Abstract: The present invention provides an adaptive fill control for controlling the amount of liquid added in one or more liquid fill periods in a dishwasher cycle. The amount of liquid added in a liquid fill cycle is adjusted by activating the dishwasher drain pump while continuing to operate the dishwasher circulation pump. The accumulated time from the start of the drain pump operation until the circulation pump experiences a liquid starvation episode is compared to a predetermined optimum time period for the circulation pump to experience liquid starvation. The sign and difference between to accumulated time period and optimum time period is used to adjust the amount liquid added in the next liquid fill period. A number of sensors for detecting a circulation pump liquid starvation episode are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for operating a fuel injection device. A single fuel shot is delivered when rack is less than a first predetermined threshold. A first fuel shot and a second fuel shot is delivered when rack is above the first predetermined threshold and below a second predetermined threshold. A single fuel shot is delivered when rack is above a third predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a desired charge density for an engine having an inlet air pathway. A first characteristic indicative of an engine speed of the engine is determined. A second characteristic indicative of a load on the engine is determined. A third characteristic indicative of a humidity of air in the inlet air pathway. A value indicative of a desired charge density of a combustion mixture for the engine is determined as a function of the first, second, and third characteristics.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling the temperature induced deformation of a piezoelectric device. A piezoelectric device receives an activation signal and displaces in a first direction for a first predetermined distance as a function of the activation signal. The piezoelectric device also displaces in a second direction as a function of a change in temperature of the piezoelectric device. A stop is located a second predetermined distance from the piezoelectric device. The stop prevents the displacement of the piezoelectric device in the second direction beyond a third predetermined distance. A charge redistributing device is coupled with the piezoelectric device. The charge redistributing device redistributes charge on the piezoelectric device due to the temperature change to relieve internal electric fields of the piezoelectric device due to temperature induced deformation of the piezoelectric device.

Abstract: The present invention is configured to maintain a desired emissions level of an engine having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold, and an exhaust stack is disclosed. The method includes the steps of establishing a desired emissions level, establishing an engine speed, establishing an engine load, establishing at least one characteristic of one of an intake air and an exhaust gas, and determining a fuel command in response to the engine speed, the engine load, and the desired emissions level, the fuel command resulting in the engine maintaining the desired emissions level.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the pressure of an actuating fluid flowing through an inching clutch. The invention includes the steps of determining an actual pressure of the actuating fluid, establishing an inching pressure threshold, comparing the actual pressure with the threshold, and controlling the actual pressure in response to the comparison. In one embodiment, the pressure is controlled using a first control algorithm in response to the fluid pressure being less than an inching threshold, and using a second control algorithm in response to the pressure being greater than or equal to the inching threshold.

Abstract: A engine controller includes a connector having pins that provide an electrical connection between devices external to the controller and internal electrical components. The programming tool is used to program the controller to assign particular pins to transmit or receive certain signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a linear position of a moveable member having a code disposed thereupon. The code includes a succession of data fields having at least n characters and including a frame-synch symbol at predetermined intervals in the code. A sensor reads the code on a predetermined portion of the moveable member. The predetermined portion of the member includes code having at least one frame-synch symbol and n characters. The sensor transmits a data signal as a function of the read code. A processing device is coupled with the sensor to receive the data signal. The processing device transmits a position signal as a function of the data signal, with the position signal being indicative of the linear position of the moveable member.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for configuring an input device. The input device includes a first housing, and a moveable member disposed within the first housing and extending a predetermined distance from the housing. A shaft is disposed in part within the first housing and is coupled with the moveable member. The shaft has a first portion extending a distance from the first housing, and the shaft moves as a function of movement of the moveable member. An interchangeable performance pack is coupled with the first housing and with the first portion of the shaft. The interchangeable performance pack includes a second housing and exerts one of several influences on the shaft.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining a mass of a payload in a work machine. The work machine has a chassis, a cab coupled with the chassis, and a boom coupled with the cab. A first actuator is coupled with the boom and the cab and moves the boom relative to the cab. The work machine has a stick coupled with the boom, and a second actuator coupled with the stick and the boom that moves the stick relative to the boom. The work machine also has a bucket operable to receive the payload. The bucket is coupled with the stick, and a third actuator is coupled with the bucket and the stick and moves the bucket relative to the stick. A first joint angle of the boom relative to the cab is determined at at least two instances in time. A second joint angle of the stick relative to the boom is determined at at least two instances in time. A third joint angle of the bucket relative to the stick is determined at at least two instances in time.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting a signal corresponding to a rotation of a spherical body. The apparatus includes a housing having an aperture, and a substantially spherical body having a first portion disposed within the housing so as to have a portion of the body disposed within the aperture, the spherical body operable to rotate within the housing. A first and second permanent magnets are disposed within the spherical body, and are operable to emit a magnetic field. A first magnetic sensing device is disposed within the housing, the first magnetic sensing device being operable to detect the magnetic fields and to generate a first output signal as a function of the strength of the magnetic fields. The first output signal is transmitted via a first conductive path coupled with the sensor.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the distance to a reflective surface. A first light source transmits a first light onto the reflective surface, the first light source being located on a first side of an axis. The reflective surface reflects at least a portion of the light onto a first light-detecting device having a first region operable to receive the reflected first light from the reflective surface. The first light-detecting device transmits a first and second signals as a function of the location of the received first light within the first region. A second light source transmits a second light onto the reflective surface, the second light source being located on a second side of the axis. The reflective surface reflects at least a portion of the second light onto a second light-detecting device having a second region operable to receive the reflected second light from the reflective surface.

Abstract: A circuit for transmitting power. A controller circuit transmits n command signals. N power converter circuits are coupled with the controller circuit, and respectively receive the n command signals. The n power converter circuits respectively transmit n pulse width modulated signals as a function of the n command signals, with the n pulse width modulated signals being out of phase by approximately 360/n degrees.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for restricting movement of a device. The detent device includes a housing, and a magnetic device, the magnetic device exerting a magnetic force and including a body and one of a recess defined therein and a protrusion. A magnetic body is located at least partially within the housing and is biased towards the magnetic device as a function of the magnetic force. The magnetic body includes a magnetic mass and the other of the recess defined therein and the protrusion, the other of the protrusion and the recess receiving the one of the protrusion and the recess of the magnetic device when the magnetic body is in a first predetermined position relative to the magnetic device.

Abstract: A control system for temperature compensating a piezoelectric device. The control system includes a temperature compensating circuit that is operable to receive a control signal corresponding to a desired position of the piezoelectric device and compensate the control signal in response to an estimated temperature proximate the piezoelectric device. A piezoelectric device control circuit is operable to receive the temperature compensated control signal and generate a control signal that is adapted to drive the piezoelectric device to the desired position. The temperature proximate the piezoelectric device may be estimated from an estimated ferroelectric polarization of the piezoelectric device or from a temperature sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling the resistance to the movement of a steering shaft that is operable to move as a function of an operator input. A position sensor is coupled with the steering shaft and transmits a shaft position signal as a function of the position of the steering shaft. A processing device is coupled with the position sensor to receive the shaft position signal and transmits a resistance signal as a function of the shaft position signal. A resistance device is coupled with the processing device to receive the resistance signal and is coupled with the steering shaft, the resistance device resists the movement of the steering shaft as a function of the resistance signal.

Abstract: A one-piece non-magnetic poppet of a first material for controlling fluid flow. The poppet is moves from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the poppet plugs an aperture so as to resist fluid flow through the aperture. In the second position, the poppet is in a position that allows fluid flow through the aperture. The poppet may be coup led directly with an armature disposed within the housing.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for controlling the slip of a work machine having a ground-engaging traction device and a hitch operable to receive a ground-engaging implement. A control system receives an actual velocity signal indicative of an actual velocity of the work machine, an apparent velocity signal indicative of an apparent velocity of the work machine, and a desired slip signal indicative of a desired slip of the work machine. The control system determines an actual derivative of slip of the work machine as a function of the actual velocity signal and the apparent velocity signal, and transmits a control signal as a function of the desired slip signal, the actual velocity signal, the apparent velocity signal, and the actual derivative of the slip. The control signal controls the vertical position of one of the hitch and the ground-engaging implement.

Abstract: A device for latching a rotatable shaft. A lever arm is coupled with the shaft and rotates the shaft between a first and second positions when the lever arm rotates between respective first and second positions. A latching device latches the lever arm, in response to receiving an activation signal, when the lever arm is in the first position. The latching device holds the lever arm in the first position. A biasing device is coupled with the lever arm and exerts a biasing force on the lever arm that biases the lever arm towards the second position.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a lateral position of a first member on a hitch of a work machine. A processing device receives a first signal indicative of a turn radius of the work machine, and transmits a second signal as a function of the first signal. The second signal controls the lateral position of the first member. An actuator is coupled with the processing device to receive the second signal. The actuator controls the lateral position of the first member as a function of the second signal.