Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Speckhart

Gregory J. Speckhart 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).

  • Patent number: 11894682
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for off-grid load stabilization. For instance, the method may include: receiving generator data from at least one generator and energy storage data from at least one energy store; determining, based on the generator data and/or the energy storage data, a moving average of a system load of the at least one generator; and determining, based on the generator data and/or the energy storage data, an instantaneous load value of the at least one generator. The method may further include: determining a first electronic storage dispatch (ESD) based on the moving average of the system load and the instantaneous load value of the at least one generator; and providing the first ESD to the at least one energy store.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Christopher Gayles, Dachuan Yu, Gregory J. Speckhart
  • Publication number: 20230121559
    Abstract: An example transformer includes a controller that determines the currents on a power grid side of the transformer, as well as an inverter/load side of the transformer. The transformer may be of a delta-wye configuration. The controller compares the currents on the delta side of the transformer to the currents on the wye side of the transformer to determine whether the currents on either side are imbalanced. If the currents on the delta side are balanced, while the currents on the wye side are imbalanced, then the controller may determine that an open phase condition exists on the wye side of the transformer. Alternatively, if the currents on the delta side are imbalanced or if the currents on the delta side are balanced and the currents on the wye side are also balanced, then the controller determines that no open phase condition exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Gregory J Speckhart, Jesse R Gerdes
  • Publication number: 20210359521
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods, systems, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for off-grid load stabilization. For instance, the method may include: receiving generator data from at least one generator and energy storage data from at least one energy store; determining, based on the generator data and/or the energy storage data, a moving average of a system load of the at least one generator; and determining, based on the generator data and/or the energy storage data, an instantaneous load value of the at least one generator. The method may further include: determining a first electronic storage dispatch (ESD) based on the moving average of the system load and the instantaneous load value of the at least one generator; and providing the first ESD to the at least one energy store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Christopher GAYLES, Dachuan YU, Gregory J. SPECKHART
  • Patent number: 9729008
    Abstract: A variable speed genset system is provided that may include a primary power source, an electric machine, an energy storage device, a boost converter, and a controller. The electric machine may be coupled to the primary power source and electrically coupled to a load through a common bus. The boost converter may be in electrical communication with the common bus and the energy storage device. The controller may determine a State of Health (SOH) for the energy storage device, selectively engage the energy storage device to provide a first power amount to the common bus, and selectively change the operating speed of the primary power source to provide a second power amount to the common bus, the speed based on the SOH, a temperature of the energy storage device, and the load demand. The combination of the first and second power amounts substantially meet a load power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Votoupal, Dachuan Yu, Gregory S. Hasler, Gregory J. Speckhart
  • Patent number: 9722445
    Abstract: A hybrid energy storage system (HESS) and method of controlling a HESS is provided. The HESS comprises a common direct current (DC) bus having a DC bus voltage, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the common DC bus, a power device electrically coupled to the common DC bus, and a controller in operable communication with the energy storage device, the power device and the common DC bus. The controller is configured to, when the energy storage device is charging, increase a power device charging current if an energy storage device charging current is greater than a charging limit for the energy storage device, and when the energy storage device is discharging, increase a power device discharging current if an energy storage device discharging current is greater than a discharging limit for the energy storage device. The HESS can be part of a power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Gregory J. Speckhart, Eric Matthew Andris
  • Publication number: 20170063124
    Abstract: A HESS and method of controlling a HESS is provided. The HESS may comprise a common DC bus having a DC bus voltage, an energy storage device electrically coupled to the common DC bus, a power device electrically coupled to the common DC bus, and a controller in operable communication with the energy storage device, the power device and the common DC bus. The controller may be configured to, when the energy storage device is charging, increase a power device charging current if an energy storage device charging current is greater than a charging limit for the energy storage device, and when the energy storage device is discharging, increase a power device discharging current if an energy storage device discharging current is greater than a discharging limit for the energy storage device. The HESS may be part of a power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Gregory J. Speckhart, Eric Matthew Andris
  • Patent number: 8946915
    Abstract: A method of determining an optimal operating speed of a variable speed genset is provided. The method may include determining whether an actual operating speed of the genset approximates a desired operating speed, the desired operating speed being predetermined based on a measured load value associated with the genset, the desired operating speed being associated with an applied offset value that is adjustable between a minimum offset value and a maximum offset value; incrementing the applied offset value of the desired operating speed to decrease the actual operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is less than the maximum offset value; and determining the desired operating speed as the optimal operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is equal to the maximum offset value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Gregory J. Speckhart, Eric Matthew Andris
  • Publication number: 20140339893
    Abstract: A variable speed genset system is provided that may include a primary power source, an electric machine, an energy storage device, a boost converter, and a controller. The electric machine may be coupled to the primary power source and electrically coupled to a load through a common bus. The boost converter may be in electrical communication with the common bus and the energy storage device. The controller may determine a State of Health (SOH) for the energy storage device, selectively engage the energy storage device to provide a first power amount to the common bus, and selectively change the operating speed of the primary power source to provide a second power amount to the common bus, the speed based on the SOH, a temperature of the energy storage device, and the load demand. The combination of the first and second power amounts substantially meet a load power demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John J. Votoupal, Dachuan Yu, Gregory S. Hasler, Gregory J. Speckhart
  • Publication number: 20140265569
    Abstract: A variable speed genset system is provided. The variable speed genset system may include a primary power source, an electric machine, an energy storage device for starting the primary power source and a boost converter. The electric machine may be mechanically coupled to the primary power source and electrically coupled to one or more loads through a common bus. The boost converter may be in electrical communication with each of at least the common bus and the energy storage device, and configured to selectively communicate power from the energy storage device to the common bus if a bus voltage of the common bus falls to a predetermined lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Eric Matthew Andris, Gregory J. Speckhart
  • Publication number: 20140265353
    Abstract: A method of determining an optimal operating speed of a variable speed genset is provided. The method may include determining whether an actual operating speed of the genset approximates a desired operating speed, the desired operating speed being predetermined based on a measured load value associated with the genset, the desired operating speed being associated with an applied offset value that is adjustable between a minimum offset value and a maximum offset value; incrementing the applied offset value of the desired operating speed to decrease the actual operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is less than the maximum offset value; and determining the desired operating speed as the optimal operating speed if the actual operating speed approximates the desired operating speed, and the applied offset value is equal to the maximum offset value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Gregory J. Speckhart, Eric Matthew Andris
  • Patent number: 8242735
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter in an electric drive machine is disclosed. The method may include determining a first switching frequency and determining a second switching frequency. The method may also include comparing the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency. The method may further include selecting a power converter switching frequency from the lesser of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency to control a power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Hein, Thomas M. Sopko, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jackson Wai
  • Patent number: 8004226
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more failed current sensor and estimating a phase current for the failed current sensor on a three-phase machine is disclosed. The method may include detecting one or more failed current sensor by determining if an absolute value of a sum of the phase currents of the motor is below an open circuit value. The method may also include determining which phase currents are approximately zero, for each phase current associated with each phase of the motor, if the sum of the phase currents of the motor is not below the open circuit value. The method may further include estimating the phase current for the failed current sensor by determining the phase current value for the failed current sensor, that when added to the phase currents of the remaining current sensors, will make the sum of all the phase currents equal to approximately zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartman, Jesse R. Gerdes, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jackson Wai
  • Publication number: 20100033122
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more failed current sensor and estimating a phase current for the failed current sensor on a three-phase machine is disclosed. The method may include detecting one or more failed current sensor by determining if an absolute value of a sum of the phase currents of the motor is below an open circuit value. The method may also include determining which phase currents are approximately zero, for each phase current associated with each phase of the motor, if the sum of the phase currents of the motor is not below the open circuit value. The method may further include estimating the phase current for the failed current sensor by determining the phase current value for the failed current sensor, that when added to the phase currents of the remaining current sensors, will make the sum of all the phase currents equal to approximately zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Mark E. Hartman, Jesse R. Gerdes, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jackson Wai
  • Publication number: 20100007300
    Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter in an electric drive machine is disclosed. The method may include determining a first switching frequency and determining a second switching frequency. The method may also include comparing the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency. The method may further include selecting a power converter switching frequency from the lesser of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency to control a power converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Bruce H. Hein, Thomas M. Sopko, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jackson Wai
  • Patent number: 7511449
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling an electric machine. The system has a power source configured to supply electric energy to the electric machine. In addition, the system has an inverter operationally connected to the power source and the electric machine and configured to increase or decrease a rotor flux component of a voltage applied to the electric machine, while maintaining a torque component at an essentially constant level. The system further has a control device configured to determine at least one parameter of the electric machine and operate the inverter in either a first or a second mode in response to the at least one determined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Speckhart, Mark Edward Hartman, Jackson Wai, Joshua Michael Williams
  • Publication number: 20080100257
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling an electric machine. The system has a power source configured to supply electric energy to the electric machine. In addition, the system has an inverter operationally connected to the power source and the electric machine and configured to increase or decrease a rotor flux component of a voltage applied to the electric machine, while maintaining a torque component at an essentially constant level. The system further has a control device configured to determine at least one parameter of the electric machine and operate the inverter in either a first or a second mode in response to the at least one determined parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Gregory J. Speckhart, Mark Edward Hartman, Jackson Wai, Joshua Michael Williams
  • Patent number: 6715467
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes a pump associated with a source of fluid, the pump supplying pressurized fluid to fuel injectors associated with the engine. An electronic controller is associated with the engine and determines a desired engine braking level as a function of various engine operating conditions and operator inputs. The engine controller produces a pump signal as a function of the desired engine braking level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Joshua C. Ruedin, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jeffrey M Thate
  • Publication number: 20040035387
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes a pump associated with a source of fluid, the pump supplying pressurized fluid to fuel injectors associated with the engine. An electronic controller is associated with the engine and determines a desired engine braking level as a function of various engine operating conditions and operator inputs. The engine controller produces a pump signal as a function of the desired engine braking level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Joshua C. Ruedin, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jeffrey M. Thate
  • Patent number: 6508107
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the oil grade of an actuating fluid in a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining an actuating fluid temperature, a pump speed, and a peak pressure or a timing event of the actuating fluid, and responsively determining the oil grade of the actuating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Darwin R. Carrell, Larry E. Kendrick, Gregory J. Speckhart, Michael S. Lukich
  • Patent number: 6415652
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining the oil grade of an actuating fluid in a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining an actuating fluid temperature, a pump speed, and a peak pressure or a timing event of the actuating fluid, and responsively determining the oil grade of the actuating fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darwin R. Carrell, Larry E. Kendrick, Gregory J. Speckhart, Michael S. Lukich