Patents by Inventor Donald J. Lucas

Donald J. Lucas 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: 20240093663
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Patent number: 11859589
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20230392570
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20230198267
    Abstract: A method for determining when a connection of a power system to a grid has been disconnected. The method includes the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid to which the power system is connected, and the power system determining if there is a frequency change within the grid. This includes if the frequency change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a second amount of reactive power to the grid, and if the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Donald J. Lucas, Christopher L. Barber, Xiaorong Xia
  • Patent number: 11539214
    Abstract: A method for determining when a connection of a power system to a grid has been disconnected. The method includes the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid to which the power system is connected, and the power system determining if there is a frequency change within the grid. This includes if the frequency change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a second amount of reactive power to the grid, and if the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Donald J. Lucas, Christopher L. Barber, Xiaorong Xia
  • Publication number: 20220275781
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2022
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Patent number: 11339758
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Patent number: 11309715
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system. The modular power conversion system includes at least one first electric resource, a modular power stage, at least one second electric resource, and wherein the modular power stage comprising at last one module including power electronics for converting power between the at least one first electronic resource and the at least one second electric resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas
  • Publication number: 20210305813
    Abstract: A method for determining when a connection of a power system to a grid has been disconnected. The method includes the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid to which the power system is connected, and the power system determining if there is a frequency change within the grid. This includes if the frequency change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a second amount of reactive power to the grid, and if the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Donald J. Lucas, Christopher L. Barber, Xiaorong Xia
  • Patent number: 11025068
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system and power electronics enabling any power production device or entity to connect to any load or electrical grid including, but not limited to, electricity conversion between low level producer(s) such as a diesel or gas generator, Stirling engine, wind turbine or photovoltaic array, to a consumer such as a commercial or residential building, either directly or via the grid, is disclosed. The modular power conversion system including hardware and software power electronics designed as a modular power stage aggregating different power production entities, transmission systems, consumption and loads as well as energy storage is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10992136
    Abstract: A method for determining when a connection of a power system to a grid has been disconnected. The method includes the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid to which the power system is connected, and the power system determining if there is a frequency change within the grid. This includes if the frequency change does not exceed a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a second amount of reactive power to the grid, and if the frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, the power system supplying a first amount of reactive power to the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Donald J. Lucas, Christopher L. Barber, Xiaorong Xia
  • Publication number: 20200370528
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20200280193
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system and power electronics enabling any power production device or entity to connect to any load or electrical grid including, but not limited to, electricity conversion between low level producer(s) such as a diesel or gas generator, Stirling engine, wind turbine or photovoltaic array, to a consumer such as a commercial or residential building, either directly or via the grid, is disclosed. The modular power conversion system including hardware and software power electronics designed as a modular power stage aggregating different power production entities, transmission systems, consumption and loads as well as energy storage is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10760541
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20200176997
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system. The modular power conversion system includes at least one first electric resource, a modular power stage, at least one second electric resource, and wherein the modular power stage comprising at last one module including power electronics for converting power between the at least one first electronic resource and the at least one second electric resource.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Inventors: Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10658844
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system and power electronics enabling any power production device or entity to connect to any load or electrical grid including, but not limited to, electricity conversion between low level producer(s) such as a diesel or gas generator, Stirling engine, wind turbine or photovoltaic array, to a consumer such as a commercial or residential building, either directly or via the grid, is disclosed. The modular power conversion system including hardware and software power electronics designed as a modular power stage aggregating different power production entities, transmission systems, consumption and loads as well as energy storage is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10404074
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system. The modular power conversion system includes at least one first electric resource, a modular power stage, at least one second electric resource, and wherein the modular power stage comprising at last one module including power electronics for converting power between the at least one first electronic resource and the at least one second electric resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Donald J. Lucas, Jason M. Sachs
  • Publication number: 20190145371
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Jr., Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams
  • Publication number: 20190074696
    Abstract: A modular power conversion system and power electronics enabling any power production device or entity to connect to any load or electrical grid including, but not limited to, electricity conversion between low level producer(s) such as a diesel or gas generator, Stirling engine, wind turbine or photovoltaic array, to a consumer such as a commercial or residential building, either directly or via the grid, is disclosed. The modular power conversion system including hardware and software power electronics designed as a modular power stage aggregating different power production entities, transmission systems, consumption and loads as well as energy storage is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas
  • Patent number: 10215146
    Abstract: A DC power plant generating DC power from a variety of engines including a Stirling cycle engine. The DC power plant includes a relatively small start-up power source that is discontinued after the engine is running. A method for producing DC power for a load including starting up an engine using power supplied by a relatively small power supply supplemented by a capacitor bank, providing output from the engine to a generator, producing alternating current (AC) power by the generator, converting the AC power to direct current (DC) power, disabling output of the DC power during a first set of pre-selected conditions, limiting a rate of change of current of the DC power during a second set of pre-selected conditions, reducing conducted and radiated emissions of the DC power, disconnecting the DC power from the load under a third set of pre-selected conditions, and providing the DC power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Andrew A. Schnellinger, James R. Lowell, Jr., Bryan A. Finseth, Christopher L. Barber, Jason M. Sachs, Donald J. Lucas, Shannon Prescott, Jeffrey W. Kite, Andras K. Fekete, Douglas R. Adams