Patents by Inventor Brian Kuras
Brian Kuras 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).
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Patent number: 11498428Abstract: A braking system is disclosed. The braking system may include a controller configured to determine a speed threshold that is based on a deceleration of an output speed of a powertrain of a machine caused in part by engagement of one or more brakes of the machine during a directional shift in a movement of the machine, the speed threshold being the output speed of the powertrain at which the one or more brakes are to be commanded to disengage. The controller may be configured to command disengagement of the one or more brakes based on a determination that the output speed of the powertrain satisfies the speed threshold.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuras, Ankit Sharma, Lance Cowper
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Patent number: 11458953Abstract: An electronic control unit to control an engine control module of an engine is disclosed. The electronic control unit may receive a machine input associated with the engine. The electronic control unit may select, based on the machine input, a lug mapping from a plurality of lug mappings for controlling a load of the engine. The electronic control unit may control, using the lug mapping, power output of the engine and power to a propulsion module of the machine to satisfy a drawbar power/torque threshold and steering power torque threshold associated with the machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuras, Tony Arida, Matthew Garnett, Thomas G. Pusch, Lance Cowper
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Patent number: 11066074Abstract: An electronic control unit to control an engine control module of an engine is disclosed. The electronic control unit may receive, from a load monitoring device, power command information associated with a load of an engine. The electronic control unit may determine, based on the power command information, a total power command of the engine. The electronic control unit may determine, based on the total power command, a target engine speed for the engine. The electronic control unit may cause an engine control module to control the engine to operate in association with the target engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2019Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuras, Ankit Sharma, Lance Cowper
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Publication number: 20210179071Abstract: An electronic control unit to control an engine control module of an engine is disclosed. The electronic control unit may receive a machine input associated with the engine. The electronic control unit may select, based on the machine input, a lug mapping from a plurality of lug mappings for controlling a load of the engine. The electronic control unit may control, using the lug mapping, power output of the engine and power to a propulsion module of the machine to satisfy a drawbar power/torque threshold and steering power torque threshold associated with the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuras, Tony Arida, Matthew Garnett, Thomas G. Pusch, Lance Cowper
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Patent number: 11038442Abstract: A device that includes a memory and a processor is disclosed. The processor may be configured to receive a control signal for operating a plurality of traction motors of a work machine. The control signal may include information relating to an actual speed of the work machine, a target speed of the work machine, and a generator speed of a generator operatively coupled to the traction motors. The processor may be configured to determine respective torque commands associated with the traction motors based on the actual speed and the target speed, and determine a generator power limit based on the generator speed. The processor may be configured to determine a threshold based on the respective torque commands and the generator power limit, adjust the respective torque commands based on the threshold, and cause the traction motors to be operated based on the adjusted respective torque commands.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2019Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian Kuras, Ankit Sharma, Lance Cowper
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Publication number: 20210135605Abstract: A device that includes a memory and a processor is disclosed. The processor may be configured to receive a control signal for operating a plurality of traction motors of a work machine. The control signal may include information relating to an actual speed of the work machine, a target speed of the work machine, and a generator speed of a generator operatively coupled to the traction motors. The processor may be configured to determine respective torque commands associated with the traction motors based on the actual speed and the target speed, and determine a generator power limit based on the generator speed. The processor may be configured to determine a threshold based on the respective torque commands and the generator power limit, adjust the respective torque commands based on the threshold, and cause the traction motors to be operated based on the adjusted respective torque commands.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2019Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian KURAS, Ankit SHARMA, Lance COWPER
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Publication number: 20210122247Abstract: A braking system is disclosed. The braking system may include a controller configured to determine a speed threshold that is based on a deceleration of an output speed of a powertrain of a machine caused in part by engagement of one or more brakes of the machine during a directional shift in a movement of the machine, the speed threshold being the output speed of the powertrain at which the one or more brakes are to be commanded to disengage. The controller may be configured to command disengagement of the one or more brakes based on a determination that the output speed of the powertrain satisfies the speed threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian KURAS, Ankit SHARMA, Lance COWPER
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Publication number: 20210039643Abstract: An electronic control unit to control an engine control module of an engine is disclosed. The electronic control unit may receive, from a load monitoring device, power command information associated with a load of an engine. The electronic control unit may determine, based on the power command information, a total power command of the engine. The electronic control unit may determine, based on the total power command, a target engine speed for the engine. The electronic control unit may cause an engine control module to control the engine to operate in association with the target engine speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2019Publication date: February 11, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian KURAS, Ankit SHARMA, Lance COWPER
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Publication number: 20170037963Abstract: A system for mechanically coupled multi-variator actuation is disclosed. One system includes: a first hydraulic variator comprising: a first hydraulic pump; and a first hydraulic motor linked to the first hydraulic pump. The system may further include a second hydraulic variator comprising: a second hydraulic pump; and a second hydraulic motor linked to the second hydraulic pump. The system may further include a first actuator linked to the first hydraulic pump and configured to control a displacement of the first hydraulic pump; a second actuator linked to the second hydraulic pump and configured to control a displacement of the second hydraulic pump; and a mechanical link connecting the first actuator and the second actuator, the mechanical link configured to facilitate a coordinated operation of the first actuator and the second actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: February 9, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael Barngrover, Brian Kuras
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Patent number: 7298102Abstract: An electric drive system has a power source and a generator operatively connected to the power source. The electric drive system also has at least one energy storage device such as a capacitor configured to store a supply of power. The electric drive system further has a common bus configured to direct the power output to the capacitor. The electric drive system also has at least one motor configured to receive power from the common bus. A controller for the electric drive system is provided, having an article therewith having a computer readable medium with a control algorithm recorded thereon. The control algorithm includes means for compensating for a change in power demand on a DC bus of the electric drive system.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Tom Sopko, Brian Kuras, Mustafa Guven
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Publication number: 20070144175Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes at least one turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system of the combustion engine. The at least one turbocharger is configured to increase the intake pressure in the intake system of the combustion engine. A turbocharger controller is configured to compare actual and desired intake pressures and control operation of the at least one turbocharger based on the comparison such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2006Publication date: June 28, 2007Inventors: Thomas Sopko, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey, Brian Kuras
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Publication number: 20060218923Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system. The system further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system. The system also includes an electric machine operably coupled to the turbocharger. The electric machine is configured to supply torque to the turbocharger. The system further includes a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the electric machine. The turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the electric machine such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2006Publication date: October 5, 2006Inventors: Thomas Sopko, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey, Brian Kuras
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Publication number: 20060112781Abstract: torque transmitting power system includes first and second motors operably coupled to an output shaft via respective first and second transmissions. At least one of the two transmissions has at least two ranges. A power supply subsystem includes an engine with an output operably coupled to an input of an energy conversion device, which is operably coupled to an input of the first motor and an input of the second motor. The system allows for speed shifts that can be accomplished in a way that maintains rimpull during the shift event for smoother accelerations.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2004Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey
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Publication number: 20050288148Abstract: A method is provided of boosting power to a continuously variable transmission having a motor. The continuously variable transmission is powered by an engine. The method includes selectively adjusting a power output of the engine above a steady state power output rating of the engine when an acceleration of the motor exceeds an acceleration threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2004Publication date: December 29, 2005Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko, Maria-Magdalena Dilimot, Michael Vanderham
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Publication number: 20050263329Abstract: An electric drive system has a power source and a generator operatively connected to the power source. The generator is configured to produce a power output. The electric drive system also has at least one capacitor configured to store a supply of power. The electric drive system further has a common bus configured to direct the power output to the capacitor. The electric drive system also has at least one motor configured to receive power from the common bus. The electric drive system additionally has a controller in communication with the at least one motor and the generator. The controller is configured to receive at least one input associated with the motor, to determine a requested motor power as a function of the at least one input, and to operate the generator to produce the requested motor power.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2004Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko
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Publication number: 20050263331Abstract: An electric drive system has a power source and a generator operatively connected to the power source. The electric drive system also has at least one energy storage device such as a capacitor configured to store a supply of power. The electric drive system further has a common bus configured to direct the power output to the capacitor. The electric drive system also has at least one motor configured to receive power from the common bus. A controller for the electric drive system is provided, having an article therewith having a computer readable medium with a control algorithm recorded thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2004Publication date: December 1, 2005Inventors: Tom Sopko, Brian Kuras, Mustafa Guven
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Publication number: 20050206337Abstract: A method of conditioning a signal being communicated between a system to be controlled and a controller may include monitoring an actual output signal and conditioning the actual output signal. The method also includes determining the difference between the actual output signal and the condition signal and causing the actual output signal to be filtered based on the relationship between the difference between the actual output signal and the conditioned signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2005Publication date: September 22, 2005Inventors: Robert Bertsch, Brian Kuras
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Publication number: 20050137060Abstract: Retarding Control For An Electric Drive Machine A method of dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive includes converting undesired power to electric power by the electric drive, and driving an internal combustion engine with at least a portion of the electric power prior to substantially dissipating power with any other power dissipating device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2003Publication date: June 23, 2005Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko
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Publication number: 20050071066Abstract: A predictive load management system includes a power source operable to generate power output, the power source having a desired operating range. A transmission having a drive member is operably engaged with the power source. A control system is in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system receives at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and identifies a change in the load on the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is further operable to determine a desired power output of the power source to account for the change in the load on the transmission. The control system modifies a performance characteristic of the power source to cause the power source to generate the desired power output when the change in the load on the transmission will result in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Charles Rose, Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham, Mustafa Guven, Thomas Sopko
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Publication number: 20050071067Abstract: A predictive load management system is provided. A power source is operable to generate a power output and has a desired operating range. A transmission has a drive member operably engaged with the power source and a driven member. A control system is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and to identify a desired load of the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is also operable to receive at least one input indicative of current power output of the power source. The control system limits the desired transmission load applied to the driven member of the transmission based on the current power output of the power source to thereby prevent the power source from operating outside of the desired operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2003Publication date: March 31, 2005Inventors: Mustafa Guven, Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham