Patents by Inventor James W. Landes
James W. Landes 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).
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Patent number: 7517300Abstract: A retarding system for a work machine is disclosed. The retarding system has a power source, a transmission, and a torque converter operatively coupling the power source and the transmission. The torque converter has a lockup clutch. The retarding system also has a controller in communication with the lockup clutch. The torque converter is configured to receive an input indicative of a desired work machine acceleration, to determine a status of the lockup clutch, and to determine if engaging the lockup clutch will cause a speed of the power source to drop below a low idle speed. The controller is also configured to engage the lockup clutch if the input indicates that the desired work machine acceleration is below a predetermined amount, the lockup clutch is disengaged, and the speed of the power source will remain above the low idle speed after engagement of the lockup clutch.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: James W. Landes
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Patent number: 7509197Abstract: A retarding system for a work machine having a power source, a transmission, and a manually operated braking mechanism is disclosed. The retarding system has an engine retarder associated with the power source and a controller in communication with the transmission, the manually operated braking mechanism, and the engine retarder. The controller is configured to determine a deceleration rate of the work machine and compare the deceleration rate of the work machine to a predetermined threshold rate. The controller is also configured to determined if the manually operated braking mechanism is active and to cause the transmission to downshift if the deceleration rate is less than the predetermined threshold rate and the manually operated braking mechanism is determined to be active. The controller is further configured to prevent the transmission from downshifting if the deceleration rate is less than the predetermined threshold rate and the manually operated braking mechanism is determined to be inactive.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2005Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig, Ryan E. Graham
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Publication number: 20090031699Abstract: A method of controlling a machine drive having a driveline PTO establishes a driveline torque perturbation via conversion of internal inertia through two transmission neutral conditions. In an example, when a request is received, e.g., from an operator, to shift the driveline PTO from a first mode to a second mode, the transmission is automatically modulated between its first neutral condition and its second neutral condition while the driveline PTO is shifted from the first mode to the second mode, thus minimizing torque lock and facilitating mode changes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2007Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James W. Landes, Ryan L. Horihan, Kevin G. Meyer, Travis Edward Moore
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Patent number: 7441643Abstract: A transmission has a source of pressurized fluid, a low pressure reservoir, a plurality of hydraulically actuated clutches, a first plurality of valve mechanisms, and a second plurality of valve mechanisms. Each of the first plurality of valve mechanisms is associated with one of the plurality of hydraulically actuated clutches and configured to selectively fill and drain the associated one of the plurality of hydraulically actuated clutches. Each of the second plurality of valve mechanisms is associated with one of the plurality of hydraulically actuated clutches and configured to selectively fill and drain the associated one of the plurality of hydraulically actuated clutches. The transmission also includes a master latch mechanism in fluid communication with only the second plurality of valve mechanisms. The master latch mechanism is configured to selectively affect movement of the second plurality of valve mechanisms in response to an electrical power failure.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley K. McCunn, Kevin G. Meyer, James W. Landes
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Publication number: 20080162006Abstract: A power system includes an engine that has engine controls, a power load, and a torque converter connected between the engine and the power load. The engine controls may operate the engine according to a first control strategy in at least some circumstances. The first control strategy may provide higher engine fuel efficiency at a first combination of engine speed and torque that corresponds to a drive speed/reaction torque band of the torque converter than it provides at combinations of engine speed and torque that do not correspond to the drive speed/reaction torque band of the torque converter. Additionally, at one or more combinations of engine speed and torque other than the first combination, the first control strategy may cause the engine to produce a lower quantity of at least one noxious exhaust emission than the engine produces at the first combination of engine speed and torque when operated according to the first control strategy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Inventors: James W. Landes, Maarten Verkiel, Charles E. Rose
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Publication number: 20070293366Abstract: A method of controlling driveshaft speed includes generating an overspeed protection action signal if an engine speed limit and a requested transmission gear ratio correspond to a driveshaft overspeed condition. An operating method for a machine includes disengaging a relatively higher transmission gear, and inhibiting re-engagement of the higher transmission gear responsive to an overspeed protection action signal. An electronic controller for the machine is configured to generate an overspeed protection action signal responsive to an engine speed limit and requested transmission gear ratio.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventor: James W. Landes
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Patent number: 7080705Abstract: An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: July 25, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James W. Landes, Scott E. Nicholson
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Patent number: 6920387Abstract: A control system for determining the net power output of an engine associated with a work machine or other vehicle wherein parasitic loads encountered during engine operation are taken into account, the control system including an electronic controller coupled to the engine, at least one sensor coupled to the controller for inputting at least one signal representative of certain operating parameters associated with the engine, and at least one other sensor coupled to the controller for inputting at least one signal representative of the operation of any parasitic load encountered during engine operation, the controller being operable to determine the total output power of the engine and the power requirements associated with any parasitic load based upon the sensor signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig
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Patent number: 6878098Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing a signal in a moveable vehicle having an engine. A first combustion governor receives a first control signal and transmits a first governor signal operable to control an engine speed of the engine as a function of the first control signal. A second combustion governor receives the first control signal and to transmits a second governor signal operable to control an engine power production of the engine as a function of the first control signal. A first sensor determines a first characteristic of the vehicle transmits a first selecting signal as a function of the first characteristic. A governor-selecting device is coupled with the sensor to receive the first selecting signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2002Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig
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Patent number: 6871722Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for limiting torque of a motor on a vehicle. A torque limit determining device receives a weight signal indicative of an approximate weight of the vehicle. The torque limit determining device transmits a torque limit signal indicative of a torque limit for the motor as a function of the weight signal.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2001Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: James W. Landes
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Patent number: 6860351Abstract: An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: James W. Landes, Scott E. Nicholson
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Patent number: 6859696Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring communications in a machine including electronic control module (ECM) components connected via datalinks. A message is received on a datalink. The source address of the received message is determined. The received message is added to an address list based on the source address, and the address list is evaluated to determine the status of a datalink associated with each ECM component.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Marc Schade, James W. Landes, Mark J. Hilbert
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Publication number: 20030186781Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for processing a signal in a moveable vehicle having an engine. A first combustion governor receives a first control signal and transmits a first governor signal operable to control an engine speed of the engine as a function of the first control signal. A second combustion governor receives the first control signal and to transmits a second governor signal operable to control an engine power production of the engine as a function of the first control signal. A first sensor determines a first characteristic of the vehicle transmits a first selecting signal as a function of the first characteristic. A governor-selecting device is coupled with the sensor to receive the first selecting signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig
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Publication number: 20030125852Abstract: A method is provided for monitoring communications in a machine including electronic control module (ECM) components connected via datalinks. A message is received on a datalink. The source address of the received message is determined. The received message is added to an address list based on the source address, and the address list is evaluated to determine the status of a datalink associated with each ECM component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2002Publication date: July 3, 2003Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Marc Schade, James W. Landes, Mark J. Hilbert
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Publication number: 20030111282Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for limiting torque of a motor on a vehicle. A torque limit determining device receives a weight signal indicative of an approximate weight of the vehicle. The torque limit determining device transmits a torque limit signal indicative of a torque limit for the motor as a function of the weight signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2001Publication date: June 19, 2003Inventor: James W. Landes
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Publication number: 20030109977Abstract: A control system for determining the net power output of an engine associated with a work machine or other vehicle wherein parasitic loads encountered during engine operation are taken into account, the control system including an electronic controller coupled to the engine, at least one sensor coupled to the controller for inputting at least one signal representative of certain operating parameters associated with the engine, and at least one other sensor coupled to the controller for inputting at least one signal representative of the operation of any parasitic load encountered during engine operation, the controller being operable to determine the total output power of the engine and the power requirements associated with any parasitic load based upon the sensor signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig
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Publication number: 20030070853Abstract: An electronically controlled compression ignition engine is connected with an advanced cruise control system. The advanced cruise control system is capable of measuring distance to a vehicle or other object in front of equipment that is power by the compression ignition engine. Signals produced by the advanced cruise control system, at least in part, are used to determine the power output of the engine. In the event that the electronically controlled engine receives no signals from the advanced cruise control system, the electronic control may disengage or disable the advanced cruise control.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: April 17, 2003Inventors: James W. Landes, Scott E. Nicholson
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Patent number: 6060981Abstract: A vehicle theft deterrent system for controlling the operation of a vehicle engine when the engine is in an unattended idle mode of operation wherein a vehicle ground speed sensor, an engine speed sensor, an operator input device actuatable to enter a security code, a power takeoff (PTO) switch operable to provide power from the engine to a remote location, a throttle position indicator sensor, cruise control switches, and an ignition key switch are all coupled to an electronic controller in a particular manner such that the proper combination of a valid security code and certain signal inputs from the various system components will enable and disable a secure idle mode of operation, and will limit vehicle operation if unauthorized use is detected while the system is enabled.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 1999Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: James W. Landes
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Patent number: 6019702Abstract: An automatic elevated idle speed control is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine on a vehicle. The control includes an electronic controller connected with an engine speed determining means, and a sensor that determines the power requirements of a PTO device and produces a signal. The control automatically varies an engine speed command based on the signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kevin D. Ehrenhardt, James W. Landes, Prasad V. Parupalli
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Patent number: 5978729Abstract: An electronic control for a compression ignition engine preferably includes engine sensors and vehicle sensors connected to the control. The control inputs signals produced by the sensor and responsively calculates a plurality of rating factors. The control weights the rating factors according to owner programmed weighting and also calculates a driver performance factor as the sum of the weighted rating factors. A modified vehicle speed limit is calculated in response to the driver performance score exceeding a minimum incentive value.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 1997Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James W. Landes, Mark E. Rettig