Gerald A Alston

US Patent:

8030880, Oct 4, 2011

Filed:

Apr 25, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/149095

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Union City CA, US
Justin Dobbs - Union City CA, US
Larry Knight - Union City CA, US

Assignee:

Glacier Bay, Inc. - Union City CA

International Classification:

H01M 10/46

US Classification:

320103, 320104

Abstract:

The disclosed power system may comprise first and second batteries; an electrical power generator; an electrical load powered by at least one of the first battery, the second battery or the electrical power generator; a converter; and a battery management controller. The converter is connected to both the first and second batteries and configured to operate in a neutral mode, a first battery charging mode, or a second battery charging mode. The converter is configured to create a voltage difference between the first and second batteries in the charging modes. The battery management controller is configured to monitor the voltage of the first battery and the voltage of the second battery and/or to monitor current flow to and from the first and second batteries. The controller controls operation of the converter to operate in the neutral mode, the first battery charging mode or the second battery charging mode.

US Patent:

8051950, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Aug 3, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/498159

Inventors:

Gerald K. Alston - Oakland CA, US

Assignee:

Glacier Bay, Inc. - Union City CA

International Classification:

E04B 1/84
E04B 1/82
E04B 1/86
E04B 1/62

US Classification:

181294, 181290

Abstract:

A sound insulator, including an assembly of connected particles, wherein the connected particles include particles adjacent to one another that are adhered to one another. The particles that are adhered to one another include particles of random shapes and random sizes and having respective diameters falling within a range from about a quarter of a millimeter to about four millimeters. The particles that are adhered to one another are adhered such that they form a sound suppression blanket.

US Patent:

8342812, Jan 1, 2013

Filed:

Dec 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/591902

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Alameda CA, US

Assignee:

Crosspoint Solutions, LLC - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

F04B 49/00

US Classification:

417 4411, 318108, 307 45, 307 64, 307 72

Abstract:

A variable speed air compressing system includes a compressor, a motor configured to actuate the compressor, and a rectifier configured to receive alternating current from a first power source and to provide rectified direct current having a first voltage. The system also includes an inverter configured to receive the rectified direct current and to receive direct current from a second power source having a second voltage. The inverter is configured to provide alternating current to the motor. The alternating current provided to the motor is based on the rectified direct current if the first voltage is greater than the second voltage and the alternating current is based on the direct current from the second power source if the second voltage is greater than the first voltage.

US Patent:

8381540, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Jan 21, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/320213

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Union City CA, US

Assignee:

Crosspoint Solutions, LLC - Indianapolis IN

International Classification:

F25B 27/00

US Classification:

62236, 62243, 62244, 165 43

Abstract:

An installable HVAC system used for a vehicle is disclosed. The HVAC system includes a housing, a compressor, a motor operatively coupled to the compressor; a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor; and a power management controller configured to run the motor with power from a given power source. The compressor, the motor, the condenser, and the power management controller are located within the housing. The housing is configured to attach to an existing HVAC system of the vehicle.

US Patent:

8393171, Mar 12, 2013

Filed:

Apr 13, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/759686

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Oakland CA, US

International Classification:

F25B 27/00

US Classification:

622351, 623231, 62500

Abstract:

An HVAC system that uses a mechanical compressor powered by vaporized refrigerant and/or electric power, to increase efficiency in a jet ejector cooling cycle. The device is further able to convert thermal energy to electric power which may be used to meet internal or external requirements, for example, to activate control a system or charge a battery. Compatible input power includes only thermal energy, only electric energy or a combination of the two. Motive thermal energy may be input at a wide range of temperature and include both waste and non-waste heat sources such as that from an internal combustion engine and fuel-fired heater. Solar thermal and solar photovoltaic may also be used when collected from either concentrated or non-concentrated sources. Embodiments of the device are equally well suited to both mobile and stationary applications.

US Patent:

20080161974, Jul 3, 2008

Filed:

Aug 17, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/892021

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Oakland CA, US

International Classification:

F24F 11/00
F04B 17/00
G05D 23/19
F24F 1/02

US Classification:

700276, 4174231, 417364, 290 40 A, 417 32

Abstract:

A self-contained environmental control and power system (ECAPS) unit including an HVAC system with at least one variable-speed compressor driven by a DC motor, wherein the HVAC system is adapted to condition air and output the conditioned air and a variable-speed diesel engine connected to a generator. The generator is configured to vary in speed so as to output AC power at a variable frequency. The unit includes a rectification assembly which transforms the AC power from the generator and/or external AC power to DC power, and an inverter assembly which transforms the DC power to an export AC power. The ECAPS unit directs the DC power to the DC motor to drive the variable speed compressor and varies, in a controlled manner, at least one parameter of the outputted conditioned air from the HVAC system.

US Patent:

20080302117, Dec 11, 2008

Filed:

Jun 11, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/808469

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Union City CA, US

International Classification:

F25B 1/00

US Classification:

62230

Abstract:

An air conditioning system including a variable speed compressor configured to operator at faster and slower speeds. The system includes an evaporator and a thermal expansion valve for regulating the flow of a refrigerant from the compressor to the evaporator. The system includes a flow restricting device in a flow path from the thermal expansion valve to the evaporator thereby increasing the efficiency of the system when the compressor is operating at slower speeds.

US Patent:

20080302606, Dec 11, 2008

Filed:

Jun 8, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/808377

Inventors:

Gerald Allen Alston - Union City CA, US

International Classification:

F16N 29/00

US Classification:

184 6

Abstract:

An oil replacement system for a vehicle can include oil quality sensor that directly determines the quality of the oil in the vehicle and sends an oil quality signal to a control system. Such an oil quality sensor can make a direct measurement of the quality of the oil in an engine oil system, thus permitting the oil replacement system to accurately determine the quality of oil in an engine oil system and whether the oil needs to be replaced.