Caterpillar Inc.

Harold Duane Dabbs

Lance Mathew Cowper

Eric D Stemler

Richard F Shults

Bradley Bailey

Michael D Staub

Joshua D Reed

Arjun Veneshetty

Matthew Edward Kontz

Kirk S Shively

Bryan Everett Copeland

Paul William Bierdeman

Bradley Bergerhouse

Nischol N Antao

Derek J Light

Rohinikumar Adivi

Jeffrey David Rule

Brittany J Lee

Sudhakar Subramaniyan

A system and method to access a machine through a mobile device includes sending a machine key to a controller on-board the machine, and a mobile device key to the mobile device using a remote server. The mobile device sends a mobile device ID to the controller. The controller determines the mobile device key based on the mobile device ID and the machine key. The controller sends a random number to the mobile device. The mobile device processes the random number to derive a first processed random number, and sends the first processed random number to the controller. The controller processes the random number to derive a second processed random number. The controller enables a start button to send a request to start the machine, when the first processed random number matches the second processed random number. The controller starts the machine upon receiving the request to start the machine.

Starting a machine through a mobile device

A retarding system for an electric drive machine is provided. The retarding system includes an electrical retarding system and a hydraulic braking system. A single pedal controls both the electrical retarding system and the hydraulic braking system. The pedal includes a first range of travel that provides input to the electrical retarding system and a second range of travel that additionally controls the hydraulic braking system. The pedal further includes different levels of travel resistance in each of the two ranges of travel that correspond to providing inputs to the electrical retarding system and the hydraulic braking system.

Retarding system for an electric drive machine

A hydraulic system for a brake system of a machine includes a relay valve coupled to a brake cylinder, a pump, and a tank. The relay valve includes a first position to allow supply of fluid from the pump to the brake cylinder, and a second position to allow discharge of fluid from the brake cylinder to the tank. Further, the relay valve includes a third position to restrictively allow discharge of fluid from the brake cylinder to the tank via a flow limiting orifice. A pilot valve coupled to the relay valve and configured to modulate the relay valve between the first position, the second position and the third position.

Brake system

In a machine having an electro-hydraulic brake valve, issues in providing a desired brake pressure may be determined by comparing an actual brake output pressure of the brake valve to an acceptable brake pressure range for an output brake command current provided to the brake valve to generate the desired brake pressure. Where the actual brake output pressure is outside the acceptable brake pressure range, the brake pressure difference and time-rate-of-change of the brake pressure may be used to determine a weighted brake pressure difference that is accumulated over a series of sample cycles and compared to an integration limit to determine whether the operator should be warned of the brake pressure difference. The integration limit may be based on a factor indicative of the responsiveness of the machine, such as the oil temperature.

Electro-hydraulic brake valve performance monitoring

In a machine having a differential steering control system, uncommanded motion may be determined by comparing an actual speed of a steering motor to a commanded turn direction signal from an operator. Where uncommanded motion is occurring, the steering motor speed and time-rate-of-change of the steering motor speed may be used to determine a weighted steering motor speed that is accumulated over a series of sample cycles and compared to an integration limit to determine whether the operator should be warned of the occurrence of uncommanded motion. The integration limit may be based on a factor indicative of the responsiveness of the machine, such as the oil temperature.

Detection of uncommanded motion of a steering motor

A system for detecting an error in an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is disclosed. The system may have a first IMU including a first plurality of accelerometers and a first rotational rate measurer. The first plurality of accelerometers may be configured to measure acceleration along a plurality of first axes, a first axis of the plurality of first axes being substantially collinear with a collinear axis. The first rotational rate measurer may be configured to measure a first rotational rate about a second axis of the plurality of first axes that is substantially perpendicular to the collinear axis. The system may also have a second IMU and an IMU error detector. The IMU error detector may be configured to receive measurement data from the first IMU and the second IMU; and detect an error based on the measurement data.

Error detection for inertial measurement units

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.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Harold Duane Dabbs