Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Sopko, Jr.

Thomas M. Sopko, Jr. 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: 11616380
    Abstract: A charging system for a battery-operated machine is disclosed. The charging system includes a charging receptacle having a power connection and a signal connection, with the charging receptacle configured to receive electrical current via the power connection from a power supply plug. The charging system further includes a heat rejection element thermally coupled to the charging receptacle, a temperature sensor, and a charging controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the charging receptacle. The charging controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the temperature signal being indicative of a charging-receptacle temperature. The charging controller is further configured to transmit, via the signal connection to the connected plug, a control signal to adjust (e.g., raise or lower) the electrical current supplied to the power connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Thomas M. Sopko, Jr., Dustin C. Selvey
  • Publication number: 20200266633
    Abstract: A charging system for a battery-operated machine is disclosed. The charging system includes a charging receptacle having a power connection and a signal connection, with the charging receptacle configured to receive electrical current via the power connection from a power supply plug. The charging system further includes a heat rejection element thermally coupled to the charging receptacle, a temperature sensor, and a charging controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the charging receptacle. The charging controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the temperature signal being indicative of a charging-receptacle temperature. The charging controller is further configured to transmit, via the signal connection to the connected plug, a control signal to adjust (e.g., raise or lower) the electrical current supplied to the power connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Thomas M. Sopko, JR., Dustin C. Selvey
  • Patent number: 8636442
    Abstract: A paving machine for laying a mat of paving material on a paving surface includes a generator, such as a switched reluctance generator, integrally installed with a pump drive and operatively connected to an output shaft of a power source of the paving machine. The generator outputs AC power to a power converter that in turn outputs DC power for a plurality of screed heating elements to produce heat to warm a screed. The paving machine may also include an insulation monitoring system for determining the occurrences of ground faults in the electrical components by comparing current levels in the components to a predetermined maximum current level. A controller of the paving machine may monitor the temperature of the generator and produce the speed of the power source to prevent overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sopko, Jr., Ryan T. Thiesse, Robert J. Lord, Toby A. Frelich, Edward Lee Zwilling, Robert Wayne Lindsey, Rodwan T. Adra
  • Patent number: 8326499
    Abstract: A method for dissipating power through a machine may include directing power into a power system of the machine. The method may further include controlling a parasitic load of the power system to increase dissipation of the power system, the controlling of the parasitic load being a function of a power dissipation limit of the power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sopko, Jr., Michael J. Barngrover
  • Publication number: 20100137102
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for dissipating power through a machine. The method may include directing power into a power system of the machine. The method may further include controlling a parasitic load of the power system to increase dissipation of the power system, the controlling of the parasitic load being a function of a power dissipation limit of the power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas M. Sopko, JR., Michael J. Barngrover
  • Patent number: 7543440
    Abstract: A turbine system is provided including a plurality of gas turbine engines, each having a compressor section for producing compressed air, a combustor section, and a turbine section yielding hot exhaust gas. A single, common recuperator section is shared by and operatively associated with the plurality of gas turbine engines. A first flow path within the single, common recuperator section is configured to receive compressed air produced by the compressor section of each gas turbine engine. A second flow path, separated from the first flow path and within the single, common recuperator section is configured to receive hot exhaust gases yielded by the turbine section of each gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Callas, Kevin L. Martin, Cody P. Renshaw, Thomas M. Sopko, Jr., Andrew J. Tonsor