Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Ford Motor Company Limited

Alan R Coutant

Sanjay Rajagopalan

Jerry D Marr

Stephen C Garnett

Michael G Cronin

Eric D Stemler

William W Blake

Steven A Daniel

David M Fee

Norval P Thomson

Hugh C Morris

Craig W Riediger

Kenneth F Golan

Kenneth P Liesener

Randall A Harlow

Alan J Griffiths

George F Alexander

Liam W Keane

The machine may have a power system that includes a prime mover, a multiple-ratio transmission, a propulsion device, and power-system controls. The method may include propelling the machine by transmitting power from the prime mover to the propulsion device through the multiple-ratio transmission, while controlling operation of the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission with the power-system controls. This may include determining with the power-system controls at least one energy-efficiency estimate based at least on energy-efficiency characteristics of the prime mover and energy-efficiency characteristics of the multiple-ratio transmission. Controlling the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission may further include controlling a prime-mover operating speed of the prime mover and a transmission drive ratio of the multiple-ratio transmission based at least in-part on the at least one energy-efficiency estimate.

Machine having a multiple-ratio transmission

A power train arrangement having a prime mover and a transmission coupled to the prime mover for driving a cooling system with the prime mover through the transmission. The transmission is positioned intermediate to the prime mover and the cooling system in a manner to optimize the mechanical and functional operation of the work machine.

Horizontal transmission and oil system for telehandlers

An arrangement for controlling a work machine which includes (i) a boom and (ii) a coupling mechanism secured to an end of the boom is disclosed. The arrangement includes a first control assembly having (i) a first gripping portion and (ii) a first actuator secured to the first gripping portion so that the first actuator can move relative to the first gripping portion. The first control assembly is configured to be operatively coupled to the boom and the coupling mechanism of the work machine such that (i) movement of the first gripping portion in (A) a first direction causes the boom to execute a first movement function, (B) a second direction causes the boom to execute a second movement function, (C) a third direction causes the coupling mechanism to move relative to the boom in a first direction, and (D) a fourth direction causes the coupling mechanism to move relative to the boom in a second direction and (ii) movement of the first actuator relative to the first gripping portion in (A) a first direction causes the boom to execute a third movement function and (B) a second direction causes the boom to execute a fourth movement function.

Arrangement for controlling a work machine

A fan drive is disclosed which includes a planetary gear set having a first rotatable output member connected in driving relation to the fan, a second rotatable output member connected in driving communication with a hydraulic circuit, and a rotatable input member connected in driven communication with a power source, the first and second output members being connected in differentially rotatable communication with the input member. During operation, the hydraulic circuit is operable to vary the rotational speed of the second rotatable output member of the planetary gear set, to thereby vary the rotational speed of the first rotatable output member and the connected fan. According to one preferred aspect of the present invention, the input member of the hydraulic circuit is an input shaft of a hydraulic pump, the rotational speed of the pump being variable by throttling fluid flow therethrough. According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic motor connected in driven communication with the second output member of the planetary gear set and in fluid communication with a hydraulic pump to enable power delivered to the hydraulic motor through the planetary gear set to be returned to the power source through the pump.

Hydro-mechanical fan drive

An electro-mechanical transmission includes an electrical section and a mechanical transmission to provide an infinitely adjustable power flow through the transmission. The mechanical transmission includes a planetary gearing mechanism having four planetary gear sets and six members which interact with the electrical section and a gear change mechanism to infinitely adjust output speed.

Electro-mechanical transmission

A differential steer and final drive configuration for machines such as small tractors for agricultural and construction purposes and the like, which differential steer and final drive configuration allows passage of a power take-off (PTO) shaft beneath the differential steer mechanism and between the drive axles of the final drive mechanisms such that a PTO output member connected to the PTO shaft can be located on or in the vicinity of the machine front to rear centerline and the drive wheel axis.

Differential steer and final drive configuration

A electro-mechanical transmission includes an electrical section and a mechanical transmission to provide an infinitely adjustable power flow through the transmission. The mechanical transmission includes a planetary gearing mechanism having three planetary gear sets and five members which interact with the electrical section and a gear change mechanism to infinitely adjust output speed.

A hydromechanical transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission, a mechanical transmission having a planetary gearing mechanism, both being driven by an engine. The output of the hydrostatic transmission interacts with the mechanical transmission to provide infinitely adjustable power flow through the hydromechanical transmission. The planetary gearing mechanism includes three planetary gear set and five members to connected the hydromechanical transmission to an output.

Hydromechanical transmission having three planetaries and five members

A hydromechanical transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission, a mechanical transmission having a planetary gearing mechanism, both being driven by an engine. The output of the hydrostatic transmission interacts with the mechanical transmission to provide infinitely adjustable power flow through the hydromechanical transmission. The planetary gearing mechanism includes two planetary gear sets and four members to connect the hydromechanical transmission to an output.

Hydromechanical transmission having four members and two planetaries

A default mode control system for controlling a split torque transmission is disclosed. The default mode control system monitors various inputs to the control to detect an on board electrical, electronic fault or mechanical, hydraulic fault. When a fault is detected, the default mode control will recover from the default and then will limit operation of the split torque transmission based on the fault input.

Default mode control system for a split torque transmission

The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling a split torque transmission having a hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission. The control system employs a transmission control and includes a transmission input speed sensor, a transmission output speed sensor, a motor speed sensor, a speed input mechanism, a direction control mechanism, and a range selector mechanism. A microprocessor including a fuzzy controller controls the transmission in response to a input from the speed sensors and the speed input mechanism, the direction control mechanism and the range control mechanism.

Method and system for controlling a split torque transmission

A split torque transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission both being driven by an engine. The output of the hydrostatic transmission and the mechanical transmission are both selectively coupled to a machine through a final output shaft. The mechanical transmission incudes a full range high forward and reverse mechanism selectively coupled to a planetary arrangement. The planetary arrangement sums the speed of the hydrostatic transmission with the full range high forward and reverse mechanism. This arrangement provides a smooth and continuous change in the speed of the machine in both the forward and reverse directions throughout its entire speed range which is identical in both directions of travel.

Split torque transmission

A downstream rate limiting control is provided for controlling a continuously variable transmission. The rate limiting control monitors a input and a current machine state and computes the difference between these two inputs and compares the computed error to a predefined rate table to determine if the computed error should be limited or modified. The rate signal will modify the computed error within the control logic with respect to operator comfort and machine parameters.

Downstream rate limiting method in transmission control

A method is disclosed for controlling the shift points in a continuously variable transmission having a closed loop control wherein the output of the continuously variable transmission is generated by a hydrostatic transmission or by a combination of the hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission having a summing planetary and high and low speed clutches. The method comprises the steps of sensing the input and output speeds of the continuously variable transmission and the speed of the output from the hydrostatic transmission to monitor the speed ratios therein, comparing an operative transmission speed ratio of the transmissions to a predefined established transmission speed ratio, disengaging the high or low speed clutch once the predefined established transmission speed ratio is reached, increasing or decreasing the speed of the output of the hydrostatic transmission following disengagement of the high or low speed clutch, and engaging the other of the high or low speed clutch once the change in output speed of the hydrostatic transmission has substantially synchronized the speeds relative to the high or low speed clutches so that the output torque and speed of the transmission before and after the shift is substantially equal.

Method for controlling shift points in a continuously variable

A method is disclosed for providing a smooth power transition between a variable displacement pump and a variable displacement motor when a mechanical feedback is not provided. The method includes sensing and comparing the speeds of the variable displacement pump and the variable displacement motor based on known maximum volumetric displacements and reducing the rate of change of displacement of one of the variable displacement pump or the variable displacement motor when it is determined that the one is near its maximum displacement position and simultaneously initiating a change in displacement of the other thereof. The subject arrangement ensures that there is no detrimental interruptions of power during the transition of changing of displacement of one of the variable displacement pump and the variable displacement motor to changing the displacement of the other one thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Chillicothe, IL, United States of America

Alan R Coutant