Patents by Inventor Erik L. Piper
Erik L. Piper 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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Publication number: 20230420977Abstract: A system for a non-hybrid vehicle is provided. The system includes at least one electrically-powered accessory of a vehicle. The at least one electrically-powered accessory is configured to: receive electrical power generated by an electromagnetic device coupled to an engine; and receive, from a controller, a command configured to control the at least one electrically-powered accessory independent of another electrically-powered accessory of the at least one electrically-powered accessory, whereby the command is independent of an output of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Paquette, Martin T. Books, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Gary L. Parker, Erik L. Piper
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Patent number: 11784507Abstract: A system for a non-hybrid vehicle is provided. The system includes an electromagnetic device structured to couple to an engine and generate AC electrical power from the engine. The system also includes an AC-to-DC inverter structured to receive and change the AC electrical power to regulated DC electrical power. Additionally, the system includes an electrical path coupled to the AC-to-DC inverter and configured to provide the regulated DC electrical power directly to an electrically-powered accessory at or above 28 volts DC.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Paquette, Martin T. Books, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Gary L. Parker, Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20230241996Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for charging multiple electric vehicles. In particular, the present disclosure provides a system having a single charger configured to connect with a plurality of electric vehicles and methods for charging one or more electric vehicles using said system. The present disclosure further provides a method for bidirectional current flow between the grid and the one or more electric vehicles.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Mark N. Bays, Chetan Ponnathpur, Erik L. Piper, John P. O'Brien, Joseph E. Paquette, Dilip Ramachandran, Omkar A. Harshe, Ravikanth Pulipaka, John K. Heichelbech
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Publication number: 20230142941Abstract: Systems and methods to control an electric vehicle accessory of an electric vehicle during a charge event are provided. An apparatus includes a controller communicatively coupled to a battery and an electric vehicle accessory. The controller is structured to: receive a battery power limit from the battery management system; receive an indication that the battery is undergoing the charge event; and cause the electric vehicle accessory to recharge by absorbing energy from a charging station during the charge event.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth, Erik L. Piper, Patrick Sill
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Patent number: 11563394Abstract: A system includes a generator and an engine coupled to the generator. The engine is configured to provide mechanical power to the generator. The system further includes a controller coupled to the engine and the generator. The controller is configured to: receive information regarding an engine operating parameter threshold value at which an engine operating parameter value failed to match a load demand value that is indicative of a load exerted by the generator on the engine, and set the engine operating parameter threshold value as a maximum allowable engine operating parameter value for the engine.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2022Date of Patent: January 24, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth
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Patent number: 11548391Abstract: An apparatus structured to control an electric vehicle accessory of an electric vehicle during a charge event includes a controller communicatively coupled to a battery and an electric vehicle accessory. The controller is structured to determine that the battery of an electric vehicle is undergoing a charge event, and based on determining that the battery of the electric vehicle is undergoing the charge event, place the electric vehicle accessory in an on-state during the charge event, and cause the electric vehicle accessory to recharge by absorbing energy from the charging station during the charge event.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2020Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth, Erik L. Piper, Patrick Sill
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Publication number: 20220239242Abstract: A system includes a generator and an engine coupled to the generator. The engine is configured to provide mechanical power to the generator. The system further includes a controller coupled to the engine and the generator. The controller is configured to: receive information regarding an engine operating parameter threshold value at which an engine operating parameter value failed to match a load demand value that is indicative of a load exerted by the generator on the engine, and set the engine operating parameter threshold value as a maximum allowable engine operating parameter value for the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2022Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth
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Patent number: 11316456Abstract: A system comprises a generator and an engine coupled thereto. The engine is configured to provide mechanical power to the generator. A controller is coupled to the engine and the generator and is configured to compare an engine operating parameter value to a load demand value indicative of a load exerted by the generator on the engine. The controller determines that the engine operating parameter value fails to match the load demand value. The controller determines an engine operating parameter threshold value at which the engine operating parameter value failed to match the load demand value, and sets the engine operating parameter threshold value as a maximum allowable engine operating parameter value for the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth
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Publication number: 20220080910Abstract: A system for a non-hybrid vehicle is provided. The system includes an electromagnetic device structured to couple to an engine and generate AC electrical power from the engine. The system also includes an AC-to-DC inverter structured to receive and change the AC electrical power to regulated DC electrical power. Additionally, the system includes an electrical path coupled to the AC-to-DC inverter and configured to provide the regulated DC electrical power directly to an electrically-powered accessory at or above 28 volts DC.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Paquette, Martin T. Books, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Gary L. Parker, Erik L. Piper
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Patent number: 11180096Abstract: A system for a non-hybrid/non-electric vehicle includes a high voltage electromagnetic device and a power electronics system. The high voltage electromagnetic device is structured to couple to an engine and generate AC electrical power from the engine. The power electronics system is electrically coupled to the high voltage electromagnetic device. The power electronics system includes an AC-to-DC inverter and a junction box. The AC-to-DC inverter is structured to receive and change the AC electrical power to regulated DC electrical power. The junction box is structured to receive and provide the regulated DC electrical power to a plurality of electrical paths that electrically couple the junction box to a plurality of electrically-powered accessories. The regulated DC electrical power is provided to each of the plurality of electrically-powered accessories based on an electric power consumption need of each respective electrically-powered accessory.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2017Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Paquette, Martin T. Books, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Gary L. Parker, Erik L. Piper
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Publication number: 20210226267Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of selectively charging or discharging a system with multiple battery packs connected in parallel when at least one of the battery packs has a significantly different voltage or states of charge (SOCs) than the other battery packs. The method includes charging or discharging the battery pack(s) with a voltage or state of charge (SOC) farthest from a target value until the voltage(s) or SOC(s) is within a range of another battery pack at which point the battery packs may be connected and charging or discharging can resume for the set of connected packs. This process is repeated until all the battery packs are at a predetermined minimum or maximum voltage or SOC threshold. The present disclosure also provides a method for selectively operating and charging at least one of a plurality of battery packs depending on the respective states of the battery packs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2019Publication date: July 22, 2021Inventors: Martin T. Books, Pramod Suresh Magadi, Erik. L. Piper, John P. O'Brien, Duane J. Szymanski, Bradford K.O. Palmer, Subbarao Varigonda, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Joseph E. Paquette, Carl A. Jones
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Publication number: 20210044230Abstract: A system comprises a generator and an engine coupled thereto. The engine is configured to provide mechanical power to the generator. A controller is coupled to the engine and the generator and is configured to compare an engine operating parameter value to a load demand value indicative of a load exerted by the generator on the engine. The controller determines that the engine operating parameter value fails to match the load demand value. The controller determines an engine operating parameter threshold value at which the engine operating parameter value failed to match the load demand value, and sets the engine operating parameter threshold value as a maximum allowable engine operating parameter value for the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth
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Publication number: 20200384864Abstract: An apparatus structured to control an electric vehicle accessory of an electric vehicle during a charge event includes a controller communicatively coupled to a battery and an electric vehicle accessory. The controller is structured to determine that the battery of an electric vehicle is undergoing a charge event, and based on determining that the battery of the electric vehicle is undergoing the charge event, place the electric vehicle accessory in an on-state during the charge event, and cause the electric vehicle accessory to recharge by absorbing energy from the charging station during the charge event.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Martin T. Books, Richard A. Booth, Erik L. Piper, Patrick Sill
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Publication number: 20200198472Abstract: A system and method to schedule a state of charge target of an electric vehicle includes a motor, a battery, and a controller communicatively coupled to the motor and the battery. The controller is structured to receive one or more parameters comprising a state of charge of the battery, and adjust the state of charge target based on the one or more parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2018Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Booth, Subbarao Varigonda, Erik L. Piper
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Patent number: 10662847Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling engine start/stop operations based at least in part on considerations relating to the thermal management of an exhaust gas after-treatment system. A control system may monitor and/or predict conditions and/or properties of the after-treatment system, including conditions related to the thermal management of a selective catalytic reduction system and the properties of an exhaust gas stream that has been released from an internal combustion engine and into the after-treatment system. Such conditions may be evaluated in determining whether the thermal management of the after-treatment system is at, or will be in, a condition that may accommodate a start/stop operation of the internal combustion engine with minimal, if any, adverse impact on the thermal management of the after-treatment system. Such an evaluation may, in at least certain situations, provide at least a consideration as to whether to de-activate or activate start/stop operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2018Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Robert Edward Cochran, John P. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20200070757Abstract: A system for a non-hybrid/non-electric vehicle includes a high voltage electromagnetic device and a power electronics system. The high voltage electromagnetic device is structured to couple to an engine and generate AC electrical power from the engine. The power electronics system is electrically coupled to the high voltage electromagnetic device. The power electronics system includes an AC -to-DC inverter and a junction box. The AC- to-DC inverter is structured to receive and change the AC electrical power to regulated DC electrical power. The junction box is structured to receive and provide the regulated DC electrical power to a plurality of electrical paths that electrically couple the junction box to a plurality of electrically-powered accessories. The regulated DC electrical power is provided to each of the plurality of electrically-powered accessories based on an electric power consumption need of each respective electrically-powered accessory.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2017Publication date: March 5, 2020Applicant: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Joseph E. Paquette, Martin T. Books, Mahesh Madurai Kumar, Jaroslaw Leonarski, Gary L. Parker, Erik L. Piper
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Patent number: 10385817Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2019Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20190145369Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
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Patent number: 10184441Abstract: A system and method for controlling automatic start/stop operations for an engine. While the engine is shutdown, operation of the engine may be automatically started upon expiration of a threshold time limit or in response to one or more adverse or deteriorated conditions of a power storage device, such as, for example, a state of health, state of function, or state of charge of the power storage device. After the engine has been automatically started, the ability of the controller to subsequently automatically stop the operation of the engine may be disabled until at least one secondary condition is satisfied. Upon satisfaction of the at least one secondary condition, the controller may again be enabled to at least automatically stop the operation of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: Cummins Inc.Inventors: Martin T. Books, Erik L. Piper, Brian R. Alderfer, Jaideep Prasad, John P. O'Brien
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Publication number: 20180202341Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling engine start/stop operations based at least in part on considerations relating to the thermal management of an exhaust gas after-treatment system. A control system may monitor and/or predict conditions and/or properties of the after-treatment system, including conditions related to the thermal management of a selective catalytic reduction system and the properties of an exhaust gas stream that has been released from an internal combustion engine and into the after-treatment system. Such conditions may be evaluated in determining whether the thermal management of the after-treatment system is at, or will be in, a condition that may accommodate a start/stop operation of the internal combustion engine with minimal, if any, adverse impact on the thermal management of the after-treatment system. Such an evaluation may, in at least certain situations, provide at least a consideration as to whether to de-activate or activate start/stop operations.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2018Publication date: July 19, 2018Inventors: Erik L. Piper, Robert Edward Cochran, John P. O'Brien