Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

John W Crayton

Timothy A Boston

John James Krone

Denny E Morgan

James Ivan Portscheller

David C Freeman

Dennis L Schumacher

Eric F Lee

Terry D Oltman

George G Codina

Daniel Craig Wood

David A Betts

Noel J Rytter

Bryan G Lammers

Scott G Sinn

Thomas M Baker

Joseph C Hafele

Darrel W Berglund

Lisa A Creger

Paul G Casperson

Lonnie D Atteberry

Jeffrey J Riebschlager

Cecilia A Walacavage

Elwood Chaney

Charles T Kinas

Daniel K Dunn, Iii

Robert W Atkinson

A power and data delivery system for a machine. The system includes a power and data conductor located throughout at least a portion of the machine, a plurality of processing nodes, each connected to the conductor at various locations, and a plurality of devices, each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of processing nodes and controlled by the processing node, wherein each processing node may be connected at any location of the conductor.

System and method for power and data delivery on a machine

A power and data delivery system for a machine. The system includes a conductor located throughout at least a portion of the machine for delivering power, a plurality of nodes, each connected to the conductor at a respective location, and a plurality of devices, each connected to a corresponding node. At least one node controls the delivery of power and data by way of a message containing a unique identifier for that one node.

A sensor apparatus for detecting both ferrous and non-ferrous particles in a fluid including a housing adapted for insertion into a fluid line, the housing having a collection cavity formed therewithin for trapping and holding metallic particles which are suspended in the fluid as the fluid passes through the sensor. A first coil wound below the collection cavity and a second coil wound about the collection cavity, the inductance of the first coil being responsive to the temperature of the fluid passing through the sensor and the inductance of the second coil being responsive to the ferrous and non-ferrous particle accumulation within the collection cavity. An electromagnetic coil is spaced above the second coil to attract ferrous particles away from the vicinity of the second coil. Based upon eddy current principles and because eddy currents are a function of material conductivity, a first energization of the second coil generates a signal indicative of the total ferrous and non-ferrous particle accumulation within the collection cavity and a second energization of the second coil with the electromagnetic coil likewise energized generates a signal indicative of just the non-ferrous particle accumulation within the collection cavity. A microprocessor coupled to the coils calculates the percentage of ferrous and non-ferrous particles in the collection cavity and outputs such information for diagnostic, prognostic and trend analysis purposes.

Fluid particle sensor apparatus and method for detecting ferrous and non-ferrous metals

A piston position sensing system in which tabulated resonance width related information is stored in a form correlated with piston travel so that measured resonance width information can be compared with the stored information in determining piston position and compensation for the velocity of the piston is provided by correction for a time difference in serial sensing between the initial and the following extremes of a resonance signal as the piston moves. the compensation is developed from velocity information identified through previous and current processing cycles which assures reliability in detection of the subsequently sensed portion of the resonance signal envelope and enhanced sensitivity and accuracy through automatic application incrementally in a dynamic gain adjustment of the sensing system.

Hydraulic cylinder piston position sensing with compensation for piston

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting particles within a fluid is disclosed. A bobbin defines a debris collection chamber. Spaced apart first and second coils are wound about the bobbin in the proximity of the debris collection chamber, wherein the inductance of the coils are responsive to the particle accumulation within the collection chamber. An electromagnet is wound about the second coil to attract ferrous particles into the proximity of the second coil. A reference coil is wound about the bobbin to compensate for the changing temperature of the fluid. An oscillator is coupled to the first, second and reference coils for selectively producing an oscillating waveform at a frequency that induces eddy currents in the particles. The frequency of the oscillating waveform is indicative of the amount of accumulation of both the ferrous and non-ferrous particles.

Apparatus for detecting particles in a fluid and a method for operating

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for detecting particles within a fluid is disclosed. A bobbin defines a debris collection chamber. A first coil is wound in a helix about the bobbin in the proximity of the debris collection chamber, wherein the induction of the first coil is responsive to the particle accumulation within the collection chamber. A reference coil is wound in a helix about the bobbin to compensate for changing fluid temperature. An oscillator is coupled to the first and reference coils for selectively energizing the coils with an oscillating waveform at a frequency that induces eddy currents in the particles. The frequency of the oscillating waveform is indicative of the amount of accumulation of both the ferrous and nonferrous particles.

Dynamic gain adjustment in hydraulic piston position sensing that continuously accommodates for changes in signal level is provided by attenuating the gain of the sensing system through a comparison of a measured value with a stored value at each piston position.

Dynamic gain adjustment in electromagnetic wave hydraulic cylinder

In one aspect of the invention, an apparatus for sensing a plurality of operating parameters of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. An energy source supplies electrical energy to the pistons, whereby each piston forms a variable capacitor with the engine housing. The capacitance value of each variable capacitor changes as a function of the relative position of the piston to the housing. An oscillator circuit produces a capacitive signal that is indicative of the capacitance value of each variable capacitor. A microprocessor receives the capacitive signal and responsively determines one of a plurality of operating parameters of the engine.

Capacitive sensing apparatus for sensing a plurality of operating

In one aspect of the present invention, a sensor detects particles within a fluid. The sensor includes a housing that defines a cavity. A magnet is disposed adjacent the cavity bottom to attract particles into the cavity. A first coil is wound about the outer surface of the cavity. The induction of the first coil is responsive to the particle accumulation within the cavity. A second coil is wound about the magnet. The induction of the second coil is responsive to the temperature of the fluid and independent to the particle accumulation within the cavity.

Fluid particle sensor including a container, a first coil and a second

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for measuring the height of liquid contained in a storage tank is disclosed. A tube is disposed inside the tank. A float is disposed inside the tube and is buoyed on the surface of the liquid. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed inside the tube. The ultrasonic transducer emits ultrasonic pulses toward the float, receives the reflected ultrasonic pulses, and responsively produces an echo signal. The float has a top portion and a bottom portion separated by a cylindrical portion. The bottom portion including an spherical surface which receives the ultrasonic pulses. The spherical surface has a predetermined radius which is a function of the inside diameter of the tube, the height of the cylindrical portion of the float and the outside diameter of the cylindrical portion of the float. A temperature sensor monitors the temperature of the liquid and produces a thermometric signal in response to the liquid temperature. A microprocessor receives the echo and thermometric signals, determines the speed of the ultrasonic pulse traveling in the liquid, and responsively determines the liquid height.

Ultrasonic fuel level sensing device

Automatic starting fluid injection systems are useful, for example, to aid in the cold-starting of diesel engines. In the subject invention, a microprocessor under software control is used to controllably inject starting fluid into an engine passageway, such as an intake manifold. During engine cranking, the microprocessor delivers an injection signal to a fluid delivery system to effect starting fluid injection into the engine passageway. When the engine starts, a subsequent injection time is calculated based on the sensed engine temperature. The microprocessor continues to deliver the injection signal to the fluid delivery system during the subsequent injection time.

Automatic starting fluid injection apparatus and method

A self guided vehicle employs a highly accurate velocity sensor to determine vehicle speed and position. The velocity sensor includes a resolver connected to and rotatable with a ground engaging wheel. A resolver to digital converter (R/D) provides a highly accurate 8-bit digital signal representative of the angle of wheel rotation. A second less expensive and less accurate velocity sensor also receives the modulated sine and cosine signals from the resolver and produces a series of pulses representative of vehicle speed. The pulses are produced by detecting the zero crossings of the sine, cosine, and combinations of the sine and cosine signals. The velocity information present in the second velocity sensor signal is not used to actually guide the vehicle, but merely to generally validate the information present in the R/D signal.

Apparatus for sensing a failed position and velocity sensor

A contamination monitor for sensing particle contamination in a liquid system having a filter includes a sensor for measuring the pressure differential across the filter, a reference apparatus for providing information relative to at least one of the viscosity changes and the flow changes of the liquid passing through the filter by providing one or more reference signals relating thereto, and a programmable data processing and interface unit for receiving data from the sensor and the reference apparatus and providing a recognizable compensated output corresponding to the contamination level of the liquid system. The data processing and interface unit can provide a plurality of command signals for lighting a plurality of lights that can be individually used for diagnostic purposes and can provide information on the rate of plugging of the filter.

Contamination monitor and method

Means are provided for maintaining a uniform height of deposited weld material in an electrical arc welding apparatus of the kind having a welding head driven by a travel motor along a juncture between two workpieces which are to be joined. A first signal, indicating departure from a desired fill depth, is produced by sensing variation of the welding current from a predetermined normal magnitude. The first signal is applied to summing junction together with a predetermined selectable reference signal of opposite polarity so that the two signals cancel out as long as the desired weld fill height is being maintained. Upon a departure from the desired weld fill height an output signal from the summing junction activates a servomotor which adjusts the speed of the travel motor as necessary to maintain the uniform weld depth. Means are further provided for assuring continuance of the welding head movement in the event that the melt should be lost because of proximity to an edge of the workpiece or because of an opening therein.

Growing community of inventors

Washington, IL, United States of America

John W Crayton