Caterpillar Inc.

W John Love

Stephen Robert Lewis

Daniel Reese Puckett

Travis E Barnes

Kevin Lloyd Dea

Jeffrey J Simmons

Timothy J Matzke

A power management system for a combustion engine is disclosed. The power management system has a fuel injector, a sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the fuel injector. The fuel injector is operable to inject multiple shots of fuel into the combustion engine during a single injection event. The sensor is configured to sense a speed of the combustion engine and generate a signal indicative of the sensed speed. The controller is configured to limit the number of shots per injection event in response to the signal.

Power management system for fuel injected engine

A control system for a fuel injector is disclosed. The control system has a valve element movable between a first position and a second position, an armature connected to the valve element, a solenoid configured to move the armature and connected valve element, and a controller in communication the solenoid. The controller is configured to energize the solenoid at a first current level to initiate movement of the valve element from the first position toward the second position, at a second current level less than the first current level during movement of the valve element from the first position toward the second position, at a third current level less than the second current level after the valve element has reached the second position, and at a fourth current level less than the third current level after the valve element has been in the second position for a predetermined period of time.

Fuel injector control system

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for protecting electronic circuit elements from hazardous voltages is provided. The apparatus includes a source of electrical energy that produces electrical energy having a predetermined energy level. An electrical load is connected to the electrical energy source and responsively receives electrical energy. A signaling device receives electrical energy from the electrical energy source and produces an overvoltage signal in response to receiving electrical energy greater than the predetermined energy level. An NMOSFET is connected to the electrical load, and controllably regulates the electrical current flowing through the electrical load. A control device receives the overvoltage signal and responsively controls the operation of the NMOSFET.

Power supply protection circuit

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus determines the rotational speed and direction of a rotating object. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to detect the speed and direction of the rotating object and responsively produce a frequency signal indicative of the speed of the rotating object and a direction signal having a voltage value indicative of the rotational direction of the rotating object. A distinguishing stage receives the frequency and direction signals, and determines the voltage value of the portion of the direction signal that coincides with the falling edge of the frequency signal. Responsively the distinguishing stage produces a control signal having a voltage level responsive to the determined voltage value of the direction signal. A converting stage receives the frequency signal and responsively produces an output signal having a DC voltage proportional to the frequency of the frequency signal. A directional stage receives the control signal and the output signal, and changes the polarity of the output signal in response to the voltage level of said control signal. An output device receives the polarized output signal, and stores the magnitude and polarity of the output signal.

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

W John Love