Patents by Inventor Chris J. Tremel
Chris J. Tremel 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: 11670995Abstract: There is provided a system including a dual rotor electrical machine. The dual rotor electrical machine comprises a stator, an inner rotor including a first number of permanent magnet pole pairs, and a modulator including a second number of modulating segments. The system includes a controller configured to execute non-transitory machine readable instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the system to determine a virtual position of an electromagnetic field of the stator based on a weighted sum of an angular position of the inner rotor and an angular position of the modulator, wherein weights in the weighted sum are based on the first number and the second number.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Matthias Lang, Chris J. Tremel, Christopher Reek
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Publication number: 20210242761Abstract: There is provided a system including a dual rotor electrical machine. The dual rotor electrical machine comprises a stator, an inner rotor including a first number of permanent magnet pole pairs, and a modulator including a second number of modulating segments. The system includes a controller configured to execute non-transitory machine readable instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the system to determine a virtual position of an electromagnetic field of the stator based on a weighted sum of an angular position of the inner rotor and an angular position of the modulator, wherein weights in the weighted sum are based on the first number and the second number.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2020Publication date: August 5, 2021Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Matthias LANG, Chris J. TREMEL, Christopher REEK
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Patent number: 10295581Abstract: A controller including a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein; and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to: estimate a synthesized grid voltage vector angle at a terminal of an alternating current (AC) grid based on at least an adjusted angle, to generate Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to control power switches of the AFE inverter based on at least the synthesized grid voltage vector angle, and to control the AFE inverter to exchange power between the AC grid and a load based on the PWM signals.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Tianjun Fu, Long Wu, Kent Wanner, Jason Dickherber, Chris J. Tremel
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Patent number: 10270327Abstract: A controller may include a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein; and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to generate Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to control power switches of an Active Front End (AFE) inverter based on at least a synthesized grid voltage vector angle at a terminal of an alternating current (AC) grid without using physical voltage sensors at the terminal of the AC grid, and control the AFE inverter to supply power to a load based on the PWM signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2017Date of Patent: April 23, 2019Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Tianjun Fu, Long Wu, Kent Wanner, Jason Dickherber, Chris J. Tremel
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Publication number: 20190113553Abstract: A controller including a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein; and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to: estimate a synthesized grid voltage vector angle at a terminal of an alternating current (AC) grid based on at least an adjusted angle, to generate Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to control power switches of the AFE inverter based on at least the synthesized grid voltage vector angle, and to control the AFE inverter to exchange power between the AC grid and a load based on the PWM signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2018Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: Tianjun FU, Long Wu, Kent Wanner, Jason Dickherber, Chris J. Tremel
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Publication number: 20190115820Abstract: A controller may include a memory having computer-readable instructions stored therein; and a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to generate Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signals to control power switches of an Active Front End (AFE) inverter based on at least a synthesized grid voltage vector angle at a terminal of an alternating current (AC) grid without using physical voltage sensors at the terminal of the AC grid, and control the AFE inverter to supply power to a load based on the PWM signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2017Publication date: April 18, 2019Applicant: Deere & CompanyInventors: Tianjun FU, Long WU, Kent WANNER, Jason DICKHERBER, Chris J. TREMEL
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Patent number: 9689777Abstract: A fault detection system is disclosed for predicting bearing failure in a system with a bearing-supported shaft. A position sensor may sense a position of the shaft as the shaft rotates. A controller may receive, from the position sensor, position data indicating a plurality of sensed positions of the shaft. The controller may determine a position or velocity profile for the shaft based upon the received position data and may determine a frequency profile based upon the position or velocity profile. The controller may identify a characteristic of the frequency profile, and identify an expected bearing failure based upon the identified characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2015Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel, Jacob Pence
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Publication number: 20160327452Abstract: A fault detection system is disclosed for predicting bearing failure in a system with a bearing-supported shaft. A position sensor may sense a position of the shaft as the shaft rotates. A controller may receive, from the position sensor, position data indicating a plurality of sensed positions of the shaft. The controller may determine a position or velocity profile for the shaft based upon the received position data and may determine a frequency profile based upon the position or velocity profile. The controller may identify a characteristic of the frequency profile, and identify an expected bearing failure based upon the identified characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: ZIMIN W. VILAR, CHRIS J. TREMEL, JACOB PENCE
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Patent number: 9475403Abstract: Provided is a method and controller for controlling a vehicle dc bus voltage. The method includes generating a parameter. The parameter is based on a reference dc bus voltage squared. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the parameter and a detected dc bus voltage. The method may also include generating another parameter based on a power demand associated with at least one of a motoring mode operation and a generating mode operation of a traction motor associated with the vehicle. The power demand is indicated in a message received via a dedicated high speed data bus. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the another parameter.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Long Wu, Chris J. Tremel, Zimin W. Vilar, Alan K. Gilman, Robert Shaw
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Patent number: 9071186Abstract: In one example embodiment, a device for controlling an alternating current (AC) machine is disclosed. The device includes a processor configured to determine a plurality of instantaneous voltages corresponding to a plurality of phase voltages of an inverter, the inverter driving the AC machine. The processor is further configured to determine an actual line-to-line voltage of the inverter based on the plurality of instantaneous voltages. The processor is further configured to determine a terminal voltage feedback for controlling the AC machine, based on the determined actual line-to-line voltage and a terminal voltage threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Long Wu, Tianjun Fu, Chris J. Tremel
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Publication number: 20150057868Abstract: Provided is a method and controller for controlling a vehicle dc bus voltage. The method includes generating a parameter. The parameter is based on a reference dc bus voltage squared. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the parameter and a detected dc bus voltage. The method may also include generating another parameter based on a power demand associated with at least one of a motoring mode operation and a generating mode operation of a traction motor associated with the vehicle. The power demand is indicated in a message received via a dedicated high speed data bus. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the another parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Long WU, Chris J. TREMEL, Zimin W. VILAR, Alan K. GILMAN, Robert SHAW
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Patent number: 8880250Abstract: Provided is a method and controller for controlling a vehicle dc bus voltage. The method includes generating a parameter. The parameter is based on a reference dc bus voltage squared. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the parameter and a detected dc bus voltage. The method may also include generating another parameter based on a power demand associated with at least one of a motoring mode operation and a generating mode operation of a traction motor associated with the vehicle. The power demand is indicated in a message received via a dedicated high speed data bus. The method includes controlling the vehicle dc bus voltage based on the another parameter.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Long Wu, Chris J. Tremel, Zimin W. Vilar, Alan K. Gilman, Robert Shaw
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Patent number: 8872455Abstract: For each phase of a controller, semiconductor switches comprise a high side switch and a low side switch. A direct current voltage bus provides electrical energy to the semiconductor switches. A measuring circuit is adapted to measure the collector-emitter voltage or drain-source voltage for each semiconductor switch of the controller. A data processor determines that a short circuit in a particular semiconductor switch is present if the measured collector-emitter voltage or measured source-drain voltage for the particular semiconductor switch is lower than a minimum threshold and if an observed current associated with the particular semiconductor switch has an opposite polarity from a normal operational polarity. A driver simultaneously activates counterpart switches of like direct current input polarity that are coupled to other phase windings of the electric motor, other than the particular semiconductor switch, to protect the electric motor from potential damage associated with asymmetric current flow.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Chris J Tremel, Eric Vilar
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Publication number: 20140306637Abstract: In one example embodiment, a device for controlling an alternating current (AC) machine is disclosed. The device includes a processor configured to determine a plurality of instantaneous voltages corresponding to a plurality of phase voltages of an inverter, the inverter driving the AC machine. The processor is further configured to determine an actual line-to-line voltage of the inverter based on the plurality of instantaneous voltages. The processor is further configured to determine a terminal voltage feedback for controlling the AC machine, based on the determined actual line-to-line voltage and a terminal voltage threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Long WU, Tianjun FU, Chris J. TREMEL
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Patent number: 8836256Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel
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Patent number: 8810189Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a drive system including a machine including a plurality of phases and configured to generate power based on a plurality of phase currents, each respectively associated with the plurality of phases and a direct current (DC) bus, operatively connected to the machine. The DC bus includes a high-side line, a low-side line, and an inverter including a plurality of switching systems, operatively connected between the high-side line and the low-side line, the plurality of switching systems, each configured to output a respective one of the plurality of phase currents. The drive system also includes a controller, operatively connected to the DC bus and the machine, the controller configured to determine if a failure exists in the drive system based on the plurality of phase currents and a DC bus voltage, the DC bus voltage being a voltage across the high-side line and the low-side line.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Brij N. Singh, Chris J. Tremel, Alan K. Gilman
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Publication number: 20140015459Abstract: A drive system has a switched reluctance motor (SR motor) and a control system configured to determine an estimated total torque of SR motor as a function of the phase voltages and phase currents of the phases of the SR motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Zimin W. Vilar, Chris J. Tremel
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Publication number: 20130314014Abstract: For each phase of a controller, semiconductor switches comprise a high side switch and a low side switch. A direct current voltage bus provides electrical energy to the semiconductor switches. A measuring circuit is adapted to measure the collector-emitter voltage or drain-source voltage for each semiconductor switch of the controller. A data processor determines that a short circuit in a particular semiconductor switch is present if the measured collector-emitter voltage or measured source-drain voltage for the particular semiconductor switch is lower than a minimum threshold and if an observed current associated with the particular semiconductor switch has an opposite polarity from a normal operational polarity. A driver simultaneously activates counterpart switches of like direct current input polarity that are coupled to other phase windings of the electric motor, other than the particular semiconductor switch, to protect the electric motor from potential damage associated with asymmetric current flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2012Publication date: November 28, 2013Inventors: Chris J. Tremel, Eric Vilar
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Patent number: 8531141Abstract: A method calibrates a current sensing instant to latch a current value from a set of current signals. A current command including a magnitude at a Gamma angle is provided to control a motor when the motor is operating in a motoring mode at a shaft speed. A matching current command including a same magnitude at a same Gamma angle is provided to control the motor when the motor is operating in a braking mode at a same shaft speed. A first actual averaging rms current magnitude of three phase currents of the motor is monitored when the motor is controlled by the current command and operating in the motoring mode. A second actual averaging rms current magnitude of the three phase currents of the motor is monitored when the motor is controlled by the matching current command and operating in the braking mode. A current sensing instant is adjusted until an observed first actual averaging rms current magnitude in the motoring mode equals an observed second actual averaging rms current magnitude in the braking mode.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2011Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: Deere & CompanyInventors: Long Wu, Robert Shaw, Chris J. Tremel, Kent D. Wanner
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Publication number: 20120217920Abstract: Example embodiments disclose a drive system including a machine including a plurality of phases and configured to generate power based on a plurality of phase currents, each respectively associated with the plurality of phases and a direct current (DC) bus, operatively connected to the machine. The DC bus includes a high-side line, a low-side line, and an inverter including a plurality of switching systems, operatively connected between the high-side line and the low-side line, the plurality of switching systems, each configured to output a respective one of the plurality of phase currents. The drive system also includes a controller, operatively connected to the DC bus and the machine, the controller configured to determine if a failure exists in the drive system based on the plurality of phase currents and a DC bus voltage, the DC bus voltage being a voltage across the high-side line and the low-side line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Brij N. Singh, Chris J. Tremel, Alan K. Gilman