Caterpillar Inc.

David Marchand

John Jay Bernardi

David Charles Orr

John F Szentes

Matthew L Hendrickson

Dustin Craig Selvey

Gerald Murray Brown

Matthew Earnest Williams

Lewei Qian

Jon B Borgeson

John Gunzburger

A method of regulating temperature of a transistor-based component of a power system is disclosed. The method may include operating the power system to supply electric power to the transistor-based component and converting the electric power from direct current to alternating current, or alternating current to direct current, using the transistor-based component, thereby creating heat in the transistor-based component. The method may include outputting the electric power from the transistor-based component and supplying the electric power to an electrically-powered component to perform an output operation. The method may include controlling, during a predetermined system operating condition, one or more operations of a component associated with the power system to actively generate heat to thereby maintain the temperature of the transistor-based component higher than from the conversion of electric power that is performed to produce the electric power used to perform the output operation during the predetermined system operating condition.

Method for regulating temperature of transistor-based component

A drive system for an electric drive machine having an engine, a generator, a motor, final drive wheels and auxiliary devices is provided. The drive system may include an inverter circuit and an auxiliary driver. The inverter circuit may be coupled to each of the generator and the motor. The auxiliary driver may be coupled to each of the generator and the auxiliary devices. The inverter circuit and the auxiliary driver may be configured to automatically communicate power from the engine and any power from the auxiliary devices to the motor in a propel mode, and automatically communicate power from the motor to the engine, and optionally to a hybrid system if applicable, in a dynamic braking mode so as to minimize fuel consumption during the dynamic braking mode.

Method and system for eliminating fuel consumption during dynamic braking of electric drive machines

A retarding system for an electric drive machine () includes a direct current (DC) link (), at which a DC voltage is developed, disposed between a rectifier () and an inverter (). A first contactor switch () electrically communicates with a first rail of the DC link (), and a second contactor switch () electrically communicates with a second rail of the DC link (). A first resistor grid () is connected in series between the first contactor switch () and the second contactor switch (). The first resistor grid () dissipates electrical energy in the form of heat by conducting a current between the first rail and the second rail of the DC link () when the first contactor switch () and the second contactor switch () are closed.

Electric drive retarding system and method

A system for sensing current in one or more first electrical conductors includes a frame and a retainer configured to receive the one or more first electrical conductors and constrain relative movement between the one or more first electrical conductors and the frame. The system may also include a first magnetoresistive sensor configured to sense magnetic flux and generate an output signal relating to the sensed magnetic flux. Additionally, the system may include an adjustable positioning system configured to enable supporting the first magnetoresistive sensor from the frame in any of a plurality of possible positions with respect to the retainer.

Magnetoresistive sensor for current sensing

A system for approximating a temperature of a battery includes a sensor configured to provide a temperature measurement of the ambient air, a sensor configured to provide a voltage measurement of the battery, a sensor configured to provide a current measurement of the battery, and signal processing circuitry configured to determine an approximate battery temperature as a function of the measured ambient air temperature, the measured voltage of the battery, and the measured current of the battery.

System and method for determining battery temperature

An electrical system includes a first monolithic circuit. The first monolithic circuit may include a first magnetoresistive sensor operable to sense magnetic flux and produce an output signal relating to the sensed magnetic flux. The first magnetoresistive sensor may be positioned to sense first control flux generated by control current in one or more electrical conductors of the first monolithic integrated circuit. Additionally, the first magnetoresistive sensor may be positioned to sense flux generated by sensed electric current flowing through one or more additional electrical conductors. The electrical system may also include a control circuit operable to receive the output signal of the first magnetoresistive sensor and adjust the control current that generates the first control flux in a manner to cause the output signal from the first magnetoresistive sensor to substantially coincide with a predetermined target.

Electrical system with magnetoresistive sensors

An auxiliary power unit automatic start-up system is configured to assist a main engine start of a machine. The auxiliary power unit automatic start-up system may include an auxiliary power unit and a controller. The controller may monitor a parameter of the machine, automatically start the auxiliary power unit if the parameter is outside a first predetermined range, and bring the parameter within a second predetermined range using the auxiliary power unit.

Automatic start-up of an auxiliary power unit

A method is provided for assisting a start-up of a work machine having a battery assembly and a main engine. The method may include starting an auxiliary power unit, and using electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to condition the battery assembly. The method may also include adding electrical power generated by the auxiliary power unit to electrical power generated by the battery assembly for a main engine cranking event.

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

David Marchand