US 10059341

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 10,059,341:

• Title: Control strategy for reduced fuel consumption in machine and powertrain system with same
• Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
• Inventors: Jeremy Sharp, Suman Goli, Mark Rettig
• Filing Date: 2016-06-17
• Issue Date: 2018-08-28
• Abstract: A control system for a powertrain includes an electronic control unit (ECU) that receives ground speed and engine load data. The ECU determines engine speed and transmission torque commands based on an engine speed limit and a torque scale factor, both of which can vary with ground speed and load factor. These commands result in an "economy powertrain output" that is less than the operator's requested output, aiming to reduce fuel consumption.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a control system for a machine's powertrain designed to save fuel. The system includes:

  • A sensor to monitor the machine's ground speed.
  • A second sensor to monitor the engine's load.
  • An input device (e.g., an accelerator pedal) that allows an operator to request a certain powertrain output.
  • An electronic control unit (ECU) that communicates with these sensors and the input device.

  The ECU's function is to issue commands for both the engine speed and the torque control mechanism of a variable-torque transmission. These commands are determined based on at least the measured ground speed and/or engine load. The key outcome is that the system produces an "economy powertrain output" that is intentionally less than what the operator initially requested, thereby achieving fuel savings.

There is no authoritative information found in the CAFC 2026 dockets regarding any active cases involving US Patent 10,059,341 as of April 26, 2026.