Caterpillar Inc.

Nathan T Schenkel

Javad Hosseini

James E Schimpf

Jeffrey Michael Thate

Stephen T Tady

Rick D Vance

Peter R Hildner

Arlyn P Wilcox

A system and method of calibrating a differential steering system in a vehicle is provided. An initiation signal is received. At least one operating condition of the vehicle is monitored. A variable activation signal is applied to an actuation device operable to initiate a flow of pressurized fluid to a steering motor when the at least one operating condition is within a predetermined range. The rotation of the steering motor is monitored. A data point indicative of the value of the variable activation signal applied to the actuation device is captured when the steering motor begins to rotate in response to energization of the actuation device.

System and method for calibrating a differential steering system

A device for controlling an electro-hydraulic differential steering system of a work machine. A first processing device receives a first signal indicative of a desired steering path, a second signal indicative of a ground speed, a third signal indicative of an engine speed, and a fourth signal indicative of a gage. The first processing device transmits a fifth signal as a function of the first, second, third, and fourth signals, the fifth signal being indicative of a desired pump displacement of the steering system. A second processing device receives a sixth signal indicative of a motor speed of the steering system, and the third signal. The second processing device transmits a seventh signal as a function of the third and sixth signals, the seventh signal being indicative of an actual pump displacement of the steering system. A proportional and integral controller is coupled with the first processing device to receive the fifth signal and coupled with the second processing device to receive the seventh signal.

Method and apparatus for controlling an electro-hydraulic differential

An apparatus for controllably moving an implement is provided. The implement is connected to a work machine and is movable between first and second implement positions in response to operation of a hydraulic actuator. The apparatus includes a joystick with first and second positions and a neutral position. The joystick is normally biased in a neutral position and is movable between the first and second positions. The apparatus senses the position of the joystick and responsively generates a joystick position signal. The joystick maintained at the first and second detent positions in response to manual movement of the joystick to the respective first and second detent positions. The joystick is released from the detent position in response to receiving a release detent signal. The apparatus senses the position of the work implement with respect to the work machine. The apparatus provides hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic actuator in response to a magnitude of an electrical valve signal. The apparatus receives the joystick position signal, responsively delivers the electrical valve signal. The magnitude of the electrical valve signal is proportional to the joystick position signal. The apparatus compares the implement position signal with a first detent position and a second detent position and responsively produces the release detent signal.

Apparatus for controlling an implement of a work machine

In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus and method for calibrating an electrohydraulic system is disclosed. In accordance with the present invention, a hydraulic valve that is responsive to an electrical valve signal controllably provides hydraulic fluid flow to a hydraulic actuator. A position sensor senses the position of the hydraulic actuator and responsively produces an actuator position signal. A microprocessor based controller receives the actuator position signal and determines when the hydraulic actuator begins movement, and associates the magnitude of the electrical valve signal to a first predetermined joystick position. Thereafter, the microprocessor based controller determines when the hydraulic actuator movement reaches terminal velocity and associates the magnitude of the electrical valve signal to a second predetermined joystick position.

Method and apparatus for calibrating an electrohydraulic system

A method for controlling an apparatus (100) for controllably moving an implement (102) is provided. The implement (102) is connected to a work machine (104) and is movable between first and second implement positions in response to operation of a hydraulic actuator (106). The apparatus (100) includes a joystick (306) with first and second positions and a neutral position. The joystick (306) is normally biased in a neutral position and is movable between the first and second positions. The apparatus senses the position of the joystick (306) and responsively generates a joystick position signal. The joystick (306) maintained at the first and second detent positions in response to manual movement of the joystick to the respective first and second detent positions. The joystick (306) is released from the detent position in response to receiving a release detent signal. The apparatus (100) senses the position of the work implement (102) with respect to the work machine (104). The apparatus (100) provides hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic actuator (106) in response to a magnitude of an electrical valve signal. The apparatus (100) receives the joystick position signal, responsively delivers the electrical valve signal. The magnitude of the electrical valve signal is proportional to the joystick position signal. The apparatus (100) compares the implement position signal with a first detent position and a second detent position and responsively produces the release detent signal.

Method for controlling an implement of a work machine

A method for controllably moving an implement is provided. The implement is connected to a work machine and is movable between first and second implement positions in response to operation of a hydraulic actuator. The method includes a joystick with first and second positions and a neutral position. The joystick is normally biased in a neutral position and is movable between the first and second positions. The method senses the position of the joystick and responsively generates a joystick position signals The joystick maintained at the first and second detent positions in response to manual movement of the joystick to the respective first and second detent positions. The joystick is released from the detent position in response to receiving a release detent signal. The method senses the position of the work implement with respect to the work machine. The method provides hydraulic fluid flow to the hydraulic actuator in response to a magnitude of an electrical valve signal. The method receives the joystick position signal, responsively delivers the electrical valve signal. The magnitude of the electrical valve signal is proportional to the joystick position signal. The method compares the implement position signal with a first detent position and a second detent position and responsively produces the release detent signal.

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Coal City, IL, United States of America

Nathan T Schenkel