Caterpillar Inc.
HYBRID HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEM

Abstract:

A hybrid hydraulic fracturing system having a driveline that includes an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, a motor operatively coupled to a forward end of the crankshaft, a transmission operatively coupled to a rearward end of the crankshaft, a driveshaft operatively coupled to the transmission, and a fracturing pump operatively coupled to the driveshaft. The system also includes a power source electrically coupled to the motor for supplying power to the motor and a controller configured to power condition the driveline by operating the driveline in a first mode in response to a load change resulting in an increased power demand on the driveline, where the first mode includes providing torque from the internal combustion engine to drive the fracturing pump and selectively providing torque from the motor to a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine to assist the internal combustion engine in driving the fracturing pump.