Patents by Inventor Ken Furem

Ken Furem 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: 8373078
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method for determining a weight of a load associated with an excavating machine, the method comprising: determining a load torque of an excavating machine, the excavating machine comprising a bucket and a hoist motor adapted to vertically move the bucket; and calculating a load weight from the load torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Gopal Madhavarao, Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson
  • Patent number: 8306797
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 8275576
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can include obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Publication number: 20110231169
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY, INC.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 7941306
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 7832126
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a bucket excavation controller. The bucket excavation controller can be adapted to control one or more digging functions of a mining excavator. For example, the bucket excavation controller can be adapted to automatically control a crowd motion of the mining excavator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter G. Koellner, Joy Mazumdar, Daniel W. Robertson, Ken Furem
  • Publication number: 20100185416
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 7689394
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 7622884
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system comprising a plurality of Active Front End units adapted to be electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) bus. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a separate winding of a transformer of a plurality of transformers. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to convert alternating current (AC) voltage to a DC voltage. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to supply the DC voltage to the DC bus. The DC bus can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a plurality of inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Patent number: 7578079
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method for controlling a machine. The method can comprise a plurality of activities that can comprise determining a profile of a surface responsive to a scan of the surface. The method can comprise identifying a predetermined profile from a plurality of predetermined profiles, the identified predetermined profile a closest match of the plurality of predetermined profiles to the profile of the surface. The method can comprise determining a machine procedure based upon the identified predetermined profile. The method can comprise automatically executing the preferred machine procedure via a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Patent number: 7574821
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a processor adapted to determine a profile of a surface responsive to a scan of the surface. The processor can be adapted to identify a predetermined profile from a plurality of predetermined profiles, the identified predetermined profile a closest match of the plurality of predetermined profiles to the profile of the surface. The processor can be adapted to determine a procedure based upon the identified predetermined profile. The processor can be adapted to provide the procedure to a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Publication number: 20080282583
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, which can comprise a bucket excavation controller. The bucket excavation controller can be adapted to control one or more digging functions of a mining excavator. For example, the bucket excavation controller can be adapted to automatically control a crowd motion of the mining excavator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Walter G. Koellner, Joy Mazumdar, Daniel W. Robertson, Ken Furem
  • Publication number: 20080212344
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system comprising a plurality of Active Front End units adapted to be electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) bus. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a separate winding of a transformer of a plurality of transformers. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to convert alternating current (AC) voltage to a DC voltage. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to supply the DC voltage to the DC bus. The DC bus can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a plurality of inverters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Publication number: 20080201108
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 7406399
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can include obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Patent number: 7375490
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system comprising a plurality of Active Front End units adapted to be electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) bus. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a separate winding of a transformer of a plurality of transformers. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to convert alternating current (AC) voltage to a DC voltage. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to supply the DC voltage to the DC bus. The DC bus can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a plurality of inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Patent number: 7307399
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a system comprising a plurality of Active Front End units adapted to be electrically coupled to a direct current (DC) bus. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a separate winding of a transformer of a plurality of transformers. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to convert alternating current (AC) voltage to a DC voltage. Each of the plurality of Active Front End units can be adapted to supply the DC voltage to the DC bus. The DC bus can be adapted to be electrically coupled to a plurality of inverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Patent number: 7181370
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise obtaining and analyzing data from at least one discrete machine, automatically determining relationships related to the data, taking corrective action to improve machine operation and/or maintenance, automatically and heuristically predicting a failure associated with the machine and/or recommending preventative maintenance in advance of the failure, and/or automating and analyzing mining shovels, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Gopal Madhavarao
  • Publication number: 20060090379
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system comprising a processor adapted to determine a profile of a surface responsive to a scan of the surface. The processor can be adapted to identify a predetermined profile from a plurality of predetermined profiles, the identified predetermined profile a closest match of the plurality of predetermined profiles to the profile of the surface. The processor can be adapted to determine a procedure based upon the identified predetermined profile. The processor can be adapted to provide the procedure to a machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventor: Ken Furem
  • Publication number: 20060090378
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method for controlling a machine. The method can comprise a plurality of activities that can comprise determining a profile of a surface responsive to a scan of the surface. The method can comprise identifying a predetermined profile from a plurality of predetermined profiles, the identified predetermined profile a closest match of the plurality of predetermined profiles to the profile of the surface. The method can comprise determining a machine procedure based upon the identified predetermined profile. The method can comprise automatically executing the preferred machine procedure via a machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: May 4, 2006
    Inventor: Ken Furem