Patents by Inventor Keith Ronald Folken
Keith Ronald Folken 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: 8942942Abstract: A controller for a generator set is disclosed. The controller may have a memory module having stored therein calibration factors associated with an offset error, a scale error, and a time delay error, and a processor module in communication with the memory module. The processor module may be configured to monitor at least one parameter of electric power directed from the generator set to a load, detect connection of the generator set to the load, and determine adjustments to the calibration factors after connection of the generator set to the load based on a comparison of the at least one parameter monitored by the processor module and measured at the load.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Keith Ronald Folken, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Matthew Joseph Meinhart
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Patent number: 8604630Abstract: A power distribution system is disclosed. The power distribution system may have a generator, a first load interruption device associated with the generator, and a load powered by the generator. The power distribution system may also have a second load interruption device associated with the load, and a generator controller. The generator controller may be configured to control the generator, determine existence of a fault condition associated with electric service between the generator and the load, and selectively activate the second load interruption device based on the determination. The generator controller may be further configured to determine if activation of the second load interruption device isolated the fault condition, and selectively activate the first load interruption device when activation of the second load interruption device fails to isolate the fault condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Keith Ronald Folken
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Patent number: 8519565Abstract: A control system is provided for use with a plurality of generator sets. The control system may have at least one load discrete signal cable, a ramping discrete signal cable, a switching device, and a control module associated with a first of the plurality of generator sets. The control module may be configured to detect a signal on the at least one load discrete signal cable generated by a second of the plurality of generator sets indicative of a load on the second of the plurality of generator sets, and to activate the switching device to implement an operational status change of the first of the plurality of generator sets based on the detection. The control module may also be configured to generate a signal on the ramping discrete signal cable to inhibit others of the plurality of generator sets from changing operational status during the operational status change of the first of the plurality of generator sets.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Chad Eric Dozier, Edward Maurer Schroeder, Matthew Lee Wagner, Matthew Joseph Meinhart, Keith Ronald Folken, Joydip Chakravarty, Douglas William Fisher
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Patent number: 8478550Abstract: A calibration system for a generator set controller is disclosed. The calibration system may have a source of electric power, a controller in communication with the source and configured to monitor a parameter of the electric power and produce at least one output corresponding to the monitored parameter, and a power meter configured to measure the parameter of the electric power. The calibration system may also have a processor in communication with the source of electric power, the controller, and the power meter. The processor may be configured to direct electric power having a first test voltage from the source to the controller, and directly relate a value of the at least one output corresponding to the first test voltage and a value of the measured parameter to an offset error.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Keith Ronald Folken, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Matthew Joseph Meinhart
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Publication number: 20120310580Abstract: A controller for a generator set is disclosed. The controller may have a memory module having stored therein calibration factors associated with an offset error, a scale error, and a time delay error, and a processor module in communication with the memory module. The processor module may be configured to monitor at least one parameter of electric power directed from the generator set to a load, detect connection of the generator set to the load, and determine adjustments to the calibration factors after connection of the generator set to the load based on a comparison of the at least one parameter monitored by the processor module and measured at the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Inventors: Keith Ronald Folken, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Matthew Joseph Meinhart
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Publication number: 20120019000Abstract: A calibration system for a generator set controller is disclosed. The calibration system may have a source of electric power, a controller in communication with the source and configured to monitor a parameter of the electric power and produce at least one output corresponding to the monitored parameter, and a power meter configured to measure the parameter of the electric power. The calibration system may also have a processor in communication with the source of electric power, the controller, and the power meter. The processor may be configured to direct electric power having a first test voltage from the source to the controller, and directly relate a value of the at least one output corresponding to the first test voltage and a value of the measured parameter to an offset error.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventors: Keith Ronald FOLKEN, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Matthew Joseph Meinhart
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Publication number: 20110291411Abstract: A power distribution system is disclosed. The power distribution system may have a generator, a first load interruption device associated with the generator, and a load powered by the generator. The power distribution system may also have a second load interruption device associated with the load, and a generator controller. The generator controller may be configured to control the generator, determine existence of a fault condition associated with electric service between the generator and the load, and selectively activate the second load interruption device based on the determination. The generator controller may be further configured to determine if activation of the second load interruption device isolated the fault condition, and selectively activate the first load interruption device when activation of the second load interruption device fails to isolate the fault condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2011Publication date: December 1, 2011Inventor: Keith Ronald FOLKEN
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Patent number: 7619324Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The power system may have a plurality of generator sets and a power line. The method may include commanding a plurality of the generator sets that are disconnected from the power line to start generating electricity. The method may also include supplying to a control device acting as a coordinating control unit information about the operating state of each of the plurality of generator sets commanded to start generating electricity. Additionally, the method may include determining with the coordinating control unit which of the plurality of generator sets has become ready to supply electricity to the power line first. The method may also include initiating supply of electricity to the power line by first connecting to the power line the generator set that the coordinating control unit has determined to be the first ready to supply electricity.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Keith Ronald Folken, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Julie Lynn Boley, James Dean McBurney, Andrew William Black, David Lee Zwetz, II, Stephen Charles Nofsinger
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Publication number: 20080179959Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The power system may have a plurality of generator sets and a power line. The method may include commanding a plurality of the generator sets that are disconnected from the power line to start generating electricity. The method may also include supplying to a control device acting as a coordinating control unit information about the operating state of each of the plurality of generator sets commanded to start generating electricity. Additionally, the method may include determining with the coordinating control unit which of the plurality of generator sets has become ready to supply electricity to the power line first. The method may also include initiating supply of electricity to the power line by first connecting to the power line the generator set that the coordinating control unit has determined to be the first ready to supply electricity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Keith Ronald Folken, Michael Allen Dvorsky, Julie Lynn Boley, James Dean McBurney, Andrew William Black, David Lee Zwetz, Stephen Charles Nofsinger