Abstract: A transmission assembly driven by an engine is disclosed. The transmission assembly includes a hydrostatic transmission having a variable displacement hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, a mechanical transmission coupled to the hydrostatic transmission for selecting a first gear range and a second gear range, and a controller for receiving operator inputs and generating a displacement command operable to control a displacement of the variable displacement pump. The controller determines the actual displacement. The controller determines a displacement shift level from the actual displacement. The controller executes a shift from the first gear range to the second gear range when the actual displacement reaches displacement shift level. A method of controlling a transmission assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Pistons for internal combustion engines often need additional cooling to attain better performance. One method of cooling involves adding oil to an oil gallery on bowl portion opposite a combustion zone. Adding a standpipe prevents oil from exiting immediately exiting the oil gallery. Installing the standpipe intermediate a first baffle plate and a second baffle plate improves reliability of the piston and ease of manufacturing.

Abstract: A dual temperature valve positioned in a bypass passageway can move to an open position when two temperature conditions are met. When opened, the dual temperature valve can allow warm fluid from a first line to mix with cold fluid from a second line to heat the same. The valve is preferably utilized in an engine fuel system and positioned in a bypass passageway extending between a fuel supply line and a fuel return line. In this application, the dual temperature valve can prevent possible fuel transfer problems, such as cold start gaseous circulation.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of combustion cylinders, at least one exhaust manifold and at least one intake manifold. Each exhaust manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. Each intake manifold is coupled with a plurality of the combustion cylinders. A first turbocharger includes a first turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a first compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one first turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with a corresponding exhaust manifold, and the first compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the intake manifold. A second turbocharger includes a second turbine having at least one inlet and an outlet, and a second compressor having an inlet and an outlet. The at least one second turbine inlet is fluidly coupled with the first turbine outlet and with a corresponding exhaust manifold. The second compressor outlet is fluidly coupled with the first compressor inlet.

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: A method for providing an analytical solution for a thermal history of a welding process having multiple weld passes. The method includes the steps of inputting a plurality of files and parameters, preprocessing information from the plurality of files and parameters to determine a set of conditions associated with the welding process, determining a region of influence of at least one heat source used in the welding process as a function of the set of conditions, determining a plurality of point heat source solutions within the region of influence, determining a temperature solution for each weld pass as a function of a superposition of the plurality of point heat source solutions, and determining the thermal history of the welding process as a function of the temperature solutions.

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: The present invention finds application in fuel injectors having the fluid control passage to the needle valve member coupled to another fluid control passage within the fuel injector. Engineers have learned that decoupling the control passage to the needle valve member with other fluid control passages can allow for greater control of injection events. In addition, by decoupling these fluid passages, it is believed that the fuel injector will perform more like a nominal fuel injector, especially under cold start conditions. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a dual control valve member to independently control fluid flow to the back of the needle valve member and fluid flow to various other components of the fuel injector.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve with hydraulically assisted opening comprises a valve body that defines a fluid passage which includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment. Contained within the valve body is a moveable valve member which includes a hydraulic surface. The hydraulic surface is exposed to fluid pressure within the downstream segment of the fluid passage. When the valve member is in a closed position, the upstream segment of the fluid passage is closed to the downstream segment. The upstream segment is fluidly connected to the downstream segment when the valve member is away from the closed position.

Abstract: The composite operation efficiency can be improved in a work machine with a plurality of hydraulic actuators. In the control section the flows to be shared to the respective hydraulic actuators are calculated on the basis of the permissible flow in compliance with an operating quantity of an operating tool, and control commands are outputted to an electromagnetic pressure valve so that the corresponding shared flows are supplied to the respective hydraulic actuators.

Abstract: The feel bumper includes a plunger disposed for movement by an input device along a predetermined path, and at least one damper element disposed to engage the plunger when in a predetermined initial position along the path corresponding to a desired operating position for exerting a first opposing feedback force against the plunger in opposition to movement thereof along the path in a first direction, the at least one damper element being yieldable to the plunger when moved in the first direction past the predetermined initial position and exerting a second opposing feedback force against the plunger in opposition to the continued movement of the plunger in the first direction through subsequent operating positions.

Abstract: A transmission assembly having a continuously variable transmission, a mechanical transmission coupled to the continuously variable transmission for selecting a first gear range and a second gear range, and a controller for receiving operator inputs and generating commands operable to control an output of the continuously variable transmission is disclosed. The controller executes a first shift between the first gear range and the second gear range at a shift point in response to the commands. The controller places the transmission in a first mode of operation whereby a second shift from the second gear range to the first gear range is inhibited. The controller places the transmission in a second mode of operation where the second shift from the second gear range to the first gear range is allowed when the output progresses beyond the shift point by a first value or the command falls past the shift point by a second value.

Abstract: A sensor for detecting particles in a fluid including a housing having a cavity associated therewith, a magnet disposed adjacent the cavity to attract particles into the cavity, first and second coils wound around the outer surface of the cavity, the induction of the first coil being responsive to the particle accumulation within the cavity, the inductance of the second coil being responsive to the temperature of the fluid and being independent of the particle accumulation within the cavity, a first microprocessor coupled to the first and second coils for processing the signals received therefrom and for outputting signals indicative of the particle accumulation within the cavity, an rf transmitter for converting the signals received from the first microprocessor into rf signals, and an rf antenna for transmitting the processed signals to a remote location. The signals outputted from the first microprocessor are encoded with an identification code to identify and distinguish such signals.

Abstract: A fuel injection system includes a plurality of mechanical unit pumps, each of which has a pump outlet. A pressure-intensifying hydraulically-actuated electronically-controlled fuel injector is provided for each of the plurality of mechanical unit pumps. Each of the fuel injectors has a direct control needle valve and an injector body that defines an actuation fluid inlet, a fuel inlet, an actuation fluid cavity and a fuel pressurization chamber. Each fuel injector also includes a moveable pumping element with a large hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the actuation fluid cavity, and a small hydraulic surface exposed to fluid pressure in the fuel pressurization chamber. An actuation fluid supply line is provided for each of the plurality of mechanical unit pumps. Each supply line has one end connected to one pump outlet and an other end connected to one actuation fluid inlet of an individual fuel injector.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine housing that defines a main combustion chamber separated from a precombustion chamber by a flame communication passage way. A source of gaseous fuel is fluidly connected to one end of a fuel supply passage. A check valve, which includes a valve body with a valve seat, and a valve member, is positioned between the other end of the fuel supply passage and the precombustion chamber. The valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The valve body and the valve member define a fluid passage that fluidly connects the fuel supply passage to the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in its open position. The valve body and the valve member substantially fluidly isolate the valve seat from the precombustion chamber when the valve member is in its closed position.

Abstract: A work machine is disclosed. The work machine includes a work implement and a fluid cylinder mechanically coupled to the work implement. The fluid cylinder is controlled by an apparatus that automatically places the fluid cylinder in a float mode of operation when a control valve fluidly coupled to the fluid cylinder is placed in a neutral position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling fuel injection signals to an engine during a sudden acceleration event. The present apparatus and method includes an electronic controller coupled to the electronically controlled fuel injectors of the engine and operable to recognize a sudden acceleration condition based upon certain sensed conditions associated with the acceleration of the engine. The controller is further operable to increase the pull-in current level and/or the hold-in current level of the fuel injection signals to improve fuel injector performance, fuel consumption, and emissions when a sudden acceleration event is recognized. Shortening the duration of the fuel shots associated with the fuel injection signal helps offset additional electrical power requirements associated with the higher current levels.

Abstract: An adjustable control assembly includes a plurality of control members. The control members preferably include moveable portions such as levers that are manipulable to accomplish a desired operation of heavy duty machinery such as construction equipment, for example. The control members are supported on support plates that are pivotally moveable relative to each other about a single pivot axis. A locking mechanism is provided to selectively lock the support plates into a chosen position relative to each other. By adjusting the positions of the support plates, a variety of operator needs and preferences are readily accommodated providing effective and efficient access to the control members.

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.