Patents by Inventor Brian D. Hoff

Brian D. Hoff 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: 11208994
    Abstract: An air system and method includes an air compressor, a temperature sensors, a valve, and a controller. The air compressor is configured to receive filtered air. The temperature sensor is positioned at or near an outlet of the air compressor and configured to sense a temperature at or near the outlet of the air compressor. The valve is operatively connected to an outlet of the air compressor and external to the air compressor. The controller is configured to monitor the sensed temperature at the outlet of the air compressor and control the valve to permit air to flow from the outlet of the air compressor through the valve to unload the air compressor if the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Daniel S. Hahn
  • Publication number: 20200263681
    Abstract: An air system and method includes an air compressor, a temperature sensors, a valve, and a controller. The air compressor is configured to receive filtered air. The temperature sensor is positioned at or near an outlet of the air compressor and configured to sense a temperature at or near the outlet of the air compressor. The valve is operatively connected to an outlet of the air compressor and external to the air compressor. The controller is configured to monitor the sensed temperature at the outlet of the air compressor and control the valve to permit air to flow from the outlet of the air compressor through the valve to unload the air compressor if the sensed temperature exceeds a threshold temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Daniel S. Hahn
  • Patent number: 10543443
    Abstract: A method for operating an air intake system for an engine is disclosed. The air intake system includes an air filter configured to provide filtered air to the engine for combustion. The method includes activating a blower, by a controller, to generate suction and draw purged contaminants from the air filter for facilitating a purging of the air filter. The method further includes deactivating the blower, by the controller, upon a determination of a completion of the purging of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Kraig M. Love
  • Patent number: 10415517
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exhaust scavenging system for an engine system including an engine enclosed in an engine enclosure and an air intake system including an air filter having a filter element for filtering air. The exhaust scavenging system includes an exhaust conduit, a venturi, and a valve system. The exhaust conduit is coupled to the engine and is configured to receive exhaust gas discharged by the engine. The venturi is associated with the exhaust conduit and operates to generate a suction to draw air from the air filter and the engine enclosure. The valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the venturi with the engine enclosure or the air filter. The valve system fluidly connects the venturi with the air filter for facilitating purging of the filter element of the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20190195179
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an exhaust scavenging system for an engine system including an engine enclosed in an engine enclosure and an air intake system including an air filter having a filter element for filtering air. The exhaust scavenging system includes an exhaust conduit, a venturi, and a valve system. The exhaust conduit is coupled to the engine and is configured to receive exhaust gas discharged by the engine. The venturi is associated with the exhaust conduit and operates to generate a suction to draw air from the air filter and the engine enclosure. The valve system is configured to selectively fluidly connect the venturi with the engine enclosure or the air filter. The valve system fluidly connects the venturi with the air filter for facilitating purging of the filter element of the air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20190176075
    Abstract: A method for operating an air intake system for an engine is disclosed. The air intake system includes an air filter configured to provide filtered air to the engine for combustion. The method includes activating a blower, by a controller, to generate suction and draw purged contaminants from the air filter for facilitating a purging of the air filter. The method further includes deactivating the blower, by the controller, upon a determination of a completion of the purging of the air filter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Kraig M. Love
  • Patent number: 9556807
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Mark E. Rettig, Michael D. Beyer, Steven D. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20150354474
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. HOFF, Mark E. RETTIG, Michael D. BEYER, Steven D. SPENCER
  • Patent number: 9046160
    Abstract: A method for controlling an operational state of a differential of a machine is disclosed. The method includes determining a transmission output speed, a transmission output torque and a degree of steering of the machine. The method further includes actuating a locking mechanism associated with the differential based on the transmission output speed, the transmission output torque, and the degree of steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Mark E. Rettig
  • Patent number: 8954213
    Abstract: A machine comprising powertrain components, an engine that applies power to powertrain components, and a hybrid motor that applies power to powertrain components. The machine includes an electronic control module that controls the hybrid motor to apply power to powertrain components. The machine includes an engine parameter sensor. The engine parameter sensor senses engine performance parameters and sends engine performance parameter signals to the electronic control module. The electronic control module monitors engine performance parameters and control the hybrid motor to apply power to the powertrain components to provide hybrid performance parameters to counteract the engine performance parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Evan E. Jacobson, Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8918258
    Abstract: System and method for controlling a transmission in response to transient torque events are disclosed. The method includes commanding a maximum transmission output torque; comparing the commanded output torque to a feedback torque to determine if they are equal; and incrementally increasing the transmission output torque until equal. A machine and a powertrain include a controller configured to command a maximum negative transmission output torque in response to a transient torque event, and incrementally increase the transmission output torque until such time as the transmission output torque is equal to or within a preset range of the feedback torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Michael Barngrover, Mark E. Rettig
  • Publication number: 20140303862
    Abstract: A method for controlling an operational state of a differential of a machine is disclosed. The method includes determining a transmission output speed, a transmission output torque and a degree of steering of the machine. The method further includes actuating a locking mechanism associated with the differential based on the transmission output speed, the transmission output torque, and the degree of steering.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2013
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Mark E. Rettig
  • Patent number: 8744707
    Abstract: An engine powered wheeled machine having improved engine over speed and under speed protection includes a parallel path transmission having a gear train with first and second transmission inputs and a transmission output, and including a hydraulic variator having a variator output driving the first transmission input, the hydraulic variator having a variator pump and a variator motor, the displacement of the variator pump being controlled by a variator actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8738250
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a power source of a mobile machine having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, from an operator of the mobile machine, input selecting of one of a plurality of target travel speeds of the mobile machine and input indicative of a requested output speed of the power source. The method further includes calculating a difference between the selected target travel speed and an actual travel speed of the mobile machine. Finally, the method includes adjusting the requested output speed of the power source based on the calculated travel speed difference, and commanding the power source based on the adjusted requested output speed of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Publication number: 20140095035
    Abstract: System and method for controlling a transmission in response to transient torque events are disclosed. The method includes commanding a maximum transmission output torque; comparing the commanded output torque to a feedback torque to determine if they are equal; and incrementally increasing the transmission output torque until equal. A machine and a powertrain include a controller configured to command a maximum negative transmission output torque in response to a transient torque event, and incrementally increase the transmission output torque until such time as the transmission output torque is equal to or within a preset range of the feedback torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Michael Barngrover, Mark E. Rettig
  • Publication number: 20140018982
    Abstract: A machine comprising powertrain components, an engine that applies power to powertrain components, and a hybrid motor that applies power to powertrain components. The machine includes an electronic control module that controls the hybrid motor to apply power to powertrain components. The machine includes an engine parameter sensor. The engine parameter sensor senses engine performance parameters and sends engine performance parameter signals to the electronic control module. The electronic control module monitors engine performance parameters and control the hybrid motor to apply power to the powertrain components to provide hybrid performance parameters to counteract the engine performance parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: January 16, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Evan E. Jacobson, Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8622871
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method for use in a machine having a transmission having an operational mode, and including first and second power source paths, and a combined power output. The first power source path includes a variator. The method of controlling the transmission includes operating the first power source path, providing a signal indicative of the operational mode of the transmission to a controller, and at least partially neutralizing the variator if the signal indicates that the transmission is in neutral for at least a preset period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Hoff
  • Patent number: 8360180
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a first operating sequence of a repeated operation of at least one non-traction load. The method also includes determining first and second parameters respectively indicative of a requested energy and output energy of the at least one non-traction load and comparing the determined first and second parameters at a plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining a third parameter of the hybrid energy system indicative of energy regenerated from the at least one non-traction load and monitoring the third parameter at the plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining at least one of an energy deficiency or an energy surplus associated with the non-traction load of the hybrid energy system and selectively adjusting energy stored within the storage device during at least a portion of a second operating sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Publication number: 20120310414
    Abstract: A method includes identifying a first operating sequence of a repeated operation of at least one non-traction load. The method also includes determining first and second parameters respectively indicative of a requested energy and output energy of the at least one non-traction load and comparing the determined first and second parameters at a plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining a third parameter of the hybrid energy system indicative of energy regenerated from the at least one non-traction load and monitoring the third parameter at the plurality of time increments of the first operating sequence. The method also includes determining at least one of an energy deficiency or an energy surplus associated with the non-traction load of the hybrid energy system and selectively adjusting energy stored within the storage device during at least a portion of a second operating sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Sivaprasad Akasam
  • Publication number: 20120253631
    Abstract: An engine powered wheeled machine having improved engine over speed and under speed protection includes a parallel path transmission having a gear train with first and second transmission inputs and a transmission output, and including a hydraulic variator having a variator output driving the first transmission input, the hydraulic variator having a variator pump and a variator motor, the displacement of the variator pump being controlled by a variator actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Brian D. Hoff