Caterpillar Inc.

Curtis Johnson

Robert Wayne Lindsey

Rex Aaron Glover

Kenneth K Her

Roger G Obourn

Dan Shearer

Stephen Fouts

Michael D Betz

Eric M Andris

Richard F Shults

Bruce E Unger

Bob Lindsey

Robert Talley

Matthew Vande Wiele

In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a method for controlling operation of an electric water pump configured to circulate a cooling fluid. The method may include detecting a startup of an electric power source associated with the electric water pump. In addition, the method may include monitoring a voltage available to the electric water pump in response to the detected startup of the power source. The method may also include providing an activation signal to the electric water pump if the monitored voltage is equal to or greater than a first threshold voltage.

Cooling system

Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and indicating high-voltage presences on a machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage indication system is disclosed and may include a voltage detector configured to compare the voltage level associated with an element with a threshold voltage value, and provide an indication signal when the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the threshold voltage value. The system may also include an indicator powered by a separate power source independent from the voltage detector. The indicator may be configured to detect the indication signal provided by the voltage detector, and provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal.

High voltage indication system

A testing system for a ground fault detection system of an electrical system of a machine is disclosed. The testing system has a low voltage power source, the low voltage power source capable of operation that is independent from a high voltage power source of the machine. The testing system also has a variable current source that is permanently connected to a positive voltage bus or to a negative voltage bus of the electrical system of the machine, where the machine operates self-sufficiently. The testing system also has a controller connected to the variable current source. The testing system also has an input device, where the input device is connected to the controller.

Testing method for a ground fault detector

A machine having an operator interface for requesting an action from an actuator of the machine includes a movable component of the operator interface. The movable component is movable among at least two positions. One of a magnet and a Hall effect sensor is positioned to move in response to movement of the movable component. The other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor has a stationary position relative to the movable component. A pulse width modulator is operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor for producing a first pulse width modulated signal. The first pulse width modulated signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other. An electronic controller is in communication with the pulse width modulator and the actuator and is configured to actuate the actuator in response to evaluation of the first pulse width modulated signal.

Operator interface assembly including a Hall effect element and machine using same

A method of sensing a position of a movable component of an operator interface includes a step of receiving a first signal from a first Hall effect sensor and a second signal from a second Hall effect sensor. The method also includes a step of determining the position of the movable component based on the first signal and the second signal if the first and second signals represent expected values. The method includes a further step of determining the position of the movable component based on one of the first and second signals if the other of the first and second signals represents an unexpected value.

Method of sensing a position of a movable component of an operator interface in a machine

A wire harness testing system is disclosed. The wire harness testing system includes a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage at a location associated with an electric load, wherein the electric load is connected with at least one wire harness. The wire harness testing system also includes a controller electrically coupled to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a wire harness test request. The controller is further configured to determine a voltage drop based on a voltage sensor measurement and a reference voltage and compare the voltage drop with a threshold. The controller is also configured to adaptively update the reference voltage with the voltage measurement responsive to a voltage drop below the threshold, and generate a fault notice responsive to a voltage drop above the threshold. The wire harness testing system further includes at least one indication device configured to provide a warning signal based on the fault notice generated by the controller.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Curtis Johnson