Caterpillar Inc.

Yasser A Al-Charif

Ronald Dean Shinogle

Vernon Richard Smith

Stephen F Glassey

Amy L Moore-McKee

Richard A DeKeyser

David V Gile

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

An electronic control for controlling a high idle set value of equipment having an engine is disclosed. The control includes an electronic controller electrically connected to a rocker switch comprising a high idle switch and a low idle switch. An engine speed sensor and a decelerator pedal position sensor are electrically connected to the electronic controller. The electronic control permits the equipment operator to program a desired high idle set point value. The control thereafter produces an engine speed command based on the high idle set point value. A decelerator pedal is provided to permit the equipment operator to reduce the engine speed command value below the high idle set point value.

Programmable high idle set switch and method of operating same

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Yasser A Al-Charif