Kevin J Lueschow

US Patent:

6385970, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Aug 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/377723

Inventors:

Brian D. Kuras - East Peoria IL
Charles E. Rose - Metamora IL
Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16D 3102

US Classification:

60448, 60449, 60491

Abstract:

An apparatus for controlling load on an engine is disclosed. The apparatus includes a continuously variable transmission driven by the engine. The apparatus further includes an engine speed sensor being adapted to sense the output speed of the engine and produce an engine speed signal indicative of the engine output speed and a travel speed sensor being adapted to sense the travel speed of the machine and produce a travel speed signal indicative of the machine travel speed. The apparatus yet further includes an electronic controller operable to compare the engine speed signal to an underspeed value and produce an integral error signal indicative of the difference between the engine speed signal and the underspeed value, supply an integral gain value based on the machine travel speed, modify the integral error signal through a proportional plus integral feedback controller to produce an underspeed request signal, and produce a command signal based on the underspeed request signal. The command signal is used to control the transmission ratio of the continuously variable transmission so as to control the load on the engine. A method for controlling a load on an engine associated with a continuously variable transmission is also disclosed.

US Patent:

6552279, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Aug 22, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/934825

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL
Dugan Um - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G01G 1900

US Classification:

177141, 73 113, 702100, 702101, 702174

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus configured to perform viscosity compensation for a payload measurement system of a machine. The machine has at least one cylinder for elevating a payload carrier. The cylinder is connected to a fluid circuit having an actuating fluid. A plurality of pressure values of the actuating fluid are sensed during a lifting of a first payload. Then a plurality of pressure values of the actuating fluid are sensed during a lifting of a second payload. In addition a parameter indicative of the fluid viscosity associated with the first and second lift is established. A plurality of pressure values of the actuating fluid are sensed during a lifting of a third payload, and a parameter indicative of the viscosity of the actuating fluid associated with the third lift is established. A payload weight of the third payload is then determined in response to the viscosity indicative parameters, and the sensed plurality of actuating fluid pressure values.

US Patent:

6601013, Jul 29, 2003

Filed:

Dec 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/742467

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL
Ronald K. Scott - Buda IL
Joel L. Peterson - East Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G01G 1903

US Classification:

702175, 702 33, 702 41, 702 44, 702 50, 702173, 702174, 177136, 177141

Abstract:

The present invention is configured to determine the weight of a payload of a mobile machine. When the machine is in motion, a force characteristic of the machine is compared with a force characteristic threshold, or range. The payload determination is based upon the force characteristic comparison, and the pressures sensed in at least one of the struts.

US Patent:

6839638, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Nov 26, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/305410

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL, US
Giles K. Sorrells - Metamora IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G01B 300
G01B 500

US Classification:

702 33

Abstract:

A method and apparatus is provided for calibrating a payload monitor of a work machine. Altering the load carrying body of a work machine can adversely impact the accuracy of a payload monitor. The present invention provides a calibrating technique using an alternate coefficient that is programmed into the payload monitor. The alternate coefficient is then used by the payload monitor.

US Patent:

7082375, Jul 25, 2006

Filed:

Sep 28, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/950499

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G01G 23/01

US Classification:

702101

Abstract:

A system for validating a payload weight measurement for a machine includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of an actuating fluid pressure associated with a fluid cylinder operatively coupled to a work implement of the machine. An extension sensor is configured to generate an extension signal indicative of an extension of the fluid cylinder. The system also includes a controller configured to monitor the pressure signal and the extension signal to determine a plurality of actuating fluid pressure values and corresponding extension values associated with the fluid cylinder while lifting a payload of unknown weight with the work implement. The controller is also configured to compare the plurality of actuating fluid pressure values and the corresponding extension values to at least one predetermined pressure versus extension curve and to determine whether an accurate weight value may be assigned to the payload based on the comparison of the plurality of actuating fluid pressure values and the corresponding extension values to the at least one predetermined pressure versus extension curve.

US Patent:

7324880, Jan 29, 2008

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/868462

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL, US
Jeffrey J. Simmons - Washington IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G06F 19/00

US Classification:

701 50, 37234, 172 1

Abstract:

An abnormal lifting cycle of a work machine lift component can be indicative of operator error and/or a fault within a lift component coupler. The present disclosure includes a method of detecting a fault for a lift component coupler of a work machine. Pressure within at least one hydraulic cylinder of the coupler is sensed during at least a portion of a lifting cycle of the lift component. A condition of the lifting cycle can be determined by detecting a magnitude of asymmetry within a plurality of the sensed pressures. An abnormal condition of the lifting cycle is indicated if the magnitude of the asymmetry of the plurality of the sensed pressures is outside of a predetermined range of asymmetry.

US Patent:

7418331, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Jun 15, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/868074

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G06F 11/00

US Classification:

701 50, 701 36, 701 37, 180 41, 280 55, 280 5501

Abstract:

Operating a vehicle with a faulty strut can cause serious consequences. The present disclosure includes a method of detecting a fault within a strut during operation of a vehicle. Pressure within the strut is sensed, and a magnitude of asymmetry within a plurality of the sensed pressures is determined. A faulty strut (e. g. overcharged or collapsed) is indicated when the magnitude of asymmetry is outside of a predetermined range of asymmetry.

US Patent:

7480579, Jan 20, 2009

Filed:

Dec 22, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/315770

Inventors:

Kevin J. Lueschow - Elmwood IL, US
Jody M. Drake - Chillicothe IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G01G 23/01
G01F 19/00

US Classification:

702101, 177141, 702 99, 702100, 702174

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and apparatus configured to perform relative load compensation for a payload measurement system of a machine. The machine has at least one cylinder for elevating a payload carrier. The cylinder is connected to a fluid circuit having an actuating fluid. The payload measurement system is calibrated. Then a load of unknown weight is lifted. To determine the weight of this load, the system determines an uncompensated payload weight as a function of sensed pressure values of the actuating fluid. Temperature of the actuating fluid is sensed at the time of calibration and at a time of lift and the difference is scaled. A payload weight is determined as a function of the scaled temperature and the uncompensated payload weight.