Caterpillar Inc.

Eric D Stemler

Stephen C Garnett

Alan R Coutant

Lance Mathew Cowper

Kent Allen Casey

Harold Duane Dabbs

Richard F Shults

Brian Dean Kuras

Evan Earl Jacobson

Hongliu Du

Michael D Betz

Michael John Barngrover

Thomas M Sopko

Chih Chieh Liang

Matthew Colin Mowers

Saurabh Pandey

Ron L Satzler

A machine () has an internal combustion engine () operating in response to a control signal provided by an engine governor (). The engine () provides a torque output to a machine system providing a machine function. An electronic controller () determines a current operating state of the engine () and a torque utilization of the machine system, and compares the current operating state of the engine () with the torque utilization in an engine droop function (). A change to an engine speed () setting of the engine () is instructed in response to a change in the torque signal. Such change is to increase the engine speed () setting when the torque utilization is increasing, and to decrease the engine speed () setting when the torque utilization is decreasing.

Engine droop governor and method

A differential steering control system and method for a machine includes a motor for steering the machine in a leftwards or a rightwards direction, a continuously variable transmission for moving the machine in a forwards or a backwards direction, and a control unit connected to the motor and the continuously variable transmission. The control unit determines the speed of the continuously variable transmission and based upon the determined speed, modifies a speed of the motor in order to achieve/maintain a desired turn radius for the machine.

Differential steering control for a continuously variable transmission machine

A system for storing and recovering energy associated with a machine having ground engaging tracks is disclosed. The system includes a power source configured to supply mechanical energy for operation of the machine, and an electric generator operably coupled to the power source. The electric generator is configured to convert at least a portion of the mechanical energy into electric energy. The system further includes an electric motor operably coupled to the electric generator. The electric motor is configured to supply power to the ground engaging tracks. The system includes an energy storage device configured to store energy associated with the machine, and a controller configured to divert a portion of the energy supplied by the power source to the energy storage device while the machine travels in a first direction, and recover energy stored in the energy storage device for use while the machine travels in a second direction.

Energy storage and recovery for a tracked machine

A method is provided for controlling braking in a vehicle having a motor and a brake. The method includes sensing an actual operating parameter of the motor and receiving a desired operating parameter of the motor. The motor is controlled based on the actual operating parameter and the desired operating parameter of the motor. The brake is controlled based on the actual operating parameter and the desired operating parameter of the motor and an output from the motor control.

Brake control system for an electric drive vehicle

The control system and method includes a plurality of clutch actuators adapted to be connected to clutches disposed for connecting members of the transmission to an input or output, respectively; first and second electrical motor/generators connected to respective members of the transmission and operable in a motor mode for controllably rotating the members and in a generator mode controllably rotated by the members to generate electrical energy; a sensor for sensing a speed representative of a rotational speed of the input or output; and a processor operably connected to the sensor, the motor/generators and the clutch actuators, the processor being operable for operating one of the motor/generators in the generator mode while operating another of the motor/generators in the motor mode powered by the one of the motor/generators so as to controllably rotate selected of the members of the transmission at speeds corresponding to a sensed rotational speed of the input or output for disconnecting one of the selected members from the input or output and connecting another of the selected members to the input or output.

Control system and method for a multiple range continuously variable transmission using mechanical clutches

The transmission includes a planetary gearing mechanism including an input member adapted for connection to an engine, a member connected to a first electric machine operable as a motor or a generator, a member connected to a second electric machine operable as a motor or a generator, and an output member, the first and second electric machines and the members connected thereto being respectively rotatable for controlling a torque acting on the output member. The present control and associated method includes a first controller for controlling the rotation of the first electric machine and a second controller for controlling the rotation of the second electric machine, the first and second controllers being connected in electrical communication by a conductive link and controllable by first and second torque command signals, respectively. The present control includes sensors for sensing rotational speeds of the first and second electric machines, respectively, and a transmission controller operable for generating and outputting the first and second torque command signals to the controllers corresponding to a desired torque value for the output member, by determining first and second torque values for the first and second command signals, respectively, without exceeding predetermined torque limits for the electric machines and while maintaining an electrical parameter of the conductive link within a desired range.

Control for a two degree of freedom electromechanical transmission and associated method

A transmission and an associated method for operatively connecting components associated therewith include a hydrostatic transmission, a mechanical transmission having a planetary gearing mechanism, the mechanical transmission being driven by an engine and the hydrostatic transmission being driven by and interacting with the mechanical transmission to provide infinitely adjustable power flow through the transmission. The planetary gearing mechanism includes three planetary gear sets and five members to connect the transmission to an output.

Transmission with variable ratio utilizing three planetaries, five members, a variable speed pump, and a variable speed motor and associated method for operatively connecting components associated therewith

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 electro-mechanical transmission includes an electrical section and a mechanical transmission to provide a continuously variable 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 provide a continuously variable output speed.

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.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Eric D Stemler