Patents by Inventor Scott E. Nicholson

Scott E. Nicholson 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: 7080705
    Abstract: An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James W. Landes, Scott E. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6860351
    Abstract: An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James W. Landes, Scott E. Nicholson
  • Publication number: 20030070853
    Abstract: An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: James W. Landes, Scott E. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6272859
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlling a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) in closed loop and open loop modes, and a switching mechanism for determining whether open loop or closed loop control laws should be used. In the closed loop mode, a correction factor, obtained from a pressure correction map based on engine speed and atmospheric pressure, is subtracted from the desired boost pressure to prevent overspeed of the turbocharger at lower atmospheric pressures. The actual boost pressure is then compared to the desired boost pressure after correction to obtain a boost pressure error signal. The boost pressure error signal is used as an input to a proportional integral differential control law that responsively produces a desired VGT vane position. A minimum limit on the desired VGT vane position is based on engine speed and fuel quantity, whereas a maximum allowable vane position may be a predetermined constant or function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Gerald N. Coleman, Michael S. Lukich, Scott E. Nicholson, Paul M. Young
  • Patent number: 6112729
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlling exhaust gas recirculation in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes an exhaust gas recirculation controller that uses sensed engine operating parameters and the engine operational mode to determine whether to enable or disable the exhaust gas recirculation valve. When the valve is enabled, a closed-loop controller determines the desired amount of exhaust gas to recirculate and the corresponding position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve to introduce the desired amount of exhaust gas into the engine's air intake manifold. The desired valve position is converted to a current signal which is transmitted to an actuator to move the valve. When the valve is disabled, the current signal is set to a value to close the valve to prevent exhaust gas from being circulated in the engine's air intake manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Michael S. Lukich, Scott E. Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6092504
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for controlling the fuel rate to an engine using the throttle position, and for controlling the speed of the engine using decision logic to choose the best alternative among candidate fuel levels. A minimum speed governor determines a minimum fuel level at a predetermined low idle engine speed, a maximum speed governor determines a maximum fuel level at a predetermined high idle engine speed, and at least one fuel rate map is used to determine fuel level based on various engine operating parameters. Each governor outputs a fuel quantity signal based on the difference between the corresponding desired engine speed and the actual engine speed. The fuel rate map may be a multi-dimensional data table that provides fuel quantity signals to optimize engine performance based on the throttle position, engine speed, boost pressure, and other engine operating states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Michael S. Lukich, Scott E. Nicholson