Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Kenney
Kevin L. Kenney 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: 20190087711Abstract: Adaptive control systems and methods of using the same to control aspects of material processing systems are described. The adaptive control systems may incorporate techniques that use heuristic modeling, and apply those techniques to control processing of biomass feedstock.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Kevin L. Kenney, Matthew O. Anderson, David P. Pace, Neal A. Yancey, Milos Manic, Kasun Amarasinghe, Daniel Leonardo Marino
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Patent number: 8469784Abstract: A system for controlling a grain combine having a rotor/cylinder, a sieve, a fan, a concave, a feeder, a header, an engine, and a control system. The feeder of the grain combine is engaged and the header is lowered. A separator loss target, engine load target, and a sieve loss target are selected. Grain is harvested with the lowered header passing the grain through the engaged feeder. Separator loss, sieve loss, engine load and ground speed of the grain combine are continuously monitored during the harvesting. If the monitored separator loss exceeds the selected separator loss target, the speed of the rotor/cylinder, the concave setting, the engine load target, or a combination thereof is adjusted. If the monitored sieve loss exceeds the selected sieve loss target, the speed of the fan, the size of the sieve openings, or the engine load target is adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, James R. Lucas, Marvin A. Prickel
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Patent number: 7918721Abstract: A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream may include an air plenum borne by a harvesting device, and have a first, intake end and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams that are formed by the harvesting device and that travel, at least in part, along the air plenum and in a direction of the second, exhaust end; and a baffle assembly that is located in partially occluding relation relative to the air plenum and that substantially separates the first and second particulate residue air streams.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2010Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, Christopher T. Wright, J. Richard Hess
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Publication number: 20100222120Abstract: A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream may include a plenum borne by a harvesting device, and have a first, intake end and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams which are formed by the harvesting device and which travel, at least in part, along the plenum and in a direction of the second, exhaust end; and a baffle assembly which is located in partially occluding relation relative to the plenum, and which substantially separates the first and second particulate residue air streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2010Publication date: September 2, 2010Applicant: BATTELLE ENERGY ALLIANCE, LLCInventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, Christopher T. Wright, John R. Hess
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Patent number: 7744450Abstract: A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream may include a plenum borne by a harvesting device, and have a first, intake end and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams which are formed by the harvesting device and which travel, at least in part, along the plenum and in a direction of the second, exhaust end; and a baffle assembly which is located in partially occluding relation relative to the plenum, and which substantially separates the first and second particulate residue air streams.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLCInventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, Christopher T. Wright, John R. Hess
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Publication number: 20080081680Abstract: A particulate residue separator and a method for separating a particulate residue stream is shown and described and which includes a plenum borne by a harvesting device, and having a first, intake end, and a second, exhaust end; first and second particulate residue air streams which are formed by the harvesting device and which travel, at least in part, along the plenum and in the direction of the second end; and a baffle assembly which is located in partially occluding relation relative to the plenum, and which substantially separates the particulate residue air streams.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, Christopher T. Wright, John R. Hess
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Patent number: 7311013Abstract: A complex pendulum system biomass sensor having a plurality of pendulums. The plurality of pendulums allow the system to detect a biomass height and density. Each pendulum has an angular deflection sensor and a deflector at a unique height. The pendulums are passed through the biomass and readings from the angular deflection sensors are fed into a control system. The control system determines whether adjustment of machine settings is appropriate and either displays an output to the operator, or adjusts automatically adjusts the machine settings, such as the speed, at which the pendulums are passed through the biomass. In an alternate embodiment, an entanglement sensor is also passed through the biomass to determine the amount of biomass entanglement. This measure of entanglement is also fed into the control system.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: U.S. Department of EnergyInventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Kevin L. Kenney, Ben C. Perrenoud
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Publication number: 20070271002Abstract: A control system for controlling and coordinating a plurality of moving machines includes a global coordinator; a first subsystem controlled by the global coordinator, the first subsystem including a plurality of automated moving machines, the machines including sensors and actuators, including actuators for automated guidance and movement; and a local control system, under guidance of the global coordinator coupled to the sensors and actuators of one of the machines and configured to control automated functions for the machine, including automated guidance and movement; and an intelligent communications system configured to allow communications between the first subsystem and the global coordinator or a second subsystem.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2006Publication date: November 22, 2007Inventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, Matthew O. Anderson, Mark D. McKay, Kevin L. Kenney
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Patent number: 6729951Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively harvesting multiple components of a plant material. A grain component is separated from the plant material such as by processing the plant material through a primary threshing and separating mechanism. At least one additional component of the plant material is selectively harvested such as by subjecting the plant material to a secondary threshing and separating mechanism. For example, the stems of a plant material may be broken at a location adjacent one or more nodes thereof with the nodes and the internodal stem portions being subsequently separated for harvesting. The at least one additional component (e.g., the internodal stems) may then be consolidated and packaged for subsequent use or processing. The harvesting of the grain and of the at least one additional component may occur within a single harvesting machine, for example, during a single pass over a crop field.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Bechtel Bwxt Idaho, LLCInventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, J. Richard Hess, Kevin L. Kenney, John M. Svoboda, Thomas D. Foust
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Publication number: 20030186730Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively harvesting multiple components of a plant material. A grain component is separated from the plant material such as by processing the plant material through a primary threshing and separating mechanism. At least one additional component of the plant material is selectively harvested such as by subjecting the plant material to a secondary threshing and separating mechanism. For example, the stems of a plant material may be broken at a location adjacent one or more nodes thereof with the nodes and the internodal stem portions being subsequently separated for harvesting. The at least one additional component (e.g., the internodal stems) may then be consolidated and packaged for subsequent use or processing. The harvesting of the grain and of the at least one additional component may occur within a single harvesting machine, for example, during a single pass over a crop field.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Reed L. Hoskinson, J. Richard Hess, Kevin L. Kenney, John M. Svoboda, Thomas D. Foust
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Patent number: 6236017Abstract: Apparatus for determining a quality of a weld produced by a welding device according to the present invention includes a sensor operatively associated with the welding device. The sensor is responsive to at least one welding process parameter during a welding process and produces a welding process parameter signal that relates to the at least one welding process parameter. A computer connected to the sensor is responsive to the welding process parameter signal produced by the sensor. A user interface operatively associated with the computer allows a user to select a desired welding process. The computer processes the welding process parameter signal produced by the sensor in accordance with one of a constant voltage algorithm, a short duration weld algorithm or a pulsed current analysis module depending on the desired welding process selected by the user. The computer produces output data indicative of the quality of the weld.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1999Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Bechtel BWXT Idaho, LLCInventors: Herschel B. Smartt, Kevin L. Kenney, John A. Johnson, Nancy M. Carlson, Denis E. Clark, Paul L. Taylor, Edward W. Reutzel