Eric D Albsmeier

US Patent:

7157811, Jan 2, 2007

Filed:

Feb 28, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/375972

Inventors:

Zane C. Eaton - Plymouth WI, US
Eric Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US

Assignee:

Kohler Co. - Kohler WI

International Classification:

H01H 35/00

US Classification:

307 80, 307129

Abstract:

An Automatic Transfer Switch System includes a control circuit in which high frequency transformers, designed to operate linearly in a frequency range above the operating frequency range of utility-level power, are employed for voltage sensing. An output signal from a high frequency line matching transformer is received by a microprocessor which evaluates the signal for both a voltage level and frequency and uses these values as indices to an empirically-derived look-up table which provides an actual voltage level to the microprocessor. The actual voltage value can then be evaluated by the microprocessor to determine if and when the power delivered to a load should be supplied by a first or a second power supply.

US Patent:

7582978, Sep 1, 2009

Filed:

Nov 17, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/560919

Inventors:

Galen D. Flanigan - New Holstein WI, US
Eric D. Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US

Assignee:

Kohler Co. - Kohler WI

International Classification:

F02B 63/04
H02K 7/18

US Classification:

290 1A

Abstract:

An auxiliary power unit for a motor vehicle includes an auxiliary engine with an output shaft directly connected to a generator. The generator has a field winding and three output windings. A first output winding produces 120 volts AC that is applied to standard electrical outlets in the vehicle. A second output winding produces a low AC voltage that is converted to 12 volts DC and applied to the battery of the truck, thereby charging the battery and powering the vehicle's electrical system when the primary engine of the vehicle is off. An auxiliary winding in which another AC voltage is produced that is used by a controller to excite the field winding. A novel enclosure for the auxiliary power unit also is described.

US Patent:

7825641, Nov 2, 2010

Filed:

Mar 3, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/041006

Inventors:

Zane C. Eaton - Plymouth WI, US
Doug Dorn - Sheboygan Falls WI, US
Eric Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US
Harrison Chiu - Brookfield WI, US
Isaac Frampton - Strattanville PA, US

Assignee:

Kohler Co. - Kohler WI

International Classification:

F02B 63/04
B60L 11/02

US Classification:

322 29, 322 37, 290 1 A

Abstract:

A hybrid voltage regulator controls the voltage of three phases of alternating electricity produced by an alternator. A digital voltage regulator produces an average of the RMS voltage for each phase and produces an error value based on a ratio of the voltage to the frequency of the alternating electricity. The RMS voltage average and the error value are used to modify a voltage command designating a desired voltage level. The modified voltage command is processed by an analog voltage regulator that rectifies the alternator output voltage which then is averaged over an period of time. The resultant average voltage value is utilized to modify the voltage command to produce a regulated voltage command that determines a level of current to apply to excite the alternator.

US Patent:

20110172966, Jul 14, 2011

Filed:

Jan 14, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/007091

Inventors:

Eric D. Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US
Kenneth R. Bornemann - Cato WI, US
Harrison Chirkdo Chiu - Grafton WI, US
Zane Eaton - Plymouth WI, US
Anthony James Hackbarth - Sheboygan WI, US
Richard Allen Mauk - Sheboygan WI, US
Jeffrey John Neis - Sheboygan WI, US
Edward Douglas Brey - Sheboygan Falls WI, US

International Classification:

G01M 15/04

US Classification:

702183

Abstract:

A diagnostic test is conducted by operating an engine-generator set at a plurality of reduced speeds. At each of those speeds, operating parameters of the engine are sensed and analyzed to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition. For example, such operating parameters may include speed of the engine-generator set, engine oil pressure and level, engine temperature, coolant level, and battery voltage. When a transition in engine speed occurs, a throttle test also may be conducted to measure how quickly and smoothly the engine reaches the new speed. After the engine reaches the normal operating speed, the generator is activated to produce electricity. One or more characteristic of that electricity, such as voltage, current and frequency, are sensed and evaluated to detect an unsatisfactory operating condition.

US Patent:

20120153904, Jun 21, 2012

Filed:

Dec 16, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/969759

Inventors:

Eric D. Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US

International Classification:

H02P 9/02

US Classification:

322 28

Abstract:

An alternator has a field coil that produces a magnetic field which induces electricity in an coil arrangement. A field coil excitation system includes a generator with an output coil assembly for producing alternating electricity. A rectifier converts the alternating electricity into voltage and direct current at two nodes. A capacitor, between the nodes, has capacitance that forms a resonant circuit with inductance of the output coil assembly. Due to that resonant circuit, the voltage and direct current oscillate in a predefined phase relationship. A switch and the field coil are connected in series between the nodes. A controller renders the switch conductive for a time period specified by a received control signal. The switch is rendered non-conductive at the first occurrence of a minimum current level after the time period ends. The predefined phase relationship enables the minimum current level to be detected by sensing the voltage.

US Patent:

20130113457, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Nov 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/289524

Inventors:

Eric D. Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US
Isaac S. Frampton - Strattanville PA, US
Kenneth R. Bornemann - Cato WI, US
Gary Allen Kroll - Sheboygan WI, US
Douglas W. Dorn - Sheboygan Falls WI, US

Assignee:

Kohler Co. - Kohler WI

International Classification:

G01N 27/00

US Classification:

324 711

Abstract:

Some embodiments relate to a method of sensing generator speed. The method includes detecting an AC waveform produced by a generator and determining a threshold voltage from the AC waveform produced by the generator. The method further includes determining generator speed by comparing the threshold voltage with the AC waveform. The generator speed may be determined by a time period between cycles of an output of the generator. Other example embodiments relate to a method that includes detecting an AC waveform produced by an alternative stator winding within the generator and measuring the period of the AC waveform to inversely determine generator speed.

US Patent:

20130116840, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Nov 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/289579

Inventors:

Richard A. Mauk - Sheboygan WI, US
Eric D. Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US

Assignee:

Kohler Co. - Kohler WI

International Classification:

G06F 1/26

US Classification:

700287

Abstract:

Some embodiments relate to a power management system that includes an engine-driven generator and a plurality of load switching and sensor modules that are located remotely from the generator. The load switching and sensor modules include power switching devices and/or sensor circuits. In some embodiments, the power switching devices are operated to selectively provide protected power from a breaker to loads. The power management system further includes a generator controller that is mounted to the engine-driven generator. The generator controller is configured to operate the engine-driven generator and the sensor and load switching modules. The generator controller is further configured to receive input signals from the load switching and sensor modules via a databus, and provide commands to the load switching and sensor modules via the databus to operate the power switching devices and selectively provide power to loads.

US Patent:

20130274934, Oct 17, 2013

Filed:

Apr 17, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/448729

Inventors:

Eric D. Albsmeier - Sheboygan WI, US
Richard A. Mauk - Sheboygan WI, US
Isaac S. Frampton - Strattanville PA, US
Harrison C. Chiu - Grafton WI, US

Assignee:

Kohler Co. - Kohler WI

International Classification:

G06F 1/26

US Classification:

700287

Abstract:

Some embodiments relate to a power management system. The power management system includes a variable speed generator that provides a voltage output to a bus that is adapted to be connected to a load and an energy storage device. The power management system further includes a generator controller that controls the speed of the variable speed generator and monitors a charge level of the energy storage device. The generator controller also remotely displays information relating to the charge level of the energy storage device by supplying information relating to operation of the power management system over a network. The generator controller may remotely display information relating to the charge level of the energy storage device by supplying information relating to operation of the power management system over the Internet. The generator controller may also start/stop the variable speed generator based on the charge level of the energy storage device.