Patents by Inventor Mark Francis Grimes

Mark Francis Grimes 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).

  • Publication number: 20240052826
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may monitor, in connection with a fluid pump driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive and over a time period, a torque of the motor to obtain torque data, a speed of the motor to obtain speed data, and a pressure of the fluid pump to obtain pressure data. The controller may determine that the fluid pump is associated with a leak of a particular severity level based on the torque data indicating a deviation that satisfies a first threshold, the speed data indicating a deviation that satisfies a second threshold, and the pressure data indicating a deviation that satisfies a third threshold. The controller may perform at least one operation based on the particular severity level of the leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng HE, Andy PUBLES, Mark C. PAUL, Mark Francis GRIMES
  • Publication number: 20240026876
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may obtain a set of measurement values associated with the dual-pump single-power source system, wherein the set of measurement values includes at least one of one or more speed measurements associated with a clutch that is coupled to a power source and a first pump of the dual-pump single-power source system, a measurement value indicating an output speed of the power source, or a first crank angle associated with the first pump and a second crank angle associated with a second pump of the dual-pump single-power source system. The controller may detect that the clutch is experiencing slippage based on comparing at least two measurement values of the set of measurement values. The controller may perform an action to cause the clutch to disengage a mechanical connection between the first pump and the power source while the power source is running and is mechanically connected to the second pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas J. PETERSON, David Alexandru VOICULESCU, Andy PUBLES, Mark Francis GRIMES
  • Publication number: 20240026875
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may obtain an indication of a first crank angle associated with a first pump, of a dual-pump single-power source system, that is mechanically connected to a power source of the dual-pump single-power source system via a first clutch. The controller may obtain an indication of a second crank angle associated with a second pump, of the dual-pump single-power source system, that is mechanically connected to the power source via a second clutch. The controller may determine that a difference between the first crank angle and the second crank angle is outside of a tolerance of a crank angle difference value. The controller may modulate a fluid pressure associated with at least one of the first clutch or the second clutch to cause the difference between the first crank angle and the second crank angle to be within the tolerance of the crank angle difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas J. PETERSON, David Alexandru VOICULESCU, Andy PUBLES, Mark Francis GRIMES
  • Publication number: 20230287775
    Abstract: A controller that is associated with a pump system causes a power ramp rate of a motor of the pump system to have an initial power ramp rate. The controller monitors, after causing the power ramp rate of the motor to have the initial power ramp rate, a frequency of a power bus. One or more power sources provide power to the pump system via the power bus. The controller causes, based on monitoring the frequency of the power bus, the power ramp rate of the motor to be modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy PUBLES, Mark Francis GRIMES, Riadh BENGUEDDA, Yuesheng HE, Mark C. PAUL, Todd Ryan KABRICH
  • Publication number: 20230243350
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may monitor, during a ramp up period of a fluid pump driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD), an intake pressure of the fluid pump and a discharge pressure of the fluid pump. The controller may detect, based on monitoring the intake pressure and the discharge pressure, whether the intake pressure satisfies an intake pressure threshold or the discharge pressure satisfies a discharge pressure threshold. The controller may cause, via the VFD, reduction of a torque of the motor based on the intake pressure satisfying the intake pressure threshold or the discharge pressure satisfying the discharge pressure threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Ryan KABRICH, Andy PUBLES, Mark Francis GRIMES, Yuesheng HE
  • Publication number: 20230243348
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may obtain a setting for a target discharge pressure associated with a fluid pump driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD). The target discharge pressure may be for use in a pressure test of a system that includes the fluid pump. The controller may determine a target torque for the motor that achieves the target discharge pressure. The controller may cause, via the VFD and in connection with the pressure test, adjustment to a speed of the motor to achieve the target torque for the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy PUBLES, Mark C. PAUL, Mark Francis GRIMES, Todd Ryan KABRICH, Riadh BENGUEDDA
  • Publication number: 20230243351
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may obtain a setting for a maximum discharge pressure associated with a fluid pump that is to be allowed during a hydraulic fracturing operation. The fluid pump may be driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive (VFD). The controller may determine a maximum torque for the motor that achieves the maximum discharge pressure. The controller may cause, via the VFD, adjustment to a speed of the motor to maintain a torque of the motor at or below the maximum torque for the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Francis GRIMES, Andy PUBLES, Mark C. PAUL
  • Patent number: 11686186
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may monitor an available power supply of at least one power source for a system for hydraulic fracturing, and a current power demand of the system. The controller may determine, based on monitoring the available power supply and the current power demand, whether a relationship between the current power demand and the available power supply is indicative of an impending power failure. The controller may cause, based on determining that the relationship between the current power demand and the available power supply indicates the impending power failure, reduction of flow rates of one or more fluid pumps of the system to reduce the current power demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andy Publes, Mark Francis Grimes, Todd Ryan Kabrich, Mark C. Paul, Riadh Benguedda
  • Publication number: 20110074165
    Abstract: A system for controlling power load to a rig engine of a wellbore rig. The system includes a controller for controlling the rig engine, a sensor for sensing the exhaust temperature of the rig engine, the sensor in communication with the controller for providing to the controller signals indicative of the exhaust temperature. The controller maintains the power load to the rig engine based on the exhaust temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Francis Grimes, Gregory Paul Cervenka, Kent Hulick
  • Publication number: 20080203734
    Abstract: A system for controlling power load to a rig engine of a wellbore rig, the system including a controller for controlling a rig engine, a sensor for sensing the exhaust temperature of a rig engine, the sensor in communication with the controller for providing to the controller signals indicative of the exhaust temperature, and the controller maintaining power load to the rig engine based on said exhaust temperature. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Francis Grimes, Gregory Paul Cervenka, Kent Hulick