Patents by Inventor Michael Thorne
Michael Thorne 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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Publication number: 20240401355Abstract: A pool structure assembly that includes a wall including at least one hook member, where the at least one hook member is rotatably connected to the wall. The pool structure assembly further includes a gutter assembly including at least one pin member and a seal member positioned between the gutter assembly and the wall, where the hook member is rotated into engagement with the pin member causing the gutter assembly to move into sealed engagement with the wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2023Publication date: December 5, 2024Inventors: Michael McDuffie, Phillip Thorne
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Patent number: 11811344Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, a power source mounted on the frame, a switched reluctance motor, an inverter configured to control power to the motor from a power source, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicating a desired torque and determine if the desired torque is between an upper threshold and a lower threshold. If the desired torque is between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, pulse width modulation is used to produce a PWM adjusted torque command, and the motor is commanded based on the PWM adjusted torque command. The PWM adjusted torque command is configured to cycle between the upper threshold and the lower threshold to produce the desired torque.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse R. Gerdes, Thomas M. Sopko, Carlos E. Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Sajan Abdul, Amara Ashfaq, James Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 11545922Abstract: Power based self-sensing of a rotor position of an SR motor at mid to high speeds and low torque is achieved by an SR motor control system by comparing the motor power to an injection maximum power. A position current pulse is injected to a stator pole in response to the motor power being less than the injection maximum power. An actual stator current created by the position current pulse is compared to an estimated stator current, and a stored estimated rotor position in a memory is updated to a new estimated rotor position if the actual stator current is not equal to the estimated stator current.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2021Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse Ray Gerdes, James Michael Thorne, Ahmed Khalil, Jackson Wai, Sajan Abdul, Amara Ashfaq
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Patent number: 11515824Abstract: A system and method for torque compensation in a switched reluctance (SR) machine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a SR machine, an inverter and a controller. The controller is in operable communication with the inverter and is configured to determine a commanded main current associated with energization by a main current of a first portion of the plurality of windings for a controlling phase, and determine a commanded parasitic current associated with energization by a parasitic current of a second portion of the windings in a non-controlling phase. The controller is further configured to determine an offset current based on the commanded parasitic current, and determine a target current based on a first sum of the commanded main current and the offset current, and command the inverter to actuate the target current in the first portion of the windings during the controlling phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse R. Gerdes, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, James Michael Thorne, Sajan Abdul, Amara Ashfaq
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Publication number: 20220231626Abstract: Power based self-sensing of a rotor position of an SR motor at mid to high speeds and low torque is achieved by an SR motor control system by comparing the motor power to an injection maximum power. A position current pulse is injected to a stator pole in response to the motor power being less than the injection maximum power. An actual stator current created by the position current pulse is compared to an estimated stator current, and a stored estimated rotor position in a memory is updated to a new estimated rotor position if the actual stator current is not equal to the estimated stator current.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2021Publication date: July 21, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse Ray Gerdes, James Michael Thorne, Ahmed Khalil, Jackson Wai, Sajan Abdul, Amara Ashfaq
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Publication number: 20220200501Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, a power source mounted on the frame, a switched reluctance motor, an inverter configured to control power to the motor from a power source, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicating a desired torque and determine if the desired torque is between an upper threshold and a lower threshold. If the desired torque is between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, pulse width modulation is used to produce a PWM adjusted torque command, and the motor is commanded based on the PWM adjusted torque command. The PWM adjusted torque command is configured to cycle between the upper threshold and the lower threshold to produce the desired torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse R. Gerdes, Thomas M. Sopko, Carlos E. Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Sajan Abdul, Amara Ashfaq, James Michael Thorne
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Publication number: 20220200502Abstract: A system and method for torque compensation in a switched reluctance (SR) machine disposed on a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a SR machine, an inverter and a controller. The controller is in operable communication with the inverter and is configured to determine a commanded main current associated with energization by a main current of a first portion of the plurality of windings for a controlling phase, and determine a commanded parasitic current associated with energization by a parasitic current of a second portion of the windings in a non-controlling phase. The controller is further configured to determine an offset current based on the commanded parasitic current, and determine a target current based on a first sum of the commanded main current and the offset current, and command the inverter to actuate the target current in the first portion of the windings during the controlling phase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jesse R. Gerdes, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, James Michael Thorne, Sajan Abdul, Amara Ashfaq
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Publication number: 20200097849Abstract: A method for creating an Artificial Intelligence (AI) apparatus that is sentient and sapient so that it can engage with other forms of intelligence in their native contexts. The method includes the steps of gathering information associated with tunable precepts, defining filters associated with gathered information, establishing reference points for tunable information filtered and selecting those of the gathered tunable parameters and mechanisms for establishing interactions of conduct aligned with ethical modes of behavior in the AI apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2019Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Michael Thorne Kelly, Inc.Inventor: Michael Thorne Kelly
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Patent number: 10193475Abstract: A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Carlos Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 10079566Abstract: A system and method for estimating a position and a speed of a rotor of a Switched Reluctance (SR) machine is provided. The SR machine comprises the rotor, a stator and at least one winding. The method includes generating a diagnostic pulse having a trapezoidal shape. The method further includes injecting a diagnostic pulse into the at least one winding of the SR machine. The method further includes measuring an actual stator current flowing through the at least one winding of the SR machine. The method further includes computing an estimated stator current flowing through the at least one winding using observer-based estimation technique. The estimated stator current is compared with the actual stator current to compute an error signal. At least one of the position and the speed of the rotor is estimated based on the error signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2017Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Ahmed Khalil, Seok-Hee Han, Jackson Wai, James Michael Thorne, Jesse Gerdes, Sangameshwar Sonth
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Patent number: 9899946Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit in electrical communication between the stator and a common bus, and a controller configured to monitor a bus voltage of the converter circuit and a phase current of the SR machine. The controller may be configured to determine a phase voltage based on one or more of main pulses and any diagnostic pulses, determine an estimated flux based on the phase voltage and an associated mutual voltage, determine a rotor position based at least partially on the estimated flux, and control the SR machine based on the rotor position and a desired torque.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Sangameshwar Sonth, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 9841488Abstract: An Infra Red detector system and method is disclosed that implements a digital coordinate generator onto a 2D focal plane array infrared detector. The method used in this form of the invention by the IR detector system, generates X-Y coordinate data for pixels containing detected target data. Advantageously, it reduces subsequent signal post processing required to generate the same data using numerical processing techniques in software and the latency that this introduces.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: LEONARDO MW LTDInventor: Peter Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 9800192Abstract: A control system for a multi-phase switched reluctance (SR) machine, having at least two phases, is disclosed. The control system may include a converter circuit and a controller. The controller may include a phase voltage estimator module configured to determine a first phase voltage and a second phase voltage associated with a second phase second phase for the SR machine. The controller may further include a flux estimator module configured to determine first and second estimated fluxes, the first estimated flux associated with the first phase and based on the first phase voltage and an associated first mutual voltage and the second estimated flux the second estimated flux associated with the second phase and based on the second phase voltage and an associated second mutual voltage, and a position observer module configured to determine a rotor position based at least partially on the first estimated flux, the second mutual flux.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2016Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne, Sangameshwar Sonth
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Publication number: 20170294858Abstract: A control system for a multi-phase switched reluctance (SR) machine, having at least two phases, is disclosed. The control system may include a converter circuit and a controller. The controller may include a phase voltage estimator module configured to determine a first phase voltage and a second phase voltage associated with a second phase second phase for the SR machine. The controller may further include a flux estimator module configured to determine first and second estimated fluxes, the first estimated flux associated with the first phase and based on the first phase voltage and an associated first mutual voltage and the second estimated flux the second estimated flux associated with the second phase and based on the second phase voltage and an associated second mutual voltage, and a position observer module configured to determine a rotor position based at least partially on the first estimated flux, the second mutual flux.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne, Sangameshwar Sonth
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Publication number: 20170229992Abstract: A control system for a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The control system may include a converter circuit in electrical communication between the stator and a common bus, and a controller configured to monitor a bus voltage of the converter circuit and a phase current of the SR machine. The controller may be configured to determine a phase voltage based on one or more of main pulses and any diagnostic pulses, determine an estimated flux based on the phase voltage and an associated mutual voltage, determine a rotor position based at least partially on the estimated flux, and control the SR machine based on the rotor position and a desired torque.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2016Publication date: August 10, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Sangameshwar Sonth, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Publication number: 20170126156Abstract: A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2015Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Carlos Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Publication number: 20150381087Abstract: A method for determining rotor position of a switched reluctance (SR) machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may include injecting a test pulse into one or more idle phases of the SR machine, determining a decoupled flux value based at least partially on a total flux value corresponding to the test pulse and a mutual flux value, and determining the rotor position based at least partially on the decoupled flux value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Seok-hee Han, Carlos Nino Baron, Jackson Wai, Ahmed Khalil, Ernesto Inoa, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 9063012Abstract: An Infra Red detector system and method is disclosed. There is benefit in providing signal processing functions into each pixel of a 2D focal plane IR detector for applications such as hostile target detection. The thermal characteristics of muzzle flash or a projectile and it's trajectory for example are distinguishable from background scene. A technique to add a signal detection function to normal IR detector thermal imaging operation to a standard direct inject Integrate While Read (IWR) pixel circuit and for providing target detection at extremely high data rates is described.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: SELEX ES LTDInventor: Peter Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 9060141Abstract: A system and method of reducing undesirable image artifacts such as image tear and image smearing are described. The system can include a series of pixels and enhanced sensitivity circuits. The circuit can be configured so as to operate in an enhanced sensitivity mode having a combination of sample and hold circuits and binning functions, the combination acting so as to reduce the undesirable imaging artifacts.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: SELEX ES LTDInventors: Mark Clifford Wilson, Peter Michael Thorne
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Patent number: 8901869Abstract: A method of controlling speed of an electric machine having a rotor and a stator is provided. The method may comprise the steps of monitoring a desired speed and a measured speed of the rotor, generating a torque command based on the desired speed and the measured speed, and controlling phase current to the stator based on a hybrid closed loop analysis of the torque command, the measured speed and an estimated position of the rotor. The estimated rotor position may be derived at least partially from the desired speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jackson Wai, Jesse Gerdes, James Michael Thorne