Patents by Inventor S. Miller Weisman, II

S. Miller Weisman, II 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: 6671614
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring engine operating data include monitoring various engine operating parameters and periodically storing engine data when corresponding criteria are met. In one embodiment, engine operating parameters may include engine speed, powertrain demand, or a fluid temperature, for example. Engine operating data such as oil pressure, turbo boost pressure, battery voltage, fuel economy, oil temperature, coolant temperature, maximum RPM, maximum vehicle speed, and throttle position sensor voltage, for example may be stored for trending and analysis. In addition, engine components may be monitored to determine service or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang
  • Publication number: 20030226809
    Abstract: An oil circulation system that monitors filter life and can notify the operator of the oil filter life status. The oil filter life is calculated based upon oil pressure sensors on the inlet and outlet of the oil filter. Pressure drop, oil temperature, and engine speed from the tachometer are factored into an algorithm to calculate the percentage of oil filter life remaining. If the percentage is below the predetermined level, the system will warn the operator to change the filter. If the percentage is above the predetermined level, the system will record the extent of oil filter life remaining and repeat the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Applicant: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Zagone, S. Miller Weisman II, Ann W. Rock
  • Patent number: 6564141
    Abstract: An engine with transport delay represented by a delay period is controlled with a controller in the feed-forward path and a compensator in a negative inner feedback loop around the controller. The controller generates a control signal so as to control the engine as if the engine was without the delay. A compensation signal is generated as the sum of the control signal only over the delay period. The control signal is based on an error signal generated as the difference between a desired input and the sum of a controlled engine output and the compensation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6411888
    Abstract: An efficiency gauge may be used for controlling an automotive vehicle. At least one vehicle parameter is sampled during vehicle operation and at least one measure of driving efficiency is determined from the sampled vehicle parameters. Efficiency measurement may include determining an estimate of kinetic energy lost. One such estimate is the sampled braking velocity cost found based on the difference of the squares of the last two vehicle velocities if the vehicle has decelerated and braking has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6339742
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring engine operating data include monitoring various engine operating parameters and periodically storing engine data when corresponding criteria are met. In one embodiment, enigne operating parameters may include engine speed, powertrain demand, or a fluid temperature, for example. Engine operating data such as oil pressure, turbo boost pressure, battery voltage, fuel economy, oil temperature, coolant temperature, maximum RPM, maximum vehicle speed, and throttle position sensor voltage, for example may be stored for trending and analysis. In addition, engine components may be monitored to determine service or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventor: S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6330873
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6220223
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine to limit engine output include determining engine speed, determining vehicle speed, determining a ratio based on the engine speed and the vehicle speed, comparing the ratio to a threshold, and controlling the engine to limit engine output based on the comparison. The ratio used for comparison may be selected from a plurality of ratios based on a current gear ratio which may be an actual or virtual (computed) gear ratio. The threshold may represent a low gear torque limit threshold in one embodiment. A vehicle speed sensor fault may also be considered to determine whether to limit the engine output. In one embodiment, engine output is limited by limiting engine torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. LeTang
  • Patent number: 6133823
    Abstract: An electronic audible novelty device, comprising a body having a planar bottom surface, a top surface in spaced relation to said bottom surface having at least a portion thereof which is resiliently deformable, and a sidewall extending unbroken therebetween to define an interior and exterior, an electronic circuit assembly mounted on the interior surface of said planar surface in said body including an electronic circuit unit which is programmed with at least one sound sequence; said sound sequence programmed to be time delayed, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer deposited upon at least a portion of the exterior surface of said planar surface, sound producing means mounted on said interior surface for receiving said sound sequence from said electronic circuit unit and converting the same into audible sounds, a normally open switch carried within said body and connected to said electronic circuit unit for activating the same; said electronic circuit unit having a pair of conductive ends which are connectable
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Inventors: Raymond R. Brown, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 6067489
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of compression-ignition internal combustion engine, wherein the control strategy integrates various functions of engine control with cooling fan control, and wherein the cooling fan control automatically ramps down cooling speed for multi-speed cooling fans whenever monitored engine conditions effecting cooling fan operation dictate transition of the multi-speed cooling fan from a high speed to an off condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, S. Miller Weisman, II, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 6016791
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the fuel pressure in a common rail fuel injection system which electronically controls a variable output high pressure pump based upon engine speed, torque and actual common rail pressure inputs, as well as the present system voltage, thereby providing simple yet stable control of the fuel pressure in the accumulator of the common rail system which is relatively insensitive to supply voltage fluctuations from the power source providing the electrical power to the solenoid-controlled valve which controls the high pressure pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2000
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Eric D. Thomas, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5896083
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting tampering with a vehicle speed sensor input signal include determining a current gear ratio, comparing the current gear ratio to at least one reference gear ratio to determine a gear ratio difference value, and generating an error signal indicating tampering with the vehicle speed sensor signal when the gear ratio difference value exceeds a first threshold. In one embodiment the step of generating an error signal is performed only when the gear ratio difference value exceeds the first threshold for an elapsed time greater than a predetermined time period. One embodiment includes determining a current engine speed, current vehicle speed, and current transmission gear ratio and storing values for the current engine speed, vehicle speed, and transmission gear ratio in the memory whenever at least one predetermined criterion is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Richard Avery
  • Patent number: 5847644
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5647317
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5615654
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock
  • Patent number: 5483927
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise .control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 5477827
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of an internal combustion engine, such as a compression-ignition engine, utilizing an electronic control module is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including an acceleration balance test for the engine cylinders, a fuel economy vehicle speed limit adder, a fueling limit for high altitude vehicle operation, throttle logic, a data-hub for operation trending and vehicle component lifing analyses, a gear ratio torque limit, an air temperature based torque limit, enhanced fan control, and an idle shutdown strategy based on ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: S. Miller Weisman, II, Eric D. Thomas, Arnold J. VanderBok
  • Patent number: 5445128
    Abstract: A method for comprehensive integrated control of a compression-ignition internal combustion engine having integral fuel pump-injectors utilizing an electronic control unit is disclosed. The control strategy integrates various functions of engine control including fuel delivery, cooling fan control, engine speed governing and overspeed protection, engine braking, torque control, and vehicle speed diagnostics and control. Cooling fan control is integrated with vehicle speed diagnostics and control as well as fuel delivery to provide an integrated cruise control function which incorporates engine braking. The method also includes improved control over the various engine speed governors while improving idle quality by balancing the power delivered by each of the engine cylinders when at idle. The integrated torque control employs functions to reduce NOx emissions and noise utilizing adaptive fuel delivery timing and a split injection strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Detroit Diesel Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis M. Letang, Douglas J. Babcock, S. Miller Weisman, II
  • Patent number: 4611285
    Abstract: A method of selecting a desired transmission gear by controlling the duty cycle of a solenoid applying hydraulic pressure to one side of a transmission shift valve in relation to the hydraulic pressure applied to the other side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: S. Miller Weisman, II