Patents by Inventor Todd R. Kabrich

Todd R. Kabrich 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).

  • Patent number: 11859480
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, for two or more well heads of a hydraulic fracturing system, an operation or a state of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, and one or more missile valves. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and multiple well heads. The method may further include controlling, based on an operation schedule for the hydraulic fracturing system and based on monitoring the operation or the state, fluid pressures at the two or more well heads for continuous pumping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Andy Publes, Casey A. Otten, Brandon J. Mabe, Perry D. Converse, Jason T. Herlehy
  • Patent number: 11808139
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, by a controller, operation of a pump of at least one hydraulic fracturing rig during ramp-up of the pump. Each of the at least one hydraulic fracturing rig may further include an engine and a transmission. The method may further include detecting, by the controller, an issue in the operation of the pump based on the monitoring of the operation and performing an action based on the detecting of the issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Casey A. Otten, Yuesheng He
  • Patent number: 11802468
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information related to operation or a configuration of a hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include a plurality of electric power source outputs and a plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs. The method may further include performing, based on the information, asymmetric power management of the plurality of electric power source outputs. The method may further include performing, based on the information, asymmetric load management of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Publes, Casey A. Otten, Perry D. Converse, Yanchai Zhang, Zhijun Cai, Baoyang Deng, Christopher G. Y. Haddad, Jason T. Herlehy, Todd R. Kabrich, Nausheen Ahmad, Joseph C. Bufkin
  • Publication number: 20230287768
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, for a well head of a hydraulic fracturing system, an operation or a state of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, and one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more missile valves, one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and one or more well heads. The method may further include controlling, based on an operation schedule for the hydraulic fracturing system and based on monitoring the operation or the state, the state or equipment changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Todd R. KABRICH, Andy PUBLES, Casey A. OTTEN, Brandon J. MABE, Perry D. CONVERSE, Jason T. HERLEHY
  • Publication number: 20230287760
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring an operation or a state of one or more subsystems of a hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, and one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more missile valves, one or more zipper piping and zipper valve sets, one or more well head valves, and one or more well heads. The method may further include controlling, based on monitoring the operation or the state, the one or more subsystems within operating limits or based on operating expectations to cause or prevent an occurrence of one or more well integrity-related events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Todd R. KABRICH, Andy PUBLES, Casey A. OTTEN, Brandon J. MABE, Perry D. CONVERSE, Jason T. HERLEHY, Joseph C. BUFKIN
  • Publication number: 20230287777
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information related to operation or a configuration of a hydraulic fracturing system, The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, and one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more missile valves, one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and one or more well heads. The method may further include optimizing the operation of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system using a particle swarm algorithm. The method may further include outputting one or more control signals to the one or more subsystems based on optimizing the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Todd R. KABRICH, Andy PUBLES, Casey A. OTTEN, Brandon J. MABE, Perry D. CONVERSE, Jason T. HERLEHY, Joseph C. BUFKIN
  • Publication number: 20230287776
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, for two or more well heads of a hydraulic fracturing system, an operation or a state of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, and one or more missile valves. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and multiple well heads. The method may further include controlling, based on an operation schedule for the hydraulic fracturing system and based on monitoring the operation or the state, fluid pressures at the two or more well heads for continuous pumping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Inventors: Todd R. KABRICH, Andy PUBLES, Casey A. OTTEN, Brandon J. MABE, Perry D. CONVERSE, Jason T. HERLEHY
  • Patent number: 11753911
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, for a well head of a hydraulic fracturing system, an operation or a state of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, and one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more missile valves, one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and one or more well heads. The method may further include controlling, based on an operation schedule for the hydraulic fracturing system and based on monitoring the operation or the state, the state or equipment changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Andy Publes, Casey A. Otten, Brandon J. Mabe, Perry D. Converse, Jason T. Herlehy
  • Patent number: 11746635
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information related to operation or a configuration of a hydraulic fracturing system, The hydraulic fracturing system may include one or more fracturing rigs, one or more blending equipment, and one or more power sources electrically connected to a first subset of the one or more fracturing rigs, or one or more fuel sources fluidly connected to a second subset of the one or more fracturing rigs. The hydraulic fracturing system may further include one or more missile valves, one or more zipper valves, one or more well head valves, and one or more well heads. The method may further include optimizing the operation of one or more subsystems of the hydraulic fracturing system using a particle swarm algorithm. The method may further include outputting one or more control signals to the one or more subsystems based on optimizing the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Andy Publes, Casey A. Otten, Brandon J. Mabe, Perry D. Converse, Jason T. Herlehy, Joseph C. Bufkin
  • Publication number: 20230235653
    Abstract: A method may include receiving information related to operation or a configuration of a hydraulic fracturing system. The hydraulic fracturing system may include a plurality of electric power source outputs and a plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs. The method may further include performing, based on the information, asymmetric power management of the plurality of electric power source outputs. The method may further include performing, based on the information, asymmetric load management of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy PUBLES, Casey A. OTTEN, Perry D. CONVERSE, Yanchai ZHANG, Zhijun CAI, Baoyang DENG, Christopher G. Y. HADDAD, Jason T. HERLEHY, Todd R. KABRICH, Nausheen AHMAD, Joseph C. BUFKIN
  • Publication number: 20230235663
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, by a controller, operation of a pump of at least one hydraulic fracturing rig during ramp-up of the pump. Each of the at least one hydraulic fracturing rig may further include an engine and a transmission. The method may further include detecting, by the controller, an issue in the operation of the pump based on the monitoring of the operation and performing an action based on the detecting of the issue.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. KABRICH, Casey A. OTTEN, Yuesheng HE
  • Patent number: 11674509
    Abstract: A long sleeve cartridge for being inserted into a fluid end block of a pump is disclosed. The long sleeve cartridge includes a body and a sleeve bore extending through the body. The sleeve bore includes a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter. The first inner diameter is less than the second inner diameter. A first aperture is located on the body, and a second aperture is located on the body in a radial position substantially diametrically opposite of the first aperture. A packing seal assembly is secured within the long sleeve cartridge. The packing seal assembly includes one or more seals and a biasing mechanism to provide a compression force on the seals. The packing seal assembly is arranged within the second inner diameter when the packing seal assembly is disposed within the long sleeve cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl J. Belshan, James Barnhouse, Jacob Brown, Todd R. Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20230130824
    Abstract: A long sleeve cartridge for being inserted into a fluid end block of a pump is disclosed. The long sleeve cartridge includes a body and a sleeve bore extending through the body. The sleeve bore includes a first inner diameter and a second inner diameter. The first inner diameter is less than the second inner diameter. A first aperture is located on the body, and a second aperture is located on the body in a radial position substantially diametrically opposite of the first aperture. A packing seal assembly is secured within the long sleeve cartridge. The packing seal assembly includes one or more seals and a biasing mechanism to provide a compression force on the seals. The packing seal assembly is arranged within the second inner diameter when the packing seal assembly is disposed within the long sleeve cartridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Applicant: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl J. Belshan, James Barnhouse, Jacob Brown, Todd R. Kabrich
  • Patent number: 8489297
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hydraulic transmission uses a clutch fill profile having a hold level that varies as a function of torque. A pressure required for an on-coming clutch to hold the gear of the off-going clutch without a flare or over-speed condition is calculated. This pressure approximates the pressure of the on-coming clutch when a disengage command with respect to the off-going clutch is reached. The pulse and hold phases for the clutch are executed at times that are constant from shift to shift and do not vary as a function of torque or slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Todd R. Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20100268427
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a hydraulic transmission uses a clutch fill profile having a hold level that varies as a function of torque. A pressure required for an on-coming clutch to hold the gear of the off-going clutch without a flare or over-speed condition is calculated. This pressure approximates the pressure of the on-coming clutch when a disengage command with respect to the off-going clutch is reached. The pulse and hold phases for the clutch are executed at times that are constant from shift to shift and do not vary as a function of torque or slip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Todd R. Kabrich
  • Patent number: 7731630
    Abstract: A calibration system for calibrating a transmission adjusts a clutch fill pulse width and hold level current for an oncoming clutch via calibration shifts during operation of the associated machine, thus establishing the desired shift timing and duration. The pulse width is calibrated based on torque transfer characteristics of the clutch during a test shift, and the hold level current is calibrated based on the shift duration of a further test shift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. League, Joseph A. Grove, Todd R. Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20080194384
    Abstract: A calibration system for calibrating a transmission adjusts a clutch fill pulse width and hold level current for an oncoming clutch via calibration shifts during operation of the associated machine, thus establishing the desired shift timing and duration. The pulse width is calibrated based on torque transfer characteristics of the clutch during a test shift, and the hold level current is calibrated based on the shift duration of a further test shift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard B. League, Joseph A. Grove, Todd R. Kabrich
  • Patent number: 7353725
    Abstract: A method of shifting gears in a work machine includes modulating an oncoming clutch pressure via a first segment of a predetermined curve, and modulating the clutch pressure via a second segment of the predetermined curve after the occurrence of a predetermined relative velocity state of a work machine transmission. A work machine having an electronic controller with an embedded shifting control algorithm that includes means for modulating the oncoming clutch pressure via a first segment of a predetermined curve, and via a second segment of a predetermined curve having a net slope different from the first segment after the occurrence of a predetermined relative velocity state of the work machine transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Tom Brosowke, Vaibhav H. Shah, Andrew W. Sloan, Richard B. League, Brian E. Lister
  • Patent number: 7052424
    Abstract: A drive sprocket assembly for driving an endless chain assembly for propelling a machine has a hub portion and flexible cantilever teeth in which each tooth is separately deflectable upon impact by a bushing of the endless chain assembly. The flexibility of each tooth will absorb a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact to reduce noise in the structure. The drive sprocket assembly includes a plurality of segments each having the cantilever teeth. Each segment has a first end portion and a second end portion having an end relief which prevents wear between the segment and the hub as the end portion is deflected by the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Morris E. Taft, Stephen C. Todd