Caterpillar Inc.

Zf Friedrichshafen Ag

Arvin Meritor Technology, LLC

Zf Meritor, LLC

Meritor Transmission Corporation

James H DeVore

Robert Anthony Sayman

Ronald Peter Muetzel

Karl-Fritz Heinzelmann

Charles E Allen, Jr

Muneer Abusamra

Winfried Sturmer

Ludger Ronge

Loren Christopher Dreier

Kenneth Lee Stratton

Mario Steinborn

Michael Allen Taylor

Mo Wei

Thandava Krishna Edara

Rupert Kramer

Ronald Muetzel

Rudolf Kalthoff

Robert Sayman

Thomas G Palmer

Christopher B Ross

A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.

Missed cut detection and reaction

A computer-implemented method for monitoring an operation performed by a machine having an implement is provided. The method includes determining a fuel consumption rate value of the machine. The method also includes generating a provisional value based at least in part on the fuel consumption rate value for the operation. The method further includes determining one or more thresholds for the operation. The one or more thresholds correspond to a normal fuel consumption rate value of the machine for the operation. The method further includes generating a status indicator, indicative of a score of the operation based at least in part on a comparison of the provisional value and the one or more thresholds.

System and method for monitoring an earth-moving operation of a machine

A system for selecting shift schedules of a transmission of a vehicle configured to change gears according to two or more shift schedules includes a controller. The controller is configured to estimate mass of the vehicle based on a plurality of accelerations of the vehicle from a standstill, and estimate a road load of the vehicle based on the estimated mass. The controller is also configured to estimate a grade of terrain over which the vehicle is travelling based on the estimated mass of the vehicle. The controller is further configured to select between at least a first shift schedule and a second shift schedule based on at least one of the estimated mass of the vehicle, characteristics of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, the estimated grade of the terrain over which the vehicle is travelling, and functions capable of being performed by the vehicle.

System and method for controlling a transmission

A method and apparatus for cycling a neutral switch of an automated mechanical transmission includes software which, either independently or by operator command through a shift actuator having side-to-side motion capability and sensors, controls a select piston and cylinder assembly to provide shift rail motion along a transverse axis of the transmission which simulates operator commanded motion of a shift rail of a conventional (manual) transmission as the operator checks for neutral. Such activity may release a malfunctioning neutral switch thereby providing a proper neutral indication to associated transmission and engine components to, for example, permit starting of the engine.

Apparatus and method for jogging transmission neutral switch

A method for controlling the speed of internal combustion engines in heavy duty trucks and the like compensates for the overshoot, i.e., the difference between a targeted or commanded engine speed and a transient overspeed or underspeed. The method comprehends executing a program or subroutine where a throttle or engine speed change command is received by a controller, the engine speed change is monitored, a value of overshoot (on both an engine speed increase or decrease) is detected and the detected overshoot is subsequently utilized to temporarily reduce the speed change command, thereby effectively eliminating the overshoot and more positively and quickly arriving at the targeted engine speed.

Method of compensating for engine speed overshoot

A method for self configuring automated mechanical transmissions (AMT) and electronic control units (ECU) ensures compatibility therebetween. The method comprehends undertaking a program or subroutine when the vehicle is first powered up which moves the shift operators into a predetermined position. The shift operators include full stroke sensors. Depending upon differences between the commanded shift pattern and the actual shift pattern of the transmission, the specific type of transmission, for example, a twelve speed or a sixteen speed, can be determined.

Method for self-configuring automated mechanical transmission and electronic controller

A vehicle power train system includes an engine, a transmission, and a centrifugal clutch assembly that selectively couples an engine output shaft to a transmission input shaft in response to an operator input. An operator selects a desired vehicle-operating mode by actuating a shift lever or shift switch from a gear selection device. The gear selection device indicates many different operating modes and includes a low-speed maneuvering mode that is selected for low-speed operations such as coupling a truck to a trailer, or positioning a truck and/or trailer in relation to a loading dock area. Once the low-speed maneuvering mode is selected, a control unit controls at least one of engine speed and engine torque to indirectly effect clutch slippage, which results in improved vehicle speed control at low-speed operations.

Centrifugal clutch assembly with dedicated maneuvering mode

A master clutch includes a pressure plate adjacent to a friction disc. A centrifugal weight forces the pressure plate and friction disc into engagement when in a desired install position. A locking device retains the centrifugal weight in the desired installed position. A controller sends an electronic command to a system component, such as an engine, to disengage the locking device. In one example, the electronic command may be an engine speed command that is above an engine speed limit in a normal vehicle operating mode. Commanding the engine to run at a speed greater than the typical engine speed limit moves the centrifugal weight out of the desired installed position making the master clutch operational.

Disabling engine speed limiters during centrifugal clutch installation

A vehicle transmission system includes a transmission component that has an engaged condition where torque can be transferred from a vehicle engine to a drive component, and a non-engaged condition where torque is prohibited from being transferred to the drive component. A controller generates control signals to control whether the transmission component is in the engaged or non-engaged condition. The controller also identifies when a vehicle start maneuver is a coast start based on vehicle conditions existing just prior to or during the vehicle start maneuver. When a coast start is identified, the controller generates a control signal to either disengage the transmission component or to maintain the transmission component in the non-engaged condition until engine speed generally matches transmission component speed. The controller can directly control engagement by automatically actuating a movable transmission member or can indirectly control engagement by controlling engine speed. Once engine speed and transmission component speed are generally within a common speed range during coasting, the transmission component is engaged.

Growing community of inventors

Laurinburg, NC, United States of America

James H DeVore