IP Library Granted Patent US 12710007
Granted Patent B1
US 12710007 · App. 19/053,954 · Granted Aug 18, 2026

Control of variable geometry turbochargers

Inventors: Derek A. Tanis (Peoria, IL); Kevin Weiss (Peoria, IL)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
F02B37/24F02D23/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12710007
App. No.
19/053,954
Granted
Aug 18, 2026
Kind
B1
Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-program products can pertain to a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) control and can comprise: determining using a processor, whether a coast flag is set indicating that a work machine is coasting; holding the VGT at a current vane configuration as long as the coast flag is set; and returning the VGT to normal operation thereof upon a determination that the coast flag is reset.

Claims (35)

1 . A work machine comprising:

an internal combustion engine;

a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) having displaceable vanes; and

control circuitry constructed to:

determine the work machine is coasting without use of look-ahead data,

assert a coasting flag upon a determination that a gear threshold, a throttle threshold, a grade threshold, and a speed threshold have been met, and

output control signaling to maintain a current VGT vane configuration as long as the coasting flag is asserted.

2 . The work machine of claim 1 , wherein the determination that the work machine is coasting is achieved by a null position of an accelerator control.

3 . The work machine of claim 1 , wherein the coasting flag is held as long as the gear threshold, the throttle threshold and the grade threshold are met.

4 . The work machine of claim 1 , wherein the current vane configuration is held through a debounce period subsequent to the coasting enable flag being reset.

5 . The work machine of claim 4 , wherein the current vane configuration is ramped at a reset rate to meet a new vane configuration dictated by normal VGT operation.

6 . An internal combustion engine of a work machine comprising:

a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) constructed to modulate intake air density of the internal combustion engine;

electronic machine control circuitry constructed to assert a coasting flag upon a determination that the work machine is coasting; and

VGT control circuitry constructed to maintain a current VGT vane configuration while the coasting flag is asserted and through a debounce period subsequent to the coasting flag being reset.

7 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the determination that the work machine is coasting is achieved by a null position of an accelerator control.

8 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the current vane configuration is ramped at a reset rate to meet a new vane configuration dictated by normal VGT operation.

9 . The internal combustion engine of claim 6 , wherein the determination that the work machine is coasting is achieved without use of look-ahead data.

10 . An internal combustion engine of a work machine comprising:

a variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) constructed to modulate intake air density of the internal combustion engine;

electronic machine control circuitry constructed to assert a coasting flag upon a determination that the work machine is coasting,

the coasting flag being asserted upon a determination that a gear threshold, a throttle threshold, a grade threshold, and a speed threshold have been met; and

VGT control circuitry constructed to maintain a current VGT vane configuration as long as the coasting flag is asserted.

11 . The internal combustion engine of claim 10 , wherein the coasting enable flag is held as long as the gear threshold, the throttle threshold and the grade threshold are met.

12 . A method of variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) control comprising:

determining, in real time, using a processor, whether a coast flag is set indicating that a work machine is coasting;

holding the VGT at a current vane configuration as long as the coast flag is set; and

returning the VGT to normal operation thereof upon a determination that the coast flag is reset, wherein returning the VGT to normal operation includes:

holding the current vane configuration through a debounce period; and

returning the VGT to normal operation subsequent to the debounce period.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising ramping the current vane configuration to a new vane configuration per the normal operation of the VGT subsequent to the debounce period.

14 . The method of claim 12 further comprising setting the coasting flag upon a determination that a gear threshold, a throttle threshold, a grade threshold, and a speed threshold have been met.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the coasting flag is held as long as the gear threshold, the throttle threshold and the grade threshold are met.

16 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising, before the holding the VGT at the current vane configuration as long as the coasting flag is set, configuring the VGT according to the current vane configuration from a previous vane configuration.

17 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the determination that the work machine is coasting is achieved without use of look-ahead data.