Patents by Inventor Travis E. Barnes
Travis E. Barnes 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: 10830168Abstract: A system may include at least one processor configured to receive a fuel signal indicative of an amount of fuel supplied to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, receive an air signal indicative of a quantity of air supplied to the cylinder, and estimate a mean effective pressure in the cylinder based at least in part on the fuel signal and the air signal. The system may estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas entering an exhaust manifold associated with the internal combustion engine, generate a rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold based at least in part on the exhaust gas temperature, generate an estimated exhaust manifold temperature based at least in part on the rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold, and estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas exiting the exhaust manifold and entering a turbine of a turbocharger.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Travis E. Barnes, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
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Publication number: 20200332736Abstract: A system may include at least one processor configured to receive a fuel signal indicative of an amount of fuel supplied to a cylinder of an internal combustion engine, receive an air signal indicative of a quantity of air supplied to the cylinder, and estimate a mean effective pressure in the cylinder based at least in part on the fuel signal and the air signal. The system may estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas entering an exhaust manifold associated with the internal combustion engine, generate a rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold based at least in part on the exhaust gas temperature, generate an estimated exhaust manifold temperature based at least in part on the rate of temperature change value for the exhaust manifold, and estimate an exhaust gas temperature for exhaust gas exiting the exhaust manifold and entering a turbine of a turbocharger.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher R. Gehrke, Travis E. Barnes, Anthony T. Petrou, David A. Pierpont
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Patent number: 9534546Abstract: A method of operating an engine includes determining an intake air temperature and an engine speed. The method includes selectively initiating one of a first operating mode, a second operating mode and a third operating mode based on at least the intake air temperature and the engine speed. The first operating mode includes increasing the engine speed progressively by an incremental speed value. The second operating mode includes deactivating at least one Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cylinder of the engine. The third operating mode includes shutting down the engine.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Chad S. Nelson, Rino Marcon, Kirti C. Tamhane, Hariharan Ramachandran, Amina Naheed, Krishna R. Yejju, Kotaro Naruo, Mark Bright, Travis E. Barnes, Urvish B. Joshi, Ramya Gangishetty
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Publication number: 20150330319Abstract: A method of operating an engine includes determining an intake air temperature and an engine speed. The method includes selectively initiating one of a first operating mode, a second operating mode and a third operating mode based on at least the intake air temperature and the engine speed. The first operating mode includes increasing the engine speed progressively by an incremental speed value. The second operating mode includes deactivating at least one Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cylinder of the engine. The third operating mode includes shutting down the engine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Chad S. Nelson, Rino Marcon, Kirti C. Tamhane, Hariharan Ramachandran, Amina Naheed, Krishna R. Yejju, Kotaro Naruo, Mark Bright, Travis E. Barnes, Urvish B. Joshi, Ramya Gangishetty
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Publication number: 20140261310Abstract: A system for optimizing engine braking power is provided. The system includes an intake manifold configured to receive air from a compressed air source. The system includes an engine brake associated with a power source. The system also includes a bleed valve configured to bleed a portion of the air from the intake manifold. The system further includes a controller in communication with the bleed valve and configured to receive a status of the engine brake. The controller is configured to activate the bleed valve to bleed a portion of the air from the intake manifold based at least in part on the engine brake being active and based at least in part on a pre-determined relationship between an air pressure in the intake manifold and one or more parameters associated with the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Keith N. E. Troisi, Travis E. Barnes, Alexandra L.V. Santos, Inderbir Dhillon, Stephan Roozenboom
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Publication number: 20130167810Abstract: A system for controlling a pressure ratio of an output pressure to an input pressure of a compressor associated with an engine is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive signals indicative of an input pressure associated with a compressor, and receive signals indicative of an output pressure associated with the compressor. The controller is further configured to compare a compressor pressure ratio of the output pressure to the input pressure with a threshold pressure ratio, and control a bypass valve in flow communication with the compressor based on the comparison.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2011Publication date: July 4, 2013Inventors: Jayant K. Roplekar, Travis E. Barnes, Nathan P. Atterberry, Keith N. E. Troisi
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Patent number: 7520259Abstract: A power management system for a combustion engine is disclosed. The power management system has a fuel injector, a sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the fuel injector. The fuel injector is operable to inject multiple shots of fuel into the combustion engine during a single injection event. The sensor is configured to sense a speed of the combustion engine and generate a signal indicative of the sensed speed. The controller is configured to limit the number of shots per injection event in response to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Stephen R. Lewis, W. John Love, Timothy J. Matzke, Kevin L. Dea
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Patent number: 7520266Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine is disclosed. The fuel injector has a plunger disposed within a bore, a nozzle member, a valve needle, a check valve, a spill valve, and a controller. The check valve is movable between a first position at which the valve needle is communicated with the bore, and a second position at which the valve needle is fluidly communicated with a drain. The spill valve is movable between a first position at which fuel flows from the bore to the drain, and a second position at which the fuel from the bore is blocked. The controller moves the spill valve toward its second position and the check valve toward its second position during a downward displacing movement of the plunger. The controller detects an unsuccessful movement of the check valve to the second position, and prematurely halts the current injection event in response to the detection.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 21, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Rammohan Sankar, Clayton D. Walenta, Christopher F. Gallmeyer
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Patent number: 7418335Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system has a source of pressurized fuel, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a common manifold configured to distribute pressurized fuel from the source to the plurality of fuel injectors. The fuel system also has a first sensor located upstream of the common manifold, and a second sensor associated with the engine. The first sensor is configured to generate a first signal indicative of a fuel temperature. The second sensor is configured to generate a second signal indicative of a speed of the engine. The fuel system further has a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to estimate a fuel temperature at each of the plurality of fuel injectors based on the first signal, the second signal, and the position of the plurality of fuel injectors along the common manifold.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Rammohan Sankar, Yongxiang Li, Jialing Chen
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Publication number: 20070289576Abstract: A fuel injector for an engine is disclosed. The fuel injector has a plunger disposed within a bore, a nozzle member, a valve needle, a check valve, a spill valve, and a controller. The check valve is movable between a first position at which the valve needle is communicated with the bore, and a second position at which the valve needle is fluidly communicated with a drain. The spill valve is movable between a first position at which fuel flows from the bore to the drain, and a second position at which the fuel from the bore is blocked. The controller moves the spill valve toward its second position and the check valve toward its second position during a downward displacing movement of the plunger. The controller detects an unsuccessful movement of the check valve to the second position, and prematurely halts the current injection event in response to the detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Rammohan Sankar, Clayton D. Walenta, Christopher F. Gallmeyer
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Publication number: 20070277777Abstract: A power management system for a combustion engine is disclosed. The power management system has a fuel injector, a sensor, and a controller in communication with the sensor and the fuel injector. The fuel injector is operable to inject multiple shots of fuel into the combustion engine during a single injection event. The sensor is configured to sense a speed of the combustion engine and generate a signal indicative of the sensed speed. The controller is configured to limit the number of shots per injection event in response to the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Stephen R. Lewis, W. John Love, Timothy J. Matzke, Kevin L. Dea
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Publication number: 20070277786Abstract: A fuel system for an engine is disclosed. The fuel system has a source of pressurized fuel, a plurality of fuel injectors, and a common manifold configured to distribute pressurized fuel from the source to the plurality of fuel injectors. The fuel system also has a first sensor located upstream of the common manifold, and a second sensor associated with the engine. The first sensor is configured to generate a first signal indicative of a fuel temperature. The second sensor is configured to generate a second signal indicative of a speed of the engine. The fuel system further has a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller is configured to estimate a fuel temperature at each of the plurality of fuel injectors based on the first signal, the second signal, and the position of the plurality of fuel injectors along the common manifold.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: December 6, 2007Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Rammohan Sankar, Yongxiang Li, Jialing Chen
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Patent number: 7287516Abstract: A pump for a fuel system is disclosed. The pump has a housing defining at least one pumping chamber, and a plunger. The plunger is movable to draw a fluid into and displace the fluid from the at least one pumping chamber. The pump also has a metering valve and a controller. The metering valve has a valve element movable to selectively meter fluid drawn into the at least one pumping chamber. The controller is configured to receive an indication of a desired discharge characteristic and reference a first map to determine an inlet opening area corresponding to the desired discharge characteristic. The controller is also configured to reference a second map to determine a position of the metering valve corresponding to the determined inlet opening area, and to send a control signal to the metering valve indicative of the determined position.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Elliot, Scott R. Schuricht, Travis E. Barnes
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Patent number: 7255091Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The fuel injector has a plunger, an electronically controlled check valve, and a controller in communication with the electronically controlled check valve. The controller is configured to receive a indication of a desired start of injection timing relative to an angular position of a crankshaft of the engine, and a desired injection quantity. The controller is also configured to determine a displacement of the plunger based on an angular position of the crankshaft; to determine a start of current for the electronically controlled check valve relative to plunger displacement that results in the desired start of injection timing, and to determine an end of current for the electronically controlled check valve relative to plunger displacement that results in the desired injection quantity. The controller is further configured to affect the determined start and end of current for the electronically controlled check valve.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Rammohan Sankar, Daniel Yongxiang Li
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Patent number: 7201127Abstract: A method of initially operating an internal combustion engine including operating the engine in a start-up mode is provided. The start-up mode includes injecting at least two fuel pre-shots wherein a first of the fuel pre-shots is smaller in quantity than a last of the fuel pre-shots. An engine is provided including an electronic controller with a computer readable medium having a control algorithm recorded thereon, the control algorithm including means for commanding injection of a main fuel shot and at least two fuel pre-shots wherein a first of the fuel pre-shots is smaller in quantity than a last of the fuel pre-shots.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2005Date of Patent: April 10, 2007Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Andrew D. Rockwell, Travis E. Barnes, Evan E. Jacobson, David J. Schuh
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Patent number: 7111613Abstract: A fuel injector for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft is disclosed. The fuel injector has plunger to displace fuel and an electronically controlled spill valve. The fuel injector also has a nozzle member having at least one orifice and a valve needle disposed within the nozzle member, and movable against a spring bias to selectively inject pressurized fuel through the at least one orifice. The fuel injector also has an electronically controlled check valve. The valve needle is automatically moved to inject pressurized fuel when the pressure of the fuel within the fuel injector reaches a predetermined valve opening pressure determined by a spring bias. Valve elements of the electronically controlled spill and check valves are both in a flow blocking position before the pressure of the fuel within the fuel injector reaches the predetermined valve opening pressure. Injection terminates when the valve element of the electronically controlled check valve is moved to a flow-passing position.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: September 26, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Travis E. Barnes, Stephen R. Lewis, Dana R. Coldren, Rammohan Sankar, Daniel Yongxiang Li
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Patent number: 7006910Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter associated with a delivery of fuel in an engine. The method and apparatus includes determining an initial parameter value associated with the delivery of fuel, determining at least one compensation factor based on a heating effect of a fuel and a fuel system, and applying the at least one compensation factor to the initial parameter value to derive a compensated parameter value.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2003Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Scott R. Schuricht, David A. Pierpont, Travis E. Barnes
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Patent number: 6907851Abstract: An engine valve actuation system is provided. The engine valve actuation system includes an intake valve that is moveable between a first position to prevent a flow of fluid and a second position to allow a flow of fluid. A cam assembly is configured to move the intake valve between the first position and the second position. A fluid actuator is configured to selectively prevent the intake valve from moving to the first position. A source of fluid is in fluid communication with the fluid actuator. A directional control valve is configured to control a flow of fluid between the source of fluid and the fluid actuator. A check valve is disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, only allowing fluid flow from the fluid source to the directional control valve. A bleed orifice may be disposed between the directional control valve and the source of fluid, in parallel with the check valve.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2002Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Travis E. Barnes, Judson R. Bruce, Sean O. Cornell, Douglas E. Handly, Scott A. Leman, David M. Milam, Wade J. Robel, Di Wu
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Patent number: 6860253Abstract: The minimum desired engine speed for engaging engine braking varies. The disclosed method includes determining a speed error by subtracting the desired engine speed from the actual engine speed, comparing the speed error to an error threshold, and generating a brake enable command if the speed error is greater than or equal to the error threshold.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2003Date of Patent: March 1, 2005Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Travis E. Barnes, Ronald D. Shinogle
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Publication number: 20040249554Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a parameter associated with a delivery of fuel in an engine. The method and apparatus includes determining an initial parameter value associated with the delivery of fuel, determining at least one compensation factor based on a heating effect of a fuel and a fuel system, and applying the at least one compensation factor to the initial parameter value to derive a compensated parameter value.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2003Publication date: December 9, 2004Inventors: Scott R. Schuricht, David A. Pierpont, Travis E. Barnes