Patents by Inventor James Macomber

James Macomber 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).

  • Photovoltaic grid capacity sensor
    Patent number: 11594885
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method to determine a capacity of a microgrid includes applying a current test load to the microgrid and measuring a current through an energy storage device, the current indicating a charging status of the energy storage device based on a current load being applied to the microgrid through activated power outlets being served by the microgrid and the current test load, the energy storage device being integrated with the microgrid. The method also includes, responsive to a determination that the measured current based on the current load being applied to the microgrid and the current test load indicates that the energy storage device is discharging, determining the capacity of the microgrid, wherein the capacity is the current load being applied to the microgrid through activated power outlets and a test load applied to the microgrid immediately preceding the current test load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Brice MacLaren, James Macomber, Megan Richardson
  • PHOTOVOLTAIC GRID CAPACITY SENSOR
    Publication number: 20210281069
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method to determine a capacity of a microgrid includes applying a current test load to the microgrid and measuring a current through an energy storage device, the current indicating a charging status of the energy storage device based on a current load being applied to the microgrid through activated power outlets being served by the microgrid and the current test load, the energy storage device being integrated with the microgrid. The method also includes, responsive to a determination that the measured current based on the current load being applied to the microgrid and the current test load indicates that the energy storage device is discharging, determining the capacity of the microgrid, wherein the capacity is the current load being applied to the microgrid through activated power outlets and a test load applied to the microgrid immediately preceding the current test load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Brice MacLaren, James Macomber, Megan Richardson