Patents by Inventor Anthony T. PETROU

Anthony T. PETROU has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10982608
    Abstract: A system for estimating engine performance is configured to receive, via a cylinder combustion model, a cylinder pressure of a cylinder associated with operation of an internal combustion engine. The system estimates a liner bending moment based at least in part on the cylinder pressure, generates a piston side load associated with the cylinder based at least in part on the liner bending moment, and estimates a piston friction value for a piston associated with the cylinder. The piston friction value may be based at least in part on the cylinder pressure and an engine speed of the internal combustion engine. The system receives, via a convective heat transfer model, an exhaust heat transfer value indicative of a cumulative heat transfer from an exhaust manifold, and estimates an engine torque value based at least in part on the exhaust heat transfer value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 10830168
    Abstract: A system may include at least one processor configured to receive a fuel signal indicative of an amount of fuel supplied to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, receive an air signal indicative of a quantity of air supplied to the cylinder, and estimate a mean effective pressure in the cylinder based at least in part on the fuel signal and the air signal. The system may estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas entering an exhaust manifold associated with the internal combustion engine, generate a rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold based at least in part on the exhaust gas temperature, generate an estimated exhaust manifold temperature based at least in part on the rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold, and estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas exiting the exhaust manifold and entering a turbine of a turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Travis E. Barnes, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20200332733
    Abstract: A system for estimating engine performance is configured to receive, via a cylinder combustion model, a cylinder pressure of a cylinder associated with operation of an internal combustion engine. The system estimates a liner bending moment based at least in part on the cylinder pressure, generates a piston side load associated with the cylinder based at least in part on the liner bending moment, and estimates a piston friction value for a piston associated with the cylinder. The piston friction value may be based at least in part on the cylinder pressure and an engine speed of the internal combustion engine. The system receives, via a convective heat transfer model, an exhaust heat transfer value indicative of a cumulative heat transfer from an exhaust manifold, and estimates an engine torque value based at least in part on the exhaust heat transfer value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20200332736
    Abstract: A system may include at least one processor configured to receive a fuel signal indicative of an amount of fuel supplied to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, receive an air signal indicative of a quantity of air supplied to the cylinder, and estimate a mean effective pressure in the cylinder based at least in part on the fuel signal and the air signal. The system may estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas entering an exhaust manifold associated with the internal combustion engine, generate a rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold based at least in part on the exhaust gas temperature, generate an estimated exhaust manifold temperature based at least in part on the rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold, and estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas exiting the exhaust manifold and entering a turbine of a turbocharger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Travis E. Barnes, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
  • Publication number: 20200332729
    Abstract: A method for estimating a peak cylinder pressure associated with operation of an internal combustion engine may include receiving, in a cylinder combustion model, a fuel signal and an air signal. The cylinder combustion model may be configured to estimate at a first crankshaft angle, a first mass fuel burn rate and a first burned fuel-air ratio associated with combustion. The cylinder combustion model may also be configured to estimate at a second crankshaft angle, a combustion ignition delay associated with the combustion, and estimate at the second crankshaft angle, a start of combustion associated with the combustion of the fuel and the air supplied to the cylinder. The cylinder combustion model may be further configured to estimate, based at least in part on the start of combustion, a peak cylinder pressure associated with the combustion of the fuel and the air supplied to the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 10787976
    Abstract: A method for estimating a peak cylinder pressure associated with operation of an internal combustion engine may include receiving, in a cylinder combustion model, a fuel signal and an air signal. The cylinder combustion model may be configured to estimate at a first crankshaft angle, a first mass fuel burn rate and a first burned fuel-air ratio associated with combustion. The cylinder combustion model may also be configured to estimate at a second crankshaft angle, a combustion ignition delay associated with the combustion, and estimate at the second crankshaft angle, a start of combustion associated with the combustion of the fuel and the air supplied to the cylinder. The cylinder combustion model may be further configured to estimate, based at least in part on the start of combustion, a peak cylinder pressure associated with the combustion of the fuel and the air supplied to the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
  • Patent number: 10161308
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a memory configured to store liner polish information; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to: determine a load factor based on an amount of load on the engine; determine an end of injection factor associated with the engine; determine a liner polish rate based on the load factor and the end of injection factor; obtain, from the liner polish information stored in the memory, information identifying a previous amount of damage to the engine; determine an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous amount of damage was calculated; calculate a current amount of damage to the engine based on the previous amount of liner polish, the amount of time, and the liner polish rate; and take a remedial action based on the current amount of damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna, Steven C. Zoz
  • Patent number: 10060828
    Abstract: An imbedded control system is disclosed for use with an engine having a combustion chamber and an associated piston. The control system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a combustion process occurring inside the combustion chamber, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to determine an amount of heat and a pressure generated inside the combustion chamber based on the signal and a combustion model, to determine a heat flux through the piston based on the amount of heat and a heat flux model, and to determine a temperature at a rim of the piston based on the heat flux and a thermal model. The controller may be further configured to track a time at the temperature and the pressure, and to determine a damage count of the piston based on the time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Paul Roe, Anthony T. Petrou, Matthew Rowan, Timothy Edward McGreevy
  • Patent number: 9989004
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a piston; a memory; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to obtain information identifying a previous amount of wear of the piston pin bore and information identifying a wear limit; determine a base piston pin bore wear rate; calculate an effective piston pin bore wear rate based on the base piston pin bore wear rate; determine an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous amount of wear of the piston pin bore was calculated; and calculate a current amount of wear of the piston pin bore based on the previous amount of wear, the amount of time, and the effective piston pin bore wear rate. The electronic control module may further be configured to calculate an amount of damage to the piston pin bore based on the current amount of wear and the wear limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna
  • Patent number: 9958358
    Abstract: An imbedded control system is disclosed for use with an engine having a cylinder liner and a seal. The control system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a combustion process occurring inside the cylinder liner, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine an amount of heat generated inside the cylinder liner based on the signal and a combustion model of the engine, to determine a heat flux through the engine based on the amount of heat and a heat flux model of the engine, and to determine a temperature at the seal based on the heat flux and a thermal model of the cylinder liner. The controller may also be configured to track a time at the temperature, and to determine a damage count of the seal based on the time at the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Paul Roe, Anthony T. Petrou, Kevin J. D'Sa, Jay H. Cline
  • Patent number: 9957887
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a piston; a memory; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to determine a temperature of a bowl rim of the piston; calculate a temperature of an oil gallery of the piston based on the temperature of the bowl rim; determine a carbon deposit growth rate of the piston based on the temperature of the oil gallery; determine an amount of time between a current time and the time when the previous carbon deposit growth was calculated; calculate a current carbon deposit growth on the piston; and take a remedial action based on the current carbon deposit growth. The current carbon deposit growth may be calculated based on: a previous carbon deposit growth on the piston, an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous carbon deposit growth was calculated, and the carbon deposit growth rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna
  • Publication number: 20180030891
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a memory configured to store liner polish information; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to: determine a load factor based on an amount of load on the engine; determine an end of injection factor associated with the engine; determine a liner polish rate based on the load factor and the end of injection factor; obtain, from the liner polish information stored in the memory, information identifying a previous amount of damage to the engine; determine an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous amount of damage was calculated; calculate a current amount of damage to the engine based on the previous amount of liner polish, the amount of time, and the liner polish rate; and take a remedial action based on the current amount of damage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna, Steven C. Zoz
  • Publication number: 20180030913
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a piston; a memory; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to obtain information identifying a previous amount of wear of the piston pin bore and information identifying a wear limit; determine a base piston pin bore wear rate; calculate an effective piston pin bore wear rate based on the base piston pin bore wear rate; determine an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous amount of wear of the piston pin bore was calculated; and calculate a current amount of wear of the piston pin bore based on the previous amount of wear, the amount of time, and the effective piston pin bore wear rate. The electronic control module may further be configured to calculate an amount of damage to the piston pin bore based on the current amount of wear and the wear limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna
  • Publication number: 20180030914
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a piston; a memory; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to obtain information identifying a previous amount of wear of the piston ring and information identifying an initial dimension of a coating of the piston ring; determine a piston ring wear rate based on a cylinder pressure associated with the piston; determine an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous wear of the piston ring was calculated; calculate a current amount of wear of the piston ring based on the previous amount of wear of the piston ring, the amount of time, and the piston ring wear rate; calculate an amount of damage to the piston ring based on the current amount of wear and the initial dimension; and take a remedial action when the amount of damage exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna
  • Publication number: 20180030890
    Abstract: A machine may comprise a piston; a memory; and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to determine a temperature of a bowl rim of the piston; calculate a temperature of an oil gallery of the piston based on the temperature of the bowl rim; determine a carbon deposit growth rate of the piston based on the temperature of the oil gallery; determine an amount of time between a current time and the time when the previous carbon deposit growth was calculated; calculate a current carbon deposit growth on the piston; and take a remedial action based on the current carbon deposit growth. The current carbon deposit growth may be calculated based on: a previous carbon deposit growth on the piston, an amount of time between a current time and a time when the previous carbon deposit growth was calculated, and the carbon deposit growth rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin P. Roe, Scott A. Thompson, Anthony T. Petrou, Michael J. Campagna
  • Publication number: 20170284897
    Abstract: An imbedded control system is disclosed for use with an engine having a combustion chamber and an associated piston associated. The control system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a combustion process occurring inside the combustion chamber, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to determine an amount of heat and a pressure generated inside the combustion chamber based on the signal and a combustion model, to determine a heat flux through the piston based on the amount of heat and a heat flux model, and to determine a temperature at a rim of the piston based on the heat flux and a thermal model. The controller may be further configured to track a time at the temperature and the pressure, and to determine a damage count of the piston based on the time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Paul ROE, Anthony T. PETROU, Matthew ROWAN, Timothy Edward McGREEVY
  • Publication number: 20170284898
    Abstract: An imbedded control system is disclosed for use with an engine having a cylinder liner and a seal. The control system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a combustion process occurring inside the cylinder liner, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine an amount of heat generated inside the cylinder liner based on the signal and a combustion model of the engine, to determine a heat flux through the engine based on the amount of heat and a heat flux model of the engine, and to determine a temperature at the seal based on the heat flux and a thermal model of the cylinder liner. The controller may also be configured to track a time at the temperature, and to determine a damage count of the seal based on the time at the temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Paul ROE, Anthony T. PETROU, Kevin J. D'Sa, Jay H. CLINE