Patents by Inventor Mark D. Leasure

Mark D. Leasure 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).

  • Publication number: 20220314741
    Abstract: A method of remotely managing a transport climate control system (TCCS) includes a remote management device receiving performance data from the TCCS. The performance data based on one or more detected operating parameters of the climate control circuit. The method also including the remote management device providing the performance data to one or more user devices. A remote management system includes a remote management device configured to receive performance data for a climate control circuit from a climate controller of a TCCS and to provide the performance data to one or more user devices. A TCCS includes a controller configured to: generate performance data based on the one or more detected operating parameters of a climate control circuit, and transmit the performance data to a remote monitoring device. The climate controller also configured to receive an operating instruction from the remote monitoring device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Tony Spetz, Matthew Srnec, Mark D. Leasure
  • Patent number: 11458802
    Abstract: An optimized power converter for use in a transport electrical system that provides power to a transport climate control system is provided. The optimized power converter includes an optimized DC/DC converter and an inverter/active rectifier. The optimized DC/DC converter is only boosts a voltage level when current is directed from a rechargeable energy storage to the inverter/active rectifier and only bucks a voltage level when current is directed from the inverter/active rectifier to the rechargeable energy storage. In a charging mode, the inverter/active rectifier converts three phase AC power into DC power, and the optimized power converter bucks the DC power to a voltage level that is acceptable for charging the rechargeable energy storage. In a discharge mode, the optimized DC/DC converter boosts voltage from the rechargeable energy storage, and the inverter/active rectifier converts boosted DC power into three phase AC power for powering a transport climate control system load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Marcelo Andrade Dias, Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Mark D. Leasure, Vikram Madineni, Alexander Iglizn, Matthias Gorski
  • Patent number: 11420495
    Abstract: An interface system for connecting a vehicle and a transport climate control system (TCCS) is disclosed. The interface system includes a two-way communication interface that connects a vehicle electrical system (VES) controller and a TCCS controller. The interface system also includes a power interface that connects a vehicle energy source of the VES to the TCCS and a TCCS energy source of the TCCS to the VES. The two-way communication interface is configured to distribute a TCCS status from the TCCS controller to the VES controller, and is configured to distribute a VES status from the VES controller to the TCCS controller. The power interface is configured to distribute power from the vehicle energy source to the TCCS when a VES instruction is received, and distribute power from the TCCS energy source to the VES when a TCCS instruction is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Mark D. Leasure, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Michael James Vanous, Matthew Srnec, Wallace Stephen Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20220105807
    Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) for use with an electrically powered accessory is disclosed. The PDU includes at least one power input configured to receive electrical power from an electrical supply equipment and/or a second power source. The PDU also includes an accessory power interface configured to provide power to the electrically powered accessory. The PDU further includes a vehicle power interface configured to provide power to a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle. Also the PDU includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the at least one power input to a power bus, and selectively connect the power bus to at least one of the accessory power interface and the vehicle power interface. The PDU also includes a controller configured to control the at least one switch to provide power to the electrically powered accessory and/or the vehicle electrical storage device of the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Mark D. Leasure, Michael James Vanous
  • Publication number: 20220088997
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing predictive energy consumption feedback for powering a transport climate control system. This can include determining whether an energy level of an energy storage source is greater than an expected energy consumption of a transport climate control system during a route, based on route parameters. The route parameters may be obtained via a human-machine interface. When the energy storage source is less than the expected energy consumption, a user is alerted. The systems and methods may further compare the energy level to an expected energy level during transit to determine if the energy level is greater or less than expected and alert the user when the energy level is less than expected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Casey BRISCOE, Grant A. BAUMGARDNER, Wallace Stephen HUBBARD, Mark D. LEASURE, Ryan Wayne SCHUMACHER, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Matthew SRNEC, Philip Lewis LAVRICH
  • Publication number: 20220090924
    Abstract: A method for notifying and mitigating a suboptimal event occurring in a transport climate control system that provides climate control to a climate controlled space of a transport unit is provided. The method includes monitoring an amount of power available for powering the transport climate control system, monitoring a power demand from the transport climate control system, and accessing operational data of the transport climate control system and the transport unit. The method also includes a controller determining whether a suboptimal event is detected based on one or more of the monitored amount of power available, the monitored power demand and the accessed operational data. Also, the method includes the controller generating a notification when a suboptimal event is detected, and the controller instructing the generated notification to be displayed on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne SCHUMACHER, Mark D. LEASURE, Casey BRISCOE, Matthew SRNEC, Philip Lewis LAVRICH, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Wallace Stephen HUBBARD, Grant A. BAUMGARDNER
  • Publication number: 20220080806
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing energy consumption feedback for powering a transport climate control system using external data. This can include determining whether an energy level of an energy storage source is greater than an expected energy consumption of a transport climate control system during a route, based on route parameters and route conditions. The route conditions may be obtained from a source such as a remote server, and include data such as weather data, traffic data, or the like. The systems and methods may further compare current energy levels to an updated predictions of energy consumption during transit to determine if the energy level is sufficient to complete the route and alert the user when the energy level is insufficient to complete the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Philip Lewis LAVRICH, Mark D. LEASURE, Casey BRISCOE, Grant A. BAUMGARDNER, Ryan Wayne SCHUMACHER, Wallace Stephen HUBBARD, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Matthew SRNEC
  • Publication number: 20220080803
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing feedback for a transport climate control system are disclosed. The transport climate control system provides climate control to a climate controlled space of a transport unit. The method includes determining, by a controller, a first energy level state capable of providing power to the transport climate control system. The method also includes obtaining, by the controller, status data when a predetermined triggering event occurs. The method further includes determining, by the controller, a second energy level state capable of providing power to the transport climate control system after a predetermined time interval. Also the method includes determining energy consumption data based on the first energy level state and the second energy level state. The method further includes combining the status data and the energy consumption data to obtain feedback data. The method also includes displaying, via a display device, the feedback data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Philip Lewis LAVRICH, Casey BRISCOE, Mark D. LEASURE, Ryan Wayne SCHUMACHER, Grant A. BAUMGARDNER, Wallace Stephen HUBBARD, Panayu Robert SRICHAI, Matthew SRNEC
  • Patent number: 11203262
    Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) for use with an electrically powered accessory is disclosed. The PDU includes at least one power input configured to receive electrical power from an electrical supply equipment and/or a second power source. The PDU also includes an accessory power interface configured to provide power to the electrically powered accessory. The PDU further includes a vehicle power interface configured to provide power to a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle. Also the PDU includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the at least one power input to a power bus, and selectively connect the power bus to at least one of the accessory power interface and the vehicle power interface. The PDU also includes a controller configured to control the at least one switch to provide power to the electrically powered accessory and/or the vehicle electrical storage device of the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Mark D. Leasure, Michael James Vanous
  • Publication number: 20210285780
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a transport climate control system of a vehicle are provided. The method includes obtaining a state of charge of an energy storage device capable of providing power to the transport climate control system; determining an energy level including the state of charge, receiving a planned route for the vehicle, and receiving route status data associated with the planned route for the vehicle. The route status data includes traffic data, weather data, and/or geographic data identifying areas where the transport climate control system is to be solely powered by the energy storage device. The method further includes determining whether the energy level is sufficient to complete the planned route for the vehicle based on the planned route and the route data, and when the energy level is not sufficient to complete the planned route for the vehicle, providing a notification to a user via a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew SRNEC, Wallace HUBBARD, Michael James VANOUS, Mark D. LEASURE, Paul J. KROES, Philip LAVRICH
  • Patent number: 11059352
    Abstract: A method for powering a vehicle powered transport climate control system is provided. The method includes determining an amount of power requested by a load of the vehicle powered transport climate control system. The method also includes determining a vehicle power amount available from a vehicle power network. Also, the method includes calculating an auxiliary power amount from an auxiliary power network to augment the vehicle power amount from the vehicle power network. Further, the method includes converting power from the vehicle power network and power from the auxiliary power network into a load power and supplying the load power to the load of the vehicle powered transport climate control system. Also, a maximum amount of vehicle power available from the vehicle power network is less than a maximum amount of power required by the load of the vehicle powered transport climate control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventor: Mark D. Leasure
  • Publication number: 20210178997
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient power management of a finite power storage unit that provides a finite amount of power to a vehicle accessory are provided. The method includes receiving an input parameter. The input parameter includes one of a desired runtime for the vehicle accessory and a desired condition setting for the vehicle accessory. The method also includes receiving an environment data. Also, the method includes a processor determining an output parameter based on the input parameter and the environment data. The output parameter includes one of an acceptable condition setting for the vehicle accessory and a predicted runtime for the vehicle accessory. Further, the method includes providing the output parameter to a display for displaying the output parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Russell L. Sanders, Mark D. Leasure, Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi, Michael James Vanous
  • Patent number: 11022451
    Abstract: Methods and systems for operating a transport climate control system of a vehicle are provided. The method includes obtaining a state of charge of an energy storage device capable of providing power to the transport climate control system; determining an energy level including the state of charge, receiving a planned route for the vehicle, and receiving route status data associated with the planned route for the vehicle. The route status data includes traffic data, weather data, and/or geographic data identifying areas where the transport climate control system is to be solely powered by the energy storage device. The method further includes determining whether the energy level is sufficient to complete the planned route for the vehicle based on the planned route and the route data, and when the energy level is not sufficient to complete the planned route for the vehicle, providing a notification to a user via a display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Srnec, Wallace Hubbard, Michael James Vanous, Mark D. Leasure, Paul J. Kroes, Philip Lavrich
  • Publication number: 20210070134
    Abstract: Technologies are described herein to prioritize delivery of power to electrical components associated with a vehicle and an electrically powered accessory. A power distribution unit may assess real-time power needs for the electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and electrical storage device of the electrically powered accessory and direct incoming power to the electrical storage system associated with the vehicle and the electrical storage device of the electrically powered accessory based on a prioritization of various factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Michael James Vanous, Mark D. Leasure, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Matt Srnec, Alessandro Silvestri
  • Publication number: 20210070139
    Abstract: An interface system for connecting a vehicle and a transport climate control system (TCCS) is disclosed. The interface system includes a two-way communication interface that connects a vehicle electrical system (VES) controller and a TCCS controller. The interface system also includes a power interface that connects a vehicle energy source of the VES to the TCCS and a TCCS energy source of the TCCS to the VES. The two-way communication interface is configured to distribute a TCCS status from the TCCS controller to the VES controller, and is configured to distribute a VES status from the VES controller to the TCCS controller. The power interface is configured to distribute power from the vehicle energy source to the TCCS when a VES instruction is received, and distribute power from the TCCS energy source to the VES when a TCCS instruction is received.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Mark D. Leasure, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Michael James Vanous, Matthew Srnec, Wallace Stephen Hubbard
  • Publication number: 20210070138
    Abstract: A power distribution unit (PDU) for use with an electrically powered accessory is disclosed. The PDU includes at least one power input configured to receive electrical power from an electrical supply equipment and/or a second power source. The PDU also includes an accessory power interface configured to provide power to the electrically powered accessory. The PDU further includes a vehicle power interface configured to provide power to a vehicle electrical system of the vehicle. Also the PDU includes at least one switch configured to selectively connect the at least one power input to a power bus, and selectively connect the power bus to at least one of the accessory power interface and the vehicle power interface. The PDU also includes a controller configured to control the at least one switch to provide power to the electrically powered accessory and/or the vehicle electrical storage device of the vehicle electrical system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Nicholas Allan Cregan, Mark D. Leasure, Michael James Vanous
  • Publication number: 20210070137
    Abstract: An optimized power converter for use in a transport electrical system that provides power to a transport climate control system is provided. The optimized power converter includes an optimized DC/DC converter and an inverter/active rectifier. The optimized DC/DC converter is only boosts a voltage level when current is directed from a rechargeable energy storage to the inverter/active rectifier and only bucks a voltage level when current is directed from the inverter/active rectifier to the rechargeable energy storage. In a charging mode, the inverter/active rectifier converts three phase AC power into DC power, and the optimized power converter bucks the DC power to a voltage level that is acceptable for charging the rechargeable energy storage. In a discharge mode, the optimized DC/DC converter boosts voltage from the rechargeable energy storage, and the inverter/active rectifier converts boosted DC power into three phase AC power for powering a transport climate control system load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Marcelo Andrade Dias, Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Mark D. Leasure, Vikram Madineni, Alexander Iglizn, Matthias Gorski
  • Patent number: 10933825
    Abstract: Methods and systems for efficient power management of a finite power storage unit that provides a finite amount of power to a vehicle accessory are provided. The method includes receiving an input parameter. The input parameter includes one of a desired runtime for the vehicle accessory and a desired condition setting for the vehicle accessory. The method also includes receiving an environment data. Also, the method includes a processor determining an output parameter based on the input parameter and the environment data. The output parameter includes one of an acceptable condition setting for the vehicle accessory and a predicted runtime for the vehicle accessory. Further, the method includes providing the output parameter to a display for displaying the output parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Russell L. Sanders, Mark D. Leasure, Srinivasa Rao Koppineedi, Michael James Vanous
  • Publication number: 20200207184
    Abstract: A method for preserving autonomous operation of a transport climate control system is provided. The method includes the controller determining whether a regulatory compliance at a current location is restricting and/or preventing the use of a prime mover for powering the transport climate control system while a transport unit is in transit. When the controller determines that use of the prime mover is not being restricted or prevented because of a regulatory compliance, the method includes operating the transport climate control system and the transport power system in an energy harvesting operation mode for storing excess power generated by the prime mover into the auxiliary energy storage. When the controller determines that use of the prime mover is being restricted or prevented because of a regulatory compliance, the method includes the controller instructing the auxiliary energy storage to provide power to the transport climate control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Inventors: Ryan Wayne Schumacher, Matthew Srnec, Michael James Vanous, Mark D. Leasure, Wallace Stephen Hubbard
  • Patent number: 10675950
    Abstract: A system and method for temperature control for a Transport Refrigeration System (TRS) is provided. Particularly, a method for temperature control of an internal space of a refrigerated transport unit is provided. The method includes determining a measured internal space temperature within the internal space of the refrigerated transport unit. The method also includes calculating, via a TRS controller, a temperature difference between the measured internal space temperature and a desired set point temperature. Also, the method includes adjusting, via the TRS controller, a duty cycle percentage of a liquid line solenoid valve and/or a hot gas solenoid valve based on the temperature difference to control an amount of refrigerant directed to the thermal expansion device and the evaporator and/or an amount of hot gas directed to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Renken, Mark D. Leasure, Duncan Thomas Lasley, Kenneth James Gleeson, Peter Van Calligan, Scott A. Munns