Abstract: A power control system for a machine having an engine, a hydraulic system, a boom function, and a swing function is disclosed which comprises a sensor for determining the temperature of the engine, a sensor for determining the temperature of the hydraulic system, a cooling system associated with the engine, a cooling system associated with the hydraulic system, a controller connected to the sensors and the cooling systems, the controller for receiving the temperatures of the engine and the hydraulic system and for determining whether the temperatures are within acceptable ranges, the controller for detecting when a boom function and a swing function have been requested.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the fuel injection timing of a fuel injector in order to start an engine. The temperature of the engine is sensed and an engine temperature signal indicative of the temperature of actuating fluid used to actuate the injector is generated. A desired piston firing position is determined, and an injection command signal is generated, whose timing oscillates between a time range that is a function of said temperature and said desired piston firing position, to control the fuel injection timing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a performance characteristic of at least one of a plurality of fuel injectors located within a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining a first desired fuel quantity to be delivered by the plurality of injectors, suspending fuel delivery by one of the injectors, determining a second desired fuel quantity to be delivered by the injectors in response to the suspension, and determining a performance characteristic of the suspended injector in response to said first and the second desired fuel quantity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the fluid flow in a fluid circuit 102. The fluid circuit 102 includes a pump 32 driven by an engine 106. The pump 32 delivers fluid to at least one actuator 44, 45 through a control valve assembly 120, 122. In addition, the pump is connected to a bypass control valve, which is connected to a fluid tank. The method includes the steps of establishing a desired fluid flow to be delivered by the pump, determining an expected fluid flow to be delivered by the pump in response to the desired fluid flow, and determining a position of the bypass control valve in response to the expected fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for dynamically determining optimal governor dynamics, i.e., gains, for a fuel control system supplying fuel to an engine. The method determines a mode of the engine, then determines the governor gain in response to the engine mode. The mode or condition of the engine includes a transmission mode, a throttle mode, and a cruise control mode. The governor gains are determined by determining the current engine mode, selecting the appropriate gain look-up table in response to the engine mode, and responsively selecting a gain value from the look-up table in response to at least one of the desired and actual speed. The gain maps are determined using empirical data and classical control system design methods, and storing the results in gain maps, or tables. The governor gain values are used in a forward and a feedback path PID control algorithm.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining and displaying a correlated position of a truck as it is being loaded by an earth moving machine is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a loading event signal and then determining the correlated position of the truck in response to the loading event signal. The correlated position of the truck is then displayed relative to the land size.In an alternative embodiment, a method for determining and displaying productivity information regarding material excavated by an earth moving machine and loaded into a truck is provided. The method includes the steps of determining the bucket load material type of the material loaded in the bucket. Productivity information is then displayed at a remote location in response to the bucket load material type.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a fuel command for an engine having a cruise control system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining a desired engine speed, determining an actual engine speed, modifying the actual engine speed value in response to a previous value of the engine speed, and then determining the fuel command in response to the modified and desired engine speed.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for controlling the air flow into an engine. The engine has a wastegate and a choke valve. The method includes the steps of determining an air pressure within the intake manifold and comparing the air pressure to a desired air pressure. A position of the choke valve and wastegate is then determined in response to the comparison. The apparatus includes an air pressure sensor for sensing the actual air pressure within the intake manifold. A controlling means compares the actual air pressure with a desired air pressure and responsively determines a position of the choke valve and the wastegate. A choke valve actuator and wastegate actuator position the choke valve and the wastegate respectively.

Abstract: A method for determining the front and rear axle weights of an earth moving machine. The method includes determining the weight of a portion of the earth moving machine, and the forces acting on the lift cylinder pin, lift arm pin, and the tilt cylinder pin. The axle weights are determined in response to the above mentioned weights and forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating geography-altering machinery such as a track-type tractor, road grader, paver or the like relative to a work site to alter the geography of the site toward a desired condition. A first digital three-dimensional model of the desired site geography, and a second digital three-dimensional model of the actual site geography are stored in a digital data storage facility. The machine is equipped with a position receiver to determine in three-dimensional space the location of the machine relative to the site. A dynamic database receives the machine position information, determines the difference between the first and second site models and generates representational signals of that difference for directing the operation of the machine to bring the actual site geography into conformity with the desired site geography.

Abstract: A differential assembly which includes a differential housing is disclosed. The differential assembly also includes a spider structure positioned within the differential housing. The spider structure has (i) a spider hub and (ii) a spider shaft which extends from the spider hub. The differential assembly further includes a pinion gear positioned around the spider shaft and a fastener secured to the spider shaft. The differential assembly also includes a bearing assembly which directly contacts the spider shaft, wherein the bearing assembly is (i) interposed between the pinion gear and the spider shaft and (ii) interposed between the fastener and the spider hub.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for identifying a machine dump occurrence of an earthmoving machine. The method includes determining an initial elevation of a point on the machine. The elevation of the point is then monitored to determine when a dumping threshold is exceeded. The ground speed is also monitored to determine if the machine 102 is moving at a speed indicative of dumping. When the machine speed is below a dumping speed, and the receiver 116 has exceeded a dumping threshold the machine 102 may be determined to have dumped its load.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method and apparatus for dynamically determining an individualized fuel command for each fuel injector connected to an engine. In the preferred embodiment the method includes delivering a baseline fuel command to each of the injectors. The actual engine speed is then determined. An individualized fuel command is determined for each of the fuel injectors based on the baseline fuel command, and the actual engine speed. In the preferred embodiment the individualized fuel commands are dynamically determined when the engine is idling. In an alternative embodiment, the individualized fuel commands may be used throughout the operating speed range of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a fuel command for an fuel system. The present invention provides a method for determining a fuel command for an engine. The method includes determining a desired and actual engine speed, comparing the desired and actual engine speeds, and controlling the air/fuel mixture flow into the intake manifold of the fuel system in response to the comparison. The inlet pressure and temperature within the manifold are then determined. A fuel command is determined in response to the manifold air pressure and temperature. The fuel command is then modified in response to the comparison of the desired and actual engine speeds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying electrical power in an earth moving machine is provided. The method and apparatus includes an engine adapted to deliver primary power at a variable speed to the earth moving machine. A hydraulic system is connected to and driven by the engine. The hydraulic system in turn is connected to and drives a work implement. A variable input speed, constant output generator system is connected to and driven by the engine at a variable speed. The generator delivers electrical power at a constant value independent of variations of the speed of the engine. There is at least one auxiliary system adapted to receive the electrical power.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for managing a service resource by a fleet of mobile machines. Each of the mobile machines has a queue manager adapted to generate a queue position request signal as the mobile machine approaches the service resource. A service manager is on each mobile machine, and is adapted to generate a service request signal in response to a condition of the mobile machine. A resource manager is adapted to establish and control a queue to control access to the resource in response to receiving a queue request position signal. The resource manager is also adapted to receive a service request signal, and responsively determine when to allow the mobile machine to access the service resource based on a condition of each of the mobile machine in the fleet.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the work cycle of an earth moving machine is disclosed. The machine has a transmission, a work implement, and a lift cylinder and a tilt cylinder connected to the work implement. The method includes the steps of determining a lift cylinder head end pressure, a displacement of the lift cylinder, a displacement of the tilt cylinder, and a direction of travel of the machine. The method further includes determining the work cycle of the machine in response to the displacement of the tilt and lift cylinders, and the lift cylinder head end pressure.

Abstract: The locking force of an electromagnetic joystick lock with flux having a flux canceling driver circuit is controlled in order to maintain the control lever of a joystick in a desired position. In one embodiment, the locking force may be in either an activated or deactivated state, and one of a forward or reverse current is applied to the coils of the lock in response to the state, in order to eliminate the residual magnetism when the locking force is deactivated.

Abstract: The invention is a method for monitoring a work cycle of a earth moving machine on a land site. The method includes the steps of determining a direction of motion of the earth moving machine as being either a forward or a reverse direction of motion, determining a change in the direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion, determining a location of the earth moving machine on the land site where the change in direction of motion occurs, determining a condition of the land site at the location, and determining a work cycle of the earth moving machine in response to the condition.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus adapted to heat actuating fluid in a rail passage located within an engine. The rail passage is connected to an fluid inlet of at least one fuel injector. The apparatus includes a heating device located within the rail passage. The heating device is adapted to heat the actuating fluid, in response to a control signal. The apparatus also includes a temperature sensing device located within the rail passage. The temperature sensing device is adapted to sense a temperature of the actuating fluid and responsively generate a temperature signal. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes an electronic controller adapted to receive the temperature signal, determine a temperature of the fluid, and responsively generate the control signal and deliver an injection command signal to the fuel injector.