Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpiller Inc.

Vernon Richard Smith

Alan L Stahl

Norval P Thomson

Kent Allen Casey

Ronald Dean Shinogle

Kenneth Lee Stratton

Steven Wayne O'Neal

Steven C Bray

Stephen F Glassey

Wayne J Wulfert

Julie A Gannon

Richard A DeKeyser

Steven W Judy

Wayne D Brandt

James G Katter, Jr

Jeffrey S Morris

Dale B Herget

David V Gile

Yasser A Al-Charif

April D Scott

Vishnu Sugnath Prabhakaran

Walt E Earleson

Michael E Roth

Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing operation of a machine. The system includes a memory device configured to store a data stream that includes values of a plurality of parameters. The system further includes a data interface configured to receive a first script associated with a first set of parameters selected from the plurality of parameters, and a second script associated with a second set of parameters selected from the plurality of parameters. A processing device is in communication with the memory device and the data interface. The processing device is configured to analyze the data stream according to the first and second scripts to produce a first result associated with the first set of parameters and a second result associated with the second set of parameters. The processing device is further configured to render for display the first result and the second result.

Operation analysis system for a machine

A sensor is provided in a machine having a continuously variable transmission, for example, and the amount of force exerted by the machine against a load is sensed. Based on the sensed power, an appropriate audio signal is generated which simulates the sounds an operator would expect to hear when such force is applied with a machine having a conventional geared transmission. The sounds can include engine noises, as well as sounds associated with the flow of oil or other hydraulic fluids. In addition, the sounds can be generated from digitally pre-recorded audible data, or can be output based on calculated audible data. User controls are also provided to adjust the volume and frequency or pitch of the generated sounds.

Audible feedback of machine load

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 associated with a user requesting access to the software option associated with a machine, a remote facility receiving the request, authorizing access to the software option, and sending an enabling signal to enable the software. The enabling signal (e.g., a software key) may then be used to access and use the software option. An intermediary may be used to authenticate the enabling signal.

Method and system of enabling a software option on a remote machine

A vibration management system for a work machine may include at least one machine component configured to respond to input commands from an operator of the machine. One or more vibration sensors may be configured to output a signal indicative of a vibration level experienced by the operator. A controller may be configured to monitor the output signal from the one or more vibration sensors and determine an average vibration level experienced by the operator. The controller may also be configured to monitor the input commands from the operator and calculate a predicted response of the at least one machine component to at least one of the input commands. The controller may also be configured to determine a predicted vibration effect on the operator based on the predicted response and adjust an actual response of the at least one machine component to the at least one operator input command based on the predicted vibration effect and the average vibration level.

Adaptive vibration management system for a work machine

An electronic control system for controlling operation of a machine is described. The system includes a first control system connected to a first electronic control module, a second control system connected to a second electronic control module, and a first data link connected between the first electronic control module and the second electronic control module for transmission of data between the first control system and the second control system. The first data link provides transmission of data at a high speed.

Electronic control system for a machine

A structure and method for electronically minimizing or eliminating performance variation of an apparatus controllable by a control signal, such as an electronically-controlled fuel injector, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of measuring the resultant characteristics of the apparatus at a plurality of operating conditions, such as timing and delivery characteristics of the fuel injector, adjusting the control signal as a function of the measured resultant characteristics, such as by adjusting a base timing and duration or pulse width of a fuel delivery command signal for a fuel injector, and controlling the apparatus in accordance with the adjusted control signal to reduce performance variation. A structure is disclosed to compensate or trim for individual injector variation, includes an electronic control module having a memory for storing trim signals for each injector, the trim signals being derived from observed performance parameter values taken at a plurality of operating conditions, a plurality of sensors for detecting at least one, and preferably a plurality of operating parameters and generating a respective one, and preferably a plurality of, operating parameter signals, and a means for communicating the trim signals to the memory. The electronic control module adjusts a base fuel delivery signal for each injector as a function of the trim data signals for each injector.

Method and structure for controlling an apparatus, such as a fuel

Vehicle diagnostic control system

A drive system for a work vehicle is provided which includes first and second hydrostatic transmissions which are responsive to respective control signals for driving first and second ground engaging devices at a rate responsive thereto. A sensor is provided sensing the position of a manually operable control element and responsively producing a desired speed signal. A memory device is adapted to store data relates the desired speed signal to the first and second control signals in a preselected manner. A processor is provided for receiving the desired speed signal, responsively retrieving at least a portion of the data from the memory device, and producing the first and second control signals in response to the retrieved data and the desired speed signal. An adjusting device is provided for receiving at least one of the control signals, permitting controllable adjustment of the control signal so as to vary the speed of a respective ground engaging device. An overwriting device is provided for receiving the adjusted control signal and overwriting a portion of the stored data in response to the adjusted control signal.

Apparatus for calibrating the speed of hydrostatically driven traction

The subject invention provides an apparatus for controllably programming an EEPROM, thereby reducing the likelihood of an inadvertent EEPROM write. The apparatus includes a first circuit which repeatedly produces a pseudo address signal at a preselected frequency. A second circuit receives the pseudo address signal and deliveries a write-enable signal to the EEPROM in response to receiving the pseudo address signal a preselected number of times. A third circuit delivers an address signal and a corresponding data signal to the EEPROM during at least a portion of the production of the write-enable signal. The address signal is indicative of an address location in said EEPROM and the data signal corresponds to the data to be stored in the EEPROM address location.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Vernon Richard Smith