Patents by Inventor Michael D. Beyer
Michael D. Beyer 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: 12281462Abstract: A control system for a machine includes one or more component controllers for one or more components of the machine. The control system also includes a supervisory controller, connected to the one or more component controllers, and having at least one supervisory processor configured to perform operations comprising receiving supervisory system inputs, including at least one of a machine component status input, a key switch input, a directional input, or an operator presence input, from an operator of the machine, requesting and receiving, from each of the one or more component controllers, a status of the one or more components, and, upon receiving an indication that a status of a component, of the one or more components, is faulted, disabling the faulted component, and disabling any other components, of the one or more components, that require the faulted component for operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ankit Sharma, Michael D. Beyer, Thomas M. Sopko
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Patent number: 12258729Abstract: A system and method for controlling a motor of an electric drivetrain having a multi-speed transmission with at least a first clutch and a second clutch. The system and method includes initiating a transmission shift requiring engagement of the first clutch, applying synchronizing torque commands to the motor based on an engagement parameter of the first clutch until the shift is complete, and applying non-shifting torque commands to the motor after the shift is complete.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: March 25, 2025Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael J. Barngrover, Brian E. Lister, Michael D. Beyer
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Patent number: 12157989Abstract: An electric powertrain includes an electric power source, an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission. The powertrain has an electronic controller. The controller determines a respective rimpull torque limit for the operating gear of the multi-speed transmission and determines whether the rimpull torque demand exceeds the rimpull torque limit. Upon determining that the rimpull torque demand exceeds the rimpull torque limit, the controller acts to either (i) shift the multi-speed transmission to a gear in which the respective rimpull torque limit is at or above the rimpull torque demand or (ii) reduce the electric motor torque command to a level for which the rimpull torque is below the respective rimpull torque limit for the operating gear of the multi-speed transmission.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2022Date of Patent: December 3, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Lister, Michael D. Beyer
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Publication number: 20240125092Abstract: An electric powertrain includes an electric power source, an electric motor and a multi-speed transmission. The powertrain has an electronic controller. The controller determines a respective rimpull torque limit for the operating gear of the multi-speed transmission and determines whether the rimpull torque demand exceeds the rimpull torque limit. Upon determining that the rimpull torque demand exceeds the rimpull torque limit, the controller acts to either (i) shift the multi-speed transmission to a gear in which the respective rimpull torque limit is at or above the rimpull torque demand or (ii) reduce the electric motor torque command to a level for which the rimpull torque is below the respective rimpull torque limit for the operating gear of the multi-speed transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Lister, Michael D. Beyer
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Publication number: 20240125381Abstract: A mobile machine can include a traction powertrain configured to operate on electrical power and which includes a traction motor coupled to a transmission. To lubricate the transmission, the mobile machine can include a lubrication system having a lubricant pump coupled with a pump motor. The traction motor and the pump motor are electrically arranged in parallel with each other. A powertrain sensor monitors rotational motion in the traction powertrain and an electronic controller can generate a lubricant supply command directing the lubricant pump to deliver a first lubricant quantity to the transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian E. Lister, Michael D. Beyer, Alex M. Fullenkamp
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Publication number: 20240123967Abstract: Operating an electric drive machine includes neutralizing a transmission in the electric drive machine operating in a first range, determining suitability of the electric drive machine for operating the transmission in a second range, and calculating a target transmission input speed, based on a speed parameter indicative of a transmission output speed, and the determined suitability for operating in a second range. A speed of an electric drive motor is varied based on the target transmission input speed, and a second clutch engaged to operate the transmission in the second range based on the varied speed of the electric drive motor. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aditya B. Bhandari, Brian E. Lister, Michael D. Beyer
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Publication number: 20240125099Abstract: A control system for a machine includes one or more component controllers for one or more components of the machine. The control system also includes a supervisory controller, connected to the one or more component controllers, and having at least one supervisory processor configured to perform operations comprising receiving supervisory system inputs, including at least one of a machine component status input, a key switch input, a directional input, or an operator presence input, from an operator of the machine, requesting and receiving, from each of the one or more component controllers, a status of the one or more components, and, upon receiving an indication that a status of a component, of the one or more components, is faulted, disabling the faulted component, and disabling any other components, of the one or more components, that require the faulted component for operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ankit SHARMA, Michael D. BEYER, Thomas M. SOPKO
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Publication number: 20240125088Abstract: A system and method for controlling a motor of an electric drivetrain having a multi-speed transmission with at least a first clutch and a second clutch. The system and method includes initiating a transmission shift requiring engagement of the first clutch, applying synchronizing torque commands to the motor based on an engagement parameter of the first clutch until the shift is complete, and applying non-shifting torque commands to the motor after the shift is complete.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2022Publication date: April 18, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael J. BARNGROVER, Brian E. LISTER, Michael D. BEYER
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Patent number: 11835130Abstract: An electric drive system for a machine includes a transmission, and an electric drive motor coupled to a transmission input. The electric drive system also includes a plurality of sensing subsystems, each monitoring a speed of rotation and a direction of rotation of one of the electric drive motor or the transmission input. An electric drive control system in the electric drive system includes an electronic controller structured to receive health data of the sensing subsystems, and determine a drive system control command, according to a sensor data sourcing pattern that is dependent upon the health data. Related methodology and control logic is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2022Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Beyer, Brian E. Lister, Ryan R. Leman
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Patent number: 9556807Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Mark E. Rettig, Michael D. Beyer, Steven D. Spencer
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Publication number: 20150354474Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Brian D. HOFF, Mark E. RETTIG, Michael D. BEYER, Steven D. SPENCER
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Patent number: 8874332Abstract: A system and method involves a machine having a power train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) associated with a plurality of virtual gear ratios. To shift between the plurality of virtual gear ratios, the machine may include an operator input device that may be movable between a plurality of distinct positions. A first position may be associated with a neutral position in which no shifting of virtual gear ratios occurs. A second position of the operator input device may be associated with a first incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios. A third position may be associated with a second incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios which is different than the first incremental rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael D. Beyer, Shane C. McBride
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Patent number: 8781696Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission having a first input connected to an engine output shaft, and a variator. The variator includes a pump connected to the engine output shaft and a motor connected to a second input of the transmission. The pump has a variable setting that is determinable by a position of a pump actuator in response to a command signal. A controller associated is disposed to control operation of the variator, at least in part, by providing the command signal to the pump actuator. The command signal is determined based on an operator command and on a compensation term, which depends on a correlation function of a parameter related to the speed ratio between a pump speed and a motor speed and a flow characteristic of the pump actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Beyer, Chad T. Brickner, Christopher Rhoades
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Publication number: 20140121918Abstract: A system and method involves a machine having a power train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) associated with a plurality of virtual gear ratios. To shift between the plurality of virtual gear ratios, the machine may include an operator input device that may be movable between a plurality of distinct positions. A first position may be associated with a neutral position in which no shifting of virtual gear ratios occurs. A second position of the operator input device may be associated with a first incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios. A third position may be associated with a second incremental rate for shifting between the virtual gear ratios which is different than the first incremental rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Kevin Davis, Adam Nackers, Michael D. Beyer, Shane C. McBride
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Publication number: 20130325272Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine, a transmission having a first input connected to an engine output shaft, and a variator. The variator includes a pump connected to the engine output shaft and a motor connected to a second input of the transmission. The pump has a variable setting that is determinable by a position of a pump actuator in response to a command signal. A controller associated is disposed to control operation of the variator, at least in part, by providing the command signal to the pump actuator. The command signal is determined based on an operator command and on a compensation term, which depends on a correlation function of a parameter related to the speed ratio between a pump speed and a motor speed and a flow characteristic of the pump actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Michael D. Beyer, Chad T. Brickner, Christopher Rhoades
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Patent number: 8568271Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain including an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset is disclosed. The method includes operating the engine at a first substantially constant speed, detecting a shift condition, and operating the engine at a second substantially constant speed as a function of detecting the shift condition. The second speed is different than the first speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: October 29, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D Beyer, Christopher A Rhoades
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Publication number: 20120270699Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain including an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset is disclosed. The method includes operating the engine at a first substantially constant speed, detecting a shift condition, and operating the engine at a second substantially constant speed as a function of detecting the shift condition. The second speed is different than the first speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D. Beyer, Christopher A. Rhoades
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Publication number: 20120065854Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset. The engine is operated at a first substantially constant speed. A first transmission shift condition is detected. One or more shift hunting prevention methods are selected as a function of operating parameters from a group of shift hunting prevention methods. The one or more shift hunting prevention methods are implemented as a function of detecting the first transmission shift condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D. Beyer, Christopher A. Rhoades
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Publication number: 20120065853Abstract: A method for preventing shift hunting in a powertrain is disclosed. The powertrain includes an engine and a transmission having a variator, a first gearset, and a second gearset. The engine is operated at a first substantially constant speed. A first transmission shift condition is detected. A desired transmission output torque is determined. The transmission is operated at a transmission torque different than the desired torque as a function of the first shift condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason Stoller, Adam J. Vaccari, Michael D. Beyer, Christopher A. Rhoades