Scott F Nicholson

US Patent:

6860351, Mar 1, 2005

Filed:

Oct 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/977726

Inventors:

James W. Landes - East Peoria IL, US
Scott E. Nicholson - Metamora IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60K031/00

US Classification:

180170, 180171, 701 92, 701 93, 701 97

Abstract:

An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.

US Patent:

7080705, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Feb 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/067272

Inventors:

James W. Landes - East Peoria IL, US
Scott E. Nicholson - Metamora IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60K 31/00

US Classification:

180170, 180171, 701 92, 701 93, 701 97

Abstract:

An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.

US Patent:

62728598, Aug 14, 2001

Filed:

Oct 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/165756

Inventors:

Travis E. Barnes - Loveland CO
Gerald N. Coleman - Peoria IL
Michael S. Lukich - Chillicothe IL
Scott E. Nicholson - Metamora IL
Paul M. Young - Cary NC

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02B 3712

US Classification:

60602

Abstract:

The present invention is an apparatus for controlling a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) in closed loop and open loop modes, and a switching mechanism for determining whether open loop or closed loop control laws should be used. In the closed loop mode, a correction factor, obtained from a pressure correction map based on engine speed and atmospheric pressure, is subtracted from the desired boost pressure to prevent overspeed of the turbocharger at lower atmospheric pressures. The actual boost pressure is then compared to the desired boost pressure after correction to obtain a boost pressure error signal. The boost pressure error signal is used as an input to a proportional integral differential control law that responsively produces a desired VGT vane position. A minimum limit on the desired VGT vane position is based on engine speed and fuel quantity, whereas a maximum allowable vane position may be a predetermined constant or function. A linearization map is used to obtain a VGT current signal that is transmitted to an actuator for moving the vane position.

US Patent:

60925043, Jul 25, 2000

Filed:

Aug 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/129064

Inventors:

Travis E. Barnes - Loveland CO
Michael S. Lukich - Chillicothe IL
Scott E. Nicholson - Metamora IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02D 3100

US Classification:

123357

Abstract:

The present invention is an apparatus for controlling the fuel rate to an engine using the throttle position, and for controlling the speed of the engine using decision logic to choose the best alternative among candidate fuel levels. A minimum speed governor determines a minimum fuel level at a predetermined low idle engine speed, a maximum speed governor determines a maximum fuel level at a predetermined high idle engine speed, and at least one fuel rate map is used to determine fuel level based on various engine operating parameters. Each governor outputs a fuel quantity signal based on the difference between the corresponding desired engine speed and the actual engine speed. The fuel rate map may be a multi-dimensional data table that provides fuel quantity signals to optimize engine performance based on the throttle position, engine speed, boost pressure, and other engine operating states. The fuel quantity signals from the lookup tables and the maximum speed governor are compared and the minimum value is chosen. The minimum value is then compared to the fuel quantity signal from the minimum speed governor, and the maximum value between these signals is provided as the output signal from the speed governor portion of the engine's electronic control module.

US Patent:

61127299, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Oct 2, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/165774

Inventors:

Travis E. Barnes - Loveland CO
Michael S. Lukich - Chillicothe IL
Scott E. Nicholson - Metamora IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F02M 2507

US Classification:

12356821

Abstract:

The present invention is an apparatus for controlling exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an exhaust gas recirculation controller that uses sensed engine operating parameters and the engine operational mode to determine whether to enable or disable the exhaust gas recirculation valve. When the valve is enabled, a closed-loop controller determines the desired amount of exhaust gas to recirculate and the corresponding position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve to introduce the desired amount of exhaust gas into the engine's air intake manifold. The desired valve position is converted to a current signal which is transmitted to an actuator to move the valve. When the valve is disabled, the current signal is set to a value to close the valve to prevent exhaust gas from being circulated in the engine's air intake manifold.