Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpilliar Inc.

Aaron Y Ho

Douglas A Carlson

Jeremy Dean Folkerts

Sairam Gopalan Velamakanni

Catrina Swan

Warren Pepper

John James Krone

Ming Zhang

Michael D Mitchell

Bryan A Johnson

Abhishek Awana

Mark David Anderson

Derek J Light

Jordan A Mangels

Cynthia A Nastav

Mehul Yadav

Michael K Schallhorn

Nikhil Jalgaonkar

A work machine having a powertrain, an engine, a torque converter operably connected to the engine, a transmission, a selector interface, and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive a machine activation signal from the selector interface indicative of operation of the work machine; receive machine conditions to determine an optimal gear for next pass; and send a gear pass signal to command execution of a directional shift and a speed shift simultaneously when a gear ratio setting of the transmission is indicative of a second gear ratio.

Powertrain eco-mode for work machines

A transmission control system for a machine is disclosed. The transmission control system may determine whether engine speed regulation during gear shift is enabled or disabled for the machine. The transmission control system may select a speed threshold, for inhibiting a high speed directional shift of the machine, based on whether the engine speed regulation during gear shift is enabled or disabled for the machine. The transmission control system may compare a speed of the machine and the speed threshold, and may selectively inhibit the high speed directional shift for the machine based on comparing the speed of the machine and the speed threshold.

Inhibiting high speed directional shifts based on whether controlled throttle shifting is enabled or disabled

A machine having a powertrain including an engine operably connected to a torque converter and a transmission. The machine includes a control system receive an activation signal indicative of an automatic mode operation of the machine and command the torque converter to remain in a direct-drive mode while the transmission shifts from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. The control system also limits engine speed below a first engine speed limit when a gear ratio setting of the transmission is indicative of the second gear ratio.

Machine powertrain control system and method

A hydraulic control system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a pump configured to pressurize a fluid, an actuator, a position sensor associated with the actuator and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the actuator, and a circuit fluidly connecting the pump to the actuator. The hydraulic control system may also have a valve associated with the circuit and configured to move from a first position, at which fluid relief from the circuit is inhibited, toward a second position, at which fluid is relieved from the circuit through the valve, when a pressure of fluid within the circuit exceeds a threshold setting of the valve. The hydraulic control system may additionally have a controller in communication with the position sensor and the valve. The controller may be configured to selectively cause adjust the threshold setting of the valve based on the first signal.

Hydraulic control system having variable pressure relief

A machine powertrain includes an engine operably connected to a torque converter and a transmission. A switch associated with the torque converter provides a locking signal indicative of a locked or unlocked condition of the torque converter. A throttle sensor associated with the throttle provides a throttle signal. An electronic controller receives the locking signal and the throttle signal, and controls operation of the engine at least partially based on the throttle signal and the locking signal. The electronic controller determines whether a locked or unlocked condition of the torque converter is present based on the locking signal, determines whether a part throttle operating condition or a full throttle operating condition is present based on the throttle signal, and selects a load-control power curve when the part throttle operating condition is present and when the torque converter switches from the unlocked to the locked condition.

Machine powertrain and method

A machine powertrain includes an engine operably connected to a torque converter and a transmission. A switch associated with the torque converter provides a locking signal indicative of a locked or unlocked condition of the torque converter. A throttle sensor associated with the throttle provides a throttle signal. An electronic controller receives the locking signal and the throttle signal, and controls operation of the engine at least partially based on the throttle signal and the locking signal. The electronic controller determines whether a locked or unlocked condition of the torque converter is present based on the locking signal, determines whether a part throttle operating condition or a full throttle operating condition is present based on the throttle signal, and selects a derated power curve when the part throttle operating condition is present and when the torque converter switches from the unlocked to the locked condition.

Growing community of inventors

Naperville, IL, United States of America

Aaron Y Ho