Patents by Inventor Larry J. Brackney

Larry J. Brackney 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: 9456183
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting occupants in a building automation system environment using image based occupancy detection and position determinations. In one example, the system includes an image processing occupancy sensor that detects the number and position of occupants within a space that has controllable building elements such as lighting and ventilation diffusers. Based on the position and location of the occupants, the system can finely control the elements to optimize conditions for the occupants, optimize energy usage, among other advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Brackney
  • Patent number: 8830267
    Abstract: A method (700) for providing an augmented reality operations tool to a mobile client (642) positioned in a building (604). The method (700) includes, with a server (660), receiving (720) from the client (642) an augmented reality request for building system equipment (612) managed by an energy management system (EMS) (620). The method (700) includes transmitting (740) a data request for the equipment (612) to the EMS (620) and receiving (750) building management data (634) for the equipment (612). The method (700) includes generating (760) an overlay (656) with an object created based on the building management data (634), which may be sensor data, diagnostic procedures, or the like. The overlay (656) is configured for concurrent display on a display screen (652) of the client (642) with a real-time image of the building equipment (612). The method (700) includes transmitting (770) the overlay (656) to the client (642).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Brackney
  • Patent number: 8322129
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an exhaust temperature for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method and system include determining a range of acceptable charge flows within the internal combustion engine to meet a desired exhaust temperature. The method and system further include controlling the charge flows to fall within the range. Control strategies to utilize the charge flow as a lever to control turbine outlet temperature are disclosed. These strategies utilize the inversion of the cylinder outlet temperature virtual sensor as well as a new turbine outlet temperature virtual sensor to determine the charge flow required to achieve the desired turbine outlet temperature given the current turbine inlet and outlet pressure, SOI, charge pressure, charge temperature, fueling, and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Jennifer W. Rumsey, Larry J. Brackney, B. Jerry Song, J. Steve Wills, John N. Chi, John M. Mulloy
  • Publication number: 20110115816
    Abstract: A method (700) for providing an augmented reality operations tool to a mobile client (642) positioned in a building (604). The method (700) includes, with a server (660), receiving (720) from the client (642) an augmented reality request for building system equipment (612) managed by an energy management system (EMS) (620). The method (700) includes transmitting (740) a data request for the equipment (612) to the EMS (620) and receiving (750) building management data (634) for the equipment (612). The method (700) includes generating (760) an overlay (656) with an object created based on the building management data (634), which may be sensor data, diagnostic procedures, or the like. The overlay (656) is configured for concurrent display on a display screen (652) of the client (642) with a real-time image of the building equipment (612). The method (700) includes transmitting (770) the overlay (656) to the client (642) for display with the real-time image of the equipment (612).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
    Inventor: Larry J. Brackney
  • Publication number: 20110115910
    Abstract: A system and method of detecting occupants in a building automation system environment using image based occupancy detection and position determinations. In one example, the system includes an image processing occupancy sensor that detects the number and position of occupants within a space that has controllable building elements such as lighting and ventilation diffusers. Based on the position and location of the occupants, the system can finely control the elements to optimize conditions for the occupants, optimize energy usage, among other advantages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Applicant: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventor: Larry J. Brackney
  • Patent number: 7725199
    Abstract: A control framework generates control parameters for controlling operation of a physical system, and includes one or more embedded models each producing a model output corresponding to a different operating parameter of the system as a function of one or more system operating conditions and/or a number of solution parameters, objective logic producing a scalar performance metric as a function of the number model outputs and of one or more system performance target values, objective optimization logic determining a number of unconstrained solution parameters in a manner that minimizes the scalar performance metric, and solution constraining logic determining the number of solution parameters from the number of unconstrained solution parameters in a manner that limits an operating range of at least one of the unconstrained solution parameters. The control parameters may correspond to one of the number of unconstrained solution parameters or to the number of solution parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventor: Larry J. Brackney
  • Patent number: 7463962
    Abstract: A method for determining a shift point strategy in a hybrid vehicle includes providing at least two power sources, selectively coupling the two or more power sources to a hybrid vehicle transmission, defining an input shaft speed for best acceleration, defining an input shaft speed for best fuel economy, determining driver intent compared to the best acceleration and the best fuel economy, and setting a shift point of the hybrid vehicle transmission based, at least in part, on the driver intent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: George A. Brunemann, Larry J. Brackney
  • Patent number: 6954693
    Abstract: A system for controlling exhaust emissions produced by an internal combustion engine includes an engine controller having an emission manager configured to produce a base emission level cap command, corresponding to a maximum allowable emission level of the engine, as a function of at least altitude and ambient temperature. The emission manager may also include one or more auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs), and the emission manager is further operable in such cases to determine a maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. A final emission level cap command is determined as a function of the base emission level cap command and the maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. The emission manager is further operable to produce a protection state data structure that includes information relating to the operational status of each AECD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, George A. Brunemann
  • Patent number: 6907870
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6837227
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for estimating the mass flow of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine via an EGR conduit disposed therebetween and a fraction of EGR attributable to a mass of charge flow entering the intake manifold. An engine controller is responsive to current values of various combinations of the engine exhaust temperature (ETE), intake manifold pressure (IMP), differential pressure (?P) across an EGR valve, and EGR valve position (EGRP) to determine an estimate of EGR mass flow. The controller is further operable to estimate EGR fraction as a function of the estimated EGR mass flow value, mass flow of charge entering the intake manifold, and engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Salim A. Jaliwala, Paul R. Miller, Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Chuan He, George Brunemann, John F. Wright, Stephen J. Charlton
  • Publication number: 20040186655
    Abstract: A system for controlling exhaust emissions produced by an internal combustion engine includes an engine controller having an emission manager configured to produce a base emission level cap command, corresponding to a maximum allowable emission level of the engine, as a function of at least altitude and ambient temperature. The emission manager may also include one or more auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs), and the emission manager is further operable in such cases to determine a maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. A final emission level cap command is determined as a function of the base emission level cap command and the maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. The emission manager is further operable to produce a protection state data structure that includes information relating to the operational status of each AECD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, George A. Brunemann
  • Publication number: 20040149255
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Patent number: 6725847
    Abstract: A system for protecting an internal combustion engine employing cooled recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from excessive condensation includes an auxiliary emission control device (AECD) operable to determine when engine operating conditions correspond to a condensing condition resulting in condensation of water at the outlet of the EGR cooler and/or within the intake manifold or intake conduit of the engine. When such conditions occur, the AECD is operable to close the EGR valve and monitor engine operating conditions. When engine operating conditions no longer correspond to the condensing condition, control of the EGR valve is restored to an air handling system associated with the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: George Brunemann, Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, B. Jerry Song, Michael G. Barbieri, Matthew M. Lipinski, Wayne Eberhard
  • Patent number: 6718251
    Abstract: A system for controlling exhaust emissions produced by an internal combustion engine includes an engine controller having an emission manager configured to produce a base emission level cap command, corresponding to a maximum allowable emission level of the engine, as a function of at least altitude and ambient temperature. The emission manager may also include one or more auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs), and the emission manager is further operable in such cases to determine a maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. A final emission level cap command is determined as a function of the base emission level cap command and the maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. The emission manager is further operable to produce a protection state data structure that includes information relating to the operational status of each AECD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, George A. Brunemann
  • Patent number: 6705301
    Abstract: A combustion manager portion of an engine controller is responsive to ambient air density and engine temperature signals to schedule charge flow and EGR fraction commands. The combustion manager includes a data structure determination block operable to select an appropriate engine speed/engine fueling data structure based on air density and engine temperature information as well as on desired emissions level and engine operating state (i.e., steady state or transient) information. Charge flow and EGR fraction determination blocks are, in turn, responsive to current engine speed and engine fueling information to produce compute the EGR fraction and charge flow commands as a function of the selected engine speed/engine fueling data structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Larry J. Brackney, George A. Brunemann, Steve Charlton
  • Patent number: 6684849
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030192516
    Abstract: A system for protecting an internal combustion engine employing cooled recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from excessive condensation includes an auxiliary emission control device (AECD) operable to determine when engine operating conditions correspond to a condensing condition resulting in condensation of water at the outlet of the EGR cooler and/or within the intake manifold or intake conduit of the engine. When such conditions occur, the AECD is operable to close the EGR valve and monitor engine operating conditions. When engine operating conditions no longer correspond to the condensing condition, control of the EGR valve is restored to an air handling system associated with the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: George Brunemann, Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, B. Jerry Song, Michael G. Barbieri, Matthew M. Lipinski, Wayne Eberhard
  • Publication number: 20030168037
    Abstract: A multi-mode internal combustion engine and method of operating the engine is provided which is capable of operating in a variety of modes based on engine operating conditions to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. The multi-mode engine include a fuel delivery system and control system for permitting the engine to operate in a diesel mode, a homogeneous charge dual fuel transition mode, a spark ignition or liquid spark ignition mode and/or a premixed charge compression ignition mode. The control system and method permits the engine operation to transfer between the various modes in an effective and efficient manner by controlling one or more fuel delivery devices or other engine components so as to move along a continuous transfer path while maintaining engine torque at a substantially constant level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Axel O. zur Loye, Larry J. Brackney, Cariappa M. Chenanda, Robert M. Hurst, Lester L. Peters, Patrick M. Pierz, John F. Wright
  • Publication number: 20030140906
    Abstract: A combustion manager portion of an engine controller is responsive to ambient air density and engine temperature signals to schedule charge flow and EGR fraction commands. The combustion manager includes a data structure determination block operable to select an appropriate engine speed/engine fueling data structure based on air density and engine temperature information as well as on desired emissions level and engine operating state (i.e., steady state or transient) information. Charge flow and EGR fraction determination blocks are, in turn, responsive to current engine speed and engine fueling information to produce compute the EGR fraction and charge flow commands as a function of the selected engine speed/engine fueling data structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas A. Dollmeyer, Larry J. Brackney, George A. Brunemann
  • Publication number: 20030144788
    Abstract: A system for controlling exhaust emissions produced by an internal combustion engine includes an engine controller having an emission manager configured to produce a base emission level cap command, corresponding to a maximum allowable emission level of the engine, as a function of at least altitude and ambient temperature. The emission manager may also include one or more auxiliary emission control devices (AECDs), and the emission manager is further operable in such cases to determine a maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. A final emission level cap command is determined as a function of the base emission level cap command and the maximum allowable emission level associated with each active AECD. The emission manager is further operable to produce a protection state data structure that includes information relating to the operational status of each AECD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Larry J. Brackney, Thomas A. Dollmeyer, George A. Brunemann