Patents by Inventor Nick V. Halstead
Nick V. Halstead 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: 20180163862Abstract: Systems and methods for use in controlling a hydraulically powered AC generator are provided. One control system includes a valve system. The valve system includes a fixed valve configured to provide a substantially constant flow rate of the fluid through the fixed valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The valve system further includes a variable valve configured to provide a variable flow rate of the fluid through the variable valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a sensor device configured to measure a speed of movement of a component of the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a control circuit configured to control the variable flow rate of the variable valve based on the speed of movement of the component measured by the sensor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2017Publication date: June 14, 2018Inventors: Robert E. Torney, Nick V. Halstead, Hans L. Drabek, Eric G. Bollensen, James C. Alexander, Tony Leakey, Gerald R. Williams
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Patent number: 9841101Abstract: Systems and methods for use in controlling a hydraulically powered AC generator are provided. One control system includes a valve system. The valve system includes a fixed valve configured to provide a substantially constant flow rate of the fluid through the fixed valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The valve system further includes a variable valve configured to provide a variable flow rate of the fluid through the variable valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a sensor device configured to measure a speed of movement of a component of the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a control circuit configured to control the variable flow rate of the variable valve based on the speed of movement of the component measured by the sensor device.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Torney, Nick V. Halstead, Hans L. Drabek, Eric G. Bollensen, James C. Alexander, Tony Leakey, Gerald R. Williams
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Patent number: 9708950Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION IP, INC.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Luke R. Staples, Ryan A. Becker, Nick V. Halstead, Andrew C. Walseth, Daniel D. Wilhelm
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Publication number: 20160254768Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2015Publication date: September 1, 2016Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Luke R. Staples, Ryan A. Becker, Nick V. Halstead, Andrew C. Walseth, Daniel D. Wilhelm
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Publication number: 20160072363Abstract: Systems and methods for use in controlling a hydraulically powered AC generator are provided. One control system includes a valve system. The valve system includes a fixed valve configured to provide a substantially constant flow rate of the fluid through the fixed valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The valve system further includes a variable valve configured to provide a variable flow rate of the fluid through the variable valve to the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a sensor device configured to measure a speed of movement of a component of the hydraulically powered AC generator. The control system further includes a control circuit configured to control the variable flow rate of the variable valve based on the speed of movement of the component measured by the sensor device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: March 10, 2016Applicant: Cummins Power Generation IP, Inc.Inventors: Robert E. Torney, Nick V. Halstead, Hans L. Drabek, Eric G. Bollensen, James C. Alexander, Tony Leakey, Gerald R. Williams
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Patent number: 9115638Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
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Patent number: 8322327Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 28, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Cummins Power Generation, Inc.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
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Publication number: 20110180041Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2010Publication date: July 28, 2011Applicant: CUMMINS POWER GENERATION, INC.Inventors: David T. Falkowski, Nick V. Halstead, Deborah A. Klinkert, Matthew J. Ethen, Luke R. Staples
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Patent number: 5146889Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a primary governor device (20) on an engine at certain load conditions or during transient loading is disclosed. The primary governor device has a control arm (12) which is moved by a primary governor spring (15) via a primary governor arm (14). The control arm (12) governs opening and closing of the throttle plate (10) on the carburetor (11). Four embodiments (47, 54, 30 and 78) of the governor assist mechanism are disclosed. The governor assist apparatus has an assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) operatively connected to the control arm (12). A vacuum capsule (41) actuates the assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) from the primary governor device (20) according to the vacuum in the intake manifold and load on the engine. The first embodiment or linear mechanism (47) has an assist spring (48), an intermediate link (49), and the diaphragm plunger (40) in linear alignment.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 1990Date of Patent: September 15, 1992Assignee: Onan CorporationInventors: Steven M. Swanson, John C. Fanner, Nick V. Halstead
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Patent number: 5003949Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a primary governor device (20) on an engine at certain load conditions or during transient loading is disclosed. The primary governor device has a control arm (12) which is moved by a primary governor spring (15) via a primary governor arm (14). The control arm (12) governs opening and closing of the throttle plate (10) on the carburetor (11). Four embodiments (47, 54, 30 and 78) of the governor assist mechanism are disclosed. The governor assist apparatus has an assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) operatively connected to the control arm (12). A vacuum capsule (41) actuates the assist spring (48, 55, 32, 76) from the primary governor device (20) according to the vacuum in the intake manifold and load on the engine. The first embodiment or linear mechanism (47) has an assist spring (48), an intermediate link (49), and the diaphragm plunger (40) in linear alignment.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 1989Date of Patent: April 2, 1991Assignee: Onan CorporationInventors: John C. Fanner, Nick V. Halstead