Patents by Inventor Danial P. Simon

Danial P. Simon has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • System and method for controlling vehicle speed
    Patent number: 7544148
    Abstract: A system is provided for controlling the speed of a vehicle having a powertrain including a power plant operably coupled to a transmission. The system includes a control unit configured to receive a signal indicative of vehicle speed, receive a signal indicative of power plant output speed, and determine a desired power plant output speed based on the signal indicative of vehicle speed and the signal indicative of power plant output speed. The control unit is further configured to send a signal to the power plant such that the power plant operates at the desired power plant output speed, and maintain a desired vehicle speed in a manner substantially independent of a magnitude of load on the powertrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Anderson, Danial P. Simon, Igor Strashny
  • Method for determining the fill time of a transmission clutch
    Patent number: 6216074
    Abstract: A method for controlling the fill time of an oncoming transmission clutch of a vehicle within a predetermined range of speed conditions is disclosed, the method including the steps of: (a) sensing an engine speed within the predetermined range; (b) reading an incremental pulse time value corresponding to the speed sensed in step (a); and (c) determining an adjusted pulse time value using the incremental pulse value read in step (b) and a predetermined nominal pulse time value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan R. Hillman, Danial P. Simon
  • Method and system for controlling a fluid actuated retarder
    Patent number: 6065817
    Abstract: In one aspect of this invention, a system and process for controlling a fluid actuated retarder is disclosed. This includes an input mechanism and an electronic controller for receiving a signal from the input mechanism, including a value for a desired retarder control level. Also, there is a proportional solenoid valve that is actuated by the electronic controller. The proportional solenoid control valve is operatively connected to a proportional retarder spool valve and the proportional retarder spool valve is operatively connected to a fluid actuated retarder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Menke, Danial P. Simon, Kenneth P. Liesener