Patents by Inventor Perry Dwain CONVERSE

Perry Dwain CONVERSE 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: 11697985
    Abstract: An automated hydraulic fracturing system and method for controlling various aspects of a fracking operation is disclosed. A master controller receives various operating parameters, such as desired operating conditions, information about a fracking site, information about trailers and/or other equipment at the fracking site, and/or sensor signals. The master controller may access one or more trailer model(s) that model various parameters of equipment (e.g., engines, transmissions, pumps, trailers, etc.) at the fracking site as a function of controlled operating conditions. The master controller uses the trailer models in conjunction with operating parameters to generate control signals that automatically control the various equipment at the fracking site to optimize various desired outcomes, such as reduced operating costs, reduced emissions, reduced idle time, increased efficiency, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Zhijun Cai, Perry Dwain Converse, Erik L Olsen, Casey Alan Otten
  • Publication number: 20220178235
    Abstract: An automated hydraulic fracturing system and method for controlling various aspects of a fracking operation is disclosed. A master controller receives various operating parameters, such as desired operating conditions, information about a fracking site, information about trailers and/or other equipment at the fracking site, and/or sensor signals. The master controller may access one or more trailer model(s) that model various parameters of equipment (e.g., engines, transmissions, pumps, trailers, etc.) at the fracking site as a function of controlled operating conditions. The master controller uses the trailer models in conjunction with operating parameters to generate control signals that automatically control the various equipment at the fracking site to optimize various desired outcomes, such as reduced operating costs, reduced emissions, reduced idle time, increased efficiency, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Zhijun Cai, Perry Dwain Converse, Erik L. Olsen, Casey Alan Otten
  • Patent number: 10734814
    Abstract: A maintenance optimization control system for load sharing between includes a first engine having an associated first criteria, a second engine having an associated second criteria, and a load having a steady component and a transient component. The control system includes a controller communicably coupled to the first engine, the second engine and the load. The controller selects an engine from the first engine and the second engine based at least on the first criteria and the second criteria. The controller distributes the load between the first engine and the second engine such that only the selected engine is operated under transient component of the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry Dwain Converse, Robin Ernest de Ruiter, Theodore Ernest Wiersema, III, Yanchai Zhang
  • Patent number: 10458352
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an operational data sensor generating signals indicative of operational data of the engine and a controller communicably coupled with the engine and the operational data sensor. The controller operates the engine based on operational parameters defined by a baseline engine model. The controller receives the signals indicative of the operational data of the engine, and generates a dynamic engine model which defines at least one operational parameter of the engine based on the received operational data of the engine. The controller compares the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model. The controller determines a difference between the baseline engine model and the dynamic engine model based on the comparison. The controller compares the determined difference to a threshold difference value and operates the engine based on the dynamic engine model, if the determined difference exceeds the threshold difference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Perry Dwain Converse, Michael Andrew Snopko
  • Publication number: 20190085781
    Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an operational data sensor generating signals indicative of operational data of the engine and a controller communicably coupled with the engine and the operational data sensor. The controller operates the engine based on operational parameters defined by a baseline engine model. The controller receives the signals indicative of the operational data of the engine, and generates a dynamic engine model which defines at least one operational parameter of the engine based on the received operational data of the engine. The controller compares the baseline engine model to the dynamic engine model. The controller determines a difference between the baseline engine model and the dynamic engine model based on the comparison. The controller compares the determined difference to a threshold difference value and operates the engine based on the dynamic engine model, if the determined difference exceeds the threshold difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Perry Dwain Converse, Michael Andrew Snopko
  • Publication number: 20190052093
    Abstract: A maintenance optimization control system for load sharing between includes a first engine having an associated first criteria, a second engine having an associated second criteria, and a load having a steady component and a transient component. The control system includes a controller communicably coupled to the first engine, the second engine and the load. The controller selects an engine from the first engine and the second engine based at least on the first criteria and the second criteria. The controller distributes the load between the first engine and the second engine such that only the selected engine is operated under transient component of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry Dwain Converse, Robin Ernest de Ruiter, Theodore Ernest Wiersema, III, Yanchai Zhang
  • Patent number: 9952612
    Abstract: A power system is provided for a machine, such as a marine or petroleum drilling vessel. The power system may have a plurality of power sources, each with an operating range divided into a plurality of power zones. The power system may also have at least one power consumer driven by the plurality of power sources, a load manager associated with the at least one power consumer and configured to create a load demand for the plurality of power sources, and a controller in communication with the load manager and the plurality of power sources. The controller may be configured to determine a current operational mode of the power system, and to selectively cause the plurality of power sources to operate in particular zones of the plurality of power zones based on the current operational mode and the load demand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Dwain Converse
  • Publication number: 20160259356
    Abstract: A power system is provided for a machine, such as a marine or petroleum drilling vessel. The power system may have a plurality of power sources, each with an operating range divided into a plurality of power zones. The power system may also have at least one power consumer driven by the plurality of power sources, a load manager associated with the at least one power consumer and configured to create a load demand for the plurality of power sources, and a controller in communication with the load manager and the plurality of power sources. The controller may be configured to determine a current operational mode of the power system, and to selectively cause the plurality of power sources to operate in particular zones of the plurality of power zones based on the current operational mode and the load demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Perry Dwain CONVERSE