The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 02, 1999
Filed:
Jul. 09, 1996
David R Schricker, Princeville, IL (US);
Julie A Gannon, Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for detecting a powerless condition of a reciprocating internal combustion engine is provided. The engine has a plurality of reciprocating components, at least one cylinder and a crankshaft. The method includes the steps of sensing angular velocity of the crankshaft and responsively producing an angular velocity signal and determining a rate of fuel supplied to the one cylinder and responsively producing a fuel rate signal. The method further includes the steps of determining an indicated torque for the one cylinder as a function of the angular velocity signal and the fuel rate signal and responsively producing an indicated torque signal. Further, the method includes the steps of determining a requested torque for the one cylinder as a function of the fuel rate signal and the angular velocity signal and responsively producing a requested torque signal. An indication of powerless of the one cylinder is determined as a function of the requested torque signal and the actual torque signal.