Patents by Inventor Justin H. Sanders
Justin H. Sanders 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: 20240110525Abstract: A system for determining properties of fuel supplied to an internal combustion (IC) engine and for adjusting operations of the IC engine based on the determined properties. The system includes an air-flow throttle configured to control the air supplied to the IC engine; a fuel-flow throttle configured to control the fuel supplied to the IC engine; and an engine control module (ECM) configured to receive readings from and control operation of the throttles. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel-air determination program where the ECM determines a percent-error air-to-fuel ratio (AF) based on a true AF ratio compared to an ideal AF ratio. The ECM is configured to perform a fuel property determination and adjustment program in which the ECM is configured to adjust operations of the IC engine based on a fuel property value determined using the percent-error AF ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2022Publication date: April 4, 2024Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole, Chad Stovell, Timothy J. Barton
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Publication number: 20240044305Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Michael W. Walser, Randall W. Walser, Christopher M. Cole, Justin H. Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: 11859568Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor including a mass-flow-air throttle and a mass-flow-gas throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties, such as British Thermal Unit (BTU) content, can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2021Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole, Chad Stovell
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Patent number: 11788478Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of the gaseous supplies (fuel and/or air) to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's ECM, especially for large (i.e., 30 liters or greater in size) spark-ignited internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with tight control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are innovatively suited to be used for both MFG and MFA throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control even despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2023Date of Patent: October 17, 2023Assignee: ECONTROLS, LLCInventors: Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: 11781508Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: 11668256Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of gaseous supplies of fuel and/or air to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's engine control module (ECM), especially for large spark-ignited internal combustion engines. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are suited to be used for both mass-flow gas (MFG) and mass-flow air (MFA) throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow. The throttle, in combination with the sensors and ECM, enable detection of backfire events, with the throttle system further being enabled to take operative measures to prevent damage to the throttle components resulting from a backfire event.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole
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Publication number: 20230148398Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of the gaseous supplies (fuel and/or air) to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's ECM, especially for large (i.e., 30 liters or greater in size) spark-ignited internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with tight control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are innovatively suited to be used for both MFG and MFA throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control even despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: May 11, 2023Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, Kennon Guglielmo
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Publication number: 20230116609Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic calibration of large industrial engines in applications where the quality of the fuel supply is unknown and/or variable over time, particularly engines that drive compressors on a natural gas well site. A combination of throttles and an oxygen sensor including a mass-flow-air throttle and a mass-flow-gas throttle to determine the mass flow of air and mass flow of gas. As a response to exhaust gas oxygen level readings, the mass flow measurements are used to determine real time air-fuel ratios. An algorithm uses the air-fuel ratios as input data, wherein a microcontroller adjusts the throttles to meet engine performance demands. Additionally, using the air-fuel ratio data and suggested engine OEM calibration specifications as block multiplier inputs, particular fuel properties, such as British Thermal Unit (BTU) content, can be accurately interpolated, thereby enabling automatic calibration of the engine .Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2021Publication date: April 13, 2023Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole, Chad Stovell
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Patent number: 11578670Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of the gaseous supplies (fuel and/or air) to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's ECM, especially for large (i.e., 30 liters or greater in size) spark-ignited internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with tight control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are innovatively suited to be used for both MFG and MFA throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control even despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Justin H Sanders, Kennon Guglielmo, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale
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Publication number: 20220209320Abstract: A lithium-ion battery assembly configured to provide electric power to a vehicle. The battery assembly includes a plurality of battery cells interconnected to provide a combined electrical potential between positive and negative terminals of the battery assembly, and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) disposed adjacent to a first array of battery cells of the plurality of battery cells. The PCBA includes a collector plate electrically coupled with the first array of battery cells, a temperature sensor configured to obtain temperature readings, a plurality of heaters configured to generate heat using electrical power, and an assembly processor. The assembly processor is configured to obtain readings from the temperature sensor, determine an estimated battery cell temperature, and initiate a heating program by delivering electrical power to the plurality of heaters from an electrical power source when the estimated battery cell temperature is below a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2022Publication date: June 30, 2022Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon H. Guglielmo, Jason S. Souder, Brent C. Ludwig, Matthew J. Martin, Justin H. Sanders
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Publication number: 20220136451Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of gaseous supplies of fuel and/or air to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's engine control module (ECM), especially for large spark-ignited internal combustion engines. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are suited to be used for both mass-flow gas (MFG) and mass-flow air (MFA) throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow. The throttle, in combination with the sensors and ECM, enable detection of backfire events, with the throttle system further being enabled to take operative measures to prevent damage to the throttle components resulting from a backfire event.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2020Publication date: May 5, 2022Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Justin H. Sanders, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale, James Cole
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Publication number: 20220099049Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2021Publication date: March 31, 2022Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Michael W. Walser, Randall W. Walser, Christopher M. Cole, Justin H. Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: 11105299Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2019Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
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Publication number: 20200408155Abstract: A mass-flow throttle for highly accurate control of the gaseous supplies (fuel and/or air) to the combustion chambers for a large engine in response to instantaneous demand signals from the engine's ECM, especially for large (i.e., 30 liters or greater in size) spark-ignited internal combustion engines fueled by natural gas. With a unitary block assembly and a throttle blade driven by a non-articulated rotary actuator shaft, in combination with tight control circuitry including multiple pressure sensors as well as sensors for temperature and throttle position, the same basic throttle concepts are innovatively suited to be used for both MFG and MFA throttles in industrial applications, to achieve highly accurate mass-flow control even despite pressure fluctuations while operating in non-choked flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2019Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Justin H Sanders, Kennon Guglielmo, Michael T. Hambidge, Timothy J. Westerdale
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Publication number: 20190293027Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2019Publication date: September 26, 2019Applicant: EControls, LLCInventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: 10316797Abstract: Methods and systems for accurate and precise fuel supply control for continuous-flow of gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine over a large dynamic power range, including a dual-stage valve that allows optimal control—a first stage in the form of a voice-coil driven electronic pressure regulator, and a second stage in the form of a voice-coil-driven choked-flow valve; monitoring the pressure of the fuel intermediate the two stages and making appropriate adjustments to the first stage via a pressure actuator loop; feeding the gaseous fuel mixture through a unitary block assembly into the second stage; monitoring the pressure of the air/fuel mixture and making appropriate adjustments to the second stage via a valve actuator control loop.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Christopher M Cole, Justin H Sanders, Joseph Grogan, Kenneth Shouse, Kennon Guglielmo
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Patent number: D882634Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Justin H Sanders
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Patent number: D894162Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2018Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: FW Murphy Production Controls, LLCInventors: J. Michael Carroll, Justin H. Sanders, Trevor M. Harper
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Patent number: D918265Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Kennon Guglielmo, Michael W Walser, Randall W Walser, Justin H Sanders
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Patent number: D987685Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2020Date of Patent: May 30, 2023Assignee: EControls, LLCInventors: Justin H. Sanders, Randall W. Walser, Thomas Branyon