Patents by Inventor Todd Ryan KABRICH

Todd Ryan 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).

  • Publication number: 20240167470
    Abstract: An example system includes a fluid end having a block, a fluid inlet formed in the block, and a fluid outlet formed in the block. The system also includes an intake manifold fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet, and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet and the intake manifold. The system further includes a valve fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the valve configured to control fluid flow through the fluid conduit, an actuator coupled to the valve and configured to position the valve in an open position or a closed position, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and configured to send one or more signals to the actuator, causing the actuator to position the valve in the open position or the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: YUESHENG HE, Todd Ryan Kabrich, Casey Alan Otten
  • Patent number: 11898551
    Abstract: An example system includes a fluid end having a block, a fluid inlet formed in the block, and a fluid outlet formed in the block. The system also includes an intake manifold fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet, and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet and the intake manifold. The system further includes a valve fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the valve configured to control fluid flow through the fluid conduit, an actuator coupled to the valve and configured to position the valve in an open position or a closed position, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and configured to send one or more signals to the actuator, causing the actuator to position the valve in the open position or the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng He, Todd Ryan Kabrich, Casey Alan Otten
  • Patent number: 11859664
    Abstract: A pinion shaft assembly for operation in a power end of a reciprocating pump includes a tubular member coupled to first pinion gear member via an interference coupling extension, possibly having a protruding alignment key operable to engage a slot formed on an inner wall of the first end of the tubular member to ensure correct rotational orientation of the first pinion gear member and the tubular member and to help prevent rotation of the first pinion gear member relative to the tubular member. The tubular member is also coupled to a second pinion gear member via an interference coupling extension, possibly having a protruding alignment key operable to engage a slot formed on an inner wall of the second end of the tubular member to ensure correct rotational orientation of the second pinion gear member and the tubular member and to help prevent rotation of the second pinion gear member relative to the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: Daryl James Belshan, Jacob Brown, Sri Harsha Uddanda, Todd Ryan Kabrich
  • Patent number: 11808225
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may determine, in connection with a constant speed operation of an engine operable by spark ignition of a gaseous fuel, that a transient event associated with the engine is to occur, the transient event to cause a shift from a first gear to a second gear of a transmission coupled to the engine, where the shift from the first gear to the second gear is to increase a primary load associated with the engine. The controller may cause, prior to the shift from the first gear to the second gear, increasing of an auxiliary load associated with the engine. The controller may cause, during the shift from the first gear to the second gear, decreasing of the auxiliary load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng He, Todd Ryan Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20230332592
    Abstract: An example system includes a fluid end having a block, a fluid inlet formed in the block, and a fluid outlet formed in the block. The system also includes an intake manifold fluidly coupled to the fluid inlet, and a fluid conduit fluidly coupled to the fluid outlet and the intake manifold. The system further includes a valve fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit, the valve configured to control fluid flow through the fluid conduit, an actuator coupled to the valve and configured to position the valve in an open position or a closed position, and a controller communicatively coupled to the actuator and configured to send one or more signals to the actuator, causing the actuator to position the valve in the open position or the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng He, Todd Ryan Kabrich, Casey Alan Otten
  • Publication number: 20230287775
    Abstract: A controller that is associated with a pump system causes a power ramp rate of a motor of the pump system to have an initial power ramp rate. The controller monitors, after causing the power ramp rate of the motor to have the initial power ramp rate, a frequency of a power bus. One or more power sources provide power to the pump system via the power bus. The controller causes, based on monitoring the frequency of the power bus, the power ramp rate of the motor to be modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy PUBLES, Mark Francis GRIMES, Riadh BENGUEDDA, Yuesheng HE, Mark C. PAUL, Todd Ryan KABRICH
  • Publication number: 20230258172
    Abstract: In some implementations, a powertrain for powering a fluid pump may include a power source configured to rotate a first drive shaft at an approximately constant speed. The powertrain may include a mechanical transmission. The mechanical transmission may include one or more gearboxes associated with a set of fixed gear ratios, a second drive shaft coupled to the first drive shaft, and a third drive shaft coupled to an input drive shaft of the fluid pump and configured to rotate the input drive shaft at variable speeds or with variable torque based on using different gear ratios from the set of fixed gear ratios. The powertrain may include a torque converter disposed between the first drive shaft and the second drive shaft to enable the first drive shaft to be coupled to the second drive shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley P. CLARK, Todd Ryan KABRICH, Brandon J. MABE
  • Publication number: 20230243348
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may obtain a setting for a target discharge pressure associated with a fluid pump driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD). The target discharge pressure may be for use in a pressure test of a system that includes the fluid pump. The controller may determine a target torque for the motor that achieves the target discharge pressure. The controller may cause, via the VFD and in connection with the pressure test, adjustment to a speed of the motor to achieve the target torque for the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy PUBLES, Mark C. PAUL, Mark Francis GRIMES, Todd Ryan KABRICH, Riadh BENGUEDDA
  • Publication number: 20230243350
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may monitor, during a ramp up period of a fluid pump driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD), an intake pressure of the fluid pump and a discharge pressure of the fluid pump. The controller may detect, based on monitoring the intake pressure and the discharge pressure, whether the intake pressure satisfies an intake pressure threshold or the discharge pressure satisfies a discharge pressure threshold. The controller may cause, via the VFD, reduction of a torque of the motor based on the intake pressure satisfying the intake pressure threshold or the discharge pressure satisfying the discharge pressure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ryan KABRICH, Andy PUBLES, Mark Francis GRIMES, Yuesheng HE
  • Patent number: 11686186
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may monitor an available power supply of at least one power source for a system for hydraulic fracturing, and a current power demand of the system. The controller may determine, based on monitoring the available power supply and the current power demand, whether a relationship between the current power demand and the available power supply is indicative of an impending power failure. The controller may cause, based on determining that the relationship between the current power demand and the available power supply indicates the impending power failure, reduction of flow rates of one or more fluid pumps of the system to reduce the current power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Publes, Mark Francis Grimes, Todd Ryan Kabrich, Mark C. Paul, Riadh Benguedda
  • Publication number: 20230151842
    Abstract: A pinion shaft assembly for operation in a power end of a reciprocating pump includes a tubular member coupled to first pinion gear member via an interference coupling extension, possibly having a protruding alignment key operable to engage a slot formed on an inner wall of the first end of the tubular member to ensure correct rotational orientation of the first pinion gear member and the tubular member and to help prevent rotation of the first pinion gear member relative to the tubular member. The tubular member is also coupled to a second pinion gear member via an interference coupling extension, possibly having a protruding alignment key operable to engage a slot formed on an inner wall of the second end of the tubular member to ensure correct rotational orientation of the second pinion gear member and the tubular member and to help prevent rotation of the second pinion gear member relative to the tubular member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Daryl James Belshan, Jacob Brown, Sri Harsha Uddanda, Todd Ryan Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20230138338
    Abstract: A fluid end includes a block, a suction bore formed in the block and having a suction valve disposed within the suction bore, and a discharge bore formed in the block and having a discharge valve disposed within the discharge bore. The fluid end also includes a plunger bore formed in the block and having a plunger disposed therein, the plunger moveable in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction such that the plunger draws fluid through the suction valve when the plunger moves in the first direction and forces fluid through the discharge valve when the plunger moves in a second direction. The fluid end further includes a seal pack configured to maintain sealing contact with the plunger as the plunger moves in the first direction or the second direction and a coating applied to the block between the seal pack and the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
    Inventors: James Anthony Barnhouse, JR., Todd Ryan Kabrich
  • Publication number: 20200256713
    Abstract: A system for shutting-off fluid flow and measuring fluid flow rate may include a housing defining an inlet, a valve body chamber, and an outlet opposite the inlet. The system may also include a valve body at least partially received in the valve body chamber, and an actuator coupled to the valve body and configured to reposition and/or re-orient the valve body. The system may also include at least one pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure differential signal indicative of a pressure difference between pressure at the inlet and the outlet, and a controller configured to receive a valve body signal indicative of a valve body position and/or orientation and the pressure differential signal, and determine a flow rate of fluid flowing through the housing based at least in part on the valve body signal and/or the pressure differential signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Ryan Kabrich
  • Patent number: 8662055
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine, an intake duct, and a valve disposed within the intake duct and movable between a flow-passing first position, and a flow-blocking second position. The engine system may also have an actuator configured to move the valve from the second position toward the first position, and a biasing element configured to move the valve from the first position toward the second position. The engine system may additionally have a sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the engine, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive an input indicative engine activation, and to activate the actuator based on the input. The controller may also be configured to make a determination that the operating condition of the engine has deviated from a desired operating condition, and to deactivate the actuator based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ryan Kabrich, Matthew Christopher Greving, Eric John Kuester, Scott Allen Weiss
  • Publication number: 20120240899
    Abstract: An engine system is disclosed. The engine system may have an engine, an intake duct, and a valve disposed within the intake duct and movable between a flow-passing first position, and a flow-blocking second position. The engine system may also have an actuator configured to move the valve from the second position toward the first position, and a biasing element configured to move the valve from the first position toward the second position. The engine system may additionally have a sensor configured to sense an operating condition of the engine, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive an input indicative engine activation, and to activate the actuator based on the input. The controller may also be configured to make a determination that the operating condition of the engine has deviated from a desired operating condition, and to deactivate the actuator based on the determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Todd Ryan KABRICH, Matthew Christopher Greving, Eric John Kuester, Scott Allen Weiss