Patents by Inventor Joshua P. Vetter

Joshua P. Vetter 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: 20250233415
    Abstract: In one embodiment of a method of controlling a level of consumption of electrical power distributed by an electrical panel using a load control device, electrical power supplied through the electrical panel is consumed using electrical devices. A current level of the electrical power is detected using a power meter. The detected level is compared to a load limit corresponding to a percentage of a maximum continuous electrical load rating for the electrical panel. When the detected current level is less than the load limit, increasing electrical power consumption by one or more flexible loads of the electrical devices to increase the current level using a controller of the load control device. When the detected current level is greater than or equal to the load limit, decreasing electrical power consumption by the one or more flexible loads to decrease the current level using the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Paul J. Steffes, Joshua P. Vetter, Douglas Kadrmas, Brent J. Kovash
  • Patent number: 11740646
    Abstract: An energy management system includes an energy input sensor, an energy output sensor and a system controller. The energy input sensor is configured to generate at least one energy input signal indicating an energy flow to an energy storage medium of an energy storage device. The energy output sensor is configured to generate at least one energy output signal indicating an energy flow from the energy storage medium. The system controller is configured to estimate a charge level of the energy storage medium based on an initial charge level of the energy storage medium and a change in the charge level of the energy storage medium, which is based on the at least one energy input signal and the at least one energy output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Steffes, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter, Todd C. Mayer, Paul J. Steffes
  • Patent number: 11306942
    Abstract: A heat pump water heater includes a tank, a first condenser, a second condenser, a heat pump, valving and a controller. The tank includes an interior cavity, an input port and an output port. The first condenser and second condenser each include an input port and an output port. The heat pump drives a fluid in a heated state through an output. A first setting of the valving fluidically couples the heat pump output to the input port of the first condenser, and fluidically disconnects the heat pump output from the input port of the second condenser. A second setting of the valving fluidically couples the heat pump output to the input port of the second condenser, and fluidically disconnects the heat pump output from the input port of the first condenser. The controller selectively directs the valving to the first or second setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Steffes Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Paul J. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20220083088
    Abstract: An energy management system includes an energy input sensor, an energy output sensor and a system controller. The energy input sensor is configured to generate at least one energy input signal indicating an energy flow to an energy storage medium of an energy storage device. The energy output sensor is configured to generate at least one energy output signal indicating an energy flow from the energy storage medium. The system controller is configured to estimate a charge level of the energy storage medium based on an initial charge level of the energy storage medium and a change in the charge level of the energy storage medium, which is based on the at least one energy input signal and the at least one energy output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter, Todd C. Mayer, Paul J. Steffes
  • Patent number: 11209852
    Abstract: An energy management system includes an energy input sensor, an energy output sensor and a system controller. The energy input sensor is configured to generate at least one energy input signal indicating an energy flow to an energy storage medium of an energy storage device. The energy output sensor is configured to generate at least one energy output signal indicating an energy flow from the energy storage medium. The system controller is configured to estimate a charge level of the energy storage medium based on an initial charge level of the energy storage medium and a change in the charge level of the energy storage medium, which is based on the at least one energy input signal and the at least one energy output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Steffes Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter, Todd C. Mayer, Paul J. Steffes
  • Publication number: 20210041142
    Abstract: A heat pump water heater includes a tank, a first condenser, a second condenser, a heat pump, valving and a controller. The tank includes an interior cavity, an input port and an output port. The first condenser and second condenser each include an input port and an output port. The heat pump drives a fluid in a heated state through an output. A first setting of the valving fluidically couples the heat pump output to the input port of the first condenser, and fluidically disconnects the heat pump output from the input port of the second condenser. A second setting of the valving fluidically couples the heat pump output to the input port of the second condenser, and fluidically disconnects the heat pump output from the input port of the first condenser. The controller selectively directs the valving to the first or second setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Paul J. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter
  • Publication number: 20190294193
    Abstract: An energy management system includes an energy input sensor, an energy output sensor and a system controller. The energy input sensor is configured to generate at least one energy input signal indicating an energy flow to an energy storage medium of an energy storage device. The energy output sensor is configured to generate at least one energy output signal indicating an energy flow from the energy storage medium. The system controller is configured to estimate a charge level of the energy storage medium based on an initial charge level of the energy storage medium and a change in the charge level of the energy storage medium, which is based on the at least one energy input signal and the at least one energy output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Thomas P. Steffes, Austin P. Zeller, Joshua P. Vetter, Todd C. Mayer, Paul J. Steffes