Patents by Inventor Kris W. Johnson
Kris W. Johnson 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: 7614381Abstract: A power system includes an engine having a first lubrication circuit and at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit. The first lubrication circuit is in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam, Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, William H. Lane
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Publication number: 20090139207Abstract: An auxiliary power unit disclosed. The auxiliary power unit includes an exhaust passage configured to direct a flow of exhaust from a primary mover, a catalyst substrate disposed within the exhaust passage, and a heater configured to heat the catalyst substrate. The auxiliary power unit also includes a cooling jacket associated with the exhaust passage. The auxiliary power unit further includes a thermo-electric device disposed between the cooling jacket and the exhaust passage. The thermo-electric device is configured to generate electrical power from a temperature gradient created by the heater and the cooling jacket when the primary mover is non-operational.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kris W. Johnson, Mahmoud A. Taher
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Patent number: 7524263Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine operatively connected to a primary power consuming device to transmit power thereto. The powertrain also includes a motor and a pump. The power output of the motor is independent of the power output of the engine. An epicyclic geartrain includes first, second and third members. The first member is operatively connected to the engine to receive power therefrom. The second member is operatively connected to the motor to receive power therefrom. The third member is operatively connected to the pump to transmit power thereto.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kris W. Johnson, Charles E. Rose
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Patent number: 7484583Abstract: A power system is provided having at least one traction device and a primary power source configured to power the at least one traction device. In addition, the power system includes an auxiliary power source also configured to power the at least one traction device.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sivaprasad Akasam, Kris W. Johnson, Matthew D. Johnson, Larry M. Slone, James Milton Welter
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Patent number: 7400059Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle includes a first power source generating a first voltage level, the first power source being in electrical communication with a first bus. A second power source generates a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level, the second power source being in electrical communication with a second bus. A starter generator may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus, and at least one additional power source may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus. The electrical system also includes at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus and at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: July 15, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff
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Publication number: 20080078592Abstract: A power system is provided having at least one traction device and a primary power source configured to power the at least one traction device. In addition, the power system includes an auxiliary power source also configured to power the at least one traction device.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2006Publication date: April 3, 2008Inventors: Sivaprasad Akasam, Kris W. Johnson, Matthew D. Johnson, Larry M. Slone, James Milton Welter
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Publication number: 20080032842Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine operatively connected to a primary power consuming device to transmit power thereto. The powertrain also includes a motor and a pump. The power output of the motor is independent of the power output of the engine. An epicyclic geartrain includes first, second and third members. The first member is operatively connected to the engine to receive power therefrom. The second member is operatively connected to the motor to receive power therefrom. The third member is operatively connected to the pump to transmit power thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2006Publication date: February 7, 2008Inventors: Kris W. Johnson, Charles E. Rose
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Patent number: 7276815Abstract: A method of managing power resources for an electrical system of a vehicle may include identifying enabled power sources from among a plurality of power sources in electrical communication with the electrical system and calculating a threshold power value for the enabled power sources. A total power load placed on the electrical system by one or more power consumers may be measured. If the total power load exceeds the threshold power value, then a determination may be made as to whether one or more additional power sources is available from among the plurality of power sources. At least one of the one or more additional power sources may be enabled, if available.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 2, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff
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Patent number: 7092848Abstract: A method is provided for testing multiple elements of a work machine, including a control system, a component, a sub-component that is influenced by operations of the component, and a sensor that monitors a characteristic of the sub-component. In one embodiment, the method is performed by the control system and includes sending a command to the component to adjust a first parameter associated with an operation of the component. Also, the method includes detecting a sensor signal from the sensor reflecting a second parameter associated with a characteristic of the sub-component and determining whether the second parameter is acceptable based on the command. The control system may diagnose at least one of the elements of the work machine when the second parameter of the sub-component is not acceptable.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Thomas M. Baker
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Patent number: 6958642Abstract: A method of ground level compensation includes measuring a voltage of at least one signal with respect to a primary ground potential and measuring, with respect to the primary ground potential, a voltage level associated with a secondary ground potential. A difference between the voltage level associated with the secondary ground potential and an expected value is calculated. The measured voltage of the at least one signal is adjusted by an amount corresponding to the calculated difference.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam
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Publication number: 20040187834Abstract: A power system includes an engine having a first lubrication circuit and at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit. The first lubrication circuit is in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam, Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, William H. Lane
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Publication number: 20040189098Abstract: A method of managing power resources for an electrical system of a vehicle may include identifying enabled power sources from among a plurality of power sources in electrical communication with the electrical system and calculating a threshold power value for the enabled power sources. A total power load placed on the electrical system by one or more power consumers may be measured. If the total power load exceeds the threshold power value, then a determination may be made as to whether one or more additional power sources is available from among the plurality of power sources. At least one of the one or more additional power sources may be enabled, if available.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff
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Publication number: 20040189091Abstract: An electrical system for a vehicle includes a first power source generating a first voltage level, the first power source being in electrical communication with a first bus. A second power source generates a second voltage level greater than the first voltage level, the second power source being in electrical communication with a second bus. A starter generator may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus, and at least one additional power source may be configured to provide power to at least one of the first bus and the second bus. The electrical system also includes at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the first bus and at least one power consumer in electrical communication with the second bus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff