Patents by Inventor Richard L. Proctor

Richard L. Proctor 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: 7692409
    Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Acutra, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Schaper, Richard L. Proctor, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Publication number: 20090096426
    Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: Acutra, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Schaper, Richard L. Proctor, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Patent number: 7502668
    Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Acutra, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Schaper, Richard L. Proctor, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Patent number: 7353084
    Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Acutra, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Schaper, Richard L. Proctor, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Publication number: 20040199297
    Abstract: A generator controller, in its various embodiments, displays genset fault messages, a genset elapsed time hour meter, service countdown reminder, monitors battery voltage changes over multiple periods of time to establish and display the “battery level,” uses the “battery level” to automatically start and stop the genset, and accepts multiple run requests from AC loads such as HVAC systems, and incorporates safety or other start inhibit features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Scott R. Schaper, Richard L. Proctor, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Patent number: 5939855
    Abstract: Power inverter equipment monitor/controller method and apparatus are described. The invented apparatus provides for the semi-automatic state steering and monitoring of an inverter/charger and alternator system. A flat panel user interface includes an array of switches, displays and indicators for establishing modes of operation of the system, for initializing operating parameters of the system and a connected battery, for establishing rates for the system's operation, permit the user to monitor the system's operating mode and charging data (including charging efficiency factor or CEF) while it is operating to charge the battery and to supply AC power to connected appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, Steven H. Kahle, Warren D. Stokes, Richard H. Young, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5895440
    Abstract: A battery monitor and cycle status indicator is disclosed. The battery monitor includes a voltage sensor capable of sensing the voltage between two nodes, for example, the positive and negative terminals of a battery. The voltage sensor is connected to an analog-to-digital converter which converts the analog voltage level sensed by the voltage sensor to a digital form. In turn, the analog-to-digital converter is coupled to a microprocessor. The microprocessor determines battery state-of-charge and historical values that relate to battery condition based upon the voltage levels provided by the analog-to-digital converter. The microprocessor is also coupled to a memory which stores battery history values computed by the microprocessor and program instructions for operation of the microprocessor. The battery monitor also includes a display that is capable of displaying battery state-of-charge and the historical values determined by the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, George A. Ure, Richard H. Young, Jr., Steven H. Kahle, William L. Merkes
  • Patent number: 5844326
    Abstract: A managed electrical outlet includes a plurality of electrical receptacles, a current sensor, logic circuitry, a switch driver, and one or more switches. The electrical current provided to the managed electrical outlet is measured by the current sensor, which in turn sends an electrical signal to the logic circuit, representative of the amount of electrical current flowing through the outlet. The logic circuit compares the level of current flowing through the outlet with a reference current level to determine whether an over-current state exists. If the logic circuit determines the presence of an over-current state, the logic circuit sends a signal to the switch driver, causing the switch driver to trigger the switch into an open-circuit condition. In a two-receptacle outlet, one of the two receptacles is coupled to the switch while the other receptacle is unmanaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, Scott R. Schaper
  • Patent number: 5675123
    Abstract: The housing may be quickly and easily assembled in a clam-shell manner. The housing includes a pair of half-shells with each having a tongue for connecting to a face plate and a locking mechanism for connecting the half-shells together. The tongues are inserted into a pair of tongue-receiving fulcrum structures of the plate so that the half-shells are positioned in an open clam-shell arrangement. To complete the connection and the formation of the housing, the half-shells are rotated towards each other until the locking mechanism of one of the half-shells fastens to the locking mechanism of the other half-shell. Furthermore, the housing provides a wall-mounting mechanism for releasably attaching the housing to a wall, wherein that mechanism has two operative positions, including locking and release positions. In the locking position, the wall-mounting mechanism securely mounts the housing to the wall, and in the release position, the housing is unmounted and removable from the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, George A. Ure, William L. Merkes, Richard H. Young, Jr., Steven H. Kahle, Donald P. Aupperle
  • Patent number: 5656919
    Abstract: The apparatus and method of monitoring and/or indicating an accurate state-of-charge of a battery compensates for varying current loads and changing temperature conditions. The apparatus and method compensate for the Peukert Effect which manifests itself when varying current loads are applied to the battery. Also, the apparatus and method may compensate for temperature changes in the environment of the battery. The extent of the Peukert Effect and temperature variation on the battery is based on intrinsic characteristics of the battery which may be experimentally defined. Specifically, preferred apparatuses include memories for storing various discharging/charging related values and a processor to calculate and determine values related to accurately monitoring the battery's state-of-charge. Also, the apparatus may include a battery state-of-charge indicator including a multi-segmented, multi-color LED display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1997
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, George A. Ure, William L. Merkes, Richard H. Young, Jr., Steven H. Kahle
  • Patent number: 5583413
    Abstract: Power inverter equipment monitor/controller method and apparatus are described. The invented apparatus provides for the semi-automatic state steering and monitoring of an inverter/charger and alternator system. A flat panel user interface includes an array of switches, displays and indicators for establishing modes of operation of the system, for initializing operating parameters of the system and a connected battery, for establishing rates for the system's operation, permit the user to monitor the system's operating mode and charging data (including charging efficiency factor or CEF) while it is operating to charge the battery and to supply AC power to connected appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, Steven H. Kahle, Warren D. Stokes, Richard H. Young, Jr.
  • Patent number: D399154
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Cruising Equipment, Company Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Proctor, George A. Ure, William L. Merkes, Richard H. Young, Jr., Steven H. Kahle, Donald P. Aupperle