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:
Sep. 05, 2000
Filed:
May. 26, 1998
Gary N Boyer, Lafayette, IN (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
In one embodiment of the present invention a method for monitoring operation of a solenoid actuated gaseous fuel admission valve is provided by measuring the resistance across a movable metering plate and a stationary plate in the valve. The plates are constructed with electro-conductive material and the plates comprise a variable resistor. The resistance value across the plates changes as a function as to whether the plates are contacting, not contacting, or there is contamination between them. A converter circuit produces a resistive signal that is indicative of the resistance value of the variable resistor. Processing means receives the resistive signal and responsively determines whether the valve is operating within predetermined performance parameters. A signal may be produced to drive an indicator to show whether the valve is functioning properly.