Patents by Inventor Andrew W. Black

Andrew W. Black 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: 10566800
    Abstract: A method for controlling a genset system is provided. The method includes recognizing a communication failure between one or more gensets of a plurality of gensets and a control system and determining an operating state of each of the one or more gensets prior to the communication failure. The method further includes operating the genset system, upon communication failure, according to a load control scheme. The load control scheme includes determining an available power of the genset system based on the determined operating state of each of the one or more gensets and coupling one or more loads to the genset system based on the available power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Christopher Gayles, Edward Maurer Schroeder, Stephen Charles Nofsinger, Josenia Yuen-Sai Gerdes, Andrew W Black
  • Publication number: 20170324250
    Abstract: A method for controlling a genset system is provided. The method includes recognizing a communication failure between one or more gensets of a plurality of gensets and a control system and determining an operating state of each of the one or more gensets prior to the communication failure. The method further includes operating the genset system, upon communication failure, according to a load control scheme. The load control scheme includes determining an available power of the genset system based on the determined operating state of each of the one or more gensets and coupling one or more loads to the genset system based on the available power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Christopher Gayles, Edward Maurer Schroeder, Stephen Charles Nofsinger, Josenia Yuen-sai Gerdes, Andrew W. Black
  • Patent number: 8950446
    Abstract: An electric generator set fuel control system is disclosed. The fuel control system includes an electric generator, a prime mover mechanically coupled to the generator, a first fuel tank, a fuel level sensor configured to generate a fuel level signal indicative of a fuel level in the first fuel tank, a fuel loading operator input device configured to generate a fuel loading signal, a fueling mode operator input device configured to generate a fueling mode signal, and a control module. The first fuel tank is configured to supply fuel to the prime mover, and selectively receive or supply fuel to a second fuel tank through a fuel pump. The control module is configured to generate a fuel transfer signal as a function of the fuel loading signal, the fueling mode signal, and the fuel level signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Folken, Joydip Chakravarty, Edward M. Schroeder, Andrew W. Black, Nelson Slaughter
  • Publication number: 20120168023
    Abstract: An electric generator set fuel control system is disclosed. The fuel control system includes an electric generator, a prime mover mechanically coupled to the generator, a first fuel tank, a fuel level sensor configured to generate a fuel level signal indicative of a fuel level in the first fuel tank, a fuel loading operator input device configured to generate a fuel loading signal, a fueling mode operator input device configured to generate a fueling mode signal, and a control module. The first fuel tank is configured to supply fuel to the prime mover, and selectively receive or supply fuel to a second fuel tank through a fuel pump. The control module is configured to generate a fuel transfer signal as a function of the fuel loading signal, the fueling mode signal, and the fuel level signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Folken, Joydip Chakravarty, Edward M. Schroeder, Andrew W. Black, Nelson Slaughter
  • Patent number: 7509221
    Abstract: A method of setting up a genset system for operation includes selecting one of a plurality of different sensors to monitor an operating parameter of a genset system, and coupling the selected sensor with a data processor of the genset system. The method further includes configuring the data processor for processing inputs from the selected sensor, for example an optional replacement sensor, by entering custom sensor calibration data for the selected sensor and recording the custom sensor calibration data on at least one computer writable medium of a control system for the genset system. A genset system includes a combustion engine, a generator, a set of standard sensors, and a control system. The control system includes a data processor configured to receive and process inputs from custom sensors, and includes a computer writable medium for storing custom sensor calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Keith R. Folken, Michael A. Dvorsky, James D. McBurney, Julie Boley, Stephen C. Nofsinger, David L. Zwetz, II, Andrew W. Black
  • Publication number: 20080172200
    Abstract: A method of setting up a genset system for operation includes selecting one of a plurality of different sensors to monitor an operating parameter of a genset system, and coupling the selected sensor with a data processor of the genset system. The method further includes configuring the data processor for processing inputs from the selected sensor, for example an optional replacement sensor, by entering custom sensor calibration data for the selected sensor and recording the custom sensor calibration data on at least one computer writable medium of a control system for the genset system. A genset system includes a combustion engine, a generator, a set of standard sensors, and a control system. The control system includes a data processor configured to receive and process inputs from custom sensors, and includes a computer writable medium for storing custom sensor calibration data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Keith R. Folken, Michael A. Dvorsky, James D. McBurney, Julie Boley, Stephen C. Nofsinger, David L. Zwetz, Andrew W. Black
  • Patent number: 5190217
    Abstract: A hand-held spray gun for directing a mixture of viscous liquid, such as asphalt, and glass particles onto a substrate surface as an integrated coating. The gun includes an elongated barrel, a spray nozzle at a discharge end of the barrel for creating a discharging spray pattern of liquid particles from a pressurized liquid source, a cutter assembly mounted on the barrel intermediate its ends for receiving a continuous glass roving and cutting such roving into particles for direction into the barrel, a fan mounted adjacent an upstream end of the barrel for directing an air flow through the barrel, and a gasoline-powered engine mounted adjacent the fan for simultaneously driving the fan and cutter assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Assignee: Air Pressure Damp-Proofing Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew W. Black, Richard M. Kleinke