Patents by Inventor Gregory L. Armstrong

Gregory L. Armstrong 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: 11415070
    Abstract: A method for identifying a fuel injector characteristic may include generating a signal to supply electrical current to the fuel injector, and monitoring the electrical current supplied to the fuel injector. The method may also include identifying the characteristic of the fuel injector based on the electrical current, the characteristic including a type of fuel injector, and performing a corrective action based on the type of fuel injector which was identified based on the electrical current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Puckett, Michael E. Sattler, Dustin K. Fee, Gregory L. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20220163006
    Abstract: A method for identifying a fuel injector characteristic may include generating a signal to supply electrical current to the fuel injector, and monitoring the electrical current supplied to the fuel injector. The method may also include identifying the characteristic of the fuel injector based on the electrical current, the characteristic including a type of fuel injector, and performing a corrective action based on the type of fuel injector which was identified based on the electrical current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Puckett, Michael E. Sattler, Dustin K. Fee, Gregory L. Armstrong
  • Patent number: 11268474
    Abstract: A method of bank to bank trimming for a locomotive engine during steady state operation comprises receiving a plurality of operating parameter signals, receiving a fuel quantity signal for each of a standard cylinder bank and a donor cylinder bank, providing a trim map, determining whether the engine is operating in a steady state condition based on the plurality of operating parameter signals, determining a target fuel injection duration for each of the standard cylinder bank and the donor cylinder bank if the engine is operating in a steady state condition, and adjusting an actual fuel injection duration to equal the target fuel injection duration for the standard cylinder bank and the donor cylinder bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Reddy Pocha Siva Sankara, Gregory L. Armstrong, Raji Rexavier, Michael B. Goetzke
  • Patent number: 11230990
    Abstract: A fuel injection method includes applying a first method current to close a spill valve according to a first method, applying a control valve current to open a control valve, and discontinuing the application of the control valve current to thereby cause the control valve to close. The method also includes applying a second method current to maintain the spill valve closed according to a second method and detecting a timing of a closing of the control valve while applying the second method current according to the second method, the second method being different than the first method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Puckett, Kranti K. Nellutla, Gregory L. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20210348578
    Abstract: A method of bank to bank trimming for a locomotive engine during steady state operation comprises receiving a plurality of operating parameter signals, receiving a fuel quantity signal for each of a standard cylinder bank and a donor cylinder bank, providing a trim map, determining whether the engine is operating in a steady state condition based on the plurality of operating parameter signals, determining a target fuel injection duration for each of the standard cylinder bank and the donor cylinder bank if the engine is operating in a steady state condition, and adjusting an actual fuel injection duration to equal the target fuel injection duration for the standard cylinder bank and the donor cylinder bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Applicant: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Reddy Pocha Siva SANKARA, Gregory L. Armstrong, Raji Rexavier, Michael B. Goetzke
  • Publication number: 20210140386
    Abstract: A fuel injection method includes applying a first method current to close a spill valve according to a first method, applying a control valve current to open a control valve, and discontinuing the application of the control valve current to thereby cause the control valve to close. The method also includes applying a second method current to maintain the spill valve closed according to a second method and detecting a timing of a closing of the control valve while applying the second method current according to the second method, the second method being different than the first method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. PUCKETT, Kranti K. NELLUTLA, Gregory L. ARMSTRONG
  • Patent number: 8849548
    Abstract: An engine system includes an exhaust system fluidly connected to an electronically controlled engine. Exhaust from the engine may travel a first pathway through a turbine of a turbocharger, or a second pathway that bypasses the turbine. An electronically controlled wastegate vale is biased to close the second pathway. An electronic controller is in communication with the electronically controlled engine and the electronically controlled wastegate valve. The electronic controller is configured to execute a wastegate diagnostic algorithm to detect a stuck closed default condition of the electronically controlled wastegate valve, and derate the engine in response to detection of a stuck closed fault condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Conrad Luft, Daniel Streutker, Rammohan Sankar, Travis Eugene Barnes, Gregory L. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20130131953
    Abstract: An engine system includes an exhaust system fluidly connected to an electronically controlled engine. Exhaust from the engine may travel a first pathway through a turbine of a turbocharger, or a second pathway that bypasses the turbine. An electronically controlled wastegate vale is biased to close the second pathway. An electronic controller is in communication with the electronically controlled engine and the electronically controlled wastegate valve. The electronic controller is configured to execute a wastegate diagnostic algorithm to detect a stuck closed default condition of the electronically controlled wastegate valve, and derate the engine in response to detection of a stuck closed fault condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Conrad Luft, Daniel Streutker, Rammohan Sankar, Travis Eugene Barnes, Gregory L. Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20100147258
    Abstract: A control system for an engine having a plurality of combustion chambers is disclosed. The control system may have a plurality of fuel injectors associated with the plurality of combustion chambers, and a controller in communication with each of the plurality of fuel injectors. The controller may be configured to determine a need to inhibit fueling of a subset of the plurality of combustion chambers. The controller may also be configured to selectively regulate the plurality of fuel injectors to inhibit fueling of a fraction of the subset at a time until fueling of all of the subset has been inhibited.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Michael W. Edwards, James W. Harris, Matthew J. Miller, Chad G. Beasey, Brian E. Layton, Gregory L. Armstrong