Caterpillar Inc.

Michael R Verheyen

Scott G Sinn

David L Dickrell

Gregory S Gauger

Brian T Rolli

Richard D Rathe

Greg A Schumacher

Ronald J Mearek

Robert W Keene

James W Landes

Robert S Anderson

Jonny Ray Greiner

Thomas R Sandborg

Michael D Mitchell

Christopher M Sprock

Balmes Tejeda

Mahmoud M Tobaa

James A Antone

Prasad V Parupalli

James R Jeffries

Liliana Grajales

Robert Anderson

Jonny Greiner

Michael Mitchell

A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to store a least one operational relationship, and an offboard controller located at a worksite of the mobile machine in communication with the control module. The offboard controller may be configured to generate an analysis of machine performance at the worksite. The offboard controller may be further configured to cause remote reconfiguration of the at least one operational relationship based on the analysis to positively affect performance of the mobile machine.

Worksite management system implementing remote machine reconfiguration

A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to control operations of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the control module. The controller may be configured to anticipate a non-failure machine performance irregularity, and determine an adjustment to an operation of the mobile machine that positively affects the machine performance irregularity. The controller may also be configured to cause implementation of the adjustment before the machine performance irregularity occurs.

Worksite management system implementing anticipatory machine control

A system is disclosed for sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle and associated engine. The system includes a plurality of transducers delivering signals corresponding to such operational characteristics to a programmable logic device. These signals are converted to appropriate information signals which are stored in an associated storage device and can be selectively displayed on a suitable display device.

Data recording and display system

The system is provided for controllably monitoring data associated with operational characteristics of an engine. The system determines a maintenance activity requirement based on such characteristics. The system includes a plurality of transducers associated with the engine and connected to a programmable logic device. Signals from the transducers are continuously monitored and stored in an associated storage device. In response to predetermined sets of operational characteristics, an indication of when maintenance is due on the engine is produced by the logic device.

Maintenance monitor system

A system for controllably sensing, recording, and selectively displaying data associated with operational characteristics of a vehicle is described. A plurality of transducers are connected to a programmable logic device along with data entry, data storage, and data display devices. Information received from the transducers is processed by the logic device to determine whether a certain operational characteristic has occurred during the time that certain other characteristics are present. In addition, the amount of time that the particular characteristic occurs is determined.

Data exception reporting system

An apparatus is provided for controllably connecting and disconnecting a piezoelectric actuator to and from an energy source to effect the displacement of a piezoelectric actuator for a fuel injector. Precise control of the timing and duration of the piezoelectric actuator is necessary to ensure that a proper quantity of fuel is delivered to each cylinder of an internal combustion engine. A charging and discharging means monitors the voltage level of the piezoelectric actuator, and the charging and discharging current of the piezoelectric actuator. Further, a smoothing means aids in leveling the charging and discharging current to better approximate a constant current to control the piezoelectric actuator providing a precise quantity of fuel to be delivered.

Apparatus for driving a piezoelectric actuator

Glow plug alternator control

The present invention pertains to a control system for igniting devices used in an internal combustion engine. In order to ignite alcohol fuel in a diesel engine, the fuel must be heated before or during compression. Glow plugs conveniently provide heat, but have a short life in such continuous applications. Glow plugs must be accurately controlled to prevent overheating, which leads to open-circuiting. Individual constant voltage controls attempt to provide this function, but are only moderately successful. They are costly and complex, and provide only moderate protection from overheating. Since glow plug resistance correlates to glow plug temperature, resistance control provides better protection against glow plug overheating. Therefore, an apparatus monitors the resistance of a single glow plug, and controls the resistance of each glow plug to a preselected resistance value. This preselected resistance value represents a glow plug temperature, that provides satisfactory fuel combustion combined with improved glow plug life. The principal use of the apparatus of the present invention is with internal combustion engines using alternate fuels.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Michael R Verheyen