Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.

Conrad G Grembowicz

Alan Lewis Ferguson

Keith R Schmidt

Wade D Samson

Larry Ellis Kendrick

Lee E Huffman

David R Schricker

Zhijun Cai

Yang Liu

David Randal Hinton

Masoud K Zavarehi

Jeffrey Stephen Alig

Giles Kent Sorrells

Bradley K Bomer

Jeffrey Graham Fletcher

Karl Arthur Kirsch

Julie A Gannon

Jason Edward Carter

Dale M Olson

Paul Alan Ring

Timothy M Gutzwiller

Jin Suzuki

Michael James Wallis

Brad Harrell

Paul A Ring

Jason E Carter

Michael J Wallis

Giles K Sorrells

A hydraulic system for a machine is provided including a first cylinder, a pump and an operator input device for entering a commanded rate of flow of hydraulic fluid to the first cylinder. A control valve operatively is connected between the pump and the first cylinder. A sensor is configured and arranged to provide signals relating to a first operating characteristic of the machine. A controller is in communication with the operator input device, the control valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to determine a skill level of an operator of the machine based on a comparison of the first operating characteristic of the machine and a first threshold and to direct the control valve to provide hydraulic fluid to the first cylinder at an adjusted hydraulic fluid flow rate if the skill level of the operator is below a predetermined level.

Hydraulic system with operator skill level compensation

A life indicator for a component of a machine is disclosed. The life indicator includes at least one sensor operably associated with the machine and configured to sense a property associated with the machine. The sensor is configured to output the sensed property as a data signal. The life indicator also includes a memory element having a first data structure that determines a damage factor for the component of the machine based at least in part on the data signal received from the at least one sensor. A processor executes the first data structure to determine the damage factor.

Component life indicator

A torque estimator is disclosed for estimating torque on a machine. A computer system may include a torque estimator module located on the machine. The torque estimator module may be configured to receive a plurality of engine parameters, receive a drivetrain component parameter, determine an estimated torque value at the drivetrain component based on the plurality of engine parameters and the drivetrain component parameter. The computer system also may include an analysis module located on the machine. The analysis module may be configured to receive the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter, and update a histogram data structure based on the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter. The analysis module may also be configured to evaluate the histogram data structure in order to determine if excessive torque is being applied to a drivetrain component.

Torque estimator for a machine

Individual cylinder output deviations from a normal operating engine cylinder are detected via an analysis of crank shaft speed fluctuations. In the detection phase, the engine is operated at a steady state low idle condition, and engine speed data is collected over a plurality of engine cycles. This data is then averaged, filtered and compared to expected engine speed data. A substantial deviation from the expected speed data in the region of crank shaft angles associated with an individual cylinder during its power stroke adjacent its top dead center position indicates a power level deviation in that cylinder. The magnitude of the power level deviation can then be assessed through a similar procedure where engine speed data is collected, averaged, filtered and compared to expected engine speed data when the engine is operating in a steady state rated condition.

Method and system for determining engine cylinder power level deviation from normal

An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the propulsion and steering of a machine. The machine includes a hydrostatic system that drives a pair of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives operator signals indicative of a desired travel speed and direction, and determines a desired rotational speed of the ground engaging traction devices. The electronic controller produces command signals indicative of the determined speeds to regulate the speed of the ground engaging traction devices to the desired speed.

Propulsion control apparatus and method for a paver

A method for determining a condition of a cylinder in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders. The method includes the steps of reducing an amount of power being generated by a first cylinder, increasing an amount of power being generated by each of the remaining cylinders, monitoring a condition of the engine, and determining the condition of the first cylinder in response to the monitored condition of the engine.

Method for determining a weak cylinder in an internal combustion engine

A controllable mechanical brake release system for controllably releasing a mechanical brake included in a hydrostatic machine is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment the hydrostatic machine is located on an incline. The mechanical brake is included in a mechanical braking system. The hydrostatic machine has the braking system, a hydrostatic propulsion system and a controller. A determined hydraulic pressure associated with the hydrostatic propulsion system is compared with an established trip indicator. A release mechanical brake signal is produced in response to the comparison.

Method and an apparatus for controllably releasing a mechanical brake on

A traction control apparatus for a work machine having an engine and a hydrostatic drive system that powers a first and second set of ground engaging traction devices is disclosed. The hydrostatic drive system includes a variable displacement pump being rotatably driven by the engine, and first and second variable displacement motors which receive pressurized fluid from the variable displacement pump, the first motor driving the first set of ground engaging traction devices and the second motor driving the second set of ground engaging traction devices. The control apparatus includes a first speed sensor that produces a first speed signal indictative of the rotational speed of the first set of ground engaging traction devices and a second speed sensor that produces a second speed signal indictative of the rotational speed of the second set of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives the first and second speed signals, compares the speed signal magnitudes to each other to determine which set of the ground engaging traction devices are slipping, and decreases the displacement of the motor associated with the slipping ground engaging traction device to increase the torque associated with the motor associated with the non-slipping ground engaging traction device.

Traction control apparatus and method for a hydrostatically driven work

In one aspect of the present invention, an automatic screed temperature control is disclosed. The control senses the screed temperature and compares the screed temperature to a lower set point. In response to the screed temperature being less than the lower set point, the control causes fuel to dispense into the combustion chamber and subsequently causes the fuel to ignite in order to heat the screed. The screed is heated until the screed temperature becomes greater than an upper set point.

Control system and method for operating an asphalt paver screed burner

An apparatus for controlling the load of an engine associated with a hydrostatic drive system is disclosed. The apparatus includes a variable displacement pump rotatably driven by the engine. The apparatus modifies a pump displacement command signal in response to the actual and desired engine speed acceleration. The modified pump displacement command signal is used to control the displacement of a variable pump in order to regulate the load on the engine to achieve optimum efficiency.

Method and apparatus for controlling a load of an engine associated with

A control device for operating a machine is disclosed. The control device includes a joystick having a central axis and being universally moveable along a first and second axis in a plane perpendicular to the central axis, and a rotatable operator control station that houses the joystick. A joystick position sensor senses the position of the joystick and responsively generates a set of operator command signals corresponding to the displacement and direction of the joystick from the central axis in the first and second axis. A operator station position sensor senses the rotational position of the operator station and responsively generates a position signal. A controller receives the operator command and position signals, and responsively transposes the function of the joystick axis to correspond to the orientation of the machine.

Adaptive operator control for a compactor

Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the temperature of an

An apparatus for controlling a material feed system of a paver is disclosed. The material feed system includes a feeder conveyor and a spreader auger. The apparatus includes a sensor that monitors the amount of material at the edge of the screed and responsively produces an actual material height signal. A rotary switch produces a desired material height signal indicative of a desired amount of material at the edge of the screed. A controller receives the actual and desired material height signals, determines a desired rotational speed of the auger in response to the difference between the signal magnitudes, and produces a command signal to rotate the auger at the desired speed. An electrohydraulic system receives the command signal and rotates the auger at the desired rotational speed.

Apparatus and method for controlling the material feed system of a paver

An apparatus for controlling the load of an engine associated with an hydrostatic drive system is disclosed. The apparatus modifies a pump displacement command signal in response to the actual and desired engine acceleration. The modified pump displacement command signal is used to control the displacement of a variable pump in order to regulate the load on the engine to achieve optimum efficiency.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Conrad G Grembowicz