Caterpillar Inc.

Ricky D Vance

John P Hoffman

Dennis A Barney

Joseph G Kozlevcar

Geoffrey D Ginzel

Robert E Stone

Andrew O Fonkalsrud

Michael G Seil

Robin S Arndt

John T Nebgen

A parking brake switch for a vehicle including a switch having a contacting surface, the switch being positioned between an actuated state and a deactuated state, a first contact connected to a brake valve associated with an electro-hydraulic braking system, a second contact connected to a pair of electronic control modules, and a third contact connected to the pair of electronic control modules and a coil, the contacting surface being adapted to engage all of the contacts when the switch is in the actuated state.

Parking brake switch for an electro-hydraulic brake system

An apparatus for limiting the control of a work implement is disclosed. The implement is connected to a work machine and is moveable in response to operation of a hydraulic cylinder. The apparatus includes an operator controlled joystick. A joystick position sensor senses the position of the joystick and responsively generates an operator command signal. An implement position sensor senses the position of the work implement and responsively produces an implement position signal. A microprocessor based controller receives the implement position and operator command signals, modifies the operator command signal, and produces an electrical valve signal in response to the modified operator command signal. An electrohydraulic valve receives the electrical valve signal, and controllably provides hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic cylinder in response to a magnitude of the electrical valve signal.

Method and apparatus for limiting the control of an implement of a work

Systems for monitoring sensed parameters and diagnosing fault conditions are useful in connection with many machines. Advantageously, such systems are capable of indicating the level of the sensed parameters in both a graphical and a digital format. In the subject invention, a switch selects one of a normal mode and a numeric readout mode. A sensor produces a sensor signal. A device displays a number in digital form that is representative of the sensor signal in response to the switch selecting the numeric readout mode. A gauge is provided to display the sensor signal in graphical form in response to the switch selecting the normal mode and to flash an illuminable device in response to the switch selecting the numeric readout mode.

Method and apparatus for displaying sensor outputs in a diagnostic system

Systems for monitoring sensed parameters and diagnosing fault conditions are useful in many applications. Advantageously, such systems are capable of operating in a plurality of operating modes and in connection with each of a plurality of machines. In the subject invention, a plurality of gauges are included for indicating the levels of the sensed parameters. A plurality of symbols are included for identifying sensed parameters. A control receives an identification code and selectively illuminates one or more of a plurality of gauges and symbols in response to the identification code. A plurality of warning lights are each associated with a switch-type input. A display selectively indicates a pin code for each switch-type input having a fault condition. The indicator lights having an associated switch-type input in the fault condition are flashed. A device selectively indicates a pin code in response to each diagnosable input having a present or a previous fault condition.

Computerized diagnostic and monitoring system

Instruments are often designed to operate in connection with a variety of machine types. Advantageously, such gauges are sufficiently flexible to indicate the levels of parameters in either a high warning or a low warning format. In the subject invention, a gauge includes a plurality of indicating segments being selectively illuminable for indicating the levels of the sensed parameter in the normal operating range, a high warning segment being selectively illuminable for indicating the level of the sensed parameter being above the normal operating range, and a low warning segment being selectively illuminable for indicating the level of the sensed parameter being below the normal operating range. An identification code is produced and received by an instrument which responsively enables one of the high and low warning segments.

Computerized monitoring system having a programmable gauge

Systems for diagnosing fault conditions in a plurality of inputs are useful in many applications. Advantageously, such systems allow troubleshooting by a single technician. The subject invention includes a plurality of sensors for producing sensor signals, each of the sensor signals indicating one of plurality of states of a parameter. A device is included to indicate that one or more of the sensor signals has changed states.

Method and apparatus for indicating a changed condition

Systems for diagnosing fault conditions in a plurality of inputs are useful in many applications. Advantageously, such systems allow a technician to quickly and clearly identify the fault condition. The subject invention includes a plurality of sensors to produce a plurality of sensor signals. Each of the sensor signals is in one of a normal state or a fault condition and has an associated pin number. A plurality of indicator lights are also each associated with one of the sensor signals. A display individually indicates each pin number associated with a sensor signal in the fault condition. Each of the indicator lights associated with one of the sensor signals in the fault condition is flashed. The indicator light associated with the sensor signal for which the associated pin number is indicated by the display is steadily illuminated.

Method and apparatus for indicating faults in switch-type inputs

Gauges for indicating the level of sensed parameters are often provided in connection with a variety of machines. Advantageously, such gauges are sufficiently flexible to indicate the level of a parameter having a warning level that is dependent upon the level of a second sensed parameter. In the subject invention, a gauge indicates the level of a primary sensed parameter having a normal operating range. A sensor produces a signal indicative of the level of a secondary sensed parameter and the levels of the primary sensed parameter associated with the normal operating range are modified in response to the level of the secondary sensed parameter.

Method and apparatus for modifying the functionality of a gauge

Instruments, for example diagnostic and monitoring systems, are often used in connection with electronic controls having a limited number of inputs. Advantageously, data from a plurality of sensors is received by the instrument and transferred to the electronic control via a communication link. In accordance with the invention, a plurality of sensors produce signals in response to sensed parameters. The instrument, having one or more displays, receives the sensor signals and responsively produces an instrument signal. A control receives the instrument signal and responsively produces a control signal. The displays indicate parameter values in response to the control signal.

Method and apparatus for receiving data

Instruments, for example monitoring and diagnostic systems, are often designed to operate in connection with a variety of machine types. Advantageously, the instrument may receive data for each parameter from either the sensor directly or from another controller depending on the machine to which it is connected. The subject invention provides a method and apparatus for selectively receiving data from one of a plurality of sources. A plurality of sensors produce signals in response to sensed parameters and deliver a first group of one or more signals to an instrument via a wire harness. A control receives a second group of one or more of the sensor signals and responsively delivers the second group to the instrument via a communication link. A processor determines whether one of the plurality of sensor signals is being delivered via the wire harness or the communication link and responsively monitors one of the wire harness and communication link.

Method and apparatus for selectively monitoring input

Instruments are often designed to operate in connection with a variety of machine types. Advantageously, the instrument is capable of modifying the appearance and function of its displays in response to the machine to which the instrument is connected. The subject invention includes a device for producing an identification code and a plurality of gauges for indicating levels of the sensed parameters. Each of the gauges has an outline segment for illustrating a range of levels of the sensed parameter indicated by the gauge and a symbol for identifying the sensed parameter indicated by the gauge. A controller receives the identification code and selectively enables one or more of the plurality of gauges and illuminates the outline segment and symbol associated with each of the enabled gauges in response to the identification code.

Method and apparatus for reconfiguring a computerized monitoring system

Gauges are often used to monitor operating conditions on machines. Advantageously, such gauges are capable of indicating the level of a parameter being either above or below a reference level. The subject invention provides a sensor for producing a sensor signal having a value representative of the level of a sensed parameter. A gauge displays the level of the sensed parameter and includes a high indicating segment and a low indicating segment. An instrument receives the sensor signal and progressively illuminates the high and low indicating segments in response to the sensor signal increasing or decreasing from a reference value, respectively.

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Washington, IL, United States of America

Ricky D Vance