Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Sarl

Brian Franklin Taggart

Todd R Farmer

Mark Andrew Sporer

Christian L Nicholson

Luka G Korzeniowski

Joshua D Callaway

Sage F Smith

Steven James Juricak

Korby A Koch

Satyendra Singh

Sameer M Prabhu

Jason Mark Buckmier

Xuekui Lan

Weixue Tian

Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.

Simulated EH braking system and safety protection

A tank for a hydraulic fluid has a housing with opposed end walls and side walls defining an interior chamber. A primary baffle is disposed inside the housing and divides the interior chamber into an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, with a primary gap between the primary baffle and the housing fluidly communicating between the inlet chamber and the outlet chamber. The primary baffle further defines a contact surface facing the inlet chamber and has first and second weirs which extend into the inlet chamber. A first fluid inlet fluidly communicates with the inlet chamber and is oriented along a first inlet axis that intersects the contact surface, while a fluid outlet communicates with the outlet chamber. The tank produces an interior flow that mixes and deaerates the fluid as it travels from the first fluid inlet to the fluid outlet.

Hydraulic fluid tank

A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system comprises a controller that is configured to calculate a first angle correction signal based at least upon an engine speed signal and an operator interface actuation signal, the operator interface actuation signal commanding movement of a lift arm on a loader; calculate a second angle correction signal based at least upon a coupler angle signal; transmit the first and second angle correction signals to change the angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm; and temporarily disable transmission of the second angle correction signal.

Implement angle correction system and associated loader

A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the speed of an engine on a loader and to receive a signal indicative of an actuation of an operator interface on the loader. The operator interface actuation signal commands movement of a lift arm on the loader. The controller is further configured to calculate an angle correction signal based at least upon the engine speed signal and the operator interface actuation signal and to transmit the angle correction signal to change an angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a electro-hydraulic system of an earthmoving machine. The electro-hydraulic system may include a pump providing fluid to at least one fluid system. The electro-hydraulic system also includes an engine connected to the pump, and a controller for providing a commands to the engine. The method includes the steps of determining a desired characteristic of the fluid system, comparing the desired characteristic with a deliverable characteristic of the fluid system, and generating a power boost in response to the comparison; thereby controlling the electro-hydraulic system.

Method and apparatus for controlling an electro-hydraulic fluid system

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Angier, NC, United States of America

Brian Franklin Taggart