Patents by Inventor Brett Michael Nee

Brett Michael Nee 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: 20250108694
    Abstract: A controller of a machine identifies that a battery of the machine is connected to an electrical power connector component. The controller then causes one or more charging components of the battery of the machine to be enabled, then cause one or more electrical components associated with the battery of the machine to be enabled, then causes one or more cooling components of the machine to be enabled, then causes one or more propulsion components of the machine to be disabled, then causes one or more accumulator components of a hydraulic system of the machine to bleed, and then causes one or more non-accumulator components of the hydraulic system of the machine to be enabled. In this way, the controller causes the battery of the machine to enter into a charging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2024
    Publication date: April 3, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Dale DENNING, Jason Lee MILLER, Christopher L. WYNKOOP, Srikar THADUVAYI, Brett Michael NEE
  • Publication number: 20240380017
    Abstract: A thermal management system for a battery system of a machine includes one or more thermal management components, a power connector, and a controller. The thermal management system is separate from the machine. The one or more thermal management components are configured to facilitate thermal management of the battery system of the machine. The power connector is configured to provide power to the thermal management system from a power source external to the machine. The controller is configured to communicate with another controller of the machine to allow the controller to control the one or more thermal management components, wherein the other controller is configured to control the thermal management of the battery system of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2023
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Michael NEE, Andrew OLSON, Dustin Dale DENNING, Scott Alan TIPTON, Christopher L. WYNKOOP
  • Publication number: 20240157940
    Abstract: As part of a start-up sequence, a controller of a machine causes one or more activation components of a battery of the machine to be enabled, then causes one or more electrical components associated with the battery to be enabled, then causes one or more non-accumulator components of a hydraulic system to be enabled, then causes one or more accumulator components of the hydraulic system to charge, and then causes one or more propulsion components to be enabled. As part of a shut-down sequence, the controller causes the one or more propulsion components to be disabled, then causes the one or more accumulator components of the hydraulic system to bleed, then causes the one or more non-accumulator components of the hydraulic system to be disabled, and then causes the one or more electrical components associated with the battery to be disabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Jason Lee MILLER, Luke T. MELCHIOR, Christopher L. WYNKOOP, Dustin Dale DENNING, Brett Michael NEE, Peter H. HUANG
  • Publication number: 20240157798
    Abstract: A controller of a machine identifies that a battery of the machine is connected to an electrical power connector component. The controller then causes one or more charging components of the battery of the machine to be enabled, then cause one or more electrical components associated with the battery of the machine to be enabled, then causes one or more cooling components of the machine to be enabled, then causes one or more propulsion components of the machine to be disabled, then causes one or more accumulator components of a hydraulic system of the machine to bleed, and then causes one or more non-accumulator components of the hydraulic system of the machine to be enabled. In this way, the controller causes the battery of the machine to enter into a charging state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 16, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dustin Dale DENNING, Jason Lee MILLER, Christopher L. WYNKOOP, Srikar THADUVAYI, Brett Michael NEE
  • Patent number: 9577558
    Abstract: A power management system having automatic calibration is disclosed. The power management system may have an alternator and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine a reference voltage based on at least one measured operating condition of the alternator. The reference voltage may correspond to an overloading threshold of the alternator. The electronic control unit may be further configured to monitor a voltage of the alternator and, when the monitored voltage is less than the reference voltage, perform a corrective action to increase a power output of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Kresca, Brett Michael Nee, Matthew J. Urbanc
  • Publication number: 20160006383
    Abstract: A power management system having automatic calibration is disclosed. The power management system may have an alternator and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit may be configured to determine a reference voltage based on at least one measured operating condition of the alternator. The reference voltage may correspond to an overloading threshold of the alternator. The electronic control unit may be further configured to monitor a voltage of the alternator and, when the monitored voltage is less than the reference voltage, perform a corrective action to increase a power output of the alternator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James Kresca, Brett Michael Nee, Matthew J. Urbanc
  • Patent number: 8947032
    Abstract: A system for estimating a rotor position may include a synchronous machine, including at least one stator winding pair configured to create a magnetic field when an input voltage is applied and a rotor having a field winding and configured to rotate within the magnetic field created by the at least one stator winding pair. The system may include a phase detector configured to determine a phase difference between the input voltage and a field voltage induced in the field winding of the rotor. The system may also include a processor configured to receive a signal from the phase detector indicative of the phase difference between the input voltage and the field voltage, and to estimate the rotor position based on the phase difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Michael Nee, Garrett Tyler Nielson
  • Publication number: 20140145653
    Abstract: A system for estimating a rotor position may include a synchronous machine, including at least one stator winding pair configured to create a magnetic field when an input voltage is applied and a rotor having a field winding and configured to rotate within the magnetic field created by the at least one stator winding pair. The system may include a phase detector configured to determine a phase difference between the input voltage and a field voltage induced in the field winding of the rotor. The system may also include a processor configured to receive a signal from the phase detector indicative of the phase difference between the input voltage and the field voltage, and to estimate the rotor position based on the phase difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTRO-MOTIVE DIESEL, INC.
    Inventors: Brett Michael Nee, Garrett Tyler Nielson
  • Publication number: 20130076128
    Abstract: A method of controlling a variable frequency power converter disposed on a vehicle, and a machine with such a variable frequency power converter is disclosed. The method may comprise providing a power controller, the variable frequency power converter and an electrical energy storage repository disposed on the vehicle. The method may further comprise receiving, by the power controller, a desired reference value, and adjusting a switching frequency of the variable frequency power converter from a first switching frequency to a second switching frequency based on the desired reference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventor: Brett Michael Nee