Patents by Inventor Richard Michael Avery, Jr.

Richard Michael Avery, Jr. 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: 6941245
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling engine temperature by derating torque output of the engine. The method and system operate in cooperation with an electronic control module which is programmable for controlling temperature in the engine by derating maximum engine torque output based on an engine temperature rate of change. This permits the derating to be finely tuned to maximize available torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: John Edward Longnecker, Leopold Super, Richard Michael Avery, Jr., Brian Lewallen
  • Patent number: 6886336
    Abstract: A method for controlling condensation in an engine. A set of signals indicative of an intake manifold temperature, intake manifold pressure, intake air temperature, intake air humidity, engine speed, and exhaust gas mask flow rate is provided. A critical value that indicates that condensation could occur is calculated. The critical value is compared to a predetermined threshold value or range. An exhaust gas recirculation valve is closed if the critical value exceeds the predetermined threshold value or range. The exhaust gas recirculation valve is opened if the predetermined threshold value or range is not exceeded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Leopold Super, Richard Michael Avery, Jr., John Edward Longnecker
  • Patent number: 6880497
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one engine cooling fan for a compression ignition internal combustion engine, the method includes turning on the at least one cooling fan when an intake manifold air temperature is equal to or greater than a predetermined turn-on threshold temperature for a predetermined turn-on time, and turning off the at least one cooling fan when the intake manifold air temperature is equal to or less than a predetermined turn-off threshold temperature for a predetermined turn-off time, wherein the predetermined turn-on threshold temperature is greater than the predetermined turn-off threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Michael Avery, Jr., Leopold Super
  • Patent number: 6814053
    Abstract: An engine control system for a compression ignition engine employs a microprocessor-based controller that detects engine operation in a speed range previously determined to be undesirable, and responding to the detection by changing operation of the engine. In the preferred embodiment, the controller commands a parameter for adjusting engine operation to reach a different speed outside of first and second thresholds defining the undesirable range in a time period subsequent to the detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Scott Hawkins, Kurt Joseph Couture, Richard Michael Avery, Jr., Ian Daniel McKenzie
  • Patent number: 6708104
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine monitor exhaust back pressure and take remedial action when the exhaust back pressure exceeds a corresponding threshold. The system and method respond to increased exhaust back pressures attributable to various causes to alert the vehicle operator and/or engage engine protection mechanisms depending on the back pressure severity level in an effort to avoid engine/component damage. Fault timers are provided for tracking time fault conditions are present and time that faults are active, with active faults being latched for the current ignition cycle. Available engine torque may be reduced in response to excessive exhaust back pressure. Anti-tampering logic is provided to detect attempts to defeat the protection feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Michael Avery, Jr., Matthew Thomas Baird, Brian Andrew Lewallen, Tomislav Golub, Peter Zagone
  • Patent number: 6587767
    Abstract: A real-time maintenance alert system for use in a heavy duty truck having an engine including an engine controller having a communications data link is provided. The system includes an engine item sensor and a non-engine item sensor. Control logic at the engine controller produces an output signal at the data link in response to the presence of an engine item real-time fault condition. A display device transmits and receives information over the data link, and processes the control logic output signal. The display device generates an output signal indicative of the engine item status. Further, the display device directly receives and processes the non-engine item sensor output signal, and generates an output signal indicative of the non-engine item status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis Michael Letang, Richard Michael Avery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6371081
    Abstract: An engine controller capable of operating in both a torque governing mode and a speed governing mode simultaneously, and a method of operation whereby speed governing may be enabled and disabled while simultaneously providing a valid speed request signal to the controller is disclosed. A speed governor signal having an enabled state and a disabled state is generated external to the controller and monitored by the speed governor. A speed request signal is simultaneously monitored by the speed governor. The speed governor is operative to control the speed of the engine proportional to the speed request signal while the speed governor signal is in the enabled state. The speed governor is disabled by setting the speed governor signal into the disabled state. A torque governor may also be operational within the controller. The torque governor monitors a torque request signal which it uses to control a torque generated by the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery Scott Hawkins, Richard Michael Avery, Jr., Donald Michael McDonald
  • Patent number: 6104977
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing cab vibration during engine shutdown in a vehicle, including an internal combustion engine, an engine brake, and an electronic control unit for controlling the engine and the engine brake, includes logic for determining when a shutdown condition is occurring, and logic for generating a control signal to activate the engine brake during the engine shutdown. In one embodiment, the step of activating the engine brake is performed only after the engine speed has fallen below a pre-determined level. The system and method also preferably include automatically deactivating the engine brake at a pre-selected time, such as when engine RPM falls below a second threshold, to ensure that the engine brake is not activated upon restarting the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: Richard Michael Avery, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5987888
    Abstract: A method of controlling a turbocharger in an internal combustion engine includes monitoring a turbocharger parameter such as turbine speed or turbo boost pressure, and establishing a turbocharger parameter limit value for the turbocharger parameter. A dynamic engine torque limit value is determined based on the current value of the turbocharger parameter and the turbocharger parameter limit value. A provisional engine torque is based on engine conditions, and an applied or desired engine torque is limited to the lesser of the dynamic engine torque limit value and the provisional engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Michael Wayne Trumbower, Richard Michael Avery, Jr., Dennis Michael Letang