Patents by Inventor Douglas W. Dorn
Douglas W. Dorn 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).
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Patent number: 11073808Abstract: A generator system for operation of at least one generator and at least one breaker includes an interface, a database, and a generator controller. The interface is configured to receive an architecture for the generator system. The database includes at least one generator parameter and at least one breaker parameter. The generator controller is configured to determine generator layouts from the architecture for the generator system. The generator controller determines a generator system command based on a comparison of the generator layouts, the at least one generator parameter, and the at least one breaker parameter.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2020Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers, Douglas W. Dorn, Allen Frederick
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Patent number: 10823772Abstract: A generator waveform is measured using one or more techniques that reduce the computing resources for measuring the generator waveform and the time required for measuring the generator waveform. One example includes a template matching technique that iteratively selects templates to estimate the phase offset of the generator waveform. One example includes a root mean squared value calculated from less than sample time period that is less than one half of a cycle of the generator waveform. A generator controller calculates a command or parameter for the generator based on the estimated phase offset or the root mean squared value.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 3, 2020Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Publication number: 20200218216Abstract: A generator system for operation of at least one generator and at least one breaker includes an interface, a database, and a generator controller. The interface is configured to receive an architecture for the generator system. The database includes at least one generator parameter and at least one breaker parameter. The generator controller is configured to determine generator layouts from the architecture for the generator system. The generator controller determines a generator system command based on a comparison of the generator layouts, the at least one generator parameter, and the at least one breaker parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2020Publication date: July 9, 2020Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers, Douglas W. Dorn, Allen Frederick
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Patent number: 10635066Abstract: A generator system for operation of at least one generator and at least one breaker includes an interface, a database, and a generator controller. The interface is configured to receive an architecture for the generator system. The database includes at least one generator parameter and at least one breaker parameter. The generator controller is configured to determine generator layouts from the architecture for the generator system. The generator controller determines a generator system command based on a comparison of the generator layouts, the at least one generator parameter, and the at least one breaker parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers, Douglas W. Dorn, Allen Frederick
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Publication number: 20190265284Abstract: A generator waveform is measured using one or more techniques that reduce the computing resources for measuring the generator waveform and the time required for measuring the generator waveform. One example includes a template matching technique that iteratively selects templates to estimate the phase offset of the generator waveform. One example includes a root mean squared value calculated from less than sample time period that is less than one half of a cycle of the generator waveform. A generator controller calculates a command or parameter for the generator based on the estimated phase offset or the root mean squared value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Patent number: 10338119Abstract: A generator waveform is measured using one or more techniques that reduce the computing resources for measuring the generator waveform and the time required for measuring the generator waveform. One example includes a template matching technique that iteratively selects templates to estimate the phase offset of the generator waveform. One example includes a root mean squared value calculated from less than sample time period that is less than one half of a cycle of the generator waveform. A generator controller calculates a command or parameter for the generator based on the estimated phase offset or the root mean squared value.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2016Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Patent number: 10158248Abstract: An electrical power generator system may include two or more paralleled generators. At least one of the generators includes a first power source and a second power source. A disconnection of a first power source is identified at a generator controller of one of the generators. The generator controller may be configured to access or generate a power failure message indicative of the disconnection of the first power source. The generator controller may be configured to transmit the power failure message using the second power source because the second power source is switched to the generator controller in response to the disconnection of the first power source. The system may enter a communication failure handling mode based on the power failure message.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Douglas W. Dorn, Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers
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Patent number: 10108165Abstract: A generator system may include two or more generators electrically connected through a generator bus. A controller receives operation data from a first generator. The operation data may describe a power flow from a second generator to the first generator. From the operation data, either a loss of speed control or a loss of voltage control may be identified at the second generator. The controller may generate a command for the second generator based on the loss of speed control or the loss of voltage control.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 23, 2018Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Publication number: 20180173180Abstract: A generator system for operation of at least one generator and at least one breaker includes an interface, a database, and a generator controller. The interface is configured to receive an architecture for the generator system. The database includes at least one generator parameter and at least one breaker parameter. The generator controller is configured to determine generator layouts from the architecture for the generator system. The generator controller determines a generator system command based on a comparison of the generator layouts, the at least one generator parameter, and the at least one breaker parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers, Douglas W. Dorn, Allen Frederick
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Publication number: 20180052193Abstract: A generator waveform is measured using one or more techniques that reduce the computing resources for measuring the generator waveform and the time required for measuring the generator waveform. One example includes a template matching technique that iteratively selects templates to estimate the phase offset of the generator waveform. One example includes a root mean squared value calculated from less than sample time period that is less than one half of a cycle of the generator waveform. A generator controller calculates a command or parameter for the generator based on the estimated phase offset or the root mean squared value.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Isaac Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Patent number: 9689330Abstract: A power system may include a first generator configured to be connected to at least one other generator. Each generator may be configured to be connected to a bus. The bus may be connected to at least one load. The first generator includes a controller that operates the first generator and determines a need to regenerate a diesel particulate filter in the first generator. The controller communicates the need to regenerate the diesel particulate filter to the at least one other generator.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Douglas W. Dorn, Isaac S. Frampton
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Publication number: 20160370782Abstract: A generator system may include two or more generators electrically connected through a generator bus. A controller receives operation data from a first generator. The operation data may describe a power flow from a second generator to the first generator. From the operation data, either a loss of speed control or a loss of voltage control may be identified at the second generator. The controller may generate a command for the second generator based on the loss of speed control or the loss of voltage control.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Publication number: 20160344186Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an example generator management system. The generator management system includes a first generator that is adapted to supply power to a load and a first generator controller that operates the first generator. The generator management system further includes a second generator that is adapted to supply power to the load and a second generator controller that operates the second generator. The generator management system further includes a communication bus that connects the first generator controller and the second generator controller such that the first generator controller and the second generator controller exchange data. At least one of the first generator controller and the second generator controller selectively activates the first generator and the second generator in an order that depends on an operating parameter of the first generator and the second generator (as opposed to a fixed sequence which is done in existing systems).Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Richard A. Mauk, Douglas W. Dorn
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Patent number: 9467080Abstract: A generator system may include two or more generators electrically connected through a generator bus. A controller receives operation data from a first generator. The operation data may describe a power flow from a second generator to the first generator. From the operation data, either a loss of speed control or a loss of voltage control may be identified at the second generator. The controller may generate a command for the second generator based on the loss of speed control or the loss of voltage control.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Kohler, Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Patent number: 9431942Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an example generator management system. The generator management system includes a first generator that is adapted to supply power to load and a first generator controller that operates the first generator. The generator management system further includes a second generator that is adapted to supply power to the load and a second generator controller that operates the second generator. The generator management system further includes a communication bus that connects the first generator controller and the second generator controller such that the first generator controller and the second generator controller exchange data. At least one of the first generator controller and the second generator controller selectively activates the first generator and the second generator in an order that depends on an operating parameter of the first generator and the second generator (as opposed to a fixed sequence which is done in existing systems).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Richard A. Mauk, Douglas W. Dorn
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Publication number: 20160215666Abstract: A power system may include a first generator configured to be connected to at least one other generator. Each generator may be configured to be connected to a bus. The bus may be connected to at least one load. The first generator includes a controller that operates the first generator and determines a need to regenerate a diesel particulate filter in the first generator. The controller communicates the need to regenerate the diesel particulate filter to the at least one other generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Douglas W. Dorn, Isaac S. Frampton
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Publication number: 20160172905Abstract: An electrical power generator system may include two or more paralleled generators. At least one of the generators includes a first power source and a second power source. A disconnection of a first power source is identified at a generator controller of one of the generators. The generator controller may be configured to access or generate a power failure message indicative of the disconnection of the first power source. The generator controller may be configured to transmit the power failure message using the second power source because the second power source is switched to the generator controller in response to the disconnection of the first power source. The system may enter a communication failure handling mode based on the power failure message.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: Douglas W. Dorn, Isaac S. Frampton, Steve Jungers
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Patent number: 9281716Abstract: A power management system may include a generator controller. The generator controller may (i) operate the generator; and (ii) prohibit a transfer switch from supplying first or second power to an output of the transfer switch. In some systems, the first power may be primary power (e.g., from a primary power source such as a utility) while the second power is secondary power (e.g., from a secondary power source such as a generator). In other systems, the second power may be primary power while the first power is secondary power, or both the first and second power may be secondary power.Type: GrantFiled: January 9, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Eric D. Albsmeier, Douglas W. Dorn, William Herman Gross, Andrew John Sember, Anthony J. Hackbarth
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Publication number: 20160049891Abstract: A generator system may include two or more generators electrically connected through a generator bus. A controller receives operation data from a first generator. The operation data may describe a power flow from a second generator to the first generator. From the operation data, either a loss of speed control or a loss of voltage control may be identified at the second generator. The controller may generate a command for the second generator based on the loss of speed control or the loss of voltage control.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: February 18, 2016Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn
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Patent number: 9197098Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a standby power system. The standby power system includes a sensor that is adapted to monitor a primary power source which provides power to a load. In some embodiments, the sensor may monitor characteristics of the power supplied by the primary power source 12 that may be used to sense abnormalities. The standby power system further includes a generator that is also adapted to supply power to the load. As an example, the generator may include an internal combustion engine that drives an alternator. The standby power system further includes a generator controller that operates the generator and exchanges data with the sensor. The generator controller predicts a need to supply power to the load based on data received from the sensor. The generator controller then acts to minimize a time to availability of the generator based on the prediction.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Douglas W. Dorn, Richard A. Mauk