Patents by Inventor Alexander C. Crosman

Alexander C. Crosman 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: 20240128765
    Abstract: A method of cell balancing for a battery comprising a plurality of cells. The method comprises determining a cell balancing strategy based on at least one of a cell chemistry of the battery; an expected use cycle of the battery; and a first state of the battery, wherein the first state is a detected state of the battery. The method further comprises discharging one or more cells according to the cell balancing strategy when the battery is in a second state, wherein the second state is a detected state of the battery. The cell balancing strategy is configured to discharge one or more of the plurality of cells such that a balancing parameter of each cell being discharged reaches a threshold value. The balancing parameter comprises at least one of a voltage; a state of charge; and a voltage difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James Kieran MCCLOSKEY, Alexander C. CROSMAN, V.Kameswara Kiran RAJALA, Srihari Ranganathan N., Michael David SMITH
  • Patent number: 11874342
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a fuse of a work machine includes sensing a fuse current; detecting when the fuse current exceeds a threshold; quantifying a difference current that is a difference between the fuse current and the threshold current when the fuse current exceeds the threshold current; determining an amount of time that the difference current is greater than zero; and generating an alert related to fuse lifetime according to the difference current and determined time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Patent number: 11707993
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery unit to power a work machine. The system includes a charger to charge the battery unit, charging receptacles, power supply connectors, and a charging controller. The power supply connectors are configured to be received into the charging receptacles to attain connections between the charger and the battery unit. The charging controller is communicably coupled to the charger and is configured to receive an input corresponding to a net charge capacity of the battery unit; determine a power to be supplied to the battery unit by the charger to charge the battery unit in response to the input; and supply the power to the battery unit from the charger through the connections. The power to be supplied to the battery unit corresponds to a maximum possible power that meets the net charge capacity of the battery unit in the shortest possible time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Matthew Baumann, Dustin Craig Selvey, Jason Lee Miller, Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Publication number: 20230194632
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a fuse of a work machine includes sensing a fuse current; detecting when the fuse current exceeds a threshold; quantifying a difference current that is a difference between the fuse current and the threshold current when the fuse current exceeds the threshold current; determining an amount of time that the difference current is greater than zero; and generating an alert related to fuse lifetime according to the difference current and determined time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Publication number: 20230182620
    Abstract: A method of operating a machine battery system having multiple battery packs connectable in parallel includes bringing a first battery pack with the highest offline pack voltage online for discharging, including a pack controller circuit of the first battery pack bringing one or more individual battery strings of the first battery pack online; bringing a next battery pack with a next highest offline pack voltage online when the next highest offline pack voltage is within a predetermined discharge threshold voltage of a load voltage, including the pack controller circuit bringing one or more individual battery strings of the next battery pack online; and waiting to bring the next battery pack online, when the next highest offline pack voltage is less than a predetermined discharge threshold voltage of the load voltage, until the next highest offline pack voltage is within the predetermined discharge threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander C. Crosman, III, Joseph Oluwagbeminiyi Oyekan
  • Patent number: 11642967
    Abstract: A machine may a first high voltage interlocking loop (HVIL) system to provide power to one or more components of the machine, the first HVIL system comprising: a plurality of groups of batteries; a plurality of disconnect components connected to the plurality of groups of batteries; a plurality of sets of contactors, a set of contactors, of the plurality of sets of contactors, being connected to a group of batteries of the plurality of groups of batteries. The machine may a second HVIL system to receive power from a power source, the second HVIL system comprising: a port configured to receive a connector of the power source and receive power, from the power source via the connector, to charge the plurality of groups of batteries, wherein the second HVIL system is independent with respect to the first HVIL system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Justin D. Middleton, Jason Lee Miller, Dustin Craig Selvey, Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Publication number: 20230035165
    Abstract: A system for charging a battery unit to power a work machine. The system includes a charger to charge the battery unit, charging receptacles, power supply connectors, and a charging controller. The power supply connectors are configured to be received into the charging receptacles to attain connections between the charger and the battery unit. The charging controller is communicably coupled to the charger and is configured to receive an input corresponding to a net charge capacity of the battery unit; determine a power to be supplied to the battery unit by the charger to charge the battery unit in response to the input; and supply the power to the battery unit from the charger through the connections. The power to be supplied to the battery unit corresponds to a maximum possible power that meets the net charge capacity of the battery unit in the shortest possible time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Matthew Baumann, Dustin Craig Selvey, Jason Lee Miller, Alexander C. Crosman,, III
  • Patent number: 11529882
    Abstract: The disclosure describes technology that includes a charge-port capture detection mechanism, which has a mounting base and a capture gate. The mounting is connectable to a battery electric vehicle (BEV) at a location adjacent to a high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) charge-port. The capture gate is movably attached to the mounting base, the capture gate being moveable, relative to the mounting base, between a closed position in which the capture gate captures a charge connector of a charging cable engaged in the HVDC charge-port and an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Matthew Baumann, Dustin C. Selvey, Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Patent number: 11404986
    Abstract: A control system for an induction motor executes an on-board, dynamic model to estimate rotor resistance and control the torque output by the induction motor. The model includes equations to calculate stator and rotor temperatures and/or resistances based on combinations of voltage and current data, electrical frequency, rotor speed, switching patterns, and air flow rates during operation of the induction motor. The control system updates the model based on feedback collected during the operation of the induction motor, including the difference between the actual observed stator temperature and the stator temperature predicted by the model. The model is updated to converge the predicted stator temperature on the actual observed stator temperature, and corresponding updates are made to the rotor resistance estimations to provide more accurate estimations of the rotor resistance and improve the accuracy of the induction motor torque output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Baddam Reddy, Alexander C. Crosman, III, Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Carlos Eduardo Nino Baron
  • Publication number: 20220090594
    Abstract: A monitor and control system for a hydraulic fracturing pump is described herein to reduce or eliminate harmful oscillations in fluid discharge pressure caused by the pump load dynamics. The monitor and control system receives various sensor data from the operation of the pump, including the pump crank position, and executes a pump control equation or model based on the pump sensor data, pump load data and/or pump speed data. Pump control equations or models are specific to the design and dynamic operation of the pump, incorporating the number of plungers, pump dynamics, motor lag and motor dynamics, etc. Using the pump control equations or models, the monitor and control system determines control commands for the pump motor to reduce or eliminate the oscillatory discharge pressure at the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Baddam Reddy, Alexander C. Crosman, III, Lucas J Peterson, Bradley Scott Bailey
  • Publication number: 20220052633
    Abstract: A control system for an induction motor executes an on-board, dynamic model to estimate rotor resistance and control the torque output by the induction motor. The model includes equations to calculate stator and rotor temperatures and/or resistances based on combinations of voltage and current data, electrical frequency, rotor speed, switching patterns, and air flow rates during operation of the induction motor. The control system updates the model based on feedback collected during the operation of the induction motor, including the difference between the actual observed stator temperature and the stator temperature predicted by the model. The model is updated to converge the predicted stator temperature on the actual observed stator temperature, and corresponding updates are made to the rotor resistance estimations to provide more accurate estimations of the rotor resistance and improve the accuracy of the induction motor torque output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Baddam Reddy, Alexander C. Crosman III, Thomas Michael Sopko Jr., Carlos Eduardo Nino Baron
  • Publication number: 20220024331
    Abstract: The disclosure describes technology that includes a charge-port capture detection mechanism, which has a mounting base and a capture gate. The mounting is connectable to a battery electric vehicle (BEV) at a location adjacent to a high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) charge-port. The capture gate is movably attached to the mounting base, the capture gate being moveable, relative to the mounting base, between a closed position in which the capture gate captures a charge connector of a charging cable engaged in the HVDC charge-port and an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Matthew Baumann, Dustin C. Selvey, Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Publication number: 20220024318
    Abstract: A machine may a first high voltage interlocking loop (HVIL) system to provide power to one or more components of the machine, the first HVIL system comprising: a plurality of groups of batteries; a plurality of disconnect components connected to the plurality of groups of batteries; a plurality of sets of contactors, a set of contactors, of the plurality of sets of contactors, being connected to a group of batteries of the plurality of groups of batteries. The machine may a second HVIL system to receive power from a power source, the second HVIL system comprising: a port configured to receive a connector of the power source and receive power, from the power source via the connector, to charge the plurality of groups of batteries, wherein the second HVIL system is independent with respect to the first HVIL system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. BAUMANN, Justin D. MIDDLETON, Jason Lee MILLER, Dustin Craig SELVEY, Alexander C. CROSMAN, III
  • Patent number: 9941831
    Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) motor includes a Direct Current (DC) power source, and an inverter. The control system includes a user interface configured to enable an operator to specify a desired torque output. The control system further includes a controller which converts a DC current from the Alternating Current (AC) supplied to the SR motor by the inverter. The controller estimates an actual power output generated by the SR motor based on a DC voltage supplied by the DC power source to the inverter, and the converted DC current. The controller estimates an actual torque output based on the actual power output and a rotational speed of the SR motor. The controller compares the actual torque output and a desired torque output to calculate a torque error. The controller adjusts a torque output limit and the rotational speed of the SR motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason L. Miller, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, Alexander C. Crosman, III, Carlos E. Nino-Baron, Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil
  • Patent number: 9676280
    Abstract: A system for managing braking torque in a machine uses a first braking system, a second braking system that is independent of the first braking system and a controller that monitors activity in both braking systems. The controller selectively reduces torque in the first braking system as torque in the second braking system increases to limit undesired effects of possible over-braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Ruth, Christopher P. Braet, Alexander C. Crosman, III, Jonathan M. Baumann
  • Patent number: 9625512
    Abstract: A technique and system for detecting a location of a ground fault in an electrical system are provided. The technique and system include steps or components for determining a ground fault voltage, receiving a gate control signal associated with an electric load, comparing the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal, and determining whether the ground fault is located at the electric load based on the comparison of the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander C. Crosman, III, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse R. Gerdes
  • Publication number: 20170015201
    Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of a retarding grid associated with a traction motor of a machine includes a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor for measuring atmospheric pressure and temperature in real time. The system further includes a controller that determines a current air density on the basis of the measured atmospheric pressure and temperature. The controller then determines a threshold retarding power limit for the retarding grid on the basis of the current air density; and a threshold torque limit for the traction motor on the basis of the determined threshold retarding power limit and a current wheel speed of the machine. The controller determines a current retarding torque at the traction motor, and selectively generates a warning signal to an operator of the machine on the basis of the threshold torque limit determined for the traction motor and the current retarding torque at the traction motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander C Crosman, III, Baoyong Liu, Joshua M Williams, Brett M Nee
  • Publication number: 20160362006
    Abstract: A system for managing braking torque in a machine uses a first braking system, a second braking system that is independent of the first braking system and a controller that monitors activity in both braking systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Eric Ruth, Christopher P. Braet, Alexander C. Crosman, III, Jonathan M. Baumann
  • Publication number: 20150244292
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method for energy management for an electric drive system during regenerative braking of a machine. The machine includes an electric drive assembly. The electric drive assembly includes a generator, a motor, a primary direct current bus and a secondary direct current bus having a regenerative brake assembly. The method of energy management includes connecting at least a chopper and a crowbar across the secondary direct current bus. Further, the method includes directing a secondary power stored during regenerative braking, from the primary or secondary or both the buses through the chopper or the crowbar during fault condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 27, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Baojun Si, Dustin Selvey, William J. Tate, Alexander C. Crosman, III
  • Publication number: 20150192632
    Abstract: A technique and system for detecting a location of a ground fault in an electrical system are provided. The technique and system include steps or components for determining a ground fault voltage, receiving a gate control signal associated with an electric load, comparing the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal, and determining whether the ground fault is located at the electric load based on the comparison of the ground fault voltage to the gate control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander C. Crosman, III, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse R. Gerdes