Caterpillar Inc.

Evan B Stumpges

Jonathan Matthew Baumann

Jason Lee Miller

Justin Dale Middleton

Daniel Peter Sergison

Eric M Andris

Andrew John Kieser

Dustin Craig Selvey

Timothy L Hand

Adam R Rosenberger

Derek S Sorrells

Matthew O Nafziger

Timonthy J Schlack

Eric J Verplaetse

Michael R Garrabrant

Luke A Ketcham

A power electronics module (PEM) is constructed to convert electricity from an input form to an output form. Electrical power conversion subcircuits having input and output ports are positioned proximal to a front mounting plate. Rigid conductor elements having respective preformed shapes are constructed to electrically interconnect the subcircuits at input and output ports thereof to form a power conversion circuit selected from among multiple power conversion circuits configurable solely by selection of the conductor elements. Other preformed conductor shapes are constructed to interconnect input and output ports of the selected power conversion circuit to ports disposed on a rear mounting plate. A controller is mechanically coupled to the front mounting plate and constructed to operate the semiconductor switches in a prescribed timing that converts the electricity of the input form to the electricity of the output form by the selected power conversion circuit.

Flexible power electronics module

A machine includes a plurality of battery string modules that supply electric current to an inverter of the machine. The machine also includes a control system that opens at one contactor coupled to at least one battery string module of the plurality of battery string modules to disconnect the at least one battery string module. The other battery string modules of the plurality of battery string modules, apart from the at least one battery string module, continue supplying electric current to the inverter of the machine while the at least one battery string module is disconnected.

System and method for disengaging battery strings

In some aspects, a method of monitoring a battery system of an industrial vehicle is disclosed. The battery system may include a first string of battery modules including at least two battery modules connected in series; a first contactor connected to a positive end of the first string of battery modules, a second contactor connector to a negative end of the first string of battery modules; a third contactor connected to the first contactor; a fourth contactor connected to the second contactor; and one or more controllers configured to monitor the first contactor and the second contactor. The method may include receiving, at the one or more controllers, an indication of a failure of one of the first contactor and the second contactor; and opening, via the one or more controllers, at least one of the third contactor or the fourth contactor.

Battery system

A system for controlling operation of a winch assembly having an electric motor, a drum, and a cable. A controller is configured to access a winch load threshold, with the winch load threshold defining a hold zone and a reel zone, and one of the hold zone and the reel zone including loads greater than the winch load threshold and another of the hold zone and the reel zone including loads less than the winch load threshold. The controller is further configured to determine whether the drum is rotating, determine whether the winch assembly is operating within the hold zone or the reel zone, generate a hold current while the winch assembly is operating within the hold zone preventing rotation of the electric motor, and generate a reel current while the drum is operating within the reel zone permitting rotation of the electric motor.

System for controlling the operation of an electric winch

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Evan B Stumpges