Patents by Inventor Mark J. Hilbert

Mark J. Hilbert 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: 7454298
    Abstract: A method of identifying an electrical fault in an electrical system may include coupling an electronic service tool to an electronic control module. The method may also include instructing the electronic control module to disable an enable condition and modify a trip condition set by the electronic control module. The method may further include monitoring the electrical system as a user wiggles a component of the electrical system. The method may further include providing the electronic control module with electrical system data, and generating a fault code when the electrical system data fulfills the modified trip condition. The method may further include communicating the fault code to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Roal, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Publication number: 20080059087
    Abstract: A method of identifying an electrical fault in an electrical system may include coupling an electronic service tool to an electronic control module. The method may also include instructing the electronic control module to disable an enable condition and modify a trip condition set by the electronic control module. The method may further include monitoring the electrical system as a user wiggles a component of the electrical system. The method may further include providing the electronic control module with electrical system data, and generating a fault code when the electrical system data fulfills the modified trip condition. The method may further include communicating the fault code to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: James A. Roal, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 7295098
    Abstract: Methods and systems may provide theft protection in one or more work machines. Methods and systems may control one or more operational systems and may provide and manage varying levels of access to work machines. Methods and systems may react to override attempts in order to provide robust theft protection. One or more control modules embedded in a work machine may be leveraged to perform theft protection services. Methods and systems may activate a first control module to restrict access to a first operational system in a work machine and activate a second control module to restrict access to a second operational system in the work machine. The first control module may detect a substitution of a new control module for the second control module and automatically configure the new control module to restrict access to the second operational system in the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Edward H. Betts, Jr., Timothy Alan Booth, Roy C. Fonseca, Mark J. Hilbert, Daniel Douglas Swords, Nathan Ralph Taylor, David L. Zwetz
  • Patent number: 6999868
    Abstract: Having the ability to quickly and easily test whether a variable valve mechanism is operating properly can avoid unnecessary down time and the expense associated with potentially replacing a good component on an internal combustion engine. A test can include inducing a misfire in a cylinder of the engine at least in part by commanding a change to a state of a variable valve mechanism at a predetermined timing. For instance, in the case of a diesel engine, a variable valve mechanism can be tested by closing an intake valve late so as to reduce a cylinder compression ratio to a point that autoignition of fuel does not occur, resulting in a misfire. If a misfire is detected, either audibly by a person or possibly electronically via a sensor, then proper activation of the variable valve mechanism is confirmed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Funke, Jason K. Bloms, Troy A. Parker, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 6859696
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring communications in a machine including electronic control module (ECM) components connected via datalinks. A message is received on a datalink. The source address of the received message is determined. The received message is added to an address list based on the source address, and the address list is evaluated to determine the status of a datalink associated with each ECM component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Marc Schade, James W. Landes, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Publication number: 20030125852
    Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring communications in a machine including electronic control module (ECM) components connected via datalinks. A message is received on a datalink. The source address of the received message is determined. The received message is added to an address list based on the source address, and the address list is evaluated to determine the status of a datalink associated with each ECM component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Schade, James W. Landes, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 5564391
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sampling the pressure of a hydraulic actuator fluid used in connection with an electronically controlled hydraulic actuator unit injector fuel system is disclosed. The apparatus and method eliminates aliasing and other sampling errors caused by oscillations in the hydraulic actuator fluid pressure. The apparatus and method senses an engine parameter to permit an electronic controller to calculate an injection time and duration for fuel to be delivered to a particular cylinder. The electronic controller issues a driver signal to a hydraulically actuated unit fuel injector. A hydraulic actuator fluid pressure sensor is associated with the pressurized hydraulic actuator fluid. The electronic controller samples the hydraulic actuator fluid pressure sensor in dependence on the issuance of the driver signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Mark E. Rettig, Mark J. Hilbert
  • Patent number: 5480364
    Abstract: An elevated idle speed control is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine on a vehicle. The control includes an electronic controller connected to a brake pedal sensor, a clutch pedal sensor, an engine speed determining means, a vehicle speed determining means, and a high idle mode selection means. The control permits a vehicle operator to select a desired high idle speed within a default high idle speed and a maximum high idle speed. The control permits the operator to select a high idle mode as a function of signals from said brake pedal sensor, said clutch pedal sensor, the engine speed determining means, the vehicle speed determining means and the high idle mode selection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Hilbert, Prasad V. Parupalli, Mark E. Rettig