Patents by Inventor Virgil Lee Beaston

Virgil Lee Beaston 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: 20170126032
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery energy storage system (BESS) that can be used to store energy that is produced by conventional sources (e.g., coal, gas, nuclear) as well as renewable sources (e.g., wind, solar), and provide the stored energy on-demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2015
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee BEASTON
  • Publication number: 20170106764
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods are directed to a battery assisted charging station. A battery system comprising plurality of batteries and a battery management system software controlling the operations of the battery system, function together with a vehicle charging system that charges electric vehicles using one or both of stored power provided by a battery system, and power provided by a utility power grid. The battery system uses the power grid to charge the batteries therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Daniel Dee WILLIAMS, Patten Atwood EMMONS
  • Publication number: 20170077558
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery pack that may be used in an battery energy storage system. In an embodiment, the battery pack may include an integrated battery management system (BMS) having isolated, distributed, daisy-chained battery module controllers. The daisy-chained battery module controllers may be coupled to a battery pack controller, which may charge and/or discharge the battery pack using the battery modules controllers and a balancing charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick Joseph NYSTROM, Virgil Lee BEASTON, Patten Atwood EMMONS
  • Publication number: 20170077559
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a battery pack that may be used in an battery energy storage system. In an embodiment, the battery pack may include an integrated battery management system (BMS) having isolated, distributed, daisy-chained battery module controllers. The daisy-chained battery module controllers may be coupled to a battery pack controller, which may charge and/or discharge the battery pack using the battery modules controllers and a balancing charger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Patrick Joseph NYSTROM, Patten Atwood EMMONS
  • Publication number: 20170040646
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a battery pack having an operating issue or defect. In an embodiment, a balancing charger may be configured to charge a battery pack. An amount of time that the balancing charger is operating may be recorded. The recorded time may then be compared to a threshold time that indicates a determined variance from an expected operating time. If the recorded time exceeds the threshold time, the battery pack may be determined to have an operating issue or defect. In an embodiment, the threshold time may be adjusted based on an average battery cell or battery module temperature of the battery pack. In various embodiments, an alert may also be issued in response to determining that the battery pack has an operating issue or defect and operation of the battery pack may be halted to prevent any potential adverse effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee BEASTON
  • Publication number: 20170038433
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a warranty' tracker embedded in a battery pack. In an embodiment, the warranty tracker may include a memory device and a warranty controller. The warranty controller may receive an electric current measurement indicating a rate of charge or discharge of the battery pack from a device that is external to the battery pack. A warranty value may then be calculated using the received electric current measurement and added to a stored cumulative warranty value. The memory device may store the cumulative warranty value, which may be used to evaluate warranty conditions. In various embodiments, the warranty tracker may also include a temperature sensor and/or a voltage sensor. The warranty controller may then use received temperature and/or voltage measurements in the calculation of the warranty value. In an embodiment, the stored cumulative warranty value may be used to determine expiration of a warranty.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Publication number: 20160141894
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit (which may also be referred to as a battery energy storage system (“BESS”)) includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Patent number: 9331497
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: POWIN ENERGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston
  • Publication number: 20160111900
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: Powin Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil Lee BEASTON, Yunhua GAO
  • Publication number: 20130328530
    Abstract: An electrical energy storage unit and control system, and applications thereof. In an embodiment, the electrical energy storage unit includes a battery system controller and battery packs. Each battery pack has battery cells, a battery pack controller that monitors the cells, a battery pack cell balancer that adjusts the amount of energy stored in the cells, and a battery pack charger. The battery pack controller operates the battery pack cell balancer and the battery pack charger to control the state-of-charge of the cells. In an embodiment, the cells are lithium ion battery cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2011
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Applicant: POWIN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Virgil Lee Beaston