Caterpillar Inc.

Michael D Mitchell

Mark A Robinson

Balmes Tejeda

James W Landes

Sameer S Marathe

Robert S Anderson

Jonny Ray Greiner

Christopher M Sprock

Michael R Verheyen

Mahmoud M Tobaa

Adam M Plecker

Norval P Thomson

Ming Zhang

Wesley Thomas Payne

Barry Mei

Aaron Y Ho

Austin J Scott

Mark David Anderson

Derek J Light

Shaun Randall Melchiori

Cynthia A Nastav

Andrew DeHaseth

A system, method, and apparatus for controlling acceleration of a machine when the machine exits a grade. The system, method, and apparatus may determine a virtual gear having a maximum speed limit equivalent that matches the speed of the machine as the machine exits the grade. The system, method, and apparatus may also deactivate an automatic retarding control (ARC) strategy, which may be activated when the machine is on the grade to reduce and limit the speed of the machine to no more than a set speed, if the ARC strategy is active as the machine exits the grade. The system, method, and apparatus may also control automatic downshift of a transmission system to the virtual gear if the ARC mode was activing during the exit from the graded surface and is now deactive.

System, method and apparatus to control machine acceleration when exiting a grade

A system and method for mitigating collisions for an articulated work vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to determine a safe-zone around the articulated work vehicle based on signals corresponding to sensed objects around the articulated work vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine a position and velocity of one or more peripheral points on the articulated work vehicle based on signals from a set of sensor systems operatively coupled to the articulated work vehicle. The controller is further configured to receive a driver control input. The controller is further configured to apply a limit to the driver control input when a peripheral point on the articulated work vehicle is expected to be within a predetermined distance to a nearest edge of the safe-zone.

System and method for collision mitigation during machine articulation

A system may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to transmit sensor information regarding a speed of a machine, a position of an implement of the machine, a payload of the machine, a grade of a surface on which the machine is traveling. The system may further comprise an electronic control module configured to receive steering command information regarding a steering command of the machine; determine, based on the steering command information, one or more articulation parameters associated with the steering command, determine the speed, the position of the implement, the payload, and the grade based on the sensor information. The electronic control module may be configured to determine one or more articulation parameters thresholds based on the speed, the position of the implement, and the payload of the machine; and modify the steering command when the one or more articulation parameters exceeds the one or more articulation parameters thresholds.

Stability control system for machine in motion

A system and method for limiting articulation between a front frame and a rear frame of an articulated machine are disclosed. The system and method receive steering signals and determine impending contact between the front frame and the rear frame based on the received steering signals. Additionally, an amount by which to reduce torque at a hitch coupled between the front and rear frames so as to limit an articulation characteristic of the front frame relative to the rear frame to a predetermined value is determined, responsive to determination of impending contact. Prior to contact, rimpull of the articulated machine is reduced based on the determined amount of torque.

System and method to eliminate or reduce frame contact during operation of articulated machine

A traction control system configured to limit slip by a machine having a work implement including a machine motion sensor configured to determine a motion of the machine, a work implement unit configured to determine whether the work implement is in an operational state, a powertrain motion sensor configured to determine a motion of a powertrain component, and a machine powertrain controller configured to determine slip by comparing the motion of the machine to the motion of the powertrain component, wherein the machine powertrain controller is configured to command a torque reduction to the powertrain component when slip is determined.

Traction control system and process for a machine having a work implement

A system for derating rimpull on a machine, and a related method and computer program product are disclosed. The system may comprise a one or more front wheels, one or more rear wheels, one or more front powertrains, one or more rear powertrains, a hydraulic system, an engine, and a controller. The controller configured to determine a Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, determine a Final Rear Derate Amount, derate rear wheel rimpull by the Final Rear Derate Amount, and, if the Final Rear Derate Amount is less than the Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, derate front wheel rimpull by the Shortfall.

Rimpull Derate management in a machine with independent powertrains

A machine having a powertrain including an engine operably connected to a torque converter and a transmission. The machine includes a control system receive an activation signal indicative of an automatic mode operation of the machine and command the torque converter to remain in a direct-drive mode while the transmission shifts from a first gear ratio to a second gear ratio. The control system also limits engine speed below a first engine speed limit when a gear ratio setting of the transmission is indicative of the second gear ratio.

Machine powertrain control system and method

A programmable controller implemented method of determining occurrence of bed loading events in a hauling machine. The method includes determining if the machine was stationary for a period, if the bed is in a loading position, other factors contributed to movement of the machine, calculating a bounce amplitude based upon a filtered machine accelerometer signal, comparing the amplitude with a constant reflecting a minimum amplitude, and identifying a loading event for an amplitude greater than the constant, if the machine has been stationary for a given period, the bed in a loading position, and no other factors caused machine movement.

Method of determining when a payload loading event is occurring in a hauling machine

A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to store a least one operational relationship, and an offboard controller located at a worksite of the mobile machine in communication with the control module. The offboard controller may be configured to generate an analysis of machine performance at the worksite. The offboard controller may be further configured to cause remote reconfiguration of the at least one operational relationship based on the analysis to positively affect performance of the mobile machine.

Worksite management system implementing remote machine reconfiguration

A worksite management system for use with a mobile machine is disclosed. The worksite management system may have a control module located onboard the mobile machine and configured to control operations of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the control module. The controller may be configured to anticipate a non-failure machine performance irregularity, and determine an adjustment to an operation of the mobile machine that positively affects the machine performance irregularity. The controller may also be configured to cause implementation of the adjustment before the machine performance irregularity occurs.

Growing community of inventors

Aurora, IL, United States of America

Michael D Mitchell