Patents by Inventor Chih C. Liang

Chih C. Liang 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).

  • ELECTRIC POWERTRAIN FOR WORK MACHINE
    Publication number: 20110295453
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes an engine configured to provide mechanical energy and a generator operably coupled to the engine and configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The electric powertrain further includes at least one electric motor operably coupled to the generator, a plurality of driving members, and at least one power electronics unit configured to control at least one of the engine and the generator. The at least one electric motor is configured to provide torque for the plurality of driving members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael D. Betz, Kent A. Casey, Stephen C. Garnett, Chih C. Liang, Andrew J. Tonsor, Michael E. Vanderham, Edward L. Zwilling
  • Electric powertrain for machine
    Patent number: 7950481
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes an engine configured to provide mechanical energy and a generator operably coupled to the engine and configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The electric powertrain further includes at least one electric motor operably coupled to the generator, a plurality of driving members, and at least one power electronics unit configured to control at least one of the engine and the generator. The at least one electric motor is configured to provide torque for the plurality of driving members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Betz, Kent A. Casey, Stephen C. Garnett, Chih C. Liang, Andrew J. Tonsor, Michael E. Vanderham, Edward L. Zwilling
  • Energy storage and recovery for a tracked machine
    Patent number: 7658250
    Abstract: A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks is disclosed. The system includes a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine, and an electric generator operably coupled to the power source. The electric generator is configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The system further includes an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator. The electric motor is configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks. The system includes an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine, and a controller configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Betz, Stephen C. Garnett, Chih C. Liang, Eric D. Stemler
  • Energy storage and recovery for a tracked machine
    Publication number: 20080121448
    Abstract: A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks is disclosed. The system includes a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine, and an electric generator operably coupled to the power source. The electric generator is configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The system further includes an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator. The electric motor is configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks. The system includes an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine, and a controller configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Michael D. Betz, Stephen C. Garnett, Chih C. Liang, Eric D. Stemler