inside the apparatus, and compliance elements to modulate pressure characteristics in the apparatus. Methods for operating the apparatus include controlling the bypass valve to control testing characteristics across the prosthetic device, and methods for monitoring the pressure inside of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Inventors: Yunquan CHEN, Joseph Wesley MCMAHEN, Robert William FRASER, Luke Douglas BELL, Blake Oliver CROUCH, Willem Markus SCHOKKING, Tavia WALSH, Adriel Nissi NGO, Su Thida HTUN, Connor Richard BEWS, Benjamin Michael James TOMKA
  • Publication number: 20240339849
    Abstract: A storage system configured for use with an energy management system is provided and comprises a battery, a power converter comprising a plurality of microinverters coupled to the battery, and a battery management unit coupled to the battery and the power converter and configured to receive a local coulomb count from each microinverter of the plurality of microinverters, calculate a total battery coulomb count, obtain a voltage measurement of the battery, and calculate a state-of-charge estimate using the calculated total battery coulomb count and the obtained voltage measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Blake Richard LUNDSTROM, Donald Richard ZIMMANCK
  • Patent number: 12107293
    Abstract: Assemblies for supporting energy storage equipment, and more particularly, pre-fabricated, above-ground, affixed, ventilated or non-ventilated, power feeder chassis assemblies for large-scale electrical energy storage equipment, comprising a frame unit with certain features that make it capable of supporting energy storage equipment and a cable feeder with certain features that connect destination equipment to the electrical energy storage equipment. Various features of the assembly are described. Also described are methods of manufacturing the same, some of which are directed to methods of pre-fabrication, mass manufacture and transportability. Also described are methods of installing the same, some of which are directed to methods of laying out in grid patterns for large-scale projects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Gridworks, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Bassalleck, Blake Richards, Dustin Neel, Nikola Babic, Daniel L. Rice, Philip Undercuffler
  • Publication number: 20240316408
    Abstract: This application discloses a method to use sensors for games of skill relating to physical exercise. The method may employ the use of sensors that can collect data, including location using GPS, sense barometric pressure, steps walked, blood oxygen levels, navigational directions, gyroscopic movement, heart rate, and many other data types. Players may challenge other players to competitions wherein the players make a challenge wherein a winning player is rewarded a wager. Data collected by the sensors may be used for metrics to determine the winning player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Wunup LLC
    Inventor: Blake Richards
  • Publication number: 20240302446
    Abstract: An energy storage system is provided and comprises a battery management unit; a controller configured to start an idle condition timer, measure a voltage of a battery cell of a battery connected to the battery management unit while the battery is idle, after the idle condition timer has expired, start a steady condition timer, measure the voltage of the battery cell while the battery is on, after the steady condition timer has expired, calculate a total resistance of the battery cell, and calculate an open circuit voltage of the battery cell using the total resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2024
    Publication date: September 12, 2024
    Inventor: Blake Richard LUNDSTROM
  • Publication number: 20240250545
    Abstract: A portable energy system is provided and includes a controller configured to control periodic polling to determine when a load is attached or actively connected to the portable energy system, such that when the load is attached to the portable energy system, the controller energizes the portable energy system for supplying power to the load, and when the load is not attached or not actively connected to the portable energy system, the controller deenergizes the portable energy system output for not supplying power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Inventors: Sandeep NARLA, Blake Richard LUNDSTROM
  • Publication number: 20240186808
    Abstract: A storage system configured for use with an energy management system is provided herein and comprises a battery, a battery management unit coupled to the battery and a power converter comprising plurality of microinverters operably coupled to the battery and the battery management unit, each microinverter of the plurality of microinverters configured to calculate an estimate of state-of-charge of the battery and periodically communicate a calculated estimate of state-of-charge to the other microinverters, such that each microinverter of the plurality of microinverters calculates an average state-of-charge of the battery and communicates the calculated average state-of-charge to the battery management unit for controlling charging/discharging of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Donald Richard ZIMMANCK, Blake Richard LUNDSTROM
  • Patent number: 11911662
    Abstract: This application discloses a method to use sensors for games of skill relating to physical exercise. The method may employ the use of sensors that can collect data, including location using GPS, sense barometric pressure, steps walked, blood oxygen levels, navigational directions, gyroscopic movement, heart rate, and many other data types. Players may challenge other players to competitions wherein the players make a challenge wherein a winning player is rewarded a wager. Data collected by the sensors may be used for metrics to determine the winning player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Wunup LLC
    Inventor: Blake Richards
  • Patent number: 11258300
    Abstract: A management device includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one energy resource controller controlling at least one energy resource and to at least one deferrable load controller controlling power to at least one deferrable load. The is configured to receive an indication, determined based on a frequency value of an electrical network and a nominal frequency value, that a frequency anomaly event has occurred. Responsive to receiving the indication that the frequency anomaly event has occurred, the processor is also configured to determine, for at least one of the energy resource and the deferrable load, based on the frequency value, the nominal frequency value, and a power value of the electrical network, a respective power command, and cause at least one of the at least one energy resource and the at least one deferrable load to modify operation based on the respective power command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignees: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Blake Richard Lundstrom, Sourav Kumar Patel, Murti Salapaka
  • Publication number: 20210257698
    Abstract: Assemblies for supporting energy storage equipment, and more particularly, pre-fabricated, above-ground, affixed, ventilated or non-ventilated, power feeder chassis assemblies for large-scale electrical energy storage equipment, comprising a frame unit with certain features that make it capable of supporting energy storage equipment and a cable feeder with certain features that connect destination equipment to the electrical energy storage equipment. Various features of the assembly are described. Also described are methods of manufacturing the same, some of which are directed to methods of pre-fabrication, mass manufacture and transportability. Also described are methods of installing the same, some of which are directed to methods of laying out in grid patterns for large-scale projects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Bassalleck, Blake Richards, Dustin Neel, Nick Babic, Daniel L. Rice, Philip Undercuffler
  • Publication number: 20200350780
    Abstract: A management device includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one energy resource controller controlling at least one energy resource and to at least one deferrable load controller controlling power to at least one deferrable load. The is configured to receive an indication, determined based on a frequency value of an electrical network and a nominal frequency value, that a frequency anomaly event has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Blake Richard LUNDSTROM, Sourav Kumar PATEL, Murti SALAPAKA
  • Patent number: 10756570
    Abstract: A management device includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one energy resource controller controlling at least one energy resource and to at least one deferrable load controller controlling power to at least one deferrable load. The is configured to receive an indication, determined based on a frequency value of an electrical network and a nominal frequency value, that a frequency anomaly event has occurred. Responsive to receiving the indication that the frequency anomaly event has occurred, the processor is also configured to determine, for at least one of the energy resource and the deferrable load, based on the frequency value, the nominal frequency value, and a power value of the electrical network, a respective power command, and cause at least one of the at least one energy resource and the at least one deferrable load to modify operation based on the respective power command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, Regents of the University of Minnesota
    Inventors: Blake Richard Lundstrom, Sourav Kumar Patel, Murti Salapaka
  • Publication number: 20190280521
    Abstract: A management device includes at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one energy resource controller controlling at least one energy resource and to at least one deferrable load controller controlling power to at least one deferrable load. The is configured to receive an indication, determined based on a frequency value of an electrical network and a nominal frequency value, that a frequency anomaly event has occurred.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Blake Richard LUNDSTROM, Sourav Kumar PATEL, Murti SALAPAKA
  • Patent number: 8944399
    Abstract: The invention is a universal mounting system allowing a wide variety of accessories to be used interchangeably among one or more mounts secured to convenient surfaces or structures, such as the gunnel of a boat. The universal mount system includes a mount having barrel configured to receive the insert member of an accessory. A locking mechanism on the mount engages the insert automatically and interlocking splines on the insert member and along the barrel of the mount secure the insert at a desired rotational orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Sutherland, Blake Richards, Dennis Dekruyf
  • Patent number: 8024886
    Abstract: The invention is an adjustable rod holder comprising a tubular holster mounted to an arm and a base, wherein the arm is secured to the base by a rotating joint that is secured in a first angular position by a locking member that moves radially with respect to an axle of the rotating joint. The rotating joint can be releasably secured at a plurality of indexed angular positions by the locking member fitting within a plurality of recesses spaced radially about an axle of the rotating joint. Preferably, the arm of the rod holder has a sufficient length to allow the rod holder to store the rod in a vertical position without interference from the gunnel or other mounting surface. In one embodiment, the rod holder has a pivoting stabilizer that engages the reel of a rod placed in the holder to secure and stabilize the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventors: Scott Sutherland, Blake Richards, Dennis Dekruyf
  • Publication number: 20080134565
    Abstract: The invention is an adjustable rod holder comprising a tubular holster mounted to an arm and a base, wherein the arm is secured to the base by a rotating joint that is secured in a first angular position by a locking member that moves radially with respect to an axle of the rotating joint. The rotating joint can be releasably secured at a plurality of indexed angular positions by the locking member fitting within a plurality of recesses spaced radially about an axle of the rotating joint. Preferably, the arm of the rod holder has a sufficient length to allow the rod holder to store the rod in a vertical position without interference from the gunnel or other mounting surface. In one embodiment, the rod holder has a pivoting stabilizer that engages the reel of a rod placed in the holder to secure and stabilize the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Sutherland, Blake Richards, Dennis Dekruyf
  • Publication number: 20080087782
    Abstract: The invention is a universal mounting system allowing a wide variety of accessories to be used interchangeably among one or more mounts secured to convenient surfaces or structures, such as the gunnel of a boat. The universal mount system includes a mount having barrel configured to receive the insert member of an accessory. A locking mechanism on the mount engages the insert automatically and interlocking splines on the insert member and along the barrel of the mount secure the insert at a desired rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Sutherland, Blake Richards, Dennis Dekruyf
  • Publication number: 20080087211
    Abstract: The invention is a universal mounting system allowing a wide variety of accessories to be used interchangeably among one or more mounts secured to convenient surfaces or structures, such as the gunnel of a boat. The universal mount system includes a mount having barrel configured to receive the insert member of an accessory. A locking mechanism on the mount engages the insert automatically and interlocking splines on the insert member and along the barrel of the mount secure the insert at a desired rotational orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Sutherland, Blake Richards, Dennis Dekruyf
  • Patent number: D485390
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Blake Richards Stancik, Joan Elizabeth Smith, Ben Cameron Smith, Scott Craig Thielman