Caterpillar Sarl

Caterpillar Inc.

General Electric Company

Mark Andrew Sporer

Paul Anthony Dvorak

Dante Toran Thomas

Todd R Farmer

Christian L Nicholson

Michael Steven Freberg

Brian Franklin Taggart

James M Bell

Luka G Korzeniowski

Kevin E Pielmeier

Sascha Schieke

Aditi Koppikar

Robert Quincy Elliott

Raymond T Schenck

Michael Scott Britton

Chongchan Lee

Joseph Dale Groves

Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of monitoring electrical brushes in electrical rotating machinery. One embodiment of the method comprises continuously measuring at least one parameter associated with an electrical brush; and determining, using the at least one continuously measured parameter associated with the electrical brush, maintenance for the electrical brush.

Method and system of monitoring electrical brushes

A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system comprises a controller that is configured to calculate a first angle correction signal based at least upon an engine speed signal and an operator interface actuation signal, the operator interface actuation signal commanding movement of a lift arm on a loader; calculate a second angle correction signal based at least upon a coupler angle signal; transmit the first and second angle correction signals to change the angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm; and temporarily disable transmission of the second angle correction signal.

Implement angle correction system and associated loader

A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the speed of an engine on a loader and to receive a signal indicative of an actuation of an operator interface on the loader. The operator interface actuation signal commands movement of a lift arm on the loader. The controller is further configured to calculate an angle correction signal based at least upon the engine speed signal and the operator interface actuation signal and to transmit the angle correction signal to change an angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm.

A method of controlling in-rush current to a DC motor is disclosed. The method may include operating the DC motor in a first mode including applying back-EMF across a relay coil to maintain the relay in an open configuration when the back-EMF is below a predetermined voltage. The method may also include operating the DC motor in a second mode including applying the back-EMF across the relay coil to maintain the relay in a closed configuration when the back-EMF is equal to or above the predetermined voltage.

Soft start motor control using back-EMF

A method of operating a work machine includes sensing at least one operational characteristic of a work tool indicative of current work tool performance. The method also includes altering the operation of the work machine in response to the sensing to maintain a desired relationship between the at least one operational characteristic of the work tool and at least one operational characteristic of the work machine.

Method of altering operation of work machine based on work tool performance footprint to maintain desired relationship between operational characteristics of work tool and work machine

A method and apparatus of a work machine wherein an operator traverses the work machine within an operator selected speed range. The operator positions a speed-range control device to select the operator selected speed range, thus, sending a speed-range signal from the speed-range control device to an electronic control module indicative of the position of the speed-range control device. The speed-range signal is converted to a scaling factor to re-calibrate at least one drive map indicative of the scaling factor. The operator then may position a control device to traverse the work machine within the operator selected speed range.

Method and apparatus for controlling the speed ranges of a machine

A method of flowing hydraulic fluid in a work machine is disclosed. The method includes generating a control signal from an input mechanism and generating a property signal indicative of a viscosity of the hydraulic fluid. The control signal and the property signal are received at a control module. The method also includes determining a desired volume flow rate for the control signal and determining a valve control signal required to achieve the desired volume flow rate for the control signal. The valve control signal is based upon the property signal. The valve control signal is output to a proportional valve to provide the desired volume flow rate through the valve for the command signal.

System and method for controlling hydraulic fluid flow

Changing operating characteristics of an implement can expand the capabilities of and enhances the productivity of the implement. The disclosed method and apparatus for changing operating characteristics of an implement comprises, providing the operating characteristics of the implement with a predetermined operational range consisting of a plurality of values, connecting the implement with a work machine, sending a first input signal identifying the operational range to an electronic control module, operating the implement at a first value within the operational range, sending a second input signal relating to a second value within the operational range to the electronic control module, and sending an output signal from the electronic control module to one of the work machine and the implement to change from the first value to the second value.

Method of changing operating characteristics of an implement

A work machine is operably coupled to an interchangeable hydraulically-driven implement via at least one hydraulic line. When changing the hydraulically-driven implement, high pressure trapped within the hydraulic line may cause difficulties in disengaging the attached hydraulically-driven implement from a body of the work machine. The present invention relieves the pressure in the hydraulic line by energizing at least one electronically controlled valve while an engine of the work machine is inactive. The valve is operably coupled to an electrical actuator and is moveable between, at least, a first position and a second position. When the valve is in the first position, the hydraulic line is fluidly connected to a low pressure line. A control system includes a pressure release controller that is operably coupled to energize the electrical actuator and move the valve to the first position when the engine is inactive.

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Apex, NC, United States of America

Mark Andrew Sporer