Control system implementing derate based on air characteristics

• US 8,972,149 B2
• Filed: 10/27/2010
• Issued: 03/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Herold, Robert A., Dornberger, James V., Moore, Chad A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cronin, Stephen K
• Assistant Examiner(s): WERNER, ROBERT A
• Application Number:
  US12/913,304
• Publication Number:
  US 20120109487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,588 Days
• Field of Search: 701/109, 701/102, 701/110, 73/310.1
• US Class Current: 701/102
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/04 Engine intake system parameters
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/101 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/701 Information about vehicle position, e.g. from navigation system or GPS signal
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/021 Introducing corrections for particular conditions exterior to the engine conjoint control of vehicle sub-units for propelling the vehicle B60W30/18

Abstract

A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have an engine configured to combust a mixture of fuel and air and generate a mechanical power output and a flow of exhaust, and a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the machine moving between zones having different air characteristics. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the engine and the sensor. The controller may be configured to selectively adjust operation of the engine based on the signal in an amount related to the air characteristics.

Claims

1. A control system for a machine, comprising:

an engine configured to combust a mixture of fuel and air and generate a mechanical power output and a flow of exhaust;

a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the machine moving between zones having different air characteristics; and

a controller in communication with the engine and the sensor and configured to;

determine at least one of a number and a type of other machines currently operating in the same one of the zones as the machine; and

selectively adjust operation of the engine based on the signal in an amount related to the air characteristics and based on at least one of the number and the type of other machines currently operating in the same one of the zones as the machine.

2. The control system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is an RFID receiver configured to detect a first RFID tag mounted at a boundary between the zones.

3. The control system of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to derate the engine when the machine enters one of the zones having a less desirable air characteristic.

4. The control system of claim 3, further including an engine speed sensor, wherein the controller is configured to reference an engine speed sensed by the engine speed sensor and the air characteristics with a relationship map stored in memory to determine an engine output reduction based on the signal.

5. The control system of claim 1, further including a transmission operatively connected to and driven by the engine, wherein the controller is in further communication with the transmission and configured to adjust a gear ratio of the transmission based on the signal.

6. The control system of claim 5, wherein the controller includes stored in memory a first transmission shift map corresponding to machine operation in a first of the zones, and a second transmission shift map corresponding to machine operation in a second of the zones.

7. The control system of claim 1, wherein the air characteristics include at least one of a quality and a supply rate of air within the zones.

8. The control system of claim 7, wherein:

the controller is configured to determine a reduction in engine output corresponding to a desired engine consumption rate of air less than the supply rate of air within at least one of the zones; and

the selectively adjusted operation is based on the reduction in engine output.

9. The control system of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the reduction in engine output such that the combined operation of the machine and the other machines operating in the same one of the zones complies with at least one restriction associated with the air characteristics.

10. A control system for a machine, comprising:

an engine configured to combust a mixture of fuel and air and generate a mechanical power output and a flow of exhaust;

a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of the machine moving between zones having different air characteristics; and

a controller in communication with the engine and the sensor and configured to;

determine a number of other machines currently in at least one of the zones; and

selectively adjust operation of the engine based on the signal and based on the number of other machines currently in at least one of the zones.

11. The control system of claim 10, wherein the sensor is an RFID receiver configured to detect a first RFID tag mounted at a boundary between the zones.

12. The control system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to derate the engine when the machine enters one of the zones having a less desirable air characteristic.

13. The control system of claim 12, further including an engine speed sensor, wherein the controller is configured to reference an engine speed sensed by the engine speed sensor and the air characteristics with a relationship map stored in memory to determine an engine output reduction based on the signal.

14. The control system of claim 10, further including a transmission operatively connected to and driven by the engine, wherein the controller is in further communication with the transmission and configured to adjust a gear ratio of the transmission based on the signal.

15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the controller includes stored in memory a first transmission shift map corresponding to machine operation in a first of the zones, and a second transmission shift map corresponding to machine operation in second of the zones.

16. The control system of claim 10, wherein the air characteristics includes at least one of a quality and a supply rate of air within the zones.

17. The control system of claim 16, wherein:

the controller is configured to determine a reduction in engine output corresponding to a desired engine consumption rate of air less than the supply rate of air within at least one of the zones; and

the selectively adjusted operation is based on the reduction in engine output.

18. A method of controlling a machine, comprising:

making a first determination that the machine has moved between zones having different air characteristics;

making a second determination of a number of other machines currently in at least one of the zones; and

selectively adjusting operation of an engine of the machine based on the first and second determinations.

19. The method of claim 18, further including adjusting a gear ratio of the machine based on the first determination.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the air characteristic includes at least one of a quality and a supply rate of air.