Patents by Inventor Jeff Frolik
Jeff Frolik 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: 11972496Abstract: The present disclosure can provide a distributed and anonymous approach to demand response of an electricity system. The approach can conceptualize energy consumption and production of distributed-energy resources (DERs) via discrete energy packets that are coordinated by a cyber computing entity that grants or denies energy packet requests from the DERs. The approach leverages a condition of a DER, which is particularly useful for (1) thermostatically-controlled loads, (2) non-thermostatic conditionally-controlled loads, and (3) bi-directional distributed energy storage systems, among others. In a first aspect of the present approach, each DER independently requests the authority to switch on for a fixed amount of time (i.e., packet duration). The coordinator determines whether to grant or deny each request based electric grid and/or energy or power market conditions.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2021Date of Patent: April 30, 2024Inventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines, Mads Almassalkhi
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Publication number: 20220237711Abstract: The present disclosure provides a distributed and anonymous approach to demand response of an electricity system. The approach conceptualizes energy consumption and production of distributed-energy resources (DERs) via discrete energy packets that are coordinated by a cyber computing entity that grants or denies energy packet requests from the DERs. The approach leverages a condition of a DER, which is particularly useful for (1) thermostatically-controlled loads, (2) non-thermostatic conditionally-controlled loads, and (3) bi¬directional distributed energy storage systems. In a first aspect of the present approach, each DER independently requests the authority to switch on for a fixed amount of time (i.e., packet duration). The coordinator determines whether to grant or deny each request based electric grid and/or energy or power market conditions. In a second aspect, bi-directional DERs, such as distributed-energy storage systems (DESSs) are further able to request to supply energy to the grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Inventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines, Mads Almassalkhi
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Patent number: 11210747Abstract: The present disclosure provides a distributed and anonymous approach to demand response of an electricity system. The approach conceptualizes energy consumption and production of distributed-energy resources (DERs) via discrete energy packets that are coordinated by a cyber computing entity that grants or denies energy packet requests from the DERs. The approach leverages a condition of a DER, which is particularly useful for (1) thermostatically-controlled loads, (2) non-thermostatic conditionally-controlled loads, and (3) bi-directional distributed energy storage systems. In a first aspect of the present approach, each DER independently requests the authority to switch on for a fixed amount of time (i.e., packet duration). The coordinator determines whether to grant or deny each request based electric grid and/or energy or power market conditions. In a second aspect, bi-directional DERs, such as distributed-energy storage systems (DESSs) are further able to request to supply energy to the grid.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines, Mads Almassalkhi
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Patent number: 11171484Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing electric energy in discrete power packets of finite duration are presented. Systems may include an aggregator for providing power packets to one or more nodes. An aggregator may receive requests for power packets from nodes. In other embodiments, an aggregator may transmit status broadcasts and nodes may receive power packets based on the status broadcasts.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines
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Publication number: 20190214820Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing electric energy in discrete power packets of finite duration are presented. Systems may include an aggregator for providing power packets to one or more nodes. An aggregator may receive requests for power packets from nodes. In other embodiments, an aggregator may transmit status broadcasts and nodes may receive power packets based on the status broadcasts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2019Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines
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Patent number: 10256631Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing electric energy in discrete power packets of finite duration are presented. Systems may include an aggregator for providing power packets to one or more nodes. An aggregator may receive requests for power packets from nodes. In other embodiments, an aggregator may transmit status broadcasts and nodes may receive power packets based on the status broadcasts.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: University of Vemont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines
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Publication number: 20180082385Abstract: The present disclosure provides a distributed and anonymous approach to demand response of an electricity system. The approach conceptualizes energy consumption and production of distributed-energy resources (DERs) via discrete energy packets that are coordinated by a cyber computing entity that grants or denies energy packet requests from the DERs. The approach leverages a condition of a DER, which is particularly useful for (1) thermostatically-controlled loads, (2) non-thermostatic conditionally-controlled loads, and (3) bi-directional distributed energy storage systems. In a first aspect of the present approach, each DER independently requests the authority to switch on for a fixed amount of time (i.e., packet duration). The coordinator determines whether to grant or deny each request based electric grid and/or energy or power market conditions. In a second aspect, bi-directional DERs, such as distributed-energy storage systems (DESSs) are further able to request to supply energy to the grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Jeff Frolik, Paul Hines, Mads Almassalkhi
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Patent number: 9410878Abstract: The Portable Ultrafine Particle Sizer (PUPS) invention is provided. The PUPS is an instrument which can measure particle number concentration for particle sizes under 200 nanometers in-situ. The PUPS is a compact design for quick mounting on vehicles. Size discrimination is accomplished using a compact reverse Differential Mobility Analyzer (rDMA). Particle charging is accomplished using corona ionization. Concentration measurements are completed using a unique flexible printed circuit board electrode which can be removed for cleaning, disposal or chemical analysis of collected particles at the end of its in situ measurement life.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Andrew Vize, Matthew Casari, Jeff Frolik, Britt Holmen
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Publication number: 20150380936Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing electric energy in discrete power packets of finite duration are presented. Systems may include an aggregator for providing power packets to one or more nodes. An aggregator may receive requests for power packets from nodes. In other embodiments, an aggregator may transmit status broadcasts and nodes may receive power packets based on the status broadcasts.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Jeff FROLIK, Paul HINES
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Publication number: 20150068282Abstract: The Portable Ultrafine Particle Sizer (PUPS) invention is provided. The PUPS is an instrument which can measure particle number concentration for particle sizes under 200 nanometers in-situ. The PUPS is a compact design for quick mounting on vehicles. Size discrimination is accomplished using a compact reverse Differential Mobility Analyzer (rDMA). Particle charging is accomplished using corona ionization. Concentration measurements are completed using a unique flexible printed circuit board electrode which can be removed for cleaning, disposal or chemical analysis of collected particles at the end of its in situ measurement life.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Applicant: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Andrew Vize, Matthew Casari, Jeff Frolik, Britt Holmen
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Patent number: 8739602Abstract: The Portable Ultrafine Particle Sizer (PUPS) invention is provided. The PUPS is an instrument which can measure particle number concentration for particle sizes under 200 nanometers in-situ. The PUPS is a compact design for quick mounting on vehicles. Size discrimination is accomplished using a compact reverse Differential Mobility Analyzer (rDMA). Particle charging is accomplished using corona ionization. Concentration measurements are completed using a unique flexible printed circuit board electrode which can be removed for cleaning, disposal or chemical analysis of collected particles at the end of its in situ measurement life.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Andrew Vize, Matthew Casari, Britt Holmen, Jeff Frolik
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Patent number: 8552396Abstract: A ground-based system that provides quasi real-time measurement and collection of snow-water equivalent (SWE) data in remote settings is provided. The disclosed invention is significantly less expensive and easier to deploy than current methods and less susceptible to terrain and snow bridging effects. Embodiments of the invention include remote data recovery solutions. Compared to current infrastructure using existing SWE technology, the disclosed invention allows more SWE sites to be installed for similar cost and effort, in a greater variety of terrain; thus, enabling data collection at improved spatial resolutions. The invention integrates a novel computational architecture with new sensor technologies. The invention's computational architecture is based on wireless sensor networks, comprised of programmable, low-cost, low-powered nodes capable of sophisticated sensor control and remote data communication.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2009Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: The University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Jeff Frolik, Christian Skalka
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Publication number: 20120099105Abstract: The Portable Ultrafine Particle Sizer (PUPS) invention is provided. The PUPS is an instrument which can measure particle number concentration for particle sizes under 200 nanometers The PUPS has a compact design which allows it to be mounted on vehicles with relative ease. Size discrimination is accomplished using, a compact reverse Differential Mobility Analyzer (rDMA) Particle charging is accomplished using a low-cost method for corona ionization. Concentration measurements are completed using a unique flexible printed circuit board electrode which can be easily removed for cleaning, disposal or chemical analysis of collected particles at the end of its in situ measurement life.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 20, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventors: Andrew Vize, Matthew Casari, Britt Holmen, Jeff Frolik
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Publication number: 20100233969Abstract: Disclosed is a compact reconfigurable channel emulator, which may be used to emulate severe fading environments and test wireless systems and subsystems for operation in severe channel environments. Examples include radios, coding schemes, diversity methods and antennas. In particular, the chamber is well suited to test hardware associated with wireless sensor deployments for these tend to be susceptible to severe fading scenarios. Moreover, the invention is significantly smaller than traditional testing instruments, and with its automation, reduces electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility testing time and costs.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: September 16, 2010Applicants: University of South Florida, University of VermontInventors: Jeff Frolik, Thomas Weller
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Patent number: 7720437Abstract: The invention is a new device that will improve the radio link quality for low power wireless devices. An example application is for low power, miniaturized wireless sensor nodes that are statically deployed in a slowly varying environment or that have limited mobility. The device is a reconfigurable antenna that is novel in that it operates with very low (zero-order) energy in contrast to existing system that required both significant computational and DC power.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2006Date of Patent: May 18, 2010Assignees: University of South Florida, University of VermontInventors: Thomas Weller, Jeff Frolik