Caterpillar Inc.

Xinyu Ge

Yongli Qi

Kai Zhang

Hua Gu

Baojun Si

Brian P Brennan

Yingying Kuai

James Harris Mutti, Jr

Qiang Chen

Tao Yu

Yun Guo

Fei Wang

Hong Liang Liang

Jia Li

Jingdou Wang

Huateng Yang

Xinqiang Xu

Liang Wang

Hao Wu

James Cairns

Joshua Thurman

Shuowei Yang

A method for cleaning an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve includes scheduling a cleaning for the EGR valve, and receiving a signal indicative of a temperature of exhaust gas produced with an internal combustion engine. The method may also include generating a command to actuate an intake throttle valve to a restrictive position to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas for cleaning the EGR valve, and generating a signal to repeatedly actuate the EGR valve.

Method and system for valve sticking detection, prevention, or correction

Operating a tractor with a front ground-engaging implement and a back ground-engaging implement includes calculating an error between a real-time pull-slip ratio and a target pull-slip ratio, and engaging the back ground-engaging implement with material of an underlying substrate to reduce the error. Related hardware and control logic are also disclosed.

Pull-slip control system for track-type tractor and track-type tractor operating method

A fuel reformer cooler for cooling a hydrogen-containing effluent released from a fuel reformer is disclosed. The fuel reformer cooler may comprise a heat transfer wall separating an effluent conduit from a coolant conduit and permitting heat transfer from the effluent in the effluent conduit to a coolant in the coolant conduit therethrough. The heat transfer wall may be formed from a base that includes a first surface facing the coolant conduit and a second surface facing the effluent conduit. The cooler may further comprise an anti-hydrogen embrittlement layer applied to the second surface of the base to shield the base from exposure to the effluent, and a plurality of symmetrical fins each extending through the anti-hydrogen embrittlement layer and contacting the second surface of the base. The plurality of symmetrical fins may project into the effluent conduit.

Fuel reformer cooler

A hybrid thermostat valve for a machine includes an inlet port, a first outlet port and a second outlet port. A sealing member located between the inlet port and the first outlet port includes holes providing a first channel of fluid communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port. A valve element located between the inlet port and the first outlet port selectively allows fluid communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port through the first channel. A bypass valve element located between the inlet port and the second outlet port selectively allows fluid communication between the inlet port and the second outlet port. Further, an actuator selectively controls position of the sealing member to provide a second channel of fluid communication between the inlet port and the first outlet port based on a current work cycle segment being performed by the machine.

Hybrid thermostat and method for operating same

An ignition system for an internal combustion engine includes a prechamber ignition device, a fuel admission valve for the prechamber ignition device, and a combustion consistency control mechanism configured to receive data indicative of at least one of a magnitude of a peak pressure in a combustion prechamber of the prechamber ignition device or a timing of the peak pressure in the combustion prechamber. The combustion consistency control mechanism calculates an error based on the data, and outputs a valve opening command to a fuel valve to produce a shot of combustion-initiating gases from the prechamber device, the valve opening command being based on the error.

Ignition system for engine having adaptively controlled prechamber ignition device

A method for monitoring quality of a hydraulic fluid in an electro-hydraulic (EH) valve is disclosed. The method includes applying predetermined signal to a solenoid coil, surrounding a pusher pin in EH valve, to facilitate oscillation of a pusher pin in EH valve to change static friction between the pusher pin and a cavity of EH valve, to dynamic friction. EH valve includes a housing defining the cavity having an end wall. Cavity slidably receiving the pusher pin having a first end and a second end. The hydraulic fluid is received between the first end of the pusher pin and the end wall. The oscillation of the pusher pin generates an acoustic wave that propagates through the hydraulic fluid. The method further includes determining the quality of the hydraulic fluid based on one or more characteristics of the acoustic wave detected by an acoustic sensor positioned on the end wall.

Methods and systems for monitoring quality of hydraulic fluid in electro-hydraulic (EH) valve

A braking system for controlling braking of a machine is disclosed. The braking system includes a first set of sensors to detect a first set of information indicative of operational characteristics of an engine and a transmission system. The braking system includes a second set of sensors to detect a second set of information indicative of a load of the machine and a profile of a work surface. The braking system includes a receiving unit to receive a third set of information indicative of a predefined route of the machine. The braking system includes a controller configured to control an actuator for opening and closing of an exhaust port for engine braking, and to control a valve for achieving a predetermined gear-ratio during the engine braking, based on the first set of information, the second set of information, and the third set of information.

System and method for controlling braking of autonomous machine

A system having an engine is provided. The system includes a high pressure (HP) turbocharger and a low pressure (LP) turbocharger connected in series with each other. The system also includes a first valve assembly configured to selectively bypass at least a portion of the exhaust from the engine to the LP turbocharger. The system also includes a storage tank configured to store a pressurized fluid and configured to be in fluid communication with the HP turbocharger and the LP turbocharger. The system further includes a second valve assembly in fluid communication with the storage tank, the HP turbocharger and the LP turbocharger. The system also includes a controller operatively coupled to the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly. The controller is configured to selectively operate the first valve assembly and the second valve assembly based on a change in a load requirement on the engine.

Turbocharger system for an engine

A control system for a steering a work machine is disclosed. The control system may include a steering input device configured to steer a lead machine module and an articulation module disposed between the lead machine module and a trailing machine module. The control system may further include a first articulation cylinder and a second articulation cylinder configured to actuate between a first and second cylinder first position and a first and second cylinder second position. Furthermore, an electronic controller in communication with the first and second articulation cylinders and programmed to transmit a control signal such that the first actuation cylinder actuates between the first actuation cylinder first position and the first actuation cylinder second position and the second actuation cylinder actuates between the second actuation cylinder first position and the second actuation cylinder second position.

Autonomous steering system for an articulated truck

A hauling machine is disclosed. The hauling machine may include a dump body and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) disposed proximate to the dump body. The IMU may be configured to measure an impact of a payload material on the dump body during a first load cycle, and generate impact data based on the impact of the payload material. The hauling machine may also include a controller in operative communication with the IMU. The controller may be configured to: receive the impact data from the IMU, estimate a center of gravity, a net load, and an amplitude of the impact of the payload material based on the impact data, and determine a desired dumping point of the payload material into the dump body for a second load cycle based on the center of gravity, the net load, and the amplitude of the impact.

Autonomous loading system and method for operating same

A powertrain system for a machine includes a hydraulic variator assembly coupled with a mechanical transmission, and a speed balancing system including a hydraulic accumulator, and being configured to limit a speed balancing error between first and second variators in the variator assembly by commanding adjustment of a valve mechanism to fluidly connect a hydraulic accumulator with one of the variators to increase a fluid flow rate therethrough. The hydraulic accumulator can be charged by way of an implement system in a machine driven by way of the powertrain system.

Powertrain system with variator speed balancing

A pre-chamber fuel admission valve includes a fuel inlet, a fuel outlet, an actuated valve, and a check valve. The fuel inlet receives a supply of a fuel. The fuel outlet delivers the fuel to a pre-chamber. The actuated valve is between and in fluid communication with the fuel inlet and the fuel outlet. The actuated valve controls a flow of the fuel from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The check valve is biased in a closed position and between and in fluid communication with the actuated valve and the fuel outlet. The check valve is configured to open and allow the fuel to exit the fuel outlet in response to a fuel pressure exceeding a pre-chamber pressure plus a bias pressure, and the check valve is configured to close in response to the pre-chamber pressure plus the bias pressure exceeding the fuel pressure.

Fuel admission valve for pre-chamber

A method for controlling a variator system of a machine is disclosed. The method includes storing a plurality of work cycle patterns associated with an operation of the machine in a memory module of a control system, and determining operating parameters of the machine based on inputs from a plurality of machine sensors. The method further includes classifying the current work segment as one of the plurality of predetermined work segments and determining an error value based on an actual output speed and a desired output speed of the variator. The method further includes determining a closed-loop gain value corresponding to the current work segment and the error value. The method further includes implementing the determined closed-loop gain and the determined current range to the actuator to adjust position of a swash plate of the variator, to control an output speed of the variator.

Method for controlling variator of transmission system

A hybrid power train system for a tractor scraper is provided. The hybrid power train system may include a primary power source coupled to a first set of traction devices, a generator coupled to the primary power source, a first electric motor coupled to a second set of traction devices, an inverter circuit coupled to the generator and the first electric motor, an energy storage device coupled to the inverter circuit, and a controller operatively coupled to the inverter circuit. The controller may be configured to engage a first operation mode enabling electrical energy, supplied by the generator and the first electric motor, to be stored in the energy storage device, and engage a second operation mode enabling electrical energy, stored in the energy storage device, to be supplied to the first electric motor to drive the second set of traction devices.

Hybrid power train system for a tractor scraper

A system includes a first machine having a first bail member and a first push bar, at first end. The first bail member includes a first hydraulic cylinder. A first hook and second push bar, at second end. The second push bar includes a second hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with first hydraulic accumulator. The second machine having second bail member and first push bar, at first end. The second bail member includes third hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with second hydraulic accumulator. A second hook and second push bar, at second end. The second push bar includes fourth hydraulic cylinder. The first hook coupled to second bail member and second push bar of first machine is in mechanical contact with first push bar of second machine. The impact energy generated at beginning of push operation and pull operation is stored in first hydraulic accumulator and second hydraulic accumulator respectively.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Xinyu Ge