Method and apparatus for controlling the actuation of a compression brake
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJoshua C. Ruedin, Steven J. Funke, Scott A. Leman, Matthew G. Mickiewicz
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Abstract
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling an actuation of a compression brake associated with a combustion engine. The engine includes a fluid circuit for delivering a fluid to the compression brake. The engine also includes a cylinder having an associated exhaust valve. The method includes the steps of establishing a desired timing of an actuation of the brake, determining an air pressure of the engine, and determining a desired fluid pressure in response to the timing and the air pressure.
Claims27
A method of controlling an actuation of a compression brake associated with a combustion engine, the engine including a fluid circuit for delivering a fluid to the compression brake, the fluid enabling the control of the compression brake, the engine including a cylinder having an associated exhaust valve, comprising the steps of:
- establishing a desired timing of an actuation of said brake;
- determining an air pressure of said engine;
- determining a desired fluid pressure in response to said timing and said air pressure;
- and
- controlling said compression brake actuation in response to said desired fluid pressure.
An apparatus adapted to control an actuation of a compression brake associated with a combustion engine, the engine including a fluid circuit for delivering a fluid to the compression brake, the fluid enabling the control of the compression brake, the engine including a cylinder having an associated exhaust valve, comprising:
- a speed sensor adapted to sense an engine characteristic indicative of an engine speed and responsively generate a speed signal;
- an air pressure sensor adapted to sense a characteristic indicative of an engine air pressure and responsively generate an air pressure signal;
- and
- a controller adapted to receive said speed signal and said air pressure signal, establish a desired timing of an actuation of said brake, determine an air pressure of said engine in response to said air pressure signal, dynamically determine a desired fluid pressure in response to said brake timing and said air pressure, and control said compression brake actuation in response to said desired fluid pressure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.