Patents by Inventor Philip R. Pierce

Philip R. Pierce 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: 20240131894
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: eNow Systems LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
  • Patent number: 11872867
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: eNOW Systems LLC
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
  • Publication number: 20210197645
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including roof mounted solar panels, momentum generation, shore power and high capacity storage batteries. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher, Ryan Kennedy Kemmet
  • Patent number: 10899192
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including: a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, in which the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging/starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: eNow, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
  • Patent number: 10710525
    Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: eNow, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
  • Publication number: 20200148142
    Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
  • Patent number: 9878682
    Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: ENOW, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
  • Publication number: 20170217280
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including: a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, in which the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging/starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
  • Patent number: 9586458
    Abstract: A refrigeration trailer (reefer) truck power unit controller employs a plurality of power sources including a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator having a pulley ratio for increasing idle speed power generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The controller is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: ENOW, INC.
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
  • Patent number: 9321352
    Abstract: An integrated truck and trailer power system comprises auxiliary power generation and storage devices mounted on a trailer, such as an array of solar panels mounted on the roof of the trailer and a storage battery mounted on the trailer, and switching devices for controlling flow of power there between and to an electrically powered HVAC system of the truck, whereby the truck can be maintained at a comfortable temperature by supply of power stored by the auxiliary power storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Arpin Renewable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Peter Arpin, Norman Cook, Jay Johnson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Gary T. Wenger
  • Publication number: 20150353036
    Abstract: A charge controller for a vehicle passive energy system employs an interface to a plurality of charge sources including intermittent sources, such as vehicle mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and the vehicle engine and alternator, and an interface to a plurality of charge loads, such as a comfort heating ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning (HVAC) system and auxiliary vehicle loads. Charge logic computes which of the plurality of sources will supply the charge current and which of the plurality of loads will receive the charge current, and a switch responsive to the charge logic will direct the charge current from at least one of the plurality of sources to at least one of the loads, the plurality of charge sources mutually exclusive from simultaneously powering a common load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Robert Doane, Jeffrey C. Flath, Stephen Lasher
  • Publication number: 20150246593
    Abstract: A reefer truck power unit employs a plurality of power sources including: a propulsion vehicle source driven mechanically by a diesel engine of the vehicle, and having an enhanced alternator configured for generation in excess of needs of a charging/starting system of the vehicle, in which the enhanced alternator has a pulley ratio increasing idle speed generation, and a passive vehicle source including a bank of solar panels disposed on the vehicle. The refrigeration system is configured for refrigerating a payload area of the vehicle utilizing power from the power sources, and employs a voltage converter for augmenting the power from the propulsion vehicle source for use with a native vehicle charging//starting system, and a transport load transformer for converting power from the power sources to 3 phase power for powering the refrigeration system. A bank of batteries stores power from the sources for subsequent dispersal to the refrigeration unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Inventors: Gerald Larson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert W. Doane, Philip R. Pierce, Stephen Lasher
  • Patent number: 9090253
    Abstract: A vehicle energy management system for gathering, storing the energy, and distributing the stored energy supports various subsystems on the vehicle such as driver comfort systems, payload refrigeration, liftgate mechanisms, and roof de-icing, for example. The system harvests energy from various sources available to the vehicle, such as solar panels, regenerative braking and shock absorbers. The harvested energy is gathered for battery storage. Management logic allocates the stored electricity to various vehicle loads defined by the subsystems, based on factors such as time of day, ambient temperature, and weather conditions, which are used to predict the electrical demand called for by the loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: eNow, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert Doane, John Mallon, Theodore B. Howell, Gary T. Wenger, Philip R. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20140116077
    Abstract: An integrated truck and trailer power system comprises auxiliary power generation and storage devices mounted on a trailer, such as an array of solar panels mounted on the roof of the trailer and a storage battery mounted on the trailer, and switching devices for controlling flow of power there between and to an electrically powered HVAC system of the truck, whereby the truck can be maintained at a comfortable temperature by supply of power stored by the auxiliary power storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Arpin Renewable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Philip R. Pierce, Peter Arpin, Norman Cook, Jay Johnson, Jeffrey C. Flath, Gary T. Wenger
  • Publication number: 20130231808
    Abstract: A vehicle energy management system for gathering, storing the energy, and distributing the stored energy supports various subsystems on the vehicle such as driver comfort systems, payload refrigeration, liftgate mechanisms, and roof de-icing, for example. The system harvests energy from various sources available to the vehicle, such as solar panels, regenerative braking and shock absorbers. The harvested energy is gathered for battery storage. Management logic allocates the stored electricity to various vehicle loads defined by the subsystems, based on factors such as time of day, ambient temperature, and weather conditions, which are used to predict the electrical demand called for by the loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey C. Flath, Robert Doane, John Mallon, Theodore B. Howell, Gary T. Wenger, Philip R. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4494063
    Abstract: In a satellite power distribution system such as for use in a communications satellite, a first load powering power distribution bus receives power from a first solar panel. A second load powering power distribution bus receives power from a second solar panel. One of the buses is connected to a battery system to provide power to loads during night periods. The loads connected to the other bus are not powered during the night periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1985
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. Callen, Philip R. Pierce