Patents by Inventor Ross T. Nelson

Ross T. Nelson 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: 11673449
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power system that powers a load is provided. The power system includes a prime mover, an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source, and a power system controller configured to control operation of the power system. The method includes monitoring a power demand on the power system from the load. The method also includes comparing the monitored power demand with a load threshold value. Also, the method includes determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value. Further, the method includes upon determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value: inactivating the prime mover, and instructing the battery source with the inverter to supply power to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: THERMO KING LLC
    Inventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
  • Patent number: 11383584
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit and a method for controlling the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the transport refrigeration unit has a controller device for operating a compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with a continuously-variable speed, which allows the compressor to run continuously but with a smooth gradient range of speed variations. The controller device allows the transport refrigeration unit to have a start-stop operation stage, continuous run operation stage, and/or a cycle-sentry operation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Dykes, Ross T. Nelson, James E. Conde
  • Publication number: 20220203802
    Abstract: A method for controlling a power system that powers a load is provided. The power system includes a prime mover, an electrical machine coupled to the prime mover, a battery source, an inverter coupled to the battery source, and a power system controller configured to control operation of the power system. The method includes monitoring a power demand on the power system from the load. The method also includes comparing the monitored power demand with a load threshold value. Also, the method includes determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value. Further, the method includes upon determining that the monitored power demand is less than the load threshold value: inactivating the prime mover, and instructing the battery source with the inverter to supply power to the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Erich A. Lucht, Ross T. Nelson, John G. Simpson
  • Publication number: 20220203845
    Abstract: A direct drive parallel power system for powering a transport climate control system is provided. The direct drive parallel power system comprises a powertrain, a battery source and a power system controller. The powertrain includes a prime mover, a motor-generator, and a drive shaft. The prime mover is configured to generate mechanical power for powering a direct driven load of the transport climate control system via the drive shaft. A motor of the motor-generator is configured to generate mechanical power for powering the direct driven load via the drive shaft. The battery source is electrically connected to a generator of the motor-generator and is configured to supply electrical power to the motor of the motor-generator and configured to supply electrical power to an electrically driven load of the transport climate control system. The power system controller monitors and controls operation of the prime mover, the motor-generator, and the battery source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventor: Ross T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20200282794
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit and a method for controlling the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the transport refrigeration unit has a controller device for operating a compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with a continuously-variable speed, which allows the compressor to run continuously but with a smooth gradient range of speed variations. The controller device allows the transport refrigeration unit to have a start-stop operation stage, continuous run operation stage, and/or a cycle-sentry operation stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Inventors: David J. DYKES, Ross T. NELSON, James E. CONDE
  • Patent number: 10703174
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit and a method for controlling the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the transport refrigeration unit has a controller device for operating a compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with a continuously-variable speed, which allows the compressor to run continuously but with a smooth gradient range of speed variations. The controller device allows the transport refrigeration unit to have a start-stop operation stage, continuous run operation stage, and/or a cycle-sentry operation stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Dykes, Ross T. Nelson, James E. Conde
  • Publication number: 20170151859
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit and a method for controlling the transport refrigeration unit, wherein the transport refrigeration unit has a controller device for operating a compressor of the transport refrigeration unit with a continuously-variable speed, which allows the compressor to run continuously but with a smooth gradient range of speed variations. The controller device allows the transport refrigeration unit to have a start-stop operation stage, continuous run operation stage, and/or a cycle-sentry operation stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: David J. DYKES, Ross T. NELSON, James E. CONDE
  • Patent number: 8534082
    Abstract: An engine starter system that predicts when starter failure is imminent. The engine starter system monitors engine starter crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature. The crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature are communicated to a controller which compares the crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature to a predicted crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature. If the crank speed is lower than the predicted crank speed, a signal is sent to an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Price, Greg R. Truckenbrod, Ross T. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120017618
    Abstract: An engine starter system that predicts when starter failure is imminent. The engine starter system monitors engine starter crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature. The crank speed, battery voltage and ambient air temperature are communicated to a controller which compares the crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature to a predicted crank speed for the measured battery voltage and air temperature. If the crank speed is lower than the predicted crank speed, a signal is sent to an alarm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel L. Price, Greg R. Truckenbrod, Ross T. Nelson