Patents by Inventor Eric M. Andris
Eric M. Andris 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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Publication number: 20240149717Abstract: An electrical architecture that allows power to be transferred to a battery powered machine while the machine is moving and that allows the machine to be charged while stationary.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2022Publication date: May 9, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew Lawrence Hendrickson, Eric M. Andris, Dustin Craig Selvey, Bradley Scott Bailey, Igor Strashny
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Publication number: 20230223876Abstract: An example converter for a switched reluctance (SR) generator includes one or more gate driver circuits that are not only used to synchronously control switches, such as insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) of the converter, but also used to provide priming function during start-up of the generator. Since, an SR generator does not have to ability to self provide magnetic flux, priming current is provided to coils of the SR generator to initiate a magnetic flux. By using the gate drive circuit to provide the priming current, an additional priming circuit is not required. As a result, the converter design is more streamlined, with reduced complexity, cost, and size. When a bus voltage of the converter is below a threshold level, the one or more gate drive circuits can provide the priming current on the bus to initiate the SR generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2022Publication date: July 13, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric M. Andris
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Patent number: 11431258Abstract: A power inverter has an inverter unit with a housing defining a main compartment and a first lateral compartment adjacent the main compartment. The main compartment contains an inverter power module configured to convert direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power output, an inverter driver module configured to provide driving signals to drive the inverter power module, an inverter control module configured to provide control signals to the inverter driver module to control the AC power output, and a capacitor for coupling to the DC power. The capacitor is arranged on or over at least one of the inverter power module, the inverter driver module, or the inverter control module. Additionally, the power inverter has a base on which the housing sits, the base comprising a heat sink configured to draw heat away from one or more of the inverter power module, the inverter driver module, or the inverter control module.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Andris, Johnson David Sugidharan
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Publication number: 20220200467Abstract: A power inverter has an inverter unit with a housing defining a main compartment and a first lateral compartment adjacent the main compartment. The main compartment contains an inverter power module configured to convert direct current (DC) power into alternating current (AC) power output, an inverter driver module configured to provide driving signals to drive the inverter power module, an inverter control module configured to provide control signals to the inverter driver module to control the AC power output, and a capacitor for coupling to the DC power. The capacitor is arranged on or over at least one of the inverter power module, the inverter driver module, or the inverter control module. Additionally, the power inverter has a base on which the housing sits, the base comprising a heat sink configured to draw heat away from one or more of the inverter power module, the inverter driver module, or the inverter control module.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Andris, Johnson David Sugidharan
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Patent number: 9616752Abstract: An electrical power supply system for a machine is provided. The electrical power supply system includes a generator, a primary power converter unit and an auxiliary power converter unit. The primary power converter unit is electrically coupled to the generator. The primary power converter unit includes a rectifier connected to the generator and an inverter electrically connected to the rectifier by a Direct current (DC) link. Further, the auxiliary power converter unit is electrically connected to the DC bus within the primary power converter unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Wesley C. Reetz, Eric M. Andris
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Patent number: 9455651Abstract: A motor driver for driving a motor is disclosed. The motor driver has a first power bus, a first switching device coupled between the first power bus and a first terminal of the motor, a second power bus, a second switching device coupled between the second power bus and a second terminal of the motor, and an integrated braking chopper coupled between the first and second power buses. The integrated braking chopper is configured to dissipate an extra power generated by the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodwan T. Adra, Edward L. Zwilling, Thomas M. Baker, William J. Tate, Eric M. Andris
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Publication number: 20160172997Abstract: A modular inverter unit for an inverter for generating an alternating current (AC) output based on a direct current (DC) input is disclosed. The modular inverter unit includes an input terminal configured to receive the DC input. The modular inverter unit further includes a power semiconductor device communicably coupled to the input terminal and encapsulated within a potting material. The power semiconductor device is configured to generate the AC output. The modular inverter unit further includes an output terminal communicably coupled to the power semiconductor device and configured to supply the AC output.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric M. Andris, Robert W. Lindsey
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Publication number: 20160173011Abstract: A motor driver for driving a motor is disclosed. The motor driver has a first power bus, a first switching device coupled between the first power bus and a first terminal of the motor, a second power bus, a second switching device coupled between the second power bus and a second terminal of the motor, and an integrated braking chopper coupled between the first and second power buses. The integrated braking chopper is configured to dissipate an extra power generated by the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodwan T. ADRA, Edward L. ZWILLING, Thomas M. BAKER, William J. TATE, Eric M. ANDRIS
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Publication number: 20150224879Abstract: An electrical power supply system for a machine is provided. The electrical power supply system includes a generator, a primary power converter unit and an auxiliary power converter unit. The primary power converter unit is electrically coupled to the generator. The primary power converter unit includes a rectifier connected to the generator and an inverter electrically connected to the rectifier by a Direct current (DC) link. Further, the auxiliary power converter unit is electrically connected to the DC bus within the primary power converter unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2014Publication date: August 13, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Wesley C. Reetz, Eric M. Andris
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Patent number: 8853883Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric motor/generator. The power system may also include a first electrical energy storage device and a second electrical energy storage device. The power system may further include power-system controls configured to selectively start the prime mover by selectively charging the first electrical energy storage device with electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and transmitting electricity from the first electrical energy storage device to the electric motor/generator to operate the electric motor/generator as an electric motor to start the prime mover.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric M. Andris
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Patent number: 8606444Abstract: A machine includes a power system having a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric generator, a power line operably connected to the electric generator, and a first electrical energy storage device operable to exchange electricity with the power line. The power system may also include a second electrical energy storage device and power-system controls. The power-system controls may include a power regulator and at least one information processor configured to receive information related to at least one operating parameter of the power system and control the power regulator based on the received information, including selectively controlling the power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2010Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric M. Andris
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Publication number: 20120169360Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric generator. The power system may also include an electric power load, an electrical energy storage device, and power-system controls. The power-system controls may be configured to selectively operate the prime mover and the electric generator to power the electric power load by supplying electricity at a first voltage. The power-system controls may also be configured to selectively supply electricity from the electrical energy storage device at a second voltage during testing of one or more electrical components of the power system with the electricity supplied at the second voltage. The second voltage may be lower than the first voltage.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventors: Eric M. Andris, Robert W. Lindsey
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Publication number: 20120173059Abstract: A machine includes a power system. The power system may include a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric generator. The power system may also include a power line operably connected to the electric generator. Additionally, the power system may include a first electrical energy storage device operable to exchange electricity with the power line. The power system may also include a second electrical energy storage device. The power system may further include power-system controls. The power-system controls may include a first power regulator. The power-system controls may also include at least one information processor configured to receive information related to at least one operating parameter of the power system and control the first power regulator based on the received information, including selectively controlling the first power regulator to receive electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and supply the electricity to the first electrical energy storage device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventor: Eric M. ANDRIS
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Publication number: 20120169114Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover drivingly connected to an electric motor/generator. The power system may also include a first electrical energy storage device and a second electrical energy storage device. The power system may further include power-system controls configured to selectively start the prime mover by selectively charging the first electrical energy storage device with electricity from the second electrical energy storage device and transmitting electricity from the first electrical energy storage device to the electric motor/generator to operate the electric motor/generator as an electric motor to start the prime mover.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: July 5, 2012Inventor: Eric M. ANDRIS
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Publication number: 20120153884Abstract: A controller for managing electrical power storage in a machine having an electric energy storage device and an electric motor comprises a gate drive stage for providing gate signals to one or more power electronics elements, as well as a control processor adapted to generate gate signals and supply the generated gate signals to the gate drive stage for controlling the one or more power electronics elements. The gate signals control the one or more power electronics elements to power the motor windings in a drive mode of operation and to charge the electric energy storage device in a charging mode of operation. In either mode, the motor windings are used as conductors or inductive elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Robert W. Lindsey, Eric M. Andris, James Portscheller, Mike Portscheller