Patents by Inventor Erich A. Lucht

Erich A. Lucht 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).

  • Patent number: 11673449
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power system that powers a load is provided. The power system includes a prime mover, an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source, and a power system controller configured to control operation of the power system. The method includes monitoring a power demand on the power system from the load. The method also includes comparing the monitored power demand with a load threshold value. Also, the method includes determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value. Further, the method includes upon determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value: inactivating the prime mover, and instructing the battery source with the inverter to supply power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20220203802
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power system that powers a load is provided. The power system includes a prime mover, an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source, and a power system controller configured to control operation of the power system. The method includes monitoring a power demand on the power system from the load. The method also includes comparing the monitored power demand with a load threshold value. Also, the method includes determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value. Further, the method includes upon determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value: inactivating the prime mover, and instructing the battery source with the inverter to supply power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
  • Patent number: 10544758
    Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive emission maintenance of an engine. In one embodiment, a method for predictive emission maintenance of an engine is provided. The method can include a controller obtaining operational status information of the engine upon startup of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) or a TRU generator set (GenSet). The method also includes the controller predicting engine emission maintenance based on the operational status information. Also, the method includes the controller providing an advanced notification warning based on whether the controller predicts engine emission maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
  • Patent number: 10175081
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a fluid consumption rate from a fluid tank is described. The fluid tank includes a fuel for an internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine provides power to a powered system. The method includes determining instantaneous fluid consumption; determining an operating condition of the powered system, the powered system providing a load on the internal combustion engine; determining the load on the internal combustion engine and a state of the internal combustion engine; and calculating the fluid consumption rate based on the instantaneous fuel consumption, the load on the internal combustion engine, and the state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierce D. Kennedy, Robert Michael Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
  • Publication number: 20180163674
    Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive emission maintenance of an engine. In one embodiment, a method for predictive emission maintenance of an engine is provided. The method can include a controller obtaining operational status information of the engine upon startup of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) or a TRU generator set (GenSet). The method also includes the controller predicting engine emission maintenance based on the operational status information. Also, the method includes the controller providing an advanced notification warning based on whether the controller predicts engine emission maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Inventor: Erich A. LUCHT
  • Patent number: 9920716
    Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive emission maintenance of an engine. In one embodiment, a method for predictive emission maintenance of an engine is provided. The method can include a controller obtaining operational status information of the engine upon startup of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) or a TRU generator set (GenSet). The method also includes the controller predicting engine emission maintenance based on the operational status information. Also, the method includes the controller providing an advanced notification warning based on whether the controller predicts engine emission maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
  • Publication number: 20170370755
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a fluid consumption rate from a fluid tank is described. The fluid tank includes a fuel for an internal combustion engine and the internal combustion engine provides power to a powered system. The method includes determining instantaneous fluid consumption; determining an operating condition of the powered system, the powered system providing a load on the internal combustion engine; determining the load on the internal combustion engine and a state of the internal combustion engine; and calculating the fluid consumption rate based on the instantaneous fuel consumption, the load on the internal combustion engine, and the state of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Pierce D. Kennedy, Robert Michael Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
  • Publication number: 20170030307
    Abstract: Methods and systems for predictive emission maintenance of an engine. In one embodiment, a method for predictive emission maintenance of an engine is provided. The method can include a controller obtaining operational status information of the engine upon startup of a transport refrigeration unit (TRU) or a TRU generator set (GenSet). The method also includes the controller predicting engine emission maintenance based on the operational status information. Also, the method includes the controller providing an advanced notification warning based on whether the controller predicts engine emission maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
  • Patent number: 8534055
    Abstract: An auxiliary filter arrangement for an exhaust aftertreatment system, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) system. The DPF communicates with an exhaust line to receive a flow of exhaust gases therethrough. An auxiliary filter is positioned in an auxiliary line or tube that connects an air supply, a pressure sensor, and/or any other aftertreatment system component to the exhaust line. The auxiliary filter can be a wire mesh filter operable to trap particulate or soot, thereby preventing the soot from traveling further up the auxiliary line toward the components of the air supply system, the pressure sensor, and/or the components of any other aftertreatment system communicating with the exhaust line through the auxiliary line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
  • Publication number: 20110232264
    Abstract: An auxiliary filter arrangement for an exhaust aftertreatment system, such as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) system. The DPF communicates with an exhaust line to receive a flow of exhaust gases therethrough. An auxiliary filter is positioned in an auxiliary line or tube that connects an air supply, a pressure sensor, and/or any other aftertreatment system component to the exhaust line. The auxiliary filter can be a wire mesh filter operable to trap particulate or soot, thereby preventing the soot from traveling further up the auxiliary line toward the components of the air supply system, the pressure sensor, and/or the components of any other aftertreatment system communicating with the exhaust line through the auxiliary line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
  • Patent number: 7870779
    Abstract: A sensor for use with a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust system includes a collection device configured to be positioned downstream of the diesel particulate filter such that particulate matter not captured by the diesel particulate filter accumulates on the collection device. The collection device is configured to visually indicate a rate of particulate matter accumulation on the collection device. The rate of particulate matter accumulation corresponds to filter performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
  • Patent number: 7743616
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. A sensor is in electrical communication with the generator to sense a load of the generator and to deliver a signal indicative of the generator load. A controller is in electrical communication with the generator, the prime mover, and the sensor, and receives the signal indicative of the generator load. The controller selectively operates the generator at one of the first speed and the second speed in response to the signal indicative of the generator load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Bernard Wayne Benson, Randy S. Burnham, Erich Lucht
  • Publication number: 20080264039
    Abstract: A sensor for use with a diesel particulate filter in an exhaust system includes a collection device configured to be positioned downstream of the diesel particulate filter such that particulate matter not captured by the diesel particulate filter accumulates on the collection device. The collection device is configured to visually indicate a rate of particulate matter accumulation on the collection device. The rate of particulate matter accumulation corresponds to filter performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert M. Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
  • Publication number: 20080087029
    Abstract: A generator set for a transport refrigeration unit that is operable at a first frequency and a second frequency. The generator set includes a generator and a prime mover coupled to the generator. The prime mover selectively drives the generator in least at a first non-zero speed and a second non-zero speed. A sensor is in electrical communication with the generator to sense a load of the generator and to deliver a signal indicative of the generator load. A controller is in electrical communication with the generator, the prime mover, and the sensor, and receives the signal indicative of the generator load. The controller selectively operates the generator at one of the first speed and the second speed in response to the signal indicative of the generator load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Bernard Wayne Benson, Randy S. Burnham, Erich Lucht