Patents by Inventor Russell L. Sanders

Russell L. Sanders 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: 20120261396
    Abstract: A method for measuring a fluid level in a tank containing a fluid for a transportable temperature controlled space. The method includes providing a temperature control system for the transportable temperature controlled space, providing a fluid level sensor for sensing a fluid level in the tank, generating fluid level signals with the fluid level sensor indicative of the fluid level in the tank, providing a fluid level algorithm for receiving the fluid level signals from the fluid level sensor and computing the fluid level in the tank, and inhibiting nondeterministic fluid level signals from being introduced to the fluid level algorithm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Sanders, Anthony J. McReynolds, Randy Hochstein, Ashok Muralidhar
  • Patent number: 8286437
    Abstract: A transport unit including a container defining a cargo space. The transport unit includes position detection apparatus coupled to the container, and adapted to determine a geographic location of the container and to generate a signal indicative of the geographic location. The transport unit also includes a refrigeration system in communication with the cargo space, and a control system including route data that defines a plurality of potential destinations of the container. The control system is programmed to predict a container route defined by at least two potential destinations of the container based on the geographic location and the route data, and to determine a proximity of the container relative to at least one potential destination of the route. The control system is in communication with the refrigeration system to control the refrigeration system based on the proximity of the container relative to the at least one potential destination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: Russell L. Sanders, Ashok Muralidhar, Timothy A. Walker
  • Publication number: 20120000212
    Abstract: A transport unit including a container defining a cargo space. The transport unit includes position detection apparatus coupled to the container, and adapted to determine a geographic location of the container and to generate a signal indicative of the geographic location. The transport unit also includes a refrigeration system in communication with the cargo space, and a control system including route data that defines a plurality of potential destinations of the container. The control system is programmed to predict a container route defined by at least two potential destinations of the container based on the geographic location and the route data, and to determine a proximity of the container relative to at least one potential destination of the route. The control system is in communication with the refrigeration system to control the refrigeration system based on the proximity of the container relative to the at least one potential destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell L. Sanders, Ashok Muralidhar, Timothy A. Walker
  • Publication number: 20110239664
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration system for a transportable temperature controlled space includes a compressor, a condenser and an evaporator fluidly connected to one another, an engine operatively connected to the compressor, and a fuel tank assembly fluidly connected to the engine. The fuel tank assembly includes a fuel tank configured to contain the fuel, a fuel vapor and air, and an ultrasonic fluid level sensor for sensing a level of fuel, the fuel tank having a maximum fuel level. The fluid level sensor includes a transducer having a ring period. The distance from the fluid level sensor to the maximum fuel level is at least half the distance that the sound travels through the fuel vapor and air during the ring period of the transducer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: THERMO KING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Russell L. Sanders, Anthony J. McReynolds, Randy Hochstein, Ashok Muralidhar