Patents by Inventor Jackson Wai
Jackson Wai 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: 9941831Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) motor includes a Direct Current (DC) power source, and an inverter. The control system includes a user interface configured to enable an operator to specify a desired torque output. The control system further includes a controller which converts a DC current from the Alternating Current (AC) supplied to the SR motor by the inverter. The controller estimates an actual power output generated by the SR motor based on a DC voltage supplied by the DC power source to the inverter, and the converted DC current. The controller estimates an actual torque output based on the actual power output and a rotational speed of the SR motor. The controller compares the actual torque output and a desired torque output to calculate a torque error. The controller adjusts a torque output limit and the rotational speed of the SR motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2017Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason L. Miller, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, Alexander C. Crosman, III, Carlos E. Nino-Baron, Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil
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Patent number: 9899946Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit in electrical communication between the stator and a common bus, and a controller configured to monitor a bus voltage of the converter circuit and a phase current of the SR machine. The controller may be configured to determine a phase voltage based on one or more of main pulses and any diagnostic pulses, determine an estimated flux based on the phase voltage and an associated mutual voltage, determine a rotor position based at least partially on the estimated flux, and control the SR machine based on the rotor position and a desired torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Sangameshwar Sonth, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 9800192Abstract: A control system for a multi-phase switched reluctance (SR) machine, having at least two phases, is disclosed. The control system may include a converter circuit and a controller. The controller may include a phase voltage estimator module configured to determine a first phase voltage and a second phase voltage associated with a second phase second phase for the SR machine. The controller may further include a flux estimator module configured to determine first and second estimated fluxes, the first estimated flux associated with the first phase and based on the first phase voltage and an associated first mutual voltage and the second estimated flux the second estimated flux associated with the second phase and based on the second phase voltage and an associated second mutual voltage, and a position observer module configured to determine a rotor position based at least partially on the first estimated flux, the second mutual flux.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne, Sangameshwar Sonth
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Publication number: 20170294858Abstract: A control system for a multi-phase switched reluctance (SR) machine, having at least two phases, is disclosed. The control system may include a converter circuit and a controller. The controller may include a phase voltage estimator module configured to determine a first phase voltage and a second phase voltage associated with a second phase second phase for the SR machine. The controller may further include a flux estimator module configured to determine first and second estimated fluxes, the first estimated flux associated with the first phase and based on the first phase voltage and an associated first mutual voltage and the second estimated flux the second estimated flux associated with the second phase and based on the second phase voltage and an associated second mutual voltage, and a position observer module configured to determine a rotor position based at least partially on the first estimated flux, the second mutual flux.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne, Sangameshwar Sonth
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Patent number: 9738163Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electric drive. The electric drive may include a first power inverter, a second power inverter, and a positive DC bus connecting the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may also include a first switch connected to the positive DC bus between the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may include a second switch connected to the positive DC bus between the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may further include a control unit connected to the first switch and to the second switch. The control unit may be configured to selectively allow current to pass through the first switch and the second switch.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodwan Tarek Adra, Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Jackson Wai, Carlos Eduardo Nino Baron
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Publication number: 20170229992Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit in electrical communication between the stator and a common bus, and a controller configured to monitor a bus voltage of the converter circuit and a phase current of the SR machine. The controller may be configured to determine a phase voltage based on one or more of main pulses and any diagnostic pulses, determine an estimated flux based on the phase voltage and an associated mutual voltage, determine a rotor position based at least partially on the estimated flux, and control the SR machine based on the rotor position and a desired torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Sangameshwar Sonth, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 9702938Abstract: A method for detecting a phase imbalance of an electrical component in a machine due to an actual fault is provided. The method includes receiving electrical parameter values associated with a plurality of phases of an electrical component, detecting a phase imbalance in the plurality of phases, calculating an imbalance ratio of the plurality of phases, applying a plurality of conditions to the imbalance ratio and to the received input vector, the plurality of conditions being associated with an actual fault in the machine, and determining whether the detected phase imbalance is due to a controls induced imbalance in the machine or due to the actual fault in the electrical component of the machine when at least one of the plurality of conditions is met.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse R. Gerdes, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Benjamin P. Gottemoller
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Patent number: 9647595Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor may include determining a desired torque at the electric motor. A current at a first phase of the electric motor may be calculated at a controller. The calculated current may be a current that results in supplying the desired torque at the electric motor. The controller may compare the calculated current to a predetermined threshold current, and when the calculated current is greater than the predetermined threshold current, the controller may reduce the calculated current to the predetermined threshold current and adjust a current in a second phase adjacent to the first phase of the electric motor to continue to supply the desired torque at the electric motor.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 9, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jackson Wai, Carlos Nino Baron, Jesse Gerdes, Ernesto Inoa, Ahmed Khalil
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Publication number: 20170126156Abstract: A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Carlos Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Publication number: 20160301347Abstract: A method of regulating a phase current of an electric motor is provided. The method may include selectively enabling one or more switches of each phase of the electric motor according to one of at least a soft chopping motoring routine and a soft chopping generating routine, monitoring the phase current relative to at least one limit of a hysteresis band and a switching period, and controlling the switches according to a hard chopping routine when the phase current does not reach the limit within the switching period.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse Gerdes, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Carlos Nino Baron
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Publication number: 20160274191Abstract: A method for detecting a phase imbalance of an electrical component in a machine due to an actual fault is provided. The method includes receiving electrical parameter values associated with a plurality of phases of an electrical component, detecting a phase imbalance in the plurality of phases, calculating an imbalance ratio of the plurality of phases, applying a plurality of conditions to the imbalance ratio and to the received input vector, the plurality of conditions being associated with an actual fault in the machine, and determining whether the detected phase imbalance is due to a controls induced imbalance in the machine or due to the actual fault in the electrical component of the machine when at least one of the plurality of conditions is met.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2015Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse R. Gerdes, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Benjamin P. Gottemoller
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Publication number: 20160248362Abstract: A method of regulating a phase current of an electric motor is provided. The method may include selectively enabling one or more switches of each phase of the electric motor according to one of at least a soft chopping motoring routine and a soft chopping generating routine, monitoring the phase current relative to a first hysteresis band, controlling the switches according to the soft chopping motoring routine when the phase current exceeds the first hysteresis band while operating according to the soft chopping generating routine, and controlling the switches according to the soft chopping generating routine when the phase current exceeds the first hysteresis band while operating according to the soft chopping motoring routine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: August 25, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Carlos Nino Baron, Ernesto Inoa, Jackson Wai, Jesse Gerdes, Ahmed Khalil
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Patent number: 9391555Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine is disclosed. The SR machine may have a rotor and a stator. The control system may have a converter circuit operatively coupled to the stator and including a plurality of gates in selective communication with each phase of the stator, and a controller in communication with each of the stator and the converter circuit. The controller may be configured to command a fixed dwell of a theta-on angle and a theta-off angle and a varying current command to the plurality of gates when the SR machine is in a continuous conduction mode.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2014Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jackson Wai, Carlos Nino Baron, Jesse Gerdes, Ahmed Khalil
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Publication number: 20160152146Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to an electric drive. The electric drive may include a first power inverter, a second power inverter, and a positive DC bus connecting the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may also include a first switch connected to the positive DC bus between the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may include a second switch connected to the positive DC bus between the first power inverter and the second power inverter. The electric drive may further include a control unit connected to the first switch and to the second switch. The control unit may be configured to selectively allow current to pass through the first switch and the second switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Rodwan Tarek Adra, Thomas Michael Sopko, JR., Jackson Wai, Carlos Eduardo Nino Baron
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Patent number: 9340113Abstract: A control system for a generator of an electric drive is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit configured to communicate with one or more phases of a stator of the generator, and a controller in communication with the converter circuit and an engine associated with the electric drive. The controller may be configured to determine an operational state of the electric drive based on at least engine speed, and engage one of a map-lookup control scheme and a fixed-theta off control scheme for operating the generator based on the operational state of the electric drive.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2015Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jackson Wai, Thuong Le, Adam Braun, Jesse Gerdes, James Siegle, Mark Hartman
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Publication number: 20160087570Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine is disclosed. The SR machine may have a rotor and a stator. The control system may have a converter circuit operatively coupled to the stator and including a plurality of gates in selective communication with each phase of the stator, and a controller in communication with each of the stator and the converter circuit. The controller may be configured to command a fixed dwell of a theta-on angle and a theta-off angle and a varying current command to the plurality of gates when the SR machine is in a continuous conduction mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Jackson Wai, Carlos Nino Baron, Jesse Gerdes, Ahmed Khalil
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Publication number: 20150381087Abstract: A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Carlos Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Publication number: 20150318806Abstract: A method of controlling an electric motor may include determining a desired torque at the electric motor. A current at a first phase of the electric motor may be calculated at a controller. The calculated current may be a current that results in supplying the desired torque at the electric motor. The controller may compare the calculated current to a predetermined threshold current, and when the calculated current is greater than the predetermined threshold current, the controller may reduce the calculated current to the predetermined threshold current and adjust a current in a second phase adjacent to the first phase of the electric motor to continue to supply the desired torque at the electric motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2014Publication date: November 5, 2015Applicant: CATERPILLAR INCInventors: Jackson Wai, Carlos Nino Baron, Jesse Gerdes, Ernesto Inoa, Ahmed Khalil
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Patent number: 9099882Abstract: A method for controlling a hybrid machine is disclosed. The hybrid machine may be equipped with a turbine engine, a generator connected in series with the turbine engine, an electrical energy storage device, and a motor drivingly connected to a power output component for the hybrid machine. A controller may receive a power demand signal, determine a power level in the electrical energy storage device, determine available inertial energy stored at least in rotating components of the turbine engine and the generator, and provide one or more control signals to selectively control powering the turbine engine to full power, selectively turn off all fuel to the turbine engine, selectively store excess energy as electrical energy by directing excess electrical energy from the generator to the electrical energy storage device, and selectively store excess energy as inertial energy.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bryan Gerard Lammers, Daniel Edward Henderson, James Allen Roal, Jackson Wai
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Patent number: 9099954Abstract: A method of controlling a motor is provided. The method may determine one of a switching period, a fundamental cycle, and a current target per phase leg of the motor having at least one high voltage transition point; determine a dwell period to be enforced at the transition point between an engagement of a first switch of the phase leg and an engagement of a second switch of the phase leg where each of the first switch and the second switch may be selectively engageable between a first state and a second state; engage the first switch from the first state to the second state at the transition point; and engage the second switch from the first state to the second state after the transition point and upon expiration of the dwell period.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Carlos Nino Baron, Jesse Gerdes, Brad A Kough