Caterpillar Inc.

Steven C Bray

Daniel Craig Wood

Randall M Mitchell

Vernon Richard Smith

Wayne J Wulfert

Wayne D Brandt

Jeffrey S Morris

Dale B Herget

Robert Eugene Tilton

Walt E Earleson

Mark Matthew Hoffman

Michael E Roth

A method for designing software in a software design includes providing, in a software design tool, a software block including one or more data elements of one of signal-type or parameter-type. At least one of the one or more data elements is designated as one of a port or a property. If the at least one data element is designated as a property, a value associated with the property is established. Alternatively, if the at least one data element is designated as a port, a connection with one or more software blocks associated with the software design environment is established. The method also includes generating at least a portion of software code associated with the software block based on the designation of the at least one data element.

Data elements with selectable signal/parameter behavior control

A software system development apparatus is provided. The software system development apparatus may include a processor and a computer-readable medium operatively coupled to the processor. The apparatus may also include a system design tool program stored on the computer-readable medium that, when executed by the processor, is operable to regulate user access to at least one aspect of the system design tool according to one or more authorization categories of users of the system design tool. The system design tool may also be operable to generate a real-time embedded control software system by selecting from a collection of reusable software components stored and described in a catalog in accordance with the Reusable Asset Specification (RAS).

Software development apparatus with regulated user access

The present disclosure is directed toward a method for hierarchical hardware mapping in a software design environment. The method comprises the step of providing a software design tool on a graphical interface of a computer system. The method also includes receiving, in the software design tool, graphical representation of at least a portion of software and receiving, in the software design tool, graphical representation of at least a portion of hardware. The method may further include receiving, in the software design tool, one or more bindings between software and hardware, wherein the one or more bindings form a set of bindings, and storing the set of bindings for use in one or more software designs.

Method and system for hierarchical hardware mapping for software design

A method is disclosed for detecting a memory stack fault. The method may include reserving a memory stack for executing software instructions. The method may also include enabling a debug unit and as the software instructions are execute, utilizing the debug unit to monitor a memory space adjacent to the memory stack. The method may further include identifying a memory stack fault if a write operation to the memory space is attempted.

System and method for protecting memory stacks using a debug unit

An electronic transmission shift control is provided wherein an input device such as a vehicle control lever is connected to a sensor. The sensor sends out a substantially continuous signal to an electronic control module. The electronic control module controls the current going through a solenoid that, in one application, is controlling the pressure of a valve to engage a clutch in a transmission.

Electronic transmission shift control

An apparatus for controlling a clutch or brake in an application with variable torque requirements. Control logic momentarily sets the control signal to an initial level to allow adequate time to engage the clutch or brake, and then changes the control signal at an acceptable rate until reaching the required torque level. The initial level is varied based upon the required torque, such that at low levels of required torque, a signal with low initial torque (although possibly higher than the required torque), is used to achieve smoother engagement at some sacrifice in response, and at higher levels of required torque, a signal with higher initial torque is used to improve response.

Clutch or brake engagement pressure compensation

A two-stage electrohydraulic pressure control valve modulatably controls engagement of a spring applied, pressure released brake when electrical power directed thereto is suddenly lost. The control valve includes a shutdown valve mechanism between a pilot stage and a main stage to controllably reduce the fluid pressure in an accumulator storage chamber in three distinct stages. The first stage is the immediate blocking of fluid flow from the storage chamber by a flow control valve when fluid passing therethrough in one direction exceeds a predetermined flow rate. The second stage is reducing the fluid pressure in the storage chamber to a predetermined level by a relief valve when the flow control valve is in its flow blocking position. The third stage is accomplished by restricting fluid flow from the storage chamber at a predetermined flow rate through an orifice so that the main stage modulatably controls the reduction of fluid pressure in the brake chamber.

Two stage electrohydraulic pressure control valve

A two stage electrohydraulic pressure control valve includes a pilot stage for providing regulated pressure at lower flows to a larger main stage that handles the higher control flows to and from a pressure applied clutch or pressure released brake. The regulated pressure from the pilot stage acts on an end of the main stage for controlling the position of the main stage. An energy storage device in the form of either an accumulator or a load piston device is connected to the end of the main stage to permit instantaneous independent movement of the main stage relative to the pilot stage. The energy storage device quickly provides for or accepts displaced fluid from the main stage much faster than the limited flow capacity and response time of the pilot stage. This permits the main stage to quickly adjust to flow changes to the clutch or brake with minimal change in pressure until the pilot stage can respond.

An apparatus is provided for use in a vehicle having an engine driven transmission which includes a plurality of gear ratios. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to sense a parameter indicative of vehicle speed and responsively produce a vehicle speed signal. A downshift switch is provided to controllably produce a downshift signal. An engine speed sensor senses engine speed and responsively produces an engine speed signal. A controller is adapted to receive the vehicle speed, engine speed, and downshift signals, process the vehicle speed signal to produce a transmission control signal, produce a down shift enable value as a function of the engine speed signal, and modify the transmission control signal to correspond to a lower gear ratio in all but the lowest gear ratio when the downshift signal is received and a value responsive to the vehicle speed signal is less than the down shift enable value signal. An actuator is adapted to receive the transmission control signal and responsively control the transmission gear ratio.

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Washington, IL, United States of America

Steven C Bray