Patents by Inventor James B. Maddock
James B. Maddock 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).
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Patent number: 6843755Abstract: An exemplary power management system may include a power source and a transmission. The transmission may include a drive member and at least two shift ranges. The drive member may be driveably engaged with the power source. The power management system may also include a control system in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system may be operative to cause a shift transition between the at least two shift ranges in response to a shift command. The control system may also be operative, during at least a portion of the shift transition, to modify at least one of a speed of the drive member and a speed of the power source based on at least one of a load condition of the power source, a speed of the power source, and the at least two shift ranges.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2003Date of Patent: January 18, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Gareth John Estebanez, David Langsford Collins, Brian Eugene Lister, James B. Maddock, Larry Ellis Kendrick, Robert Urban Murray, Kevin Adam Vernagus, Timothy Alan Lorentz, Satish Yadav, Sridhar Deivasigamani
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Publication number: 20030186780Abstract: An exemplary power management system may include a power source and a transmission. The transmission may include a drive member and at least two shift ranges. The drive member may be driveably engaged with the power source. The power management system may also include a control system in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system may be operative to cause a shift transition between the at least two shift ranges in response to a shift command. The control system may also be operative, during at least a portion of the shift transition, to modify at least one of a speed of the drive member and a speed of the power source based on at least one of a load condition of the power source, a speed of the power source, and the at least two shift ranges.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: Gareth John Estebanez, David Langsford Collins, Brian Eugene Lister, James B. Maddock, Larry Ellis Kendrick, Robert Urban Murray, Kevin Adam Vernagus, Timothy Alan Lorentz, Satish Yadav, Sridhar Deivasigamani
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Patent number: 6609372Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for controlling the exhaust temperature of an engine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of sensing the exhaust temperature of the engine, determining a desired air pressure in response to the exhaust temperature, and controlling the air flow into the engine in response to the desired air pressure. The apparatus includes an air temperature sensor for sensing an actual exhaust temperature within the exhaust manifold and responsively generating an exhaust temperature signal. The apparatus also includes a controller for receiving the exhaust temperature signal and comparing the exhaust temperature signal to a desired exhaust port temperature, determining a desired air pressure in response to the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar INCInventors: James B. Maddock, Fred Mehdian, David Tran
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Patent number: 6345602Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the speed of an engine. The engine has an associated turbo charger and a throttle. The method includes the steps of determining a load characteristic of the engine, determining a change in said load characteristic, and controlling the engine in response to said load change.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 1999Date of Patent: February 12, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James B. Maddock, Fred Mehdian, Anthony E. Sloan, Rodrigo L. Sanchez, Darryl D. Baldwin
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Publication number: 20010047656Abstract: The present invention includes a method and apparatus for controlling the exhaust temperature of an engine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of sensing the exhaust temperature of the engine, determining a desired air pressure in response to the exhaust temperature, and controlling the air flow into the engine in response to the desired air pressure. The apparatus includes an air temperature sensor for sensing an actual exhaust temperature within the exhaust manifold and responsively generating an exhaust temperature signal. The apparatus also includes a controlling means for receiving the exhaust temperature signal and comparing the exhaust temperature signal to a desired exhaust port temperature, determining a desired air pressure in response to said comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 1998Publication date: December 6, 2001Inventors: JAMES B. MADDOCK, FRED (NMI) MEHDIAN, DAVID (NMI) TRAN
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Patent number: 6196189Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the speed of an engine. The engine has an associated turbo charger and a throttle. The method includes the steps of determining an actual speed of the engine, establishing a desired speed of the engine, determining an overspeed condition exists in response to said desired speed and said actual speed, and determining a throttle command in response to the desired and actual engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Darryl D. Baldwin, James B. Maddock, Fred Mehdian, Anthony E. Sloan
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Patent number: 6098008Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 1997Date of Patent: August 1, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Lukich, James B. Maddock
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Patent number: 6073592Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for controlling one or more engines by synchronizing the functions of two or more electronic control modules includes a master electronic control module, one or more slave electronic control modules, and one or more data links for transferring data between the electronic control modules. Engine control and monitoring functions are divided between the master electronic control module and the slave electronic control modules. The present invention may be used to control and monitor dual fuel engines and engines that operate on one type of fuel. The master electronic control module may transition operation of the engine to the diesel fuel only mode in the event of a failure of any dual fuel mode specific components. The master ECM coordinates timing and speed of fuel injection to engine cylinders using input from an adjustable engine speed command device and a speed sensor connected to each engine.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 1998Date of Patent: June 13, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott C. Brown, Raymond G. Evans, James B. Maddock, Shawn J. Weck
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Patent number: 6055811Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 1998Date of Patent: May 2, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: James B. Maddock, Fred Mehdian, David Tran
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Patent number: 6021755Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 1998Date of Patent: February 8, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James B. Maddock, Fred Mehdian, Rodrigo L. Sanchez
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Patent number: 6012289Abstract: A method for controlling an engine turbocharger having a wastegate control valve is provided where the turbocharger is controlled by an electronic controller which is capable of delivering a wastegate control signal to the wastegate control valve. A determination is made as to whether an engine speed falls within a predetermined speed range defined by a first predetermined speed and a second predetermined speed, where the second predetermined speed is higher than the first predetermined speed. A predetermined initializing wastegate control signal may be delivered to the wastegate control valve in response to the engine speed falling within the predetermined speed range. A determination is made as to whether an engine speed exceeds the second predetermined speed, and a determination is made as to whether an engine load falls within a predetermined load range defined by a first predetermined load and a second predetermined load, where the second predetermined load is greater than the first predetermined load.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1997Date of Patent: January 11, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mitchel R. Deckard, David L. Frohberg, Phillip J. Houtz, Charles J. Kocian, Kevin A. Lantz, James B. Maddock, Gregg W. Uhland
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Patent number: 5492099Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing the failure of hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector in a combustion engine is disclosed. An electronic controller senses the pressure of the hydraulic actuator fluid prior to injection and samples the pressure throughout a subsequent injection cycle. If the samples show an oscillation in the pressure of the hydraulic actuator fluid, then the injector has fired. Otherwise, the injector has failed.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 1995Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: James B. Maddock
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Patent number: 5041980Abstract: Dynamic engine diagnostic devices are useful for detecting engine faults such as a misfiring cylinder during normal engine operation. Identification of the particular cylinder having the fault enables repairs to be made more efficiently. In the subject application, an apparatus is provided for detecting malfunctions in individual cylinders of an internal combustion engine having a rotating member driven by a plurality of cylinders. The apparatus includes a sensor for measuring the time between successive angular positions as the member rotates through at least one engine cycle and producing a plurality of period signals responsive respectively to the measured time intervals. Each engine cylinder has an equal number of the angular positions associated therewith, and the member makes one rotation per engine cycle. A deviation circuit receives the period signals and produces a deviation signal for each engine cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1990Date of Patent: August 20, 1991Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James B. Maddock, Bradley W. Harrell