Patents Represented by Attorney Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett LLP
  • 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: 7076954
    Abstract: A system for controlling intake pressure of a combustion engine operably coupled to a power generation system includes a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a pressure in an intake system of the combustion engine and a sensor configured to output a signal indicative of a load on the power generation system. The system further includes a turbocharger operably coupled to the intake system. The system also includes an electric machine operably coupled to the turbocharger. The electric machine is configured to supply torque to the turbocharger. The system further includes a turbocharger controller operably coupled to the electric machine. The turbocharger controller is configured to control operation of the electric machine such that the turbocharger supplies a desired intake pressure to the combustion engine based at least partially on the signal indicative of a pressure in the intake system and the signal indicative of a load on the power generation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Michael Sopko, Jr., Michael Edward Vanderham, Kent Allen Casey, Brian D. Kuras
  • Patent number: 7079931
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a position of a work tool of a work machine is provided. A desired surface configuration for a geographic location is identified. A mode of operation for the work machine is selected from one of a first mode and a second mode depending on surface configurations. The position of a work tool mounted on the work machine is sensed and the rotational angle of a swing assembly mounting the work tool is sensed. The location of the work tool is determined relative to the surface configuration based on the sensed position of the work tool when the work machine is operating in the first mode. The location of the work tool is determined relative to the desired surface configuration based on the sensed position of the work tool and the sensed rotational angle of the swing assembly when operating in the second mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Charles Sahm, Craig Lawrence Koehrsen