Patents by Inventor Robert J. Danforth
Robert J. Danforth 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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Patent number: 9279379Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an internal combustion engine that includes a combustion chamber and a rotating component. The internal combustion engine further includes a sensing system that detects an angular position of the rotating component. A controller calculates a ratio between air and fuel in the combustion chamber based on the detected position of the rotating component. As an example, the rotating component may be a crankshaft where the controller calculates a speed of the crankshaft and an acceleration of the crankshaft based on the detected position of the crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Robert J. Danforth, III
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Patent number: 9212604Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a power generation system that includes an alternator and an engine that drives the alternator to generate power. The power generation system further includes a housing where the alternator and the engine are within the housing. The housing may provide improved sound attenuation when the power generation system is operating. The housing includes a first corner rail such that a bracket is connected to one end of the first corner rail and at least one side panel. The bracket is connected along an edge of the first corner rail. The first corner rail includes a channel that extends from the end of the first corner rail along a length of the first corner rail. The power generation system includes a first fastener that extends into the channel to connect the bracket to the first corner rail.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventors: Robert J. Danforth, III, Doug Hasenstein, Kenneth Watry, Travis Andren
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Publication number: 20150326159Abstract: A power system may include a power generation component and a sensor configured to measure a parameter. The power system may also include a controller in communication with the power generation component and the sensor. The controller may be configured to run the power generation component in an exercise mode for a duration. The duration may be based on the measured parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventors: Timothy W. White, Robert J. Danforth, III, Jeffrey J. Neis
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Patent number: 9143018Abstract: A power generation system that includes a generator comprising an alternator and an internal combustion engine configured to drive the alternator to generate power. The power generation system may provide power to one or more loads. The power generation system may further include an enclosure that houses the internal combustion and the alternator. The enclosure may include one or more openings and that permit air to flow into or out of the enclosure. The power generation system may include a mechanism that may regulate the flow of air through the openings in the enclosure. The mechanism may include a cover that may be positioned adjacent to the opening. The mechanism may control the position of the cover. The power generation system may further include a module that may monitor or measure a load of the power generation system and provide control to the mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Timothy W. White, Robert J. Danforth, III, Jeffrey J. Neis, Mark F. McMullen
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Patent number: 9109565Abstract: A power system may include a power generation component and a sensor configured to measure a parameter. The power system may also include a controller in communication with the power generation component and the sensor. The controller may be configured to run the power generation component in an exercise mode for a duration. The duration may be based on the measured parameter.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Timothy W. White, Robert J. Danforth, III, Jeffrey J. Neis
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Publication number: 20150059696Abstract: A fuel delivery system may be utilized in an internal combustion engine or a generator engine. The fuel delivery system includes a fuel injector and a venturi. The venturi provides a force for delivering the fuel into the manifold of the engine, and the fuel injector provides metering to control the amount of fuel delivered into the manifold of the engine. In one example, the fuel delivery system includes a first chamber configured to enclose a gaseous fuel, a second chamber configured to direct a flow of air through the venturi, and a plunger. The plunger is controlled to selectively connect and disconnect the first chamber and the second chamber to control the flow of the gaseous fuel into the second chamber under a differential pressure of the venturi.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Robert J. Danforth, III
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Publication number: 20150059698Abstract: Some embodiments relate to an internal combustion engine that includes a combustion chamber and a rotating component. The internal combustion engine further includes a sensing system that detects an angular position of the rotating component. A controller calculates a ratio between air and fuel in the combustion chamber based on the detected position of the rotating component. As an example, the rotating component may be a crankshaft where the controller calculates a speed of the crankshaft and an acceleration of the crankshaft based on the detected position of the crankshaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Isaac S. Frampton, Robert J. Danforth
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Publication number: 20140338864Abstract: A power generation system that may include a generator having an alternator and an internal combustion engine configured to drive the alternator to generate power. The alternator may convert the mechanical energy created by the engine to electrical energy, such as alternating current. The generator may supply the electrical energy from the alternator to various devices which may be connected with the alternator. The power generation system may further include a load bank. The load bank may include one or more resistive elements, inductive elements, capacitive elements, or combinations of elements. The power generation system may include a cooling system that may remove heat from one or both the internal combustion engine and the load bank. The cooling system may include a liquid that passes through various components of the internal combustion engine to transfer the heat to or from the engine and the load bank.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Robert J. Danforth, III, Isaac S. Frampton
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Patent number: 8890340Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a generator that includes an alternator and an engine. The engine includes an output shaft that is coupled to a rotor of the alternator. The generator further includes a first fan that initially directs air in a first direction which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the output shaft. A second fan that directs air in a second direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft. The generator further includes an enclosure such that the alternator, the engine, the first fan and the second fan are within the enclosure. In some embodiments, the generator may further include a third fan that directs air in the direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft and a fourth fan that directs air in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Kohler, Inc.Inventors: Paul E. Honkanen, Adam L. Clouse, Robert J. Danforth, III
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Publication number: 20140252777Abstract: A power generation system that includes a generator comprising an alternator and an internal combustion engine configured to drive the alternator to generate power. The power generation system may provide power one or more loads. The power generation system may further include an enclosure that houses the internal combustion and the alternator. The enclosure may include one or more openings and that permit air to flow into or out of the enclosure. The power generation system may include a mechanism that may regulate the flow of air through the openings in the enclosure. The mechanism may include a cover that may be positioned adjacent to the opening. The mechanism may control the position of the cover. The power generation system may further include a module that may monitor or measure a load of the power generation system and provide control to the mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Inventors: Timothy W. White, Robert J. Danforth, III, Jeffrey J. Neis, Mark F. McMullen
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Publication number: 20140197644Abstract: A power system may include a power generation component and a sensor configured to measure a parameter. The power system may also include a controller in communication with the power generation component and the sensor. The controller may be configured to run the power generation component in an exercise mode for a duration. The duration may be based on the measured parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Kohler CoInventors: Timothy W. White, Robert J. Danforth, III, Jeffrey J. Neis
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Publication number: 20140133069Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a power generation system that includes an alternator and an engine that drives the alternator to generate power. The power generation system further includes a housing where the alternator and the engine are within the housing. The housing may provide improved sound attenuation when the power generation system is operating. The housing includes a first corner rail such that a bracket is connected to one end of the first corner rail and at least one side panel. The bracket is connected along an edge of the first corner rail. The first corner rail includes a channel that extends from the end of the first corner rail along a length of the first corner rail. The power generation system includes a first fastener that extends into the channel to connect the bracket to the first corner rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Robert J. Danforth, III, Doug Hasenstein, Kenneth Watry, Travis Andren
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Publication number: 20130113219Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a generator that includes an alternator and an engine. The engine includes an output shaft that is coupled to a rotor of the alternator. The generator further includes a first fan that initially directs air in a first direction which is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the output shaft. A second fan that directs air in a second direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft. The generator further includes an enclosure such that the alternator, the engine, the first fan and the second fan are within the enclosure. In some embodiments, the generator may further include a third fan that directs air in the direction that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft and a fourth fan that directs air in a direction that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the output shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: Kohler Co.Inventors: Paul E. Honkanen, Adam L. Clouse, Robert J. Danforth, III
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Patent number: D662055Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2010Date of Patent: June 19, 2012Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventors: Mike T. Little, Jeffrey J. Neis, Robert J. Danforth, Alex S. Miklosi, Herbert V. Kohler, Jr.