Patents by Inventor Robert Roy Sychra

Robert Roy Sychra 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: 7999180
    Abstract: A high voltage wiring system for an electric powertrain is disclosed. The system includes a power conversion unit sealed in a first enclosure. The system also includes at least one second enclosure configured to be sealed and having at least one cable disposed therein. The disclosed system further includes a plurality of wiring termination compartments configured to provide a plurality of electrical termination points. The plurality of wiring termination compartments are separately encased in a material configured to provide a sealed barrier between an outside environment and the plurality of electrical termination points. The disclosed system further includes a source of at least one pressurized gas configured to substantially prevent the ingress of moisture into the first enclosure, the at least one second enclosure, and the plurality of wiring termination compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Robert Roy Sychra
  • Patent number: 7714587
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a faulty ground strap connection for a machine hosting a high voltage system. In one embodiment, a fault detection and compensation system includes a ground strap, a DC power supply electrically referenced to a machine frame, a leakage detection switch connected to the machine frame, a current source controlled by the leakage detection switch, and a voltage measuring device that measures an offset voltage. The fault detection and compensation system further includes a leakage detection and compensation controller that compensates for the unbalanced fault condition by controlling the leakage detection switch and the current source, and determines whether the ground strap is properly connected to the machine frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Dustin Craig Selvey, Arthur Wild, Robert Roy Sychra
  • Patent number: 7626396
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for compensating electrical leakage and detecting balanced electrical leakage for a machine hosting an HV system. In one embodiment, a fault detection and compensation system includes a DC power supply electrically referenced to a machine frame, a leakage correction switch connected to the machine frame, a current source controlled by the leakage correction switch, and a voltage measuring device that measures an offset voltage reflecting whether the HV system is in an unbalanced fault condition. The fault detection and compensation system further includes a leakage detection and compensation controller that compensates for the unbalanced fault condition by controlling the leakage correction switch and the current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Dustin Craig Selvey, Arthur Wild, Robert Roy Sychra
  • Publication number: 20090139740
    Abstract: A high voltage wiring system for an electric powertrain is disclosed. The system includes a power conversion unit sealed in a first enclosure. The system also includes at least one second enclosure configured to be sealed and having at least one cable disposed therein. The disclosed system further includes a plurality of wiring termination compartments configured to provide a plurality of electrical termination points. The plurality of wiring termination compartments are separately encased in a material configured to provide a sealed barrier between an outside environment and the plurality of electrical termination points. The disclosed system further includes a source of at least one pressurized gas configured to substantially prevent the ingress of moisture into the first enclosure, the at least one second enclosure, and the plurality of wiring termination compartments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Robert Roy Sychra
  • Publication number: 20090001993
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting a faulty ground strap connection for a machine hosting a high voltage system. In one embodiment, a fault detection and compensation system includes a ground strap, a DC power supply electrically referenced to a machine frame, a leakage detection switch connected to the machine frame, a current source controlled by the leakage detection switch, and a voltage measuring device that measures an offset voltage. The fault detection and compensation system further includes a leakage detection and compensation controller that compensates for the unbalanced fault condition by controlling the leakage detection switch and the current source, and determines whether the ground strap is properly connected to the machine frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Dustin Craig Selvey, Arthur Wild, Robert Roy Sychra
  • Patent number: 7460941
    Abstract: A method is provided for dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive system and a mechanical brake system. An inclination of the machine is determined. A speed of the machine is determined. A retarding requirement is determined based on the determined inclination and speed. A first portion of the retarding requirement is allocated to be met by the electric drive system, the first portion being less than or equal to a retarding capacity of the electric drive system. A second portion of the retarding requirement is allocated to be met by the mechanical brake system if the retarding requirement is greater than the retarding capacity of the electric drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Sychra, Stephen Carl Garnett
  • Publication number: 20080158756
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for compensating electrical leakage and detecting balanced electrical leakage for a machine hosting an HV system. In one embodiment, a fault detection and compensation system includes a DC power supply electrically referenced to a machine frame, a leakage correction switch connected to the machine frame, a current source controlled by the leakage correction switch, and a voltage measuring device that measures an offset voltage reflecting whether the HV system is in an unbalanced fault condition. The fault detection and compensation system further includes a leakage detection and compensation controller that compensates for the unbalanced fault condition by controlling the leakage correction switch and the current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Dustin Craig Selvey, Arthur Wild, Robert Roy Sychra