Abstract: A system associated with an implement of a machine is provided. The system includes a plane determination module configured to determine a track plane based on a relationship between at least two tracks of the machine. The system also includes an implement control module. The implement control module is configured to compute a location of two or more blade tip points of the implement of the machine in three dimensional space based on at least one constraint of a geometry of the implement. The implement control module is also configured to determine a blade tip point plane based on a relationship between at least two blade tip points of the implement. The implement control module is further configured to compare the blade tip point plane with the track plane and determine if the blade tip point plane is parallel to the track plane based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system associated with an implement of a machine is provided. The system includes a plane determination module configured to determine a track plane based on a relationship between at least two tracks of the machine. The system also includes an implement control module. The implement control module is configured to compute a location of two or more blade tip points of the implement of the machine in three dimensional space based on at least one constraint of a geometry of the implement. The implement control module is also configured to determine a blade tip point plane based on a relationship between at least two blade tip points of the implement. The implement control module is further configured to compare the blade tip point plane with the track plane and determine if the blade tip point plane is parallel to the track plane based on the comparison.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for a machine implement is provided. The adaptive control system includes a machine implement of a machine and an adaptive controller operatively coupled to the machine implement. The adaptive controller includes a processor configured to receive a position of the machine implement relative to a terrain from at least one position detection system, receive data regarding operating conditions of the terrain, compare the position with a target position stored in a memory, compare the data regarding the operating conditions with data stored in a reference model of the terrain stored in the memory, and adjust the position of the machine implement based upon the comparisons and based upon an updated reference model of the operating conditions of the terrain.

Abstract: An adaptive control system for a machine implement is provided. The adaptive control system includes a machine implement of a machine and an adaptive controller operatively coupled to the machine implement. The adaptive controller includes a processor configured to receive a position of the machine implement relative to a terrain from at least one position detection system, receive data regarding operating conditions of the terrain, compare the position with a target position stored in a memory, compare the data regarding the operating conditions with data stored in a reference model of the terrain stored in the memory, and adjust the position of the machine implement based upon the comparisons and based upon an updated reference model of the operating conditions of the terrain.

Abstract: A method of estimating an injection delay of a fuel injector. A baseline injection delay curve representing an injection delay for a predetermined type of fuel injector is established for a range of rail pressures. At least one test rail pressure for the predetermined type of fuel injector is identified based on the baseline injection delay curve. An injection delay of a selected fuel injector of the predetermined type is measured at the at least one test rail pressure. The injection delay of the selected fuel injector is estimated based on the baseline injection delay curve and the measured injection delay of the selected fuel injector at the identified test rail pressure.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for estimating the mass flow of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine via an EGR conduit disposed therebetween and a fraction of EGR attributable to a mass of charge flow entering the intake manifold. An engine controller is responsive to current values of various combinations of the engine exhaust temperature (ETE), intake manifold pressure (IMP), differential pressure (?P) across an EGR valve, and EGR valve position (EGRP) to determine an estimate of EGR mass flow. The controller is further operable to estimate EGR fraction as a function of the estimated EGR mass flow value, mass flow of charge entering the intake manifold, and engine speed.

Abstract: A method of estimating a performance characteristic of a fuel injector is provided. A baseline performance curve for a predetermined type of fuel injector is established. At least one test point for the predetermined type of fuel injector is identified based on the baseline performance curve. A performance characteristic of a selected fuel injector of the predetermined type is measured at the at least one identified test point. A performance characteristic of the selected fuel injector is estimated based on the baseline performance curve and the measured performance characteristics of the selected fuel injector at the identified test point.

Abstract: A method of estimating an injection delay of a fuel injector. A baseline injection delay curve representing an injection delay for a predetermined type of fuel injector is established for a range of rail pressures. At least one test rail pressure for the predetermined type of fuel injector is identified based on the baseline injection delay curve. An injection delay of a selected fuel injector of the predetermined type is measured at the at least one test rail pressure. The injection delay of the selected fuel injector is estimated based on the baseline injection delay curve and the measured injection delay of the selected fuel injector at the identified test rail pressure.

Abstract: A method of estimating a performance characteristic of a fuel injector is provided. A baseline performance curve for a predetermined type of fuel injector is established. At least one test point for the predetermined type of fuel injector is identified based on the baseline performance curve. A performance characteristic of a selected fuel injector of the predetermined type is measured at the at least one identified test point. A performance characteristic of the selected fuel injector is estimated based on the baseline performance curve and the measured performance characteristics of the selected fuel injector at the identified test point.

Abstract: A system is provided for estimating engine exhaust temperature in accordance with an exhaust temperature model based on a number of engine operating parameters. In one embodiment, the engine exhaust temperature model is based on current values of engine speed, intake manifold temperature, mass charge flow, default fuel command parameters, and a first set of model constants. In an alternative embodiment, the engine exhaust temperature model is based on current values of engine speed, intake manifold temperature, intake manifold pressure, mass charge flow, default fueling parameters, and a second set of model constants including a lower heating value of fuel constant.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing fault conditions associated with an air handling system for an internal combustion engine includes an air handling control mechanism responsive to a mechanism command to control fluid flow through an air handling system of an internal combustion engine. An engine controller is configured to compute predicted responses of a number of engine operating parameters each as a different function of the mechanism command, and to compute a corresponding number of correlation coefficients each as a function of one of the engine operating parameter signals and a corresponding one of the predicted responses. The controller is operable to diagnose a fault associated with the air handling control mechanism if at least some of the correlation coefficients are below a first threshold, and to diagnose a properly functioning air handling control mechanism if at least some of the correlation coefficients are above a second threshold.

Abstract: A system for diagnosing fault conditions associated with an air handling system for an internal combustion engine includes an air handling control mechanism responsive to a mechanism command to control fluid flow through an air handling system of an internal combustion engine. An engine controller is configured to compute predicted responses of a number of engine operating parameters each as a different function of the mechanism command, and to compute a corresponding number of correlation coefficients each as a function of one of the engine operating parameter signals and a corresponding one of the predicted responses. The controller is operable to diagnose a fault associated with the air handling control mechanism if at least some of the correlation coefficients are below a first threshold, and to diagnose a properly functioning air handling control mechanism if at least some of the correlation coefficients are above a second threshold.

Abstract: A system is provided for estimating engine exhaust temperature in accordance with an exhaust temperature model based on a number of engine operating parameters. In one embodiment, the engine exhaust temperature model is based on current values of engine speed, intake manifold temperature, mass charge flow, default fuel command parameters, and a first set of model constants. In an alternative embodiment, the engine exhaust temperature model is based on current values of engine speed, intake manifold temperature, intake manifold pressure, mass charge flow, default fueling parameters, and a second set of model constants including a lower heating value of fuel constant.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for estimating the mass flow of recirculated exhaust gas (EGR) from an exhaust manifold to an intake manifold of an internal combustion engine via an EGR conduit disposed therebetween and a fraction of EGR attributable to a mass of charge flow entering the intake manifold. An engine controller is responsive to current values of various combinations of the engine exhaust temperature (ETE), intake manifold pressure (IMP), differential pressure (&Dgr;P) across an EGR valve, and EGR valve position (EGRP) to determine an estimate of EGR mass flow. The controller is further operable to estimate EGR fraction as a function of the estimated EGR mass flow value, mass flow of charge entering the intake manifold, and engine speed.

Abstract: A configurable vehicle monitoring device is disclosed that provides two discrete levels of access to configuration routines. In the first level, the owner/operator can configure the unit at a full access configuration level. At the second configuration level, the driver accesses a limited configuration capability to configure certain non-critical operating features. The configurable vehicle monitoring device gathers data from an engine controller over a standard public domain defined data link. The data is analyzed and vehicle operation data is produced including miles per gallon, fuel consumed, trip time, idle time, fuel consumed during idle versus fuel consumed during driving and other pertinent information relevant to fleet or vehicle operation. An electronic audit trail and data regarding power losses provide an indication of device tampering.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates an electronically controlled fuel pump in which a bypass valve regulates its output pressure to a predetermined level above a control pressure. A downstream throttling valve re-regulates the pressure to a predetermined level below a control pressure. The control pressure is established by an electro-hydraulic valve which is, in turn, fed with signals with a microprocessor to provide appropriate control. The use of the control pressure in effect causes a servo action and utilizes the pressure of the fuel to manipulate the valve and minimize the power requirement of the electro-hydraulic valve.

Abstract: An add-on feedback control unit is connected to an existing mechanical governor for a turbocharged engine to control fuel flow to the engine in response to engine load and thereby maintain an adjustable low speed droop for the engine. The preload on the governor control spring is determined by a movable stop, the position of which is controlled by a pivotally mounted reset lever. A control arm is connected to the reset lever at a selected position relative to the pivotal axis of the latter. The control unit includes a housing having an interior chamber separated into first and second subchambers by a diaphragm disposed therein. One side of the diaphragm is subjected to the turbocharger boost air pressure of the engine. The control arm includes a shaft connected to the opposite side of the diaphragm and having an outwardly projecting end portion connected to the reset lever at the selected position to provide feedback in response to engine load.