Patents by Inventor Mike Snopko

Mike Snopko 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: 11177664
    Abstract: A system and method for variable frequency voltage regulation is presented. The system includes a variable frequency bus and a variable frequency load directly connected to the variable frequency bus. A plurality of variable frequency gensets are directly connected to the variable frequency bus. Each variable frequency genset includes a genset controller configured to select set points based on a selected frequency response curve of the variable frequency bus. A variable frequency voltage regulator is configured to regulate an electrical output of the variable frequency generator based on the selected set points. The system includes a voltage regulation controller configured to determine a desired bus frequency based on the variable frequency load, and determine an optimal frequency response curve based on the desired bus frequency and a frequency response model of each VFG. The selected frequency response curve is updated based on the determined optimal frequency response curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry Converse, Per Ole Sorensen, Mike Snopko, David Miller
  • Patent number: 11146073
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a frequency of plurality of variable frequency generators with a variable frequency load over a variable frequency bus independent of a frequency conversion stage. A synchronization controller is configured to determine an optimal bus frequency of the variable frequency bus based on at least one power demand requirement of the variable frequency load operatively connected to the variable frequency bus. With the optimal frequency, an available power range supplied by the plurality of variable frequency gensets at the optimal bus frequency can be determined. The synchronization controller then asymmetrically loads the variable frequency load to the plurality variable frequency gensets at the optimal bus frequency based on the operating range of each variable frequency genset and recursively updates the optimal bus frequency based on operational statistics of the asymmetrically loaded variable frequency gensets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Snopko, Perry Converse, David Miller, Alexander Smith
  • Publication number: 20210135458
    Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing a frequency of plurality of variable frequency generators with a variable frequency load over a variable frequency bus independent of a frequency conversion stage. A synchronization controller is configured to determine an optimal bus frequency of the variable frequency bus based on at least one power demand requirement of the variable frequency load operatively connected to the variable frequency bus. With the optimal frequency, an available power range supplied by the plurality of variable frequency gensets at the optimal bus frequency can be determined. The synchronization controller then asymmetrically loads the variable frequency load to the plurality variable frequency gensets at the optimal bus frequency based on the operating range of each variable frequency genset and recursively updates the optimal bus frequency based on operational statistics of the asymmetrically loaded variable frequency gensets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Snopko, Perry Converse, David Miller, Alexander Smith
  • Publication number: 20210135459
    Abstract: A system and method for variable frequency voltage regulation is presented. The system includes a variable frequency bus and a variable frequency load directly connected to the variable frequency bus. A plurality of variable frequency gensets are directly connected to the variable frequency bus. Each variable frequency genset includes a genset controller configured to select set points based on a selected frequency response curve of the variable frequency bus. A variable frequency voltage regulator is configured to regulate an electrical output of the variable frequency generator based on the selected set points. The system includes a voltage regulation controller configured to determine a desired bus frequency based on the variable frequency load, and determine an optimal frequency response curve based on the desired bus frequency and a frequency response model of each VFG. The selected frequency response curve is updated based on the determined optimal frequency response curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry Converse, Per Ole Sorensen, Mike Snopko, David Miller