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).
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Patent number: 11673449Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2020Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: THERMO KING LLCInventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
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Publication number: 20220203802Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2020Publication date: June 30, 2022Inventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
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Patent number: 10544758Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventor: Erich A. Lucht
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Patent number: 10175081Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATIONInventors: Pierce D. Kennedy, Robert Michael Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
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Publication number: 20180163674Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2018Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventor: Erich A. LUCHT
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Patent number: 9920716Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2016Date of Patent: March 20, 2018Assignee: THERMO KING CORPORATIONInventor: Erich A. Lucht
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Publication number: 20170370755Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: December 28, 2017Inventors: Pierce D. Kennedy, Robert Michael Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
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Publication number: 20170030307Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2016Publication date: February 2, 2017Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
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Patent number: 8534055Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2011Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventor: Erich A. Lucht
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Publication number: 20110232264Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventor: Erich A. Lucht
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Patent number: 7870779Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventors: Robert M. Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
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Patent number: 7743616Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Thermo King CorporationInventors: David J. Renken, Bernard Wayne Benson, Randy S. Burnham, Erich Lucht
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Publication number: 20080264039Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATIONInventors: Robert M. Lattin, Erich A. Lucht
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Publication number: 20080087029Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2006Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: Thermo King CorporationInventors: David J. Renken, Bernard Wayne Benson, Randy S. Burnham, Erich Lucht