Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Rolland D Scholl

David R Schricker

Satish M Shetty

William E Allen

Noel J Rytter

Hans P Dietz

Gene B Easterling

John M Hadank

Timothy A Boston

Kenneth J McGuire

Bruce E Unger

David G Young

Dwight S Holloway

Charles W Birchenough

Lorne W Tweed

Mike T Zimmer

Charles G Boen

A sensor for detecting particles in a fluid including a housing having a cavity associated therewith, a magnet disposed adjacent the cavity to attract particles into the cavity, first and second coils wound around the outer surface of the cavity, the induction of the first coil being responsive to the particle accumulation within the cavity, the inductance of the second coil being responsive to the temperature of the fluid and being independent of the particle accumulation within the cavity, a first microprocessor coupled to the first and second coils for processing the signals received therefrom and for outputting signals indicative of the particle accumulation within the cavity, an rf transmitter for converting the signals received from the first microprocessor into rf signals, and an rf antenna for transmitting the processed signals to a remote location. The signals outputted from the first microprocessor are encoded with an identification code to identify and distinguish such signals. A second rf antenna and receiver are positioned at a remote location for receiving the transmitted rf signals. The receiver decodes and processes such transmitted rf signals back into an electrical signal indicative of the particle accumulation within the cavity and inputs such signal into a second microprocessor or electronic controller which stores and monitors such information for diagnostic, prognostic and trend analysis purposes.

Fluid particle sensor apparatus and method for transmitting data to a remote receiver

An apparatus and method for diagnosing an engine using a computer based model of the engine oil pressure.

Apparatus and method for diagnosing an engine using an oil pressure model

The present invention provides a sensing system and method for providing information relating to a drivetrain during shifting operations. The drivetrain includes an engine, a torque converter and a transmission. The system includes sensors for detecting the output speed of the engine, the output speed of the torque converter, and the output speed of the transmission. The system detects the starting condition of a shifting operation, responsively determines a set of performance parameters, and produces a set of performance parameter signals.

Method and system for diagnosing a drivetrain during shifting operations

A method and apparatus are disclosed for monitoring similar machine components loaded in parallel to produce trend information useful in diagnosing and predicting component degradation or failure. The invention is illustrated for engine cylinder exhaust port and manifold temperature measurements. In one embodiment split exhaust manifolds are each provided with a sensor to produce signals indicating the exhaust temperature. A computer-based trending module receives the parallel temperature information, periodically determines a difference between the temperatures, and averages the differential temperature readings over a predefined trend period to generate a trend values. A trend based on a plurality of the trend points is generated and monitored for changes which indicate the possible degradation of one of the measured components. A trap window (trend definition) comprising one or more machine operating parameter levels which must be met to generate a trend value can be used to improve the diagnostic value of the trending. The trap window can be further refined with a trap-lag period allowing the measured components to reach a steady state when a new trap window is entered before trend values are generated. The invention can be used with both stationary and mobile machines, with the data trending and monitoring performed either onboard or remotely from the machine.

Method and apparatus for machine health inference by comparing two like

An apparatus is provided for controlling a machine having a rotatable body and includes a light signal source, a sensor connected to the rotatable body for producing electrical signals in response to receiving the light signal, and a device controlling the rotational speed of the rotatable body in response the electrical signals.

Laser referenced swing sensor

When compiling machine performance data it is advantageous for such data to have been acquired during periods in which the machine was in the same general operating state. The subject invention provides a system for producing historical data regarding machine operating parameters and including a plurality of sensors for producing signals indicative of the level of machine parameters. A control is included for selecting data representative of a first operating parameter in response to a dependency definition being satisfied and for processing the selected data to provide an indication of machine performance.

Apparatus and method for providing historical data regarding machine

A method for reduces the amount of information relating to the status of a vehicle relayed from the vehicle to a remote location over a communications data link. The method includes the steps of generating a fault code, delivering the fault code to the remote location across the data link, and receiving the fault code at the remote location and responsively generating a data request signal. The data request signal is delivered to the vehicle over the data link, and vehicle information is generated and delivered to the remote location over the data link.

Method of relaying information relating to the status of a vehicle

Apparatus is provided for mechanically actuating a valve stem in response to signals generated by an electronic control. A signal means and a sensor means send signals to the electronic control in response to a desired valve stem position and a sensed valve stem position, respectively. The electronic control formulates an error signal if the sensed position is not the desired position. A motor receives a control signal in response to the error signal and drives a linkage for moving the valve stem to the desired position.

Electronic valve actuator

An earth working machine having an earth shaping blade (30) employs a control system for maintaining the blade (30) at a desired slope relative to a reference grade irrespective of lateral movement of the blade (30) or deflection of front and rear frame sections (15, 18). A ground engaging trailing wheel (96) mounted at the rear of the blade (30) senses rotation of the blade (30) relative to the direction of machine travel resulting from rotation or lateral shifting of the blade (30) and operates a potentiometer (124) to produce a control signal proportional to the magnitude of blade rotation. A first pair of accelerometers (128, 130) mounted on the blade (30) for rotation by the trailing wheel (96) produces blade controlling signals respectively corresponding to the change in slope and pitch of the blade (30) relative to the front frame section (15) of the machine. A second pair of accelerometers (42, 44) mounted at transversely spaced locations on the front frame section (15) produce control signals indicative of the roll of the front frame section (15) while an additional accelerometer (90) mounted on the rear frame section (18) produces control signals indicative of the frame pitch. An electronic circuit (94) algebraically combines the control signals for use in controlling the operation of a pair of hydraulic cylinders (38, 40) which maintain the blade (30) at a desired slope.

Earth working machine and blade condition control system therefor

PCT No. PCT/US 79/00076 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 12, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 12, 1979, PCT Filed Feb. 12, 1979, Ser. No. 30,391. A displacement transducer (1) has a housing (12) with an opening (14) and an input rod (22) which extends from the housing (12) through the opening (14). A roller assembly (32) is positioned within the housing (12) and is associated with the input rod (22). A vibrating reed (42) is fastened to the housing (12) and the roller assembly (32) is in contact with the reed (42). As the input rod (22) is displaced, the roller assembly (32) moves and changes the vibrating length of the reed (42) and the natural vibratory frequency of the reed (42). Thus, a change in rod (22) displacement causes a change in the vibratory frequency of the reed (42).

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Rolland D Scholl