Caterpillar Inc.

Marc D Gibson

Michael E Green

David G Surridge

Stephen P Amborski

In machines having a bucket that is capable of carrying a load of material, it is well known that when the machine encounters a bump or other obstacle that the effects thereof may result in machine bounce or the operator is subjected to a jolt due to the sudden change in forces acting on the lift actuator of the lift mechanism. Accumulators have been connected to the loaded end of the actuator to provide a cushion or damping of the sudden changes in the forces. When the machine is being used without the accumulator connected to the loaded end of the actuator, the accumulator is normally connected to the loaded end of the actuator through an orifice in order to maintain a pre-charge in the accumulator equal to the pressure in the loaded end of the actuator. In order to ensure that the pressure in the accumulator is always equal to the pressure in the actuator, the accumulator is selectively connected to an auxiliary source of pressurized fluid. Likewise, in order to ensure that the machine is not subjected to sudden 'jerks' or 'jolts' when the accumulator is connected to the actuator for ride control, the connection therebetween is interrupted whenever a tilt actuator for the bucket is extended or retracted towards one of its extreme positions. Additionally, when the machine is being operated below a predetermined ground speed, the connection of the accumulator to the lift actuator is interrupted.

Ride control system with an auxiliary power source

A pilot hydraulic system controller including a pilot controller valve for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to actuate a primary hydraulic system valve, a pilot controller lockout valve, and a detent control circuit for selectively energizing a detent solenoid coil connected to said pilot controller valve, the detent control circuit include a switch means for selectively disabling the detent solenoid coil when the pilot controller lockout valve is actuated to hydraulically disable the pilot controller, so as to prevent the detent solenoid coil from acting upon the pilot controller valve when the pilot controller is hydraulically disabled.

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Greenville, SC, United States of America

Marc D Gibson