Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Lloyd

Thomas E. Lloyd 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: 12497939
    Abstract: A method of starting a compression ignition engine is provided. The method comprises using a glow plug of the compression ignition engine to perform a warm up routine to preheat the compression ignition engine. During the warm up routine, a fuel rack actuator of the fuel rack is actuated which controls the quantity of fuel to be injected into the compression ignition engine such that the fuel rack is in a start-up fuel injection position by the end of the warm up routine. Following the end of the warm up routine, the compression ignition engine is cranked until the compression ignition engine starts, wherein the fuel rack actuator maintains the start-up fuel injection position of the fuel rack until the compression ignition engine has started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Lloyd, Christopher J Crawford, Qiancheng Ma
  • Publication number: 20250283443
    Abstract: A method of starting a compression ignition engine is provided. The method comprises using a glow plug of the compression ignition engine to perform a warm up routine to preheat the compression ignition engine. During the warm up routine, a fuel rack actuator of the fuel rack is actuated which controls the quantity of fuel to be injected into the compression ignition engine such that the fuel rack is in a start-up fuel injection position by the end of the warm up routine. Following the end of the warm up routine, the compression ignition engine is cranked until the compression ignition engine starts, wherein the fuel rack actuator maintains the start-up fuel injection position of the fuel rack until the compression ignition engine has started.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2023
    Publication date: September 11, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpiltar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. LLOYD, Christopher J. CRAWFORD, Qiancheng MA
  • Patent number: 11585251
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an engine assembly comprising an internal combustion engine and an exhaust gas treatment apparatus. The aftertreatment assembly may require cleaning from time to time, and where this involves active thermal management of the aftertreatment assembly, the method involves performing the following steps: (a) imposing a first limit on engine speed; (b) awaiting an engine safe state; and (c) implementing a cleaning process comprising: (i) injecting fuel into the engine such that the fuel passes through the engine without combusting for the fuel to combust in the diesel oxidation catalyst so as to target an increase in exhaust gas temperature in the diesel oxidation catalyst; and (ii) removing the first limit on engine speed and targeting an engine speed set point, wherein the engine speed set point is at a higher speed than the first limit on engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Antony J. Eager, Thomas E. Lloyd, Peter Moorhouse
  • Publication number: 20220010709
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling an engine assembly comprising an internal combustion engine and an exhaust gas treatment apparatus. The aftertreatment assembly may require cleaning from time to time, and where this involves active thermal management of the aftertreatment assembly, the method involves performing the following steps: (a) imposing a first limit on engine speed; (b) awaiting an engine safe state; and (c) implementing a cleaning process comprising: (i) injecting fuel into the engine such that the fuel passes through the engine without combusting for the fuel to combust in the diesel oxidation catalyst so as to target an increase in exhaust gas temperature in the diesel oxidation catalyst; and (ii) removing the first limit on engine speed and targeting an engine speed set point, wherein the engine speed set point is at a higher speed than the first limit on engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Perkins Engines Company Limited
    Inventors: Antony J. Eager, Thomas E. Lloyd, Peter Moorhouse