Patents by Inventor Kevin Pykkonen

Kevin Pykkonen 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).

  • Patent number: 9821819
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9630633
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a power bus, a locomotive, and an intercept locomotive controller. The locomotive includes a primary power unit coupled to the power bus and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit a control command to the primary power unit. The intercept locomotive controller is electrically coupled between the locomotive controller and the primary power unit and is programmed to intercept an initial locomotive control signal transmitted from the legacy locomotive controller to the primary power unit indicating an amount of locomotive power, modify the initial locomotive control signal, and transmit the modified control signal to the primary power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Kevin Pykkonen, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Karl Ginter, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Publication number: 20160236694
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9403539
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power unit coupled to the power bus, and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit control signals to the primary power unit. The locomotive assembly further includes an intercept locomotive controller programmed to receive a control signal indicating an requested amount of locomotive power from the legacy locomotive controller, allocate a portion of the requested amount of locomotive power to an auxiliary power unit, and control the auxiliary power unit to deliver the portion of the amount of locomotive power to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Kevin Pykkonen, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Karl Ginter, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Patent number: 9321467
    Abstract: A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9145149
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 9114812
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a locomotive assembly having a locomotive and an auxiliary power unit is disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes at least one locomotive having a power bus, a primary engine-generator set electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary engine-generator set. The locomotive assembly also includes an auxiliary power unit having an auxiliary engine-generator set electrically coupled to a locomotive power bus, and a first auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive a command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, and control the auxiliary engine-generator set of the auxiliary power unit to produce the desired amount of power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20150210168
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a power bus, a locomotive, and an intercept locomotive controller. The locomotive includes a primary power unit coupled to the power bus and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit a control command to the primary power unit. The intercept locomotive controller is electrically coupled between the locomotive controller and the primary power unit and is programmed to intercept an initial locomotive control signal transmitted from the legacy locomotive controller to the primary power unit indicating an amount of locomotive power, modify the initial locomotive control signal, and transmit the modified control signal to the primary power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: Kevin Pykkonen, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Karl Ginter, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Patent number: 9014884
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a power bus, a locomotive, and an intercept locomotive controller. The locomotive includes a primary power unit coupled to the power bus and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit a control command to the primary power unit. The intercept locomotive controller is electrically coupled between the locomotive controller and the primary power unit and is programmed to intercept an initial locomotive control signal transmitted from the legacy locomotive controller to the primary power unit indicating an amount of locomotive power, modify the initial locomotive control signal, and transmit the modified control signal to the primary power unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Publication number: 20140379182
    Abstract: A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8880248
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The auxiliary power unit assembly for a locomotive includes an auxiliary power unit removably coupleable to a rail car chassis. The auxiliary power unit includes a housing, and an auxiliary engine-generator set positioned within the housing. The auxiliary engine-generator set is configured to provide an auxiliary power to the locomotive. The auxiliary power unit also includes an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the auxiliary engine-generator set. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive a command and control at least one aspect of the auxiliary power unit in response to the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8855839
    Abstract: A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20140277862
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power unit coupled to the power bus, and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit control signals to the primary power unit. The locomotive assembly further includes an intercept locomotive controller programmed to receive a control signal indicating an requested amount of locomotive power from the legacy locomotive controller, allocate a portion of the requested amount of locomotive power to an auxiliary power unit, and control the auxiliary power unit to deliver the portion of the amount of locomotive power to the power bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Publication number: 20140263861
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including a legacy locomotive controller and an intercept locomotive controller and a method of controlling a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a power bus, a locomotive, and an intercept locomotive controller. The locomotive includes a primary power unit coupled to the power bus and a legacy locomotive controller programmed to transmit a control command to the primary power unit. The intercept locomotive controller is electrically coupled between the locomotive controller and the primary power unit and is programmed to intercept an initial locomotive control signal transmitted from the legacy locomotive controller to the primary power unit indicating an amount of locomotive power, modify the initial locomotive control signal, and transmit the modified control signal to the primary power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Jeffrey Orion Pritchard, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Scott Raymond Frazier
  • Publication number: 20140052316
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Patent number: 8600590
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Bright Energy Storage Technologies, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20130240678
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a locomotive assembly having a locomotive and an auxiliary power unit is disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes at least one locomotive having a power bus, a primary engine-generator set electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary engine-generator set. The locomotive assembly also includes an auxiliary power unit having an auxiliary engine-generator set electrically coupled to a locomotive power bus, and a first auxiliary controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive a command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, and control the auxiliary engine-generator set of the auxiliary power unit to produce the desired amount of power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BRIGHT ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20130245863
    Abstract: A locomotive assembly including an auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The locomotive assembly includes a locomotive having a power bus, a primary power source electrically coupled to the power bus, and a locomotive controller programmed to control the primary power source and transmit a first command signal to a power unit that is electrically coupled to the power bus. The power unit includes an auxiliary engine-generator set, a power interface electrically coupling the auxiliary engine-generate set to the power bus, and an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the locomotive controller. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive the command signal from the locomotive controller indicating a desired amount of power, control the auxiliary engine-generator set to produce at least the desired amount of power, and control the power interface to deliver the desired amount of power to the power bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BRIGHT ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20130245864
    Abstract: A fuel assembly and a method of providing fuel is disclosed. The fuel assembly includes a frame, a first fuel storage tank sized to fit within the frame and configured to store one of a liquid and a gaseous fuel, and a fuel control assembly configured to regulate delivery of the gaseous fuel to an external power unit. The fuel control assembly includes a first fuel assembly memory module having stored thereon identifying information of the interchangeable fuel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BRIGHT ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard
  • Publication number: 20130239845
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit and a method of providing auxiliary power to a locomotive are disclosed. The auxiliary power unit assembly for a locomotive includes an auxiliary power unit removably coupleable to a rail car chassis. The auxiliary power unit includes a housing, and an auxiliary engine-generator set positioned within the housing. The auxiliary engine-generator set is configured to provide an auxiliary power to the locomotive. The auxiliary power unit also includes an auxiliary controller electrically coupled to the auxiliary engine-generator set. The auxiliary controller is programmed to receive a command and control at least one aspect of the auxiliary power unit in response to the command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: BRIGHT ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLP
    Inventors: Scott Raymond Frazier, Kevin Pykkonen, Karl Ginter, Jeffrey Orion Pritchard