Caterpillar Inc.

Ryan Hinrichsen

Joshua D Carlson

Daniel Reese Puckett

Daniel Richard Ibrahim

Glenn Brian Cox

Joseph Lee Kennedy

Zhenyu Li

Dereck Glenn Heffron

Adam L Stecklein

Derik Warne

Zachary T Kroehler

Rajesh Paranjape

In one instance, disclosed herein is a common rail fuel system for an engine system including an engine, the common rail fuel system comprising a controller configured to: detect a start of the engine; increment a PRV opening events counter; determine if a low speed condition of the engine was met before the controller turns off based on sensor data received from a rail pressure sensor or sensor data received from an engine speed sensor; in response to determining that the low speed engine condition was met before the controller turned off, decrement the PRV opening events counter; determine if the PRV opening events counter has exceeded a PRV opening events threshold; and in response to determining that the PRV opening events counter has exceeded the PRV opening events threshold, output a signal indicating that the PRV should be repaired or replaced.

Identifying and counting common rail fuel system pressure relief valve opening events

Fuel leak detection systems and methods are disclosed. A method for detecting a fuel leak for a fuel system of an engine includes detecting a ramp up of the engine. The method includes measuring rail pressure of a fuel rail during the ramp up. The method also includes determining a fuel leak exists in the fuel system based on the measured rail pressure during the ramp up. In accordance with a determination that a fuel leak exists, the method includes outputting an indication of the fuel leak in the fuel system.

Fuel leak detection system

A pump life prediction system and methods for predicting pump life of a pump are disclosed. A method may include monitoring pump operating conditions. A value indicative of cavitation damage is determined based on the pump operating conditions. A pump life remaining is determined based on the value. The method may also include outputting an indication of the pump life remaining.

Pump life prediction system

A liquid pump applicable in a fuel system such as a common rail fuel system includes a valve assembly having a valve stack with axially aligned components, dead volume, and vapor-distributing flow channels, for cavitation mitigation. An inlet valve meters a flow of liquid into the pump for pressurization by a plurality of reciprocating plungers operated by way of a rotating camshaft.

Liquid pump with cavitation mitigation

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Groveland, IL, United States of America

Ryan Hinrichsen