Patents by Inventor Joseph Helfrich
Joseph Helfrich 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: 9120387Abstract: Power supply systems and methods for controlling such systems are provided. One power supply system includes a generator set configured to provide an electrical output to an electrical bus, over which power is supplied to heavy equipment. The power supply system further includes a computerized controller configured to be coupled to an energy storage element, wherein the computerized controller is configured to couple the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus to maintain a substantially constant voltage on the electrical bus during the predicted increase in demand and prevent a drop in voltage on the electrical bus that would otherwise result from the predicted increase in demand. The predicted increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a past operation of the heavy equipment.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Peter James Miller
-
Publication number: 20140136042Abstract: Power supply systems and methods for controlling such systems are provided. One power supply system includes a generator set configured to provide an electrical output to an electrical bus, over which power is supplied to heavy equipment. The power supply system further includes a computerized controller configured to be coupled to an energy storage element, wherein the computerized controller is configured to couple the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus to maintain a substantially constant voltage on the electrical bus during the predicted increase in demand and prevent a drop in voltage on the electrical bus that would otherwise result from the predicted increase in demand. The predicted increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a past operation of the heavy equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Peter James Miller
-
Patent number: 8718845Abstract: Heavy equipment includes a body, an electrical bus, and working components coupled to the body and powered by electricity conveyed via the electrical bus. The heavy equipment further includes a generator set providing an electrical output to the electrical bus, an energy storage element configured to be coupled to the electrical bus, and a computerized controller coupled to the energy storage element. The computerized controller includes a logic module for coupling the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus, where the increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a previous operation of the heavy equipment.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Peter James Miller
-
Patent number: 8626403Abstract: Heavy equipment is designed for operation in a substantially-repetitive work cycle that includes lifting, rotating, and lowering steps. The heavy equipment includes a generator, an electrical bus, an energy storage component, and working components. The generator provides a substantially constant electrical output to the electrical bus, which is communicated to the working components. As such, the working components of the heavy equipment are driven directly or indirectly by the electrical output of the generator. The controller selectively couples the energy storage component to the electrical bus, and the energy storage component is configured to store electricity provided by the generator, and to provide electricity to the working components by way of the electrical bus.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Robert Weber, Peter James Miller
-
Patent number: 8362629Abstract: Equipment having an energy management system includes an articulated arm, a work implement, an energy management system, and a hydraulic circuit. The articulated arm includes hydraulic actuators designed to maneuver the articulated arm, and the work implement is fastened to the articulated arm. The energy management system is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, and includes a hydraulic rotating machine and an electric rotating machine coupled to the hydraulic rotating machine. When the energy management system is in the first configuration, the hydraulic rotating machine and the electric rotating machine function as an electric motor powering a hydraulic pump. When the energy management system is in the second configuration, the hydraulic rotating machine and the electric rotating machine function as a hydraulic motor powering an electric generator.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2010Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Bucyrus International Inc.Inventors: Robert Weber, Joseph Helfrich, John Luvaas
-
Publication number: 20120089280Abstract: Heavy equipment includes a body, an electrical bus, and working components coupled to the body and powered by electricity conveyed via the electrical bus. The heavy equipment further includes a generator set providing an electrical output to the electrical bus, an energy storage element configured to be coupled to the electrical bus, and a computerized controller coupled to the energy storage element. The computerized controller includes a logic module for coupling the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus, where the increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a previous operation of the heavy equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Peter James Miller
-
Publication number: 20120089279Abstract: Heavy equipment is designed for operation in a substantially-repetitive work cycle that includes lifting, rotating, and lowering steps. The heavy equipment includes a generator, an electrical bus, an energy storage component, and working components. The generator provides a substantially constant electrical output to the electrical bus, which is communicated to the working components. As such, the working components of the heavy equipment are driven directly or indirectly by the electrical output of the generator. The controller selectively couples the energy storage component to the electrical bus, and the energy storage component is configured to store electricity provided by the generator, and to provide electricity to the working components by way of the electrical bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2010Publication date: April 12, 2012Inventors: Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Dave L. Perugini, Wayne George Chmiel, Robert Weber, Peter James Miller
-
Publication number: 20110233931Abstract: Equipment having an energy management system includes an articulated arm, a work implement, an energy management system, and a hydraulic circuit. The articulated arm includes hydraulic actuators designed to maneuver the articulated arm, and the work implement is fastened to the articulated arm. The energy management system is adjustable between a first configuration and a second configuration, and includes a hydraulic rotating machine and an electric rotating machine coupled to the hydraulic rotating machine. When the energy management system is in the first configuration, the hydraulic rotating machine and the electric rotating machine function as an electric motor powering a hydraulic pump. When the energy management system is in the second configuration, the hydraulic rotating machine and the electric rotating machine function as a hydraulic motor powering an electric generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Robert WEBER, Joseph Helfrich, John Luvaas
-
Publication number: 20110056194Abstract: Heavy equipment includes first and second hydraulic pumps, and first and second hydraulic actuators, where the first hydraulic actuator facilitates a first work function of the heavy equipment and the second hydraulic actuator facilitates a second work function of the heavy equipment. The heavy equipment further includes valving and a computerized controller. The valving is configured to allow the first hydraulic pump to be coupled to the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator, and to allow the second hydraulic pump to be coupled to the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator. The computerized controller is coupled to the valving, and has a logic module.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 3, 2010Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Mark Wojcicki, Michael G. Onsager, Joseph Helfrich, Wayne G. Chmiel, Peter Miller
-
Publication number: 20110056192Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a plurality of pumps that provide pressurized fluid to a plurality of hydraulic actuators some of which work more that others. That system is controlled by producing a usage value for each of the plurality of pumps which indicates an amount that the respective pump has worked. One of the pumps is assigned to each hydraulic actuator in response to the usage values. The pumps with lower usage values are assigned to hydraulic actuators which work more, so as to equalize the use of each pump. The assignment of pumps to hydraulic actuators changes with changes in the usage values for the plurality of pumps. When a given one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators is to operate, hydraulic fluid is routed from the assigned pump to that given one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Inventors: Robert Weber, Wayne George Chmiel, Dave L. Perugini, Michael Gordon Onsager, Joseph Helfrich
-
Patent number: D265794Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1979Date of Patent: August 17, 1982Assignee: Les Grands Chais deFranceInventor: Joseph Helfrich
-
Patent number: D738738Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: LES GRANDS CHAIS DE FRANCE S.A.S.Inventor: Joseph Helfrich