Patents by Inventor Theodore E. Wiersema

Theodore E. Wiersema 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: 11916382
    Abstract: A system may determine configuration information associated with a power system for a work site that includes one or more power sources. The system may determine respective operation parameters of the one or more power sources and one or more performance criteria associated with the power system. The system may determine a baseline operation plan for the power system. The system may identify an optimization analysis technique and may process, using the optimization analysis technique, the configuration information associated with the power system, the respective operation parameters of the one or more power sources, and the one or more performance criteria associated with the power system to generate the optimized operation plan for the power system. The system may cause, based on the baseline operation plan for the power system and the optimized operation plan for the power system, one or more actions to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Syed Ameenuddin Hussain, Baoyang Deng, Zhijun Cai, Shiferaw D. Beyene, Casey Alan Otten, Perry Converse, Theodore E. Wiersema, Michael A. Snopko
  • Patent number: 11541763
    Abstract: A control system implementing a hybrid energy storage system (ESS) optimization strategy is disclosed. The hybrid ESS optimization strategy may be implemented in a machine that comprises a power system that includes a plurality of power sources and a power controller that includes one or more processors. The power controller may receive information related to a set of brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) maps associated with the plurality of power sources, determine a performance indicator using a cost function associated with the plurality of power sources, and generate a command to operate the power system based on a power distribution that minimizes an energy cost to operate the power system based on the information related to the set of BSFC maps, the performance indicator, and a load associated with the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Baoyang Deng, Michael A. Snopko, Theodore E. Wiersema
  • Publication number: 20210245607
    Abstract: A control system implementing a hybrid energy storage system (ESS) optimization strategy is disclosed. The hybrid ESS optimization strategy may be implemented in a machine that comprises a power system that includes a plurality of power sources and a power controller that includes one or more processors. The power controller may receive information related to a set of brake-specific fuel consumption (BSFC) maps associated with the plurality of power sources, determine a performance indicator using a cost function associated with the plurality of power sources, and generate a command to operate the power system based on a power distribution that minimizes an energy cost to operate the power system based on the information related to the set of BSFC maps, the performance indicator, and a load associated with the power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai ZHANG, Baoyang DENG, Michael A. SNOPKO, Theodore E. WIERSEMA
  • Patent number: 9988135
    Abstract: A system for limiting power to a plurality of on-line consumers includes an operating characteristic sensor associated with each of a plurality of prime movers and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a maximum torque capability of each of the plurality of prime movers, determine the available electrical power response of each of the plurality of generators, determine a total available electrical power response, and determine a total maximum power demand. The controller then compares the total available electrical power response to the total maximum power demand, and upon the total maximum power demand exceeding the total available electrical power response, limits power to the plurality of on-line consumers to no more than the total available electrical power response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry D. Converse, Theodore E. Wiersema
  • Publication number: 20170283024
    Abstract: A system for limiting power to a plurality of on-line consumers includes an operating characteristic sensor associated with each of a plurality of prime movers and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a maximum torque capability of each of the plurality of prime movers, determine the available electrical power response of each of the plurality of generators, determine a total available electrical power response, and determine a total maximum power demand. The controller then compares the total available electrical power response to the total maximum power demand, and upon the total maximum power demand exceeding the total available electrical power response, limits power to the plurality of on-line consumers to no more than the total available electrical power response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Perry D. Converse, Theodore E. Wiersema
  • Publication number: 20150274275
    Abstract: A power system is provided for a marine or petroleum drilling vessel. The power system may have a plurality of power sources, at least one power consumer, and an input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired output. The power system may also have a load manager associated with the at least one power consumer and configured to create a power demand for the plurality of power sources based on the signal and an actual output, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a plurality of performance goals for the plurality of power sources, determine a priority of the performance goals, retrieve from the plurality of power sources at least one performance map corresponding with each performance goal, and selectively apportion the power demand between of each of the plurality of power sources based on the at least one performance map and based on the determined priority.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Maurice J. DUST, Theodore E. WIERSEMA, III, Perry D. CONVERSE, Eric W. OHLSON
  • Patent number: 6892936
    Abstract: A system and method of servicing a machine is disclosed. The machine has a plurality of components manufactured by a plurality of suppliers. At least a first component being manufactured by a first supplier and at least a second component being manufactured by a second supplier. In the method a response to a request from a machine manufacturer or a customer of the machine is made. A problem with at least one of the plurality of components of the machine is accessed. In accessing the problem at least one of a plurality of repositories having information pertinent to the problem and to a configuration of at least one of the plurality of components is accessed. A service related action is contemplated based on at least one of viewing the repository and the assessment of the problem in combination with the information pertaining to at least one of the plurality of components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc
    Inventors: Charles R. Riggert, Mark A. Sauvageau, Theodore E. Wiersema
  • Publication number: 20030213839
    Abstract: A system and method of servicing a machine is disclosed. The machine has a plurality of components manufactured by a plurality of suppliers. At least a first component being manufactured by a first supplier and at least a second component being manufactured by a second supplier. In the method a response to a request from a machine manufacturer or a customer of the machine is made. A problem with at least one of the plurality of components of the machine is accessed. In accessing the problem at least one of a plurality of repositories having information pertinent to the problem and to a configuration of at least one of the plurality of components is accessed. A service related action is contemplated based on at least one of viewing the repository and the assessment of the problem in combination with the information pertaining to at least one of the plurality of components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Charles R. Riggert, Mark A. Sauvageau, Theodore E. Wiersema