Patents by Inventor Jeffrey L. DeGroot

Jeffrey L. DeGroot 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).

  • Patent number: 6537177
    Abstract: A method to prevent overspeed of an internal combustion and attached ancillary devices in a mechanized vehicle includes one or more procedures to prevent improper gear selection to disengage the lockup function of a torque converter, to initiate engine braking and to destroke variable displacement hydraulic pumps. Requested gear selection in downshift is allowed only after interrogation of brake pressure, ground speed, shift selection requested and torque converter output speed. The torque converter lock-up solenoid is activated or deactivated in response to torque converter output speed which is compared to selected values to engage or disengage. Engine braking using a compression release braking system response to engine RPM in manual or automatic mode to prevent overspeed. Variable displacement pumps are destroked in response to engine RPM by adjusting swashplate control. The systems may be operated independently or under the control of a common electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Degroot, H. Paul Dietz, Susan J. Gaugush, Thomas G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6470851
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the speed of an engine having a plurality of cylinders and a compression brake operable on one or more of the cylinders is disclosed. The method includes determining a speed of the engine, comparing the engine speed to a first threshold, and activating the compression brake for at least one of the cylinders in response to the engine speed exceeding the first threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. DeGroot, Hans P. Dietz, Thomas A. McCauley, Angela I. Tan
  • Publication number: 20020115531
    Abstract: A method to prevent overspeed of an internal combustion and attached ancillary devices in a mechanized vehicle includes one or more procedures to prevent improper gear selection to disengage the lockup function of a torque converter, to initiate engine braking and to destroke variable displacement hydraulic pumps. Requested gear selection in downshift is allowed only after interrogation of brake pressure, ground speed, shift selection requested and torque converter output speed. The torque converter lock-up solenoid is activated or deactivated in response to torque converter output speed which is compared to selected values to engage or disengage. Engine braking using a compression release braking system response to engine RPM in manual or automatic mode to prevent overspeed. Variable displacement pumps are destroked in response to engine RPM by adjusting swashplate control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Degroot, Hans Paul Dietz, Susan J. Gaugush, Thomas G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 5509391
    Abstract: A spool valve assembly for isolating and/or minimizing actuating fluid pressure fluctuations between a pair of actuating fluid manifolds in a hydraulically-actuated fuel injection system. The spool valve assembly may be integrally formed with an actuating fluid supply pump or positioned remote therefrom in the fluid flowpath between the supply pump and the pair of actuating fluid manifolds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey L. DeGroot