Caterpillar Inc.

Bruce Henry Hein

Robert Paul Bertsch

Jackson Wai

Thomas M Sopko

Timothy Goldammer

Jeremy Joe Wilson

Robert Wayne Lindsey

William James Tate

Mark E Hartman

Robert Roy Sychra

Gregory J Speckhart

James David Siegle

Thuong Le

Thuong Dao Anh Le

A machine is described that includes an electric drive for propelling the machine along a ground surface. The machine includes an electric power supply system configured to deliver operating electrical power to the electric drive. The electric power system includes a first generator and a second generator. The electric power system also includes a first rectifier coupled to the first generator and having a first direct current (DC) output and a second rectifier coupled to the second generator and having a second DC output. Both the first DC output and the second DC output are coupled to the single DC bus, thereby providing an arrangement for the first rectifier and the second rectifier to simultaneously provide power to the single DC bus. The electrical power system also includes a first inverter/controller coupled to the single DC bus and configured to provide a controlled alternating current to a first motor.

Dual generator single DC link configuration for electric drive propulsion system

A method is provided for operating a power system. The method includes receiving an operator request for a propulsion direction change. The method also includes directing power into a power source and reducing a supply of fuel to the power source while directing power into the power source. The method further includes basing a first threshold speed on a speed of the power source produced by directing power into the power source and increasing the supply of fuel to the power source when the speed of the power source falls below the first threshold speed.

Machine control system with directional shift management

A method for testing a power converter having at least one power transistor is disclosed. The method may include receiving a power transistor test request, and resetting a fault flag. The method may also include applying a gate driver signal to each power transistor, receiving a feedback signal from each power transistor, and determining a difference between the gate driver signal and the feedback signal associated with a respective power transistor. The method may further include identifying a fault if the difference exceeds a threshold profile, and setting a fault flag when a fault is identified.

System and method for testing power transistors

A method of controlling a power converter in an electric drive machine is disclosed. The method may include determining a first switching frequency and determining a second switching frequency. The method may also include comparing the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency. The method may further include selecting a power converter switching frequency from the lesser of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency to control a power converter.

Method and system for temperature-based power converter control

A method is provided for operating a power system. The method includes receiving an operator request for a propulsion direction change. The method also includes selecting a power boost map in response to the propulsion direction change request. The power boost map increases the power rating of a power source of the power system. In addition, the method includes directing power into the power source. The method further includes regulating the power system and accelerating a power source speed according to the power boost map when the power is no longer being directed into the power source.

An electric drivetrain for a mobile machine is disclosed. The electric drivetrain has at least one power consuming device, a sensor associated with the at least one power consuming device, and a controller in communication with the power consuming device and the sensor. The sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a temperature of the power consuming device. The controller is configured to limit a power consumption level of the at least one power consuming device to an amount corresponding to a value of the signal.

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East Peoria, IL, United States of America

Bruce Henry Hein