Patents by Inventor Jeffrey C. Flath
Jeffrey C. Flath 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).
-
Publication number: 20240131894Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Applicant: eNow Systems LLCInventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
-
Patent number: 11872867Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: eNOW Systems LLCInventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
-
Publication number: 20230336005Abstract: A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Inventors: Robert W. Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
-
Patent number: 11728659Abstract: A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: eNOW Systems LLCInventors: Robert W. Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
-
Publication number: 20220402473Abstract: A motion detection and interlock mechanism prevents unintended drive-off of a trailer still connected to a charging source, which could cause damage and/or injury if continued unimpeded. Trailer power for electrical components is a high voltage AC connection, typically between 277-480 VAC. Forced disconnection of an engaged plug could damage the plug and receptacle, leave electrical conductive members unprotected, and cause a short circuit. Electrical connections to trailers may be made for powering electric TRUs (Transport Refrigeration Units) for refrigerated loads, and for charging a storage battery for powering the TRU over the road or even the tractor itself in the case of a hybrid/electric tractor. In configurations herein, an e-axle is provided on the trailer suspension, such that a driveaway prevention circuit reverse biases the wheels to prevent movement of the trailer while engaged with a charging outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Ryan Kennedy Kemmet, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane
-
Publication number: 20220281307Abstract: A self contained battery and slide frame houses a pair of trailer axles and an electrical vehicle storage battery secured by parallel slide frame rails adapted for attachment to an underside of a standard tractor trailer (Class 8) trailer frame. The slide frame attaches to an underside of a trailer using perforated frame beams used to vary a position of the wheel/axle assemblies relative to the trailer body and payload. The slide frame rails provide self contained support for a storage battery, e-axle, control electronics and connecting wires for charging and running a vehicle load from the storage battery. Vehicle loads powered by the storage battery include transport refrigeration units (TRUs) and electrical vehicle (EV) tractors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventors: Ryan Kennedy Kemmet, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane
-
Publication number: 20210218268Abstract: A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: Robert W. Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
-
Publication number: 20210197645Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: July 1, 2021Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
-
Patent number: 10965147Abstract: A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: eNow, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath
-
Patent number: 10899192Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including: a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, in which the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging/starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2017Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: eNow, Inc.Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
-
Patent number: 10710525Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2018Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: eNow, Inc.Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
-
Publication number: 20200148142Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2018Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
-
Publication number: 20180233944Abstract: A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2018Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Robert W. Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath
-
Patent number: 9948136Abstract: A power management and selection system for a class 8 tractor trailer, directs excess solar and vehicular charge capacity to an auxiliary load by measuring available charge capacity from a reefer power system including a reefer battery, solar panel and charge controller for moderating solar power to the reefer batter, and measuring available charge capacity from a cab vehicle power system including a propulsion system battery and alternator. Charge logic, in a selector configured for switching charge capacity to the auxiliary load, determines which of the reefer power system and cab vehicle power system has the most potential excess charge capacity, and directs the determined excess charge capacity to the auxiliary load, while the measured available charge capacity remains sufficient for powering the respective reefer power system or cab vehicle power system.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2015Date of Patent: April 17, 2018Assignee: eNow, Inc.Inventors: Robert W. Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath
-
Patent number: 9878682Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2015Date of Patent: January 30, 2018Assignee: ENOW, Inc.Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
-
Publication number: 20170217280Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including: a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, in which the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging/starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2017Publication date: August 3, 2017Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
-
Patent number: 9586458Abstract: A refrigeration trailer (reefer) truck power unit controller employs a plurality of power sources including a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio for increasing idle speed power generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The controller is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: ENOW, INC.Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
-
Patent number: 9321352Abstract: An integrated truck and trailer power system comprises auxiliary power generation and storage devices mounted on a trailer, such as an array of solar panels mounted on the roof of the trailer and a storage battery mounted on the trailer, and switching devices for controlling flow of power there between and to an electrically powered HVAC system of the truck, whereby the truck can be maintained at a comfortable temperature by supply of power stored by the auxiliary power storage device.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Arpin Renewable Energy, LLCInventors: Philip R. Pierce, Peter Arpin, Norman Cook, Jay Johnson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Gary T. Wenger
-
Publication number: 20150353036Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
-
Publication number: 20150246593Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including: a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, in which the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2015Publication date: September 3, 2015Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher