Patents by Inventor Michael Vanderham

Michael Vanderham 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: 20070144175
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes at least one turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system of the combustion engine. The at least one turbocharger is configured to increase the intake pressure in the intake system of the combustion engine. A turbocharger controller is configured to compare actual and desired intake pressures and control operation of the at least one turbocharger based on the comparison such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: June 28, 2007
    Inventors: Thomas Sopko, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey, Brian Kuras
  • Publication number: 20070080236
    Abstract: An electric powertrain includes an engine configured to provide mechanical energy and a generator operably coupled to the engine and configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The electric powertrain further includes at least one electric motor operably coupled to the generator, a plurality of driving members, and at least one power electronics unit configured to control at least one of the engine and the generator. The at least one electric motor is configured to provide torque for the plurality of driving members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Publication date: April 12, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Betz, Kent Casey, Stephen Garnett, Chih Liang, Andrew Tonsor, Michael Vanderham, Edward Zwilling
  • Publication number: 20060218923
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system. The system further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system. The system also includes an electric machine operably coupled to the turbocharger. The electric machine is configured to supply torque to the turbocharger. The system further includes a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the electric machine. The turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the electric machine such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: Thomas Sopko, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey, Brian Kuras
  • Publication number: 20060112781
    Abstract: torque transmitting power system includes first and second motors operably coupled to an output shaft via respective first and second transmissions. At least one of the two transmissions has at least two ranges. A power supply subsystem includes an engine with an output operably coupled to an input of an energy conversion device, which is operably coupled to an input of the first motor and an input of the second motor. The system allows for speed shifts that can be accomplished in a way that maintains rimpull during the shift event for smoother accelerations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Publication date: June 1, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham, Kent Casey
  • Publication number: 20050288148
    Abstract: A method is provided of boosting power to a continuously variable transmission having a motor. The continuously variable transmission is powered by an engine. The method includes selectively adjusting a power output of the engine above a steady state power output rating of the engine when an acceleration of the motor exceeds an acceleration threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 29, 2005
    Inventors: Brian Kuras, Thomas Sopko, Maria-Magdalena Dilimot, Michael Vanderham
  • Publication number: 20050173162
    Abstract: An electric drive system is provided. The electric drive system includes a first output member, a second output member, and an electric motor that includes an output shaft having an axis of rotation. The output shaft is operatively engaged with the first and second output members to rotate the first and second output members. A differential steering system is disposed between the electric motor and the first and second output members. The differential steering system includes at least one planetary gear assembly that has an axis of rotation that substantially aligns with the axis of rotation of the output shaft. A steering motor is operatively engaged with the at least one planetary gear assembly and is operable to modify the rotational speed of the at least one planetary gear assembly to thereby adjust the rotational speed of one of the first and second output members relative to the other of the first and second output members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Publication date: August 11, 2005
    Inventors: Gerald Simmons, Michael Vanderham
  • Publication number: 20050071066
    Abstract: A predictive load management system includes a power source operable to generate power output, the power source having a desired operating range. A transmission having a drive member is operably engaged with the power source. A control system is in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system receives at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and identifies a change in the load on the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is further operable to determine a desired power output of the power source to account for the change in the load on the transmission. The control system modifies a performance characteristic of the power source to cause the power source to generate the desired power output when the change in the load on the transmission will result in the power source operating outside of the desired operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Charles Rose, Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham, Mustafa Guven, Thomas Sopko
  • Publication number: 20050071067
    Abstract: A predictive load management system is provided. A power source is operable to generate a power output and has a desired operating range. A transmission has a drive member operably engaged with the power source and a driven member. A control system is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a load on the transmission and to identify a desired load of the transmission based on the at least one input. The control system is also operable to receive at least one input indicative of current power output of the power source. The control system limits the desired transmission load applied to the driven member of the transmission based on the current power output of the power source to thereby prevent the power source from operating outside of the desired operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Mustafa Guven, Brian Kuras, Michael Vanderham