Patents by Inventor Chad Eckhardt

Chad Eckhardt 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: 20230291230
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features, such as multi-layer protection systems for detecting, among other things, one or more fault conditions, and responding to such conditions when detected. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Patent number: 11757304
    Abstract: An electrical distribution site energy management and router device, or SER device, may be installed between a customer premises and a distribution grid, and one or more alternative energy sources and energy storage devices may be electrically connected to the SER device. The SER device may intelligently route power from alternative energy sources to the customer premises, energy storage devices, even to the grid, through various modes of operation. The SER device may efficiently and economically route power during peak electricity price periods and outside of peak periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Gridbridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts, Joseph E. Anstett, III, Mark L. Ventura
  • Patent number: 11652365
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features, such as communications services, local and remote management, and intelligence to components of the distribution grid. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may also include a communications platform for one or more communication devices to communicate with a utility, power consumers, other electrical devices/parties, and/or other GER devices to form a micro-grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Gridbridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Publication number: 20210013717
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features, such as communications services, local and remote management, and intelligence to components of the distribution grid. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may also include a communications platform for one or more communication devices to communicate with a utility, power consumers, other electrical devices/parties, and/or other GER devices to form a micro-grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Chad ECKHARDT, Stephen Timothy WATTS
  • Patent number: 10892641
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features, such as communications services, local and remote management, and intelligence to components of the distribution grid. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may include a physical layer providing a communications platform for one or more communication devices that may communicate with other GER devices to form a micro-grid, a utility, power consumers, third parties, and other electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Gridbridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Patent number: 10700597
    Abstract: A distribution transformer power flow controller apparatus includes at least one external source terminal configured to be coupled to a distribution transformer, at least one external load terminal configured to be coupled to a load, and a converter circuit configured to be coupled between the at least one external source terminal and the at least one external load terminal to provide series connection of the converter circuit with the load and to control a power transfer of the distribution transformer. The converter circuit may be configured to control a reactive power transfer of the distribution transformer. The converter circuit may also be configured to control a reactive power transfer and a real power transfer. In some embodiments, the converter circuit may be configured to be coupled to at least one energy storage capacitor, at least one battery and/or at least one power generation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Gridbridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Publication number: 20200006982
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features, such as communications services, local and remote management, and intelligence to components of the distribution grid. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may include a physical layer providing a communications platform for one or more communication devices that may communicate with other GER devices to form a micro-grid, a utility, power consumers, third parties, and other electrical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Chad ECKHARDT, Stephen Timothy WATTS
  • Patent number: 10439432
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may include a physical layer providing a communications platform for one or more communication devices that may communicate with other GER devices to form a micro-grid, a utility, power consumers, third parties, and other electrical devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GRIDBRIDGE, INC.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Publication number: 20190028023
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one external source terminal configured to be connected to at least one secondary terminal of a distribution transformer and at least one external load terminal configured to be connected to a load. The apparatus further includes a converter circuit coupled to the at least one external source terminal and to the at least one external load terminal and configured to provide shunt current regulation and series voltage regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: CHAD ECKHARDT, STEPHEN TIMOTHY WATTS
  • Patent number: 10116204
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one external source terminal configured to be connected to at least one secondary terminal of a distribution transformer and at least one external load terminal configured to be connected to a load. The apparatus further includes a converter circuit coupled to the at least one external source terminal and to the at least one external load terminal and configured to provide shunt current regulation and series voltage regulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Gridbridge, Inc.
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Stephen Timothy Watts
  • Publication number: 20170155279
    Abstract: An electrical distribution grid energy management and router device, or GER device, may be installed in a distribution grid, and route power from power supply to one or more power consumers. The GER devices described herein may provide platforms to add one or more features to a distribution transformer, provide additional features and benefits to both the utility company and end consumer, and may serve as a platform for providing other features. A GER device may include sensors to measure electrical properties of incoming and outgoing power, and may include an electrical circuit layer having a central DC power stage. A GER device may include a physical layer providing a communications platform for one or more communication devices that may communicate with other GER devices to form a micro-grid, a utility, power consumers, third parties, and other electrical devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Chad ECKHARDT, Stephen Timothy WATTS
  • Publication number: 20170133879
    Abstract: An electrical distribution site energy management and router device, or SER device, may be installed between a customer premises and a distribution grid, and one or more alternative energy sources and energy storage devices may be electrically connected to the SER device. The SER device may intelligently route power from alternative energy sources to the customer premises, energy storage devices, even to the grid, through various modes of operation. The SER device may efficiently and economically route power during peak electricity price periods and outside of peak periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: GRIDBRIDGE, INC.
    Inventors: Chad ECKHARDT, Stephen Timothy WATTS, Joseph E. ANSTETT, III, Mark L. VENTURA
  • Publication number: 20140176088
    Abstract: A distribution transformer power flow controller apparatus includes at least one external source terminal configured to be coupled to a distribution transformer, at least one external load terminal configured to be coupled to a load, and a converter circuit configured to be coupled between the at least one external source terminal and the at least one external load terminal to provide series connection of the converter circuit with the load and to control a power transfer of the distribution transformer. The converter circuit may be configured to control a reactive power transfer of the distribution transformer. The converter circuit may also be configured to control a reactive power transfer and a real power transfer. In some embodiments, the converter circuit may be configured to be coupled to at least one energy storage capacitor, at least one battery and/or at least one power generation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GridBridge
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Qin Huang
  • Publication number: 20140177293
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one external source terminal configured to be connected to at least one secondary terminal of a distribution transformer and at least one external load terminal configured to be connected to a load. The apparatus further includes a converter circuit coupled to the at least one external source terminal and to the at least one external load terminal and configured to provide shunt current regulation and series voltage regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GridBridge
    Inventors: Chad Eckhardt, Qin Huang
  • Patent number: 7348872
    Abstract: A fuse having a plurality of configurable thermal ceilings. The fuse includes a housing, a first conductive cap, a second conductive cap, a plurality of conductive elements extending through the housing, and a conductive connector that is electrically coupled to a conductive element. One or more conductive elements are electrically connected to the first conductive cap at any one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Robert N. Parry, James J. Benke, Chad A. Eckhardt, Kenneth W. Sanner, Jianqiang Zhu