Patents by Inventor Marcelo C Algrain

Marcelo C Algrain 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: 10148094
    Abstract: A hybrid electrical power generation system is providing for powering a power consuming system including first and second loads. The hybrid system includes first and second primary generator sets, a redundant generator set, and a utility connection. Each generator set includes an engine mechanically coupled to an electrical power generator. The first primary generator set is fueled by a first fuel and is configured to supply electrical power to the first load, and the second primary generator set is configured to supply electrical power to the second load. The redundant generator set is fueled by a second fuel and is configured to supply electrical power to at least one of the first and second loads. The utility connection is configured to supply electrical power from a utility power grid to the first and the second loads. A controller controls distribution of electrical power to the first and second loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20180115166
    Abstract: A hybrid electrical power generation system is providing for powering a power consuming system including first and second loads. The hybrid system includes first and second primary generator sets, a redundant generator set, and a utility connection. Each generator set includes an engine mechanically coupled to an electrical power generator. The first primary generator set is fueled by a first fuel and is configured to supply electrical power to the first load, and the second primary generator set is configured to supply electrical power to the second load. The redundant generator set is fueled by a second fuel and is configured to supply electrical power to at least one of the first and second loads. The utility connection is configured to supply electrical power from a utility power grid to the first and the second loads. A controller controls distribution of electrical power to the first and second loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 26, 2018
    Inventor: Marcelo C. ALGRAIN
  • Patent number: 9190852
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20150275750
    Abstract: A power system generator set utilizing at least one engine capable of operating on one fuel source and another engine capable of operating on a different fuel source is provided. Specifically, a power system is provided for providing power to an external load having a base power load and a variable power load wherein the majority of the energy consumed by the external load is provided by an engine having a first fuel source and the majority of the variable power consumed by the external load is provided by an engine having a second fuel source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 8975767
    Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover configured to generate a drive force, a generator configured to receive the drive force and be driven by the prime mover to produce electrical power for an external load. The system includes a power storage device configured to store electrical power or to discharge electrical power to the external load. The system further includes a controller configured to control the power storage device to discharge power to supplement the electrical power from the generator directed to the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20140159365
    Abstract: A power system includes a prime mover configured to generate a drive force, a generator configured to receive the drive force and be driven by the prime mover to produce electrical power for an external load. The system includes a power storage device configured to store electrical power or to discharge electrical power to the external load. The system further includes a controller configured to control the power storage device to discharge power to supplement the electrical power from the generator directed to the external load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 8716896
    Abstract: A control system for use with a genset is disclosed. The control system may have a bus configured to receive power from the generator set, and a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a characteristic of power on the bus. The control system may also have a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an engine parameter of the generator set, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to synchronize an electrical output of the generator set with the power on the bus based on the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20140084685
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 8198753
    Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The power system has a plurality of generator sets and a bus. The method monitors the bus and generator sets disconnected from the bus. The method supplies to a control device information associated with the operating state of each of the generator sets and the bus. The method determines a relative frequency mismatch, multiplied by a first weight factor, and a relative phase mismatch, multiplied by a second weight factor, between the frequency and phase of the bus and a generator, and generates a frequency speed bias and a phase speed bias for the generator. The method adds the frequency and phase speed biases to form a total speed bias and connects the generator to the bus when the voltage, frequency, and phase of the generator are within a permissible range of the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 8143732
    Abstract: A stationary genset power may have a combustion engine configured to produce a mechanical output, and a main generator driven by the combustion engine to convert a majority portion of the mechanical output to electricity directed to an external load. The stationary genset power system may also have a turbine fluidly connected to the combustion engine, a compressor operatively driven by the turbine to compress combustion air directed to the combustion engine, and a secondary generator operatively driven by the turbine to produce electricity directed to the external load. The stationary genset power system may further have a controller in communication with the primary and second generators. The controller may be configured to synchronize an electrical power output of the secondary generator with an electrical power output of the primary generator prior to connection of the secondary generator to the external load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20100148588
    Abstract: A control system for use with a genset is disclosed. The control system may have a bus configured to receive power from the generator set, and a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a characteristic of power on the bus. The control system may also have a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an engine parameter of the generator set, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to synchronize an electrical output of the generator set with the power on the bus based on the first and second signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20100148518
    Abstract: A stationary genset power system is disclosed. The stationary genset power system may have a combustion engine configured to produce a mechanical output, and a main generator driven by the combustion engine to convert a majority portion of the mechanical output to electricity directed to an external load. The stationary genset power system may also have a turbine fluidly connected to the combustion engine, a compressor operatively driven by the turbine to compress combustion air directed to the combustion engine, and a secondary generator operatively driven by the turbine to produce electricity directed to the external load. The stationary genset power system may further have a controller in communication with the primary and second generators. The controller may be configured to synchronize an electrical power output of the secondary generator with an electrical power output of the primary generator prior to connection of the secondary generator to the external load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7656060
    Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The power system has a plurality of generator sets and a bus. The method monitors the bus and generator sets disconnected from the bus. The method supplies to a control device information associated with the operating state of each of the generator sets and the bus. The method determines a relative frequency mismatch and a relative phase mismatch between the frequency and phase of the bus and a generator, and generates a frequency speed bias and a phase speed bias for the generator. The method adds the frequency and phase speed biases to form a total speed bias, tunes the total speed bias to make the frequency and phase speed biases combine in a complementary manner, and connects the generator to the bus when the voltage, frequency, and phase of the generator are within a permissible range of the bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7614381
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam, Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, William H. Lane
  • Publication number: 20090108676
    Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The power system has a plurality of generator sets and a bus. The method monitors the bus and generator sets disconnected from the bus. The method supplies to a control device information associated with the operating state of each of the generator sets and the bus. The method determines a relative frequency mismatch and a relative phase mismatch between the frequency and phase of the bus and a generator, and generates a frequency speed bias and a phase speed bias for the generator. The method adds the frequency and phase speed biases to form a total speed bias, tunes the total speed bias to make the frequency and phase speed biases combine in a complementary manner, and connects the generator to the bus when the voltage, frequency, and phase of the generator are within a permissible range of the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20090108678
    Abstract: A method of operating a power system is provided. The power system has a plurality of generator sets and a bus. The method monitors the bus and generator sets disconnected from the bus. The method supplies to a control device information associated with the operating state of each of the generator sets and the bus. The method determines a relative frequency mismatch, multiplied by a first weight factor, and a relative phase mismatch, multiplied by a second weight factor, between the frequency and phase of the bus and a generator, and generates a frequency speed bias and a phase speed bias for the generator. The method adds the frequency and phase speed biases to form a total speed bias and connects the generator to the bus when the voltage, frequency, and phase of the generator are within a permissible range of the bus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7462970
    Abstract: A power system includes an engine, a motor/generator operatively connected to the engine, and a starter operatively connected to at least one of the engine and the motor/generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7400059
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20080121218
    Abstract: A turbocompound system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes at least one turbocharger. At least one first electric machine is rotatably coupled to the at least one turbocharger, and a second electric machine is rotatably coupled to the engine. The system further includes a control system configured to enable recovery of energy through operation of the at least one first electric machine and the second electric machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 7276815
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marcelo C. Algrain, Kris W. Johnson, Sivaprasad Akasam, Brian D. Hoff