US5978729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic engine control and method of operating same
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-15
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Granted: 1999-11-02
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Expires: 2017-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An electronic control for a compression ignition engine preferably includes engine sensors and vehicle sensors connected to the control. The control inputs signals produced by the sensor and responsively calculates a plurality of rating factors. The control weights the rating factors according to owner programmed weighting and also calculates a driver performance factor as the sum of the weighted rating factors. A modified vehicle speed limit is calculated in response to the driver performance score exceeding a minimum incentive value.
Inventors
- 👤 James W. Landes
- 👤 Mark E. Rettig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:48
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K31/00; B60K31/02; B60K31/04; B60K31/042; B60K31/045; B60K31/047; B60W; B60W2540/00; B60W2540/30; B60W40/00; B60W40/08; B60W40/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An electronic engine control for use with a compression ignition engine for on-highway vehicles, said engine control comprising: an electronic control module; a plurality of sensors associated with said engine, said sensors producing signals indicative of operating states of said engine, said engine sensors connected to said electronic control module; a plurality of vehicle sensors producing vehicle signals indicative of operating states of said vehicle, said vehicle sensors connected to said electronic control module; wherein said electronic control module calculates a rating factor associated with each of said sensor signals and said vehicle sensor signals; weighting factors associated with each of said plurality of rating factors; a vehicle speed limit; wherein said electronic controller calculates a driver performance score as a function of said rating factors and associated weighting factors, compares said driver performance score to a minimum incentive score, calculates a vehicle speed limit incentive and a modified vehicle speed limit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
An electronic engine control for use with a compression ignition engine for on-highway vehicles, said engine control comprising: an electronic control module; a plurality of sensors associated with said engine, said sensors producing signals indicative of operating states of said engine, said engine sensors connected to said electronic control module; a plurality of vehicle sensors producing vehicle signals indicative of operating states of said vehicle, said vehicle sensors connected to said electronic control module; wherein said electronic control module calculates a rating factor associated with each of said sensor signals and said vehicle sensor signals; weighting factors associated with each of said plurality of rating factors; a vehicle speed limit; wherein said electronic controller calculates a driver performance score as a function of said rating factors and associated weighting factors, compares said driver performance score to a minimum incentive score, calculates a vehicle speed limit incentive and a modified vehicle speed limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
An electronic engine control according to claim 1, wherein said weighting factors are programmable values between a predetermined minimum and a predetermined maximum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electronic engine control according to claim 1, wherein said sensors include an engine speed sensor and a throttle position sensor, and said electronic control module calculates a load demand rating.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of controlling a compression ignition engine for use in on-highway vehicles, said method comprising: computing a driver performance score; comparing said driver performance score to a minimum incentive score; calculating a modified vehicle speed limit in response to said step of comparing.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of controlling a compression ignition engine for use in on-highway vehicles, said method comprising: computing a driver performance score; comparing said driver performance score to a minimum incentive score; calculating a modified vehicle speed limit in response to said step of comparing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method according to claim 4, wherein computing a driver performance score includes: reading an signal produced by a sensor associated with said engine; computing a first rating factor based on said step of reading; reading a first weighting factor associated with said signal; and calculating a first weighted rating factor from said first rating factor and said first weighting factor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method according to claim 5, wherein said step of computing a driver score includes: reading a vehicle sensor signal; computing a second rating factor based on said step of reading said vehicle sensor; reading a second weighting factor; calculating a second weighted rating factor from said second rating factor and said second weighting factor; and summing said first and second weighted rating factors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-01 | 2003-05-03 | 2003-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-01 | 2007-05-03 | 2007-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-01 | 2011-05-03 | 2011-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |