US6577909B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for automatically shutting down a machine during an operator's absence
Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
•
Filing: 1999-03-31
•
Granted: 2003-06-10
•
Expires: 2019-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method for automatically shutting down an engine on a machine in during an operators absence in order to prevent potential damage to the machine. A determination is made regarding if the machine is running, and an if an operator is not present. In the preferred embodiment a plurality of predetermined shutdown values, which correspond with at least one of a plurality of critical parameters, are stored in the controller. The machine will shutdown if the critical parameters are determined to be beyond the shutdown values. Additionally, a cool down feature, if enabled, will cause the machine to cool down prior to the machine being shutdown.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitchell J. McGowan
- 👤 Dean J. Schlickbernd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:39
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05B; G05B9/00; G05B9/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for automatically shutting down a machine, comprising: determining if the machine is running; determining if an operator is present; determining if at least one critical parameter has changed beyond a respective predetermined value, wherein damage to the machine results if the at least one critical parameter attains the predetermined value; determining if a cool down feature is enabled; enabling at least one of a hydraulic cooling fan system and an engine cooling fan system in response to determining if the cool down feature is enabled; activating machine shutdown in response to the machine being running, the operator not being present, the at least one critical parameter being beyond the predetermined value, and the cool down feature not enabled; activating machine cool down and then activating machine shutdown in response to the machine being running, the operator not being present, the at least one critical parameter being beyond the predetermined value, and the cool down feature enabled.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for automatically shutting down a machine, comprising: determining if the machine is running; determining if an operator is present; determining if at least one critical parameter has changed beyond a respective predetermined value, wherein damage to the machine results if the at least one critical parameter attains the predetermined value; determining if a cool down feature is enabled; enabling at least one of a hydraulic cooling fan system and an engine cooling fan system in response to determining if the cool down feature is enabled; activating machine shutdown in response to the machine being running, the operator not being present, the at least one critical parameter being beyond the predetermined value, and the cool down feature not enabled; activating machine cool down and then activating machine shutdown in response to the machine being running, the operator not being present, the at least one critical parameter being beyond the predetermined value, and the cool down feature enabled.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the cool down feature is enabled includes the operator enabling a manual switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein determining if the cool down feature is enabled includes enabling a software switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising activating the machine shutdown in response to enabling at least one of a hydraulic cooling fan system and an engine cooling fan system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3680533A
Cited
US4367709A
Cited
US4381042A
Cited
US4653445A
Cited
US5219413A
Cited
US5990800A
Cited
US5706909A
Cited
US5931254A
Cited
US6249215B1
Cited
US6356819B1
Cited
US6167746B1
Cited
US6202014B1
Cited
US6131539A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-09 | 2006-12-09 | 2007-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-09 | 2010-12-09 | 2011-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-09 | 2014-12-09 | 2015-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |