Patents by Inventor Thomas Sopko

Thomas Sopko 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: 20070144175
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes at least one turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system of the combustion engine. The at least one turbocharger is configured to increase the intake pressure in the intake system of the combustion engine. A turbocharger controller is configured to compare actual and desired intake pressures and control operation of the at least one turbocharger based on the comparison such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Sopko, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey, Brian Kuras
  • Publication number: 20070137211
    Abstract: A turbine system is provided including a plurality of gas turbine engines, each having a compressor section for producing compressed air, a combustor section, and a turbine section yielding hot exhaust gas. A single, common recuperator section is shared by and operatively associated with the plurality of gas turbine engines. A first flow path within the single, common recuperator section is configured to receive compressed air produced by the compressor section of each gas turbine engine. A second flow path, separated from the first flow path and within the single, common recuperator section is configured to receive hot exhaust gases yielded by the turbine section of each gas turbine engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: James Callas, Kevin Martin, Cody Renshaw, Thomas Sopko, Andrew Tonsor
  • Publication number: 20070119146
    Abstract: A filter cleaning system is provided for a gas turbine engine including a compressor section and a combustor section. A mechanism is operatively connected to the gas turbine engine and is configured to be driven by the gas turbine engine in a first mode and configured to drive the gas turbine engine in a second mode. A first flow path is for delivering compressed air to the compressor section. At least one air filter is configured to filter air entering the first flow path. A second flow path is for delivering compressed air from the compressor section to the combustor section in the first mode. A third flow path is for delivering compressed air from the compressor section to the at least one air filter during the second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: May 31, 2007
    Inventors: James Callas, Kevin Martin, Cody Renshaw, Thomas Sopko, Andrew Tonsor
  • Publication number: 20060218923
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system. The system further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system. The system also includes an electric machine operably coupled to the turbocharger. The electric machine is configured to supply torque to the turbocharger. The system further includes a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the electric machine. The turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the electric machine such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Sopko, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey, Brian Kuras
  • Publication number: 20050288148
    Abstract: A method is provided of boosting power to a continuously variable transmission having a motor. The continuously variable transmission is powered by an engine. The method includes selectively adjusting a power output of the engine above a steady state power output rating of the engine when an acceleration of the motor exceeds an acceleration threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko, Maria-Magdalena Dilimot, Michael Vanderham
  • Publication number: 20050263329
    Abstract: An electric drive system has a power source and a generator operatively connected to the power source. The generator is configured to produce a power output. The electric drive system also has at least one capacitor configured to store a supply of power. The electric drive system further has a common bus configured to direct the power output to the capacitor. The electric drive system also has at least one motor configured to receive power from the common bus. The electric drive system additionally has a controller in communication with the at least one motor and the generator. The controller is configured to receive at least one input associated with the motor, to determine a requested motor power as a function of the at least one input, and to operate the generator to produce the requested motor power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko
  • Publication number: 20050137060
    Abstract: Retarding Control For An Electric Drive Machine A method of dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive includes converting undesired power to electric power by the electric drive, and driving an internal combustion engine with at least a portion of the electric power prior to substantially dissipating power with any other power dissipating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: June 23, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko
  • Publication number: 20050071066
    Abstract: A predictive load management system includes a power source operable to generate power output, the power source having a desired operating range. A transmission having a drive member is operably engaged with the power source. A control system is in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system receives at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and identifies a change in the load on the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is further operable to determine a desired power output of the power source to account for the change in the load on the transmission. The control system modifies a performance characteristic of the power source to cause the power source to generate the desired power output when the change in the load on the transmission will result in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Rose, Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham, Mustafa Guven, Thomas Sopko