Abstract: The present disclosure is associated with a user requesting access to the software option associated with a machine, a remote facility receiving the request, authorizing access to the software option, and sending an enabling signal to enable the software. The enabling signal (e.g., a software key) may then be used to access and use the software option. An intermediary may be used to authenticate the enabling signal.

Abstract: Chaotic air flow structures in internal combustion engine manifolds may lead to poor combustion performance and hence undesirable emissions such as visible smoke. Manifolds with flow characteristics compromised by other design requirements are especially prone to these poor characteristics. To overcome these, an engine air induction arrangement includes a feed passage having an end portion in a manifold with cylinder ports. The end portion is formed in such a manner that air exiting the end portion via an opening is hindered from travelling away from the cylinder ports. This improves the flow structure and evens air distribution to the cylinder ports, hence improving the combustion process and reducing emission levels.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a piston assembly and more specifically to a piston assembly in a prepackaged configuration. The prepackaged piston assembly is ready for immediate installation into an engine or compressor. The piston assembly has a plurality of rings preinstalled on a piston member and a sleeve position about the piston member and the plurality of rings maintaining the rings in a compressed position ready for installation into an engine. The piston assembly is lowered into a cylinder bore, the sleeve contacts the top surface of a block and the piston assembly can be easily installed into the cylinder bore without the need for the mechanic to compress the plurality of rings. Thus the present invention reduces time and expense required for rebuilding and engine and increases the quality of the rebuild.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a status of a valve, the valve being connected to a fluid circuit. The method includes the steps of establishing an expected value of a characteristic of the fluid of the fluid circuit, determining an actual value of the fluid characteristic of the fluid circuit, and determining a valve status in response to the actual value, and the expected value.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining a status of a relief valve located within a fluid system having a pump and an actuator valve. The fluid system 102 is located on an earth moving machine, and the pump delivers fluid to the actuator 110, 112 through the actuator valve 108. The system 102 includes a pressure compensation assembly 130 adapted to control the fluid pressure of the system by bypassing fluid flow. The system 102 also includes a relief valve, and a pressure sensor. The method includes the steps of positioning the actuator valve in a closed position, deactivating the pressure compensation assembly, and sensing a relief pressure of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is configured for calibrating a fluid retarder 155 in a transmission system. The transmission system may include an engine 120 connected to a transmission 135 through a driveshaft 118, or power input shaft. The driveshaft is mechanically connected to the fluid retarder 155. The fluid retarder includes a rotor 162 mechanically connected to the driveshaft 118, and a retarder valve 175 adapted to enable fluid flow across the rotor 162. The method includes the steps of delivering a valve command to the retarder valve, determining a speed of the engine, and calibrating the retarder valve in response to the engine speed, and the valve command.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a performance characteristic of at least one of a plurality of fuel injectors located within a fuel system. The method includes the steps of determining a first desired fuel quantity to be delivered by the plurality of injectors, suspending fuel delivery by one of the injectors, determining a second desired fuel quantity to be delivered by the injectors in response to the suspension, and determining a performance characteristic of the suspended injector in response to said first and the second desired fuel quantity.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling the fluid flow in a fluid circuit 102. The fluid circuit 102 includes a pump 32 driven by an engine 106. The pump 32 delivers fluid to at least one actuator 44, 45 through a control valve assembly 120, 122. In addition, the pump is connected to a bypass control valve, which is connected to a fluid tank. The method includes the steps of establishing a desired fluid flow to be delivered by the pump, determining an expected fluid flow to be delivered by the pump in response to the desired fluid flow, and determining a position of the bypass control valve in response to the expected fluid flow.

Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for dynamically determining optimal governor dynamics, i.e., gains, for a fuel control system supplying fuel to an engine. The method determines a mode of the engine, then determines the governor gain in response to the engine mode. The mode or condition of the engine includes a transmission mode, a throttle mode, and a cruise control mode. The governor gains are determined by determining the current engine mode, selecting the appropriate gain look-up table in response to the engine mode, and responsively selecting a gain value from the look-up table in response to at least one of the desired and actual speed. The gain maps are determined using empirical data and classical control system design methods, and storing the results in gain maps, or tables. The governor gain values are used in a forward and a feedback path PID control algorithm.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining and displaying a correlated position of a truck as it is being loaded by an earth moving machine is provided. The method includes the steps of receiving a loading event signal and then determining the correlated position of the truck in response to the loading event signal. The correlated position of the truck is then displayed relative to the land size.In an alternative embodiment, a method for determining and displaying productivity information regarding material excavated by an earth moving machine and loaded into a truck is provided. The method includes the steps of determining the bucket load material type of the material loaded in the bucket. Productivity information is then displayed at a remote location in response to the bucket load material type.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining a fuel command for an engine having a cruise control system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining a desired engine speed, determining an actual engine speed, modifying the actual engine speed value in response to a previous value of the engine speed, and then determining the fuel command in response to the modified and desired engine speed.

Abstract: A method for determining the front and rear axle weights of an earth moving machine. The method includes determining the weight of a portion of the earth moving machine, and the forces acting on the lift cylinder pin, lift arm pin, and the tilt cylinder pin. The axle weights are determined in response to the above mentioned weights and forces.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for supplying electrical power in an earth moving machine is provided. The method and apparatus includes an engine adapted to deliver primary power at a variable speed to the earth moving machine. A hydraulic system is connected to and driven by the engine. The hydraulic system in turn is connected to and drives a work implement. A variable input speed, constant output generator system is connected to and driven by the engine at a variable speed. The generator delivers electrical power at a constant value independent of variations of the speed of the engine. There is at least one auxiliary system adapted to receive the electrical power.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for managing a service resource by a fleet of mobile machines. Each of the mobile machines has a queue manager adapted to generate a queue position request signal as the mobile machine approaches the service resource. A service manager is on each mobile machine, and is adapted to generate a service request signal in response to a condition of the mobile machine. A resource manager is adapted to establish and control a queue to control access to the resource in response to receiving a queue request position signal. The resource manager is also adapted to receive a service request signal, and responsively determine when to allow the mobile machine to access the service resource based on a condition of each of the mobile machine in the fleet.

Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the work cycle of an earth moving machine is disclosed. The machine has a transmission, a work implement, and a lift cylinder and a tilt cylinder connected to the work implement. The method includes the steps of determining a lift cylinder head end pressure, a displacement of the lift cylinder, a displacement of the tilt cylinder, and a direction of travel of the machine. The method further includes determining the work cycle of the machine in response to the displacement of the tilt and lift cylinders, and the lift cylinder head end pressure.

Abstract: The locking force of an electromagnetic joystick lock with flux having a flux canceling driver circuit is controlled in order to maintain the control lever of a joystick in a desired position. In one embodiment, the locking force may be in either an activated or deactivated state, and one of a forward or reverse current is applied to the coils of the lock in response to the state, in order to eliminate the residual magnetism when the locking force is deactivated.

Abstract: The invention is a method for monitoring a work cycle of a earth moving machine on a land site. The method includes the steps of determining a direction of motion of the earth moving machine as being either a forward or a reverse direction of motion, determining a change in the direction of motion to an opposite direction of motion, determining a location of the earth moving machine on the land site where the change in direction of motion occurs, determining a condition of the land site at the location, and determining a work cycle of the earth moving machine in response to the condition.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for managing a resource having a dump location. A plurality of stop points are located adjacent to the dump location. Each of a plurality of mobile machines includes a queue manager adapted to generate a queue position request signal as each mobile machine approaches the resource. A resource manager is adapted to establish and control a queue to control access to the resource in response to receiving a queue position request signal. The resource manager is also adapted to enable simultaneous access of the dump location by the mobile machines.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and a method for controlling the timing of the filling of a fluid actuate. The system includes, a fluid actuated clutch 83, an electronic controller adapted to detect an end-of-fill point for the fluid actuated clutch 83, compare the end-of-fill point with a desired end-of-fill point and adjust at least one of a plurality of clutch fill parameters in response to the comparison in order to control the timing of the filling of the clutch 83, and a control valve that is activated by the electronic controller.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus adapted to heat actuating fluid in a rail passage located within an engine. The rail passage is connected to an fluid inlet of at least one fuel injector. The apparatus includes a heating device located within the rail passage. The heating device is adapted to heat the actuating fluid, in response to a control signal. The apparatus also includes a temperature sensing device located within the rail passage. The temperature sensing device is adapted to sense a temperature of the actuating fluid and responsively generate a temperature signal. In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus also includes an electronic controller adapted to receive the temperature signal, determine a temperature of the fluid, and responsively generate the control signal and deliver an injection command signal to the fuel injector.