Abstract: System and methods for driving a blower motor of a vehicle such as a mining truck or locomotive are provided. A drive system includes a blower drive circuit configured to receive power from an alternator and use the power from the alternator to drive the blower motor. The blower drive circuit is further configured to receive power from at least one traction motor of the vehicle during a retarding operation of the vehicle and use the power from the at least one traction motor to drive the blower motor. The drive system further includes a bypass circuit configured to electrically isolate the blower motor from the blower drive circuit when a fault is detected in the blower drive circuit and to provide power from the alternator to the blower motor such that the blower motor remains operable without use of the blower drive circuit.

Abstract: A powertrain control system is disclosed. The powertrain control system may have a power source and a CVT coupled to an output of the power source. The powertrain control system may further have a controller in communication with the power source and the CVT. The controller may have a map with a plurality of speed modes, and, for at least one of the plurality of speed modes, the controller may be configured to vary an actual power source speed based on at least one of a CVT output speed or a ground speed.

Abstract: A closed loop pressure management system for an exhaust regeneration system is provided with a first tube capable of retaining a first fluid and extending between a proximal end and a distal end, a first fitting coupled between the distal end of the first tube and an exhaust conduit for receiving an exhaust fluid, and a pressure sensor manifold. The first fitting may include a diaphragm configured to provide a sealed interface between the first fluid of the first tube and the exhaust fluid of the exhaust conduit, and communicate the exhaust fluid pressure through the first fluid pressure. The pressure sensor manifold may include at least a first inlet coupled to the proximal end of the first tube and a pressure sensor configured to determine the exhaust fluid pressure based at least partially on the first fluid pressure at the first inlet.

Abstract: A plunger pump includes a housing with a discharge valve in communication with an outlet. The housing includes a bore that slidably accommodates a plunger. The housing also includes an inlet. The plunger has a closed proximal end connected to an actuator and a distal end with an outlet valve. The plunger also includes a sidewall with an opening that is in communication with the inlet of the housing. Fluid flows through the inlet and through the opening and into the plunger. When the plunger is retracted away from the discharge valve, the outlet valve of the plunger opens thereby providing fluid for the housing bore. As the plunger is moved towards the discharge valve, pressure in the housing bore increases thereby opening the discharge valve and permitting the pressurized fluid to exit through the outlet.

Abstract: A compression ignition dual fuel engine utilizes individual fuel injectors to inject both gaseous and liquid fuels into each engine cylinder. Each of the fuel injectors includes two electrical actuators that control pressure in a respective liquid control chamber and gaseous control chamber to control the opening movement of check valves to facilitate liquid and gaseous fuel injection events, respectfully. The control fluid for liquid injection events is liquid, whereas the control fluid for the gaseous injection event is gaseous. The used liquid fuel drained from each fuel injector is returned for recirculation and subsequent injection, whereas the used gaseous fuel that drains from the fuel injector is supplied to the intake manifold for burning as circumstances permit.

Abstract: A dual fuel injector utilizes first and second control valves to open and close first and second nozzle outlet sets to inject a first fuel and a second fuel, respectively. The first and second control valves have concentric lines of action, and include a self alignment feature with respect to a flat seat. The two fuels may differ in at least one of chemical identity, matter phase and pressure.

Abstract: A method and system for evaluating a fluid in a machine entails periodically evaluating a permittivity of the fluid and based on periodically evaluating the permittivity of the fluid, observing a change in the permittivity of the fluid. Based on the observed change in the permittivity of the fluid, it is determined whether the fluid is exhausted or contaminated.

Abstract: A crowd machinery guard system for a mining shovel is provided. The crowd machinery guard system includes a mounting bracket assembly coupled to the front of the mining shovel frame. The crowd machinery guard system also includes at least one support leg rotatably coupled to the mounting bracket assembly, and an impact plate assembly coupled to the support leg. The impact plate assembly includes an impact plate configured to receive dipper impacts, at least one support leg bracket coupled to the impact plate, and at least one cushion subassembly including a dampening portion. The crowd machinery guard system is configured to absorb and distribute the force of dipper impacts.

Abstract: A seal packing guard is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. A collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The seal packing guard is attached to an outward surface of the roller and extends over an opening into the seal cavity to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A roller collar is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. The collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The extends over an opening into the seal cavity, such as with an outwardly extending flange or teeth or with outer surface configured to increase a distance to be traveled to enter the seal cavity, to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.

Abstract: A cooling package latch system is disclosed. The cooling package latch system includes a bracket removably coupled with a cooling package. The bracket includes a protruding striker. The cooling package latch system also includes a latch plate coupled to a sidewall proximate to the cooling package, and pivotable about a lateral axis. The latch plate includes a slot configured to hold the protruding striker to latch the cooling package at an angular position relative to an operational position.

Abstract: A plunger pump includes a housing with a discharge valve in communication with an outlet. The housing includes a bore that slidably accommodates a plunger. The housing also includes an inlet. The plunger has a closed proximal end connected to an actuator and a distal end with an outlet valve. The plunger also includes a sidewall with an opening that is in communication with the inlet of the housing. Fluid flows through the inlet and through the opening and into the plunger. When the plunger is retracted away from the discharge valve, the outlet valve of the plunger opens thereby providing fluid for the housing bore. As the plunger is moved towards the discharge valve, pressure in the housing bore increases thereby opening the discharge valve and permitting the pressurized fluid to exit through the outlet.

Abstract: A computer-based method for calibrating a solenoid-controlled excess flow control valve that couples a first hydraulic circuit to a second hydraulic circuit is provided. The method includes determining a start-of-flow current at which hydraulic fluid begins to flow, closing the valve, sending an actuator command to the second hydraulic circuit, determining a first flow through the hydraulic actuator, opening the valve by setting the solenoid current to a calibration-flow current, sending the actuator command to the second hydraulic circuit, determining a second flow through the hydraulic actuator, calculating a flow difference, determining a calibration-flow valve command associated with the flow difference, determining a maximum-flow current based on the start-of-flow current, the calibration flow current, and the calibration-flow valve command, and creating a valve calibration table based on the start-of-flow current, the maximum-flow current and a valve response table.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a camera and a display monitor is provided. The method includes identifying a parameter for optimization, assigning to a test color a target color relevant to the parameter, repeatedly performing, two or more times, a set of steps, determining a direction and timing of color divergence for the target color from obtained images, and adjusting the parameter based on the direction and rate of color divergence for the target color. The set of steps includes instructing the display monitor to display the test color on a portion of the display monitor, obtaining an image captured by the camera while the display is executing the instruction, and reassigning, to the test color, a color obtained from a portion of the image in which the portion of the display monitor was captured. The obtained image includes the portion of the display monitor.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for reducing the cold start time for a vehicle with a twin fuel engine. The system has an exhaust system, from which exhaust is discharged and collected on an exhaust manifold. A heat exchanger is positioned within the exhaust system, with coolant flow passages in thermal communication with the engine, and the heat exchanger. A control valve is coupled to a first flow path operable to direct the exhaust through the heat exchanger across the first flow path and a second flow path in selective amounts.

Abstract: A series electric drive includes a cylindrical first rotor with a number of permanent magnets therein and an input linked to the cylindrical first rotor. The series electric drive further includes a cylindrical second rotor stacked radially within the cylindrical first rotor, the cylindrical second rotor being a wound rotor, and an output being linked to the cylindrical second rotor. A cylindrical stator is stacked axially relative to the first rotor, and a portion of the second rotor is stacked radially within the cylindrical stator, the cylindrical stator being a wound stator.

Abstract: Heavy equipment includes a body, an electrical bus, and working components coupled to the body and powered by electricity conveyed via the electrical bus. The heavy equipment further includes a generator set providing an electrical output to the electrical bus, an energy storage element configured to be coupled to the electrical bus, and a computerized controller coupled to the energy storage element. The computerized controller includes a logic module for coupling the energy storage element to the electrical bus in advance of a predicted increase in demand upon the electrical bus, where the increase in demand is anticipated by the computerized controller as forthcoming based upon extrapolation, at least in part, from data related to a previous operation of the heavy equipment.

Abstract: A kinetic energy system incorporates multiple flywheels, each flywheel situated and adapted to develop and store kinetic energy, and to subsequently impart that energy to move a work machine. Each flywheel is controlled by an ECM to operate in a selective sequence with respect to any of the other flywheels. Each flywheel has its own individual external gear and clutch unit adapted to be in communication with a commonly shared continuously variable transmission. The plurality of flywheels may be operated sequentially to develop, store, and dispense kinetic energy equivalently to that of a substantially larger unitary flywheel. In the disclosed embodiment and method of operation, the flywheel system may be employed with a traditional internal combustion engine to produce a hybrid motive source, with capability for effectively meeting transient load demands of an off-road work machine.

Abstract: A pneumatic compactor includes a frame and a compacting member rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to rotate in contact with a substrate of paving material. The compacting member is a tire. The compactor further includes a heating element located within the compacting member, a sensor thermally coupled to the heating element, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module is in communication with the heating element and the sensor and is configured to energize the heating element.

Abstract: A chamber for a milling machine includes a milling rotor rotatably mounted transversely on the chamber. The chamber also includes a side plate mounted on the chamber, adjacent to the milling rotor, in a substantially vertical position. The side plate includes a side plate support. The chamber further includes a rotor bearing coupled with the milling rotor and a bearing support configured to receive the rotor bearing. The chamber also includes at least one fastening element to removably couple the bearing support with the side plate support and the rotor bearing.