Patents by Inventor DON B. BENCKENDORF

DON B. BENCKENDORF 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).

  • Lock up clutch controls—high idle set point
    Patent number: 9216741
    Abstract: An engine control system is provided where the engine control system includes a torque converter, an engine connected to the torque converter, a transmission connected to the torque converter, a lock-up clutch housed in the torque converter wherein the lock-up clutch is configured to mechanically connect the engine and the transmission when the lock-up clutch is engaged, an engine speed sensor configured to obtain a prior engine speed which is measured prior to engagement of the lock-up clutch, a transmission speed sensor configured to obtain a prior transmission speed which is measured prior to the engagement of the lock-up clutch, and an engine control module configured to determine a desired engine speed at a speed lower than the prior engine speed and adjust a speed of the engine to the desired engine speed just prior to the movement of the lock-up clutch for the engagement or as the lock-up clutch moves toward the engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Tinker, Guillaume Raffin, John T. Reedy, Don B. Benckendorf
  • LOCK UP CLUTCH CONTROLS - HIGH IDLE SET POINT
    Publication number: 20150197251
    Abstract: An engine control system is provided where the engine control system includes a torque converter, an engine connected to the torque converter, a transmission connected to the torque converter, a lock-up clutch housed in the torque converter wherein the lock-up clutch is configured to mechanically connect the engine and the transmission when the lock-up clutch is engaged, an engine speed sensor configured to obtain a prior engine speed which is measured prior to engagement of the lock-up clutch, a transmission speed sensor configured to obtain a prior transmission speed which is measured prior to the engagement of the lock-up clutch, and an engine control module configured to determine a desired engine speed at a speed lower than the prior engine speed and adjust a speed of the engine to the desired engine speed just prior to the movement of the lock-up clutch for the engagement or as the lock-up clutch moves toward the engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: MATTHEW TINKER, GUILLAUME RAFFIN, JOHN T. REEDY, DON B. BENCKENDORF