Caterpillar Inc.

Konrad Garrett

Gaurav Vasudeva

Brian Eugene Lister

Michael David Beyer

Aaron Benjamin Crabtree

Heath A Toennies

Justin R Bailey

A transmission for a machine is disclosed. The transmission may comprise a first torque path for transmission of torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, and a single clutch element along the first torque path. The transmission may further comprise a clutch actuator configured to actuate engagement of the clutch element, and a clutch pressure control (CPC) valve configured to permit a flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch actuator when in an open position to cause the clutch actuator to actuate engagement of the clutch element. The transmission may further comprise a FMR valve having a failure position obstructing flow of the hydraulic fluid from the CPC valve to the clutch actuator when the CPC valve is in the open position. The FMR valve actuated by pilot pressure from a CPC valve that controls actuation of other clutch elements that are not on the first torque path.

Clutch hydraulic control circuit with a pilot operated failure mode response valve

A transmission for a machine is disclosed. The transmission may comprise a torque path providing a path for transmission of torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, and a single clutch element along the torque path. The transmission may further comprise a clutch actuator configured to actuate engagement of the clutch element, and a clutch pressure control (CPC) valve configured to permit a flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch actuator through a control pressure line when in an open position to cause the clutch actuator to actuate engagement of the clutch element. The transmission may further comprise a failure mode response (FMR) valve in the control pressure line between the CPC valve and the clutch actuator. The FMR valve may have a failure position obstructing flow of the hydraulic fluid from the CPC valve to the clutch actuator when the CPC valve is in the open position.

Machine transmission with clutch element hydraulic control

A hydraulic clutch assembly includes a rotating shaft. A first clutch and a second clutch are coupled to the shaft. A first passageway located within the shaft supplies an actuating fluid to the first clutch. A second passageway located within the shaft supplies the actuating fluid to the second clutch. A first bleed passage is fluidly coupled with the first passageway. A second bleed passage is fluidly coupled to the second passageway and the first bleed passage. A first outlet is fluidly coupled to the first bleed passage. A second outlet is fluidly coupled to the second bleed passage. The first outlet and the second outlet merge together to form an outlet passage.

System and method for reducing clutch fill time

A continuously variable transmission includes two planetary gear sets having two planetary outputs and a planetary output shaft with a first drive gear. A variator drives a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a transmission input shaft is driven by the engine, which also drives the variator and the planetary input. Forward and reverse output systems are connected to the planetary output shaft and a transmission output shaft. A first clutch connects the first planetary output to the first drive gear, and a second clutch connects the second planetary output to the first drive gear. A third clutch connects the second planetary output to a second drive gear of the planetary output shaft, with the second drive gear being connected to the forward output system.

Growing community of inventors

Pekin, IL, United States of America

Konrad Garrett