Patents by Inventor Luke R. Staples

Luke R. Staples 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: 9708950
    Abstract: A genset comprises an engine; an alternator, an exhaust system, a controller, and at least one of an intake system, an EVAP system, a fuel injector, an EGR system, a SAI system and an aftertreatment system. The controller is configured to control at least a portion of the genset. The controller is in electrical communication with one or more of the alternator, the EVAP system, the EGR system, the SAI system and the aftertreatment system via communication circuitry. Furthermore, the controller is configured to: (a) receive an electrical output from the alternator via the communication circuitry, (b) determine a load on the alternator from the electrical output, which corresponds to mechanical load on the engine, and (c) generate an electrical signal configured to at least partially control operation of at least one of the EVAP system, the EGR system, the SAI system and the aftertreatment system via the communication circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Luke R. Staples, Ryan A. Becker, Nick V. Halstead, Andrew C. Walseth, Daniel D. Wilhelm
  • Publication number: 20160254768
    Abstract: A genset comprises an engine; an alternator, an exhaust system, a controller, and at least one of an intake system, an EVAP system, a fuel injector, an EGR system, a SAI system and an aftertreatment system. The controller is configured to control at least a portion of the genset. The controller is in electrical communication with one or more of the alternator, the EVAP system, the EGR system, the SAI system and the aftertreatment system via communication circuitry. Furthermore, the controller is configured to: (a) receive an electrical output from the alternator via the communication circuitry, (b) determine a load on the alternator from the electrical output, which corresponds to mechanical load on the engine, and (c) generate an electrical signal configured to at least partially control operation of at least one of the EVAP system, the EGR system, the SAI system and the aftertreatment system via the communication circuitry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Luke R. Staples, Ryan A. Becker, Nick V. Halstead, Andrew C. Walseth, Daniel D. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 9115638
    Abstract: A genset system that includes a genset assembly, an electronic fuel injection (EFI) system and an alcohol sensor and a method of controlling air-to-fuel ratio using the genset system are described. The genset assembly includes a genset engine that (1) is capable of running on at least one of gasoline and alcohol, (2) is an air-cooled engine, and (3) operates at a rich air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The EFI system includes an electronic control unit that is configured to determine a requested AFR based on the data from the alcohol sensor and the data from the air flow sensor, and based on the determined requested relative AFR, the electronic control unit is configured to actuate the fuel injector such that the fuel in an amount sufficient for obtaining an air/fuel mixture that is at the determined requested relative AFR is injected into the intake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
  • Patent number: 8322327
    Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system integrating an alcohol sensor is provided on a genset engine. The EFI system provides acceptable engine performance and efficiency when using fuels or fuel blends over a wide band and when starting from a cold state, i.e., starting the engine after the engine has not run for a relatively long period of time. The alcohol sensor enables acceptable operation while the genset engine is cold. The alcohol sensor sends data to the electronic control unit (ECU) and this data, as well as data provided by other sensors that may be available such as an air flow sensor, is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The ECU actuates the fuel injector which sends the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted. The fuel mixture, at the requested AFR, enables the engine to start and operate efficiently from a cold state even if the fuel blend has been changed from a previous operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
  • Publication number: 20110180041
    Abstract: An open or closed loop EFI system integrating an alcohol sensor is provided on a genset engine. The EFI system provides acceptable engine performance and efficiency when using fuels or fuel blends over a wide band and when starting from a cold state, i.e., starting the engine after the engine has not run for a relatively long period of time. The alcohol sensor enables acceptable operation while the genset engine is cold. The alcohol sensor sends data to the electronic control unit (ECU) and this data, as well as data provided by other sensors that may be available such as an air flow sensor, is used to determine the optimal air-to-fuel ratio (AFR). The ECU actuates the fuel injector which sends the correct amount of atomized fuel to mix with the air flow to be combusted. The fuel mixture, at the requested AFR, enables the engine to start and operate efficiently from a cold state even if the fuel blend has been changed from a previous operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
  • Publication number: 20110179779
    Abstract: An exhaust system that can improve emissions treatment by reducing certain emissions species. The exhaust system draws air into the exhaust system from an air source, when exhaust pressure decreases to a threshold so that air can enter the exhaust system. The exhaust system is in a genset engine. The air source is a pressurized air source, such as an existing fan of the genset engine. A portion of the air generated by the air source is pulled off so that it flows directly toward the exhaust system, using a one-way valve and conduit that fluidly connects the air source to the exhaust system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.
    Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Deborah A. Klinkert, Luke R. Staples, Jeffrey D. Peterson, Steven M. Swanson, Shimkiri S. Syiem, Michael J. Turbak, Aaron C. Johnson
  • Patent number: D757119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans L. Drabek, Allen B. Carney, Lowell K. Siewert, Luke R. Staples, Ryan A. Becker, Joel N. Robinson, Samuel J. Sjostrom