Patents by Inventor Thomas L. Twigger

Thomas L. Twigger 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: 20250135915
    Abstract: A method of securing a battery for an electric work vehicle, the battery comprising a biometric identification device. A biometric identifier is collected from an operator using the biometric identification device. The biometric identifier is checked against a list of authorized operators. In an event that the operator matches an authorized operator from the list of authorized operators, access to the battery is enabled such that the operator is able to use the battery; remove the battery from the electric work vehicle and a charging module; and mount the battery into the electric work vehicle. In an event that the operator does not match an authorized operator from the list of authorized operators, access to the battery is prevented such that the operator is prevented from using the battery; removing the battery from the electric work vehicle and a charging module; and mounting the battery into the electric work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. TWIGGER, Steven GAHLINGS
  • Publication number: 20250135925
    Abstract: A charging security device for an electric work vehicle comprising a battery, the charging security device comprising a lock configured to secure a charging cable to a charge port of the electric work vehicle, wherein the lock may be in a locked state or an unlocked state; a receiver configured to receive from a transmitter a signal indicative of an operator identifier; and a processor configured to compare the operator identifier against a list of authorized operators. In an event that the operator identifier corresponds to an authorized operator, the charging security device is configured to allow the state of the lock to be changed and allow charging to be initiated. In an event that the operator identifier does not correspond to an authorized operator, the charging security device is configured to prevent the state of the lock from being changed from the locked state to the unlocked state and prevent initiation of charging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. TWIGGER
  • Publication number: 20250042274
    Abstract: A mobile electric power supply unit for supplying power to an electric work vehicle comprises a battery. The power supply unit comprises a power supply coupler configured to couple to a transporter vehicle, wherein the power supply unit is configured to be transported by the transporter vehicle when the power supply coupler is coupled to the transporter vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. HARRENSTEIN, Thomas L. TWIGGER
  • Publication number: 20250033512
    Abstract: A method of charge management for electric work vehicles comprises communicating charger properties from a charging module to an electric work vehicle and communicating vehicle properties from the electric work vehicle to the charging module. Charging information is provided to an operator, wherein the charging information is based on the charger properties and the vehicle properties. The charger properties comprise a location of the charging module and an availability of the charging module. The vehicle properties comprise a current state of charge of a battery of the electric work vehicle and a capacity of the battery of the electric work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. TWIGGER, Steven GAHLINGS
  • Publication number: 20250033518
    Abstract: A method of charging management for a worksite comprising a plurality of autonomous electric work vehicles is provided. The method comprises communicating charger properties from a plurality of charging modules to a central controller and communicating vehicle properties from a plurality of electric work vehicles to the central controller. Charging is scheduled for the plurality of electric work vehicles based on the charger properties and the vehicle properties, wherein scheduling charging comprises assigning to each of the electric work vehicles a designated charging time and a designated charging module. Each electric work vehicle and its designated charging module are brought together at the designated charging time of the electric work vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: January 30, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. TWIGGER, Steven GAHLINGS
  • Publication number: 20240394811
    Abstract: A method of charger management for electric work vehicles comprises communicating charger properties from a charging module to a first controller and communicating vehicle properties from the electric work vehicle to a second controller. A charging decision is made based on the charger properties and the vehicle properties, wherein the charging decision is made by a third controller. In an event that the charging decision comprises a decision to charge the vehicle, an operator is notified of the charging decision, a charging schedule is negotiates with the charging module and at least one other electric work vehicle, and the charging module is reserved. The charger properties comprise a location of the charging module and an availability of the charging module. The vehicle properties comprise a current state of charge of a battery of the electricwork vehicle and a capacity of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Publication date: November 28, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. TWIGGER
  • Publication number: 20240278673
    Abstract: A method of priority management of an electric work vehicle while the electric work vehicle is connected to a charging module. A duration of immobilization, a target temperature, a target state of charge, a minimum rise duration and a minimum charge duration are used to determine a charging start time and a heat exchange start time based on a time priority decision. The time priority decision is made such that the actual temperature of the first fluid is between the threshold temperature and the target temperature at the anticipated fluid usage time; an actual state of charge is between the threshold state of charge and the target state of charge at the anticipated start time; and an actual charge speed is below a threshold charge speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2022
    Publication date: August 22, 2024
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventor: Thomas L. TWIGGER
  • Publication number: 20120123652
    Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine, a mechanical step-change transmission operatively connected to and driven by the engine, and a controller in communication with the engine and the mechanical step-change transmission. The controller may be configured to receive a first operator input to store as a target a current groundspeed of the mobile machine and a current gear selection of the mechanical step-change transmission, and receive a second operator input to recall the target when at least one of the groundspeed of the mobile machine and the gear selection of the mechanical step-change transmission is different from the target. The controller may further be configured to adjust a speed of the engine and a gear selection of the mechanical step-change transmission to achieve the recalled target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Brian D. ROCKWOOD, Pierre Barriol, Guillaume Raffin, Chintan G. Kothari, Thomas L. Twigger