Patents by Inventor Daniel Reese Puckett

Daniel Reese Puckett 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: 11994083
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel control system having a fueling control unit structured to determine a test point on a tip wear-sensitive region of a fuel injector delivery curve, and store measurements of pressure drops in a pressurized fuel reservoir caused by injections of fuel at the test point. The fueling control unit is further structured to produce an injector health signal based on the stored measurements of pressure drop. Related methodology and control logic for calculation of wear parameters for injection signal duration electronic trimming and prognostic health determinations are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reese Puckett, Andrew Marrack, Bradley Scott Bashore
  • Patent number: 11982244
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to emissions treatment devices including aftertreatment devices that may be utilized with internal combustion engines and, more particularly, to methods and systems for controlling in-cylinder dosing (ICD) and preventing fuel to oil dilution. A method of operating an engine converting an amount of heat needed for regenerating an aftertreatment device into a cam-stroke fueling strategy. The method further includes determining a number of the engine's cylinders to be active cylinders for introducing dosing fuel and calculating a total dosing fuel apportionment of the dosing fuel for each of the active cylinders based on the cam-stroke fueling strategy. A number of dosing shots per injector for each of the active cylinders can be calculated based on the total dosing fuel apportionment and an amount of dosing fuel is apportioned for each dosing shot according to the cam-stroke fueling strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Edward Sattler, Daniel Reese Puckett
  • Patent number: 11946430
    Abstract: Controlling a fuel injector in a fuel system for an engine includes switching between a boosted voltage power supply and a lower voltage power supply during energizing a solenoid actuator in a fuel injector, and generating a solenoid energizing waveform including a pull-in tier produced by a boosted voltage incipient current, a boosted voltage second current, and a lower voltage later current, based on the switching between a boosted voltage power supply and a lower voltage power supply. Controlling a fuel injector further includes detecting an arrival timing of the valve based on a property of the lower voltage later current, and electronically trimming the fuel injector based on the detecting an arrival timing. Related control system logic is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell B Juchems, Daniel Reese Puckett
  • Publication number: 20240068424
    Abstract: A fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a fuel control system having a fueling control unit structured to determine a test point on a tip wear-sensitive region of a fuel injector delivery curve, and store measurements of pressure drops in a pressurized fuel reservoir caused by injections of fuel at the test point. The fueling control unit is further structured to produce an injector health signal based on the stored measurements of pressure drop. Related methodology and control logic for calculation of wear parameters for injection signal duration electronic trimming and prognostic health determinations are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reese Puckett, Andrew Marrack, Bradley Scott Bashore
  • Patent number: 11795886
    Abstract: Operating an engine system and fuel system includes energizing a solenoid actuator for a spill valve in a fuel injector in a first engine cycle via a standard waveform to inject a shot of fuel. Operating an engine system and fuel system further includes determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system, and energizing the solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform based on the determining suitability so as to inject one or more shots of fuel in a second engine cycle. The operating methodology and control logic can extend an engine speed range for multi-shot fuel injection in an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Daniel Reese Puckett, Mitchell B. Juchems
  • Publication number: 20230193844
    Abstract: Controlling a fuel injector in a fuel system for an engine includes switching between a boosted voltage power supply and a lower voltage power supply during energizing a solenoid actuator in a fuel injector, and generating a solenoid energizing waveform including a pull-in tier produced by a boosted voltage incipient current, a boosted voltage second current, and a lower voltage later current, based on the switching between a boosted voltage power supply and a lower voltage power supply. Controlling a fuel injector further includes detecting an arrival timing of the valve based on a property of the lower voltage later current, and electronically trimming the fuel injector based on the detecting an arrival timing. Related control system logic is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell B Juchems, Daniel Reese Puckett
  • Publication number: 20230184189
    Abstract: Operating an engine system and fuel system includes energizing a solenoid actuator for a spill valve in a fuel injector in a first engine cycle via a standard waveform to inject a shot of fuel. Operating an engine system and fuel system further includes determining suitability for reduced energy operating of the fuel system, and energizing the solenoid actuator via a reduced energy waveform based on the determining suitability so as to inject one or more shots of fuel in a second engine cycle. The operating methodology and control logic can extend an engine speed range for multi-shot fuel injection in an engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Marrack, Daniel Reese Puckett, Mitchell B. Juchems
  • Patent number: 10041432
    Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed for use with an engine. The fuel system may have a plurality of fuel injectors, a common rail fluidly, a pump, and an outlet valve associated with the pump. The fuel system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to detect a zero-fueling condition, to determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating, and to determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating. The electronic control module may also be configured to selectively generate a diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve based on the first and second pressure decay rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reese Puckett, Bradley Scott Bashore, Michael Edward Sattler, Michael Scott Marchionda, Sasidhar Rayasam, Kranti Kumar Nellutla
  • Publication number: 20180195458
    Abstract: A fuel system is disclosed for use with an engine. The fuel system may have a plurality of fuel injectors, a common rail fluidly, a pump, and an outlet valve associated with the pump. The fuel system may also have a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure of fuel in the common rail, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module may be configured to detect a zero-fueling condition, to determine a first pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition while the pump is rotating, and to determine a second pressure decay rate of the common rail during the zero-fueling condition after the pump has stopped rotating. The electronic control module may also be configured to selectively generate a diagnostic flag associated with wear of the outlet valve based on the first and second pressure decay rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reese PUCKETT, Bradley Scott BASHORE, Michael Edward SATTLER, Michael Scott MARCHIONDA, Sasidhar RAYASAM, Kranti Kumar NELLUTLA
  • Patent number: 9394848
    Abstract: Fuel is injected by energizing a solenoid of a fuel injector for an on-time that terminates at a first end-of-current timing. An end-of-current trim is determined at least in part by estimating a duration between an induced current event in a circuit of the solenoid and a valve/armature interaction event. An induced current event occurs when an armature abruptly stops, and a valve/armature interaction event occurs when the armature couples with or de-couples from the valve member. Fuel is injected in a subsequent injection event by adjusting the end-of-current timing by the end-of-current trim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reese Puckett, Bryan Moore, Michael Edward Sattler, Prasanna Mohan Ballal, Bradley Scott Bashore, Kranti Kumar Nellutla
  • Patent number: 9228574
    Abstract: A cryogenic hydraulic reciprocating piston pump includes a casing which defines a piston chamber. The sidewall of the piston chamber includes a retraction spill port as well as a pumping spill port. At the end of a retraction stroke, a retraction spill passageway that extends through the piston becomes aligned with the retraction spill port and fluid is communicated from the pressurized side of the piston to the unpressurized side of the piston to stop the retraction stroke before the piston “bottoms out”. Similarly, at the end of a pumping stroke, a pumping spill passageway that extends through the piston becomes aligned with the pumping spill port which provides communication between the pressurized side of the piston and the unpressurized side of the piston thereby stopping movement of the piston before it “bottoms out”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Reese Puckett
  • Patent number: 9091240
    Abstract: A system, related method and computer program product are disclosed for controlling fuel mass of CNG received by an engine. The system may comprise a heat exchanger configured to receive CLNG and supply coolant and to output CNG and return coolant, an injector configured to inject CNG into the engine, a gas line between the injector and heat exchanger, a control valve configured to receive return coolant from the heat exchanger and to change the amount of return coolant flowing through control valve, and a controller connected to the control valve. The gas line may be configured to carry CNG from the heat exchanger to the injector. The controller may be configured to maintain a Gas Line Temperature within an operating range by adjusting the amount of return coolant flowing through the control valve based, at least in part, on the Gas Line Temperature and a Target Return Coolant Temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel Reese Puckett, Cory A. Brown, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Paul Joseph Desiderio
  • Publication number: 20150198110
    Abstract: Fuel is injected by energizing a solenoid of a fuel injector for an on-time that terminates at a first end-of-current timing. An end-of-current trim is determined at least in part by estimating a duration between an induced current event in a circuit of the solenoid and a valve/armature interaction event. An induced current event occurs when an armature abruptly stops, and a valve/armature interaction event occurs when the armature couples with or de-couples from the valve member. Fuel is injected in a subsequent injection event by adjusting the end-of-current timing by the end-of-current trim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Reese Puckett, Bryan Moore, Michael Edward Sattler, Prasanna Mohan Ballal, Bradley Scott Bashore, Kranti Kumar Nellutla
  • Patent number: 9064401
    Abstract: A method of detecting leakage of a fluid from a tank is disclosed. The method may include determining cumulative commanded fluid consumption of the fluid in the tank over a selected time period, determining an actual change of a volume of the fluid in the tank over the selected time period, and comparing the cumulative commanded fluid consumption to the actual change of volume of the fluid. The method may further include producing a leak warning upon the actual change of volume of the fluid over the selected time period exceeding the cumulative commanded fluid consumption over the selected time period plus a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel Reese Puckett
  • Patent number: 9032788
    Abstract: A common rail fuel system diagnostic algorithm is executed by an engine control and real time to detect and identify a faulty fuel system component. Rail pressure data is processed through a digital resonating filter having a resonance frequency corresponding to a fault signature. A peak magnitude and phase of the output from the digital resonating filter reveals a degradation level of a fuel injector, and a phase of the output identifies which fuel injector is faulted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nandagopal Methil-Sudhakaran, Daniel Reese Puckett, Frank Lombardi
  • Publication number: 20140333444
    Abstract: A method of detecting leakage of a fluid from a tank is disclosed. The method may include determining cumulative commanded fluid consumption of the fluid in the tank over a selected time period, determining an actual change of a volume of the fluid in the tank over the selected time period, and comparing the cumulative commanded fluid consumption to the actual change of volume of the fluid. The method may further include producing a leak warning upon the actual change of volume of the fluid over the selected time period exceeding the cumulative commanded fluid consumption over the selected time period plus a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: STEVEN THOMAS GRANT, FRANK LOMBARDI, DANIEL REESE PUCKETT
  • Publication number: 20140238353
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting leakage of a liquid fuel into a gas fuel rail of a dual-fuel system for an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The methods and systems include sending an injection signal from a controller to a fuel injector and subsequently injecting gas fuel and liquid fuel into a cylinder for combustion. A pressure in the gas rail detects the pressure in the gas rail over a pre-determined time period after the injection event. A controller measures pressure fluctuations in the gas rail over a pre-determined time period after the injection event. If the pressure in the gas rail fluctuates by more than the pre-determined amount, the controller is programmed to take at least one mitigating action to prevent or limit damage to the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Cory A. Brown, Michael A. Brown, Steven Thomas Grant, Daniel Reese Puckett, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140241913
    Abstract: A cryogenic hydraulic reciprocating piston pump includes a casing which defines a piston chamber. The sidewall of the piston chamber includes a retraction spill port as well as a pumping spill port. At the end of a retraction stroke, a retraction spill passageway that extends through the piston becomes aligned with the retraction spill port and fluid is communicated from the pressurized side of the piston to the unpressurized side of the piston to stop the retraction stroke before the piston “bottoms out”. Similarly, at the end of a pumping stroke, a pumping spill passageway that extends through the piston becomes aligned with the pumping spill port which provides communication between the pressurized side of the piston and the unpressurized side of the piston thereby stopping movement of the piston before it “bottoms out”.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Daniel Reese Puckett
  • Publication number: 20140202429
    Abstract: A system, related method and computer program product are disclosed for controlling fuel mass of CNG received by an engine. The system may comprise a heat exchanger configured to receive CLNG and supply coolant and to output CNG and return coolant, an injector configured to inject CNG into the engine, a gas line between the injector and heat exchanger, a control valve configured to receive return coolant from the heat exchanger and to change the amount of return coolant flowing through control valve, and a controller connected to the control valve. The gas line may be configured to carry CNG from the heat exchanger to the injector. The controller may be configured to maintain a Gas Line Temperature within an operating range by adjusting the amount of return coolant flowing through the control valve based, at least in part, on the Gas Line Temperature and a Target Return Coolant Temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Steven Thomas Grant, Frank Lombardi, Daniel Reese Puckett, Cory A. Brown, Joshua Wayne Steffen, Paul Joseph Desiderio
  • Publication number: 20130275026
    Abstract: A common rail fuel system diagnostic algorithm is executed by an engine control and real time to detect and identify a faulty fuel system component. Rail pressure data is processed through a digital resonating filter having a resonance frequency corresponding to a fault signature. A peak magnitude and phase of the output from the digital resonating filter reveals a degradation level of a fuel injector, and a phase of the output identifies which fuel injector is faulted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nandagopal Methil-Sudhakaran, Daniel Reese Puckett, Frank Lombardi