Caterpillar Inc.

Brandon L Hagman

Ethan Tevis

Michael C Gentle

Matthew Donald Meads

A method for detecting wear in an implement system of a grading machine includes receiving acceleration information from a sensor connected to the implement system while the grading machine performs a task and estimating an incremental amount of wear in the implement system of the grading machine based on the acceleration information. The method also includes determining a cumulative amount of wear in the implement system of the grading machine and outputting a notification based on the cumulative amount of wear.

Systems and methods for identifying wear on grading machine

A spring preloaded lockup clutch system comprises clutch disc(s), an input component, and an output component housed in a hydraulic fluid chamber of a torque converter, a lockup piston and a mechanical spring housed in a piston housing of the torque converter, and a relief valve coupled to the hydraulic fluid chamber. The clutch disc(s), when engaged, couples the input component to the output component. The lockup piston has a first end and a second end, engages with the clutch disc(s) when biased, and disengages from the clutch disc(s) when unbiased. The mechanical spring, coupled to the lockup piston at the second end, applies force to bias the lockup piston. The relief valve, when opened, relieves hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic fluid chamber allowing the lockup piston to remain being biased, and, when closed, allows the hydraulic pressure to build up allowing the lockup piston to be unbiased.

Spring preloaded lockup clutch

A method for controlling the power of an engine is provided. The method includes determining a baseline fuel amount, determining an engine cooling fan operating condition based on an engine operating parameter, determining an engine cooling fan command based on the engine cooling fan operating condition, determining an engine cooling fan power level based on the engine speed and the engine cooling fan command, determining an additional fuel amount based on the engine cooling fan power level, adding the additional fuel amount to the baseline fuel amount to create a compensated fuel amount, and providing the compensated fuel amount to the engine. An engine system, including an engine controller coupled to an engine, a fuel system and a hydraulic pump, is also provided. The engine controller includes a processor adapted to perform a set of instructions that controls the power of the engine.

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Decatur, IL, United States of America

Brandon L Hagman