Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Sarl

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.

Caterpillar Global Mining LLC

Paul Anthony Dvorak

Mark Andrew Sporer

Christopher Mark Elliott

Christopher J Demick

Gabriel G Khairallah

Chin T Khaw

Michael William Ries

William Christopher Swick

Michael Steven Freberg

Sudarshan Maiyur

Steven R Wells

W Chris Swick

Dante Toran Thomas

Peter R Hildner

James M Bell

David P Smith

Bryan Edward Nelson

Jeremy Todd Peterson

Jeffrey Lee Kuehn

Carl John Moberg

Rustin Glenn Metzger

Rex Aaron Glover

Corwin Eugene Storer

Paul Alan Rousseau

Michael Scott Sekulich

Mark Lee Norton

Truett Ramsey Thompson

James Brian Normann

Patrick W Sullivan

Bryan A Vogt

Jon Michael Scharf

Christopher W Pruess

Paul E Jantz

Raymond T Schenck

John S Bibb

Nathan S Enderle

James Robert Szalko

Justin B Eaton

Tim A Green

Vincent Guyard

Alessandro Magliulo

Matthew Chad Full

A machine includes a front section having front wheels, a rear section having rear wheels, and a pivot that couples the front section to the rear section as well as a hydraulic steering circuit that moves the front section relative to the rear section about the pivot. The machine also includes a stabilizer and further includes a directional control valve that selectively depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit according to a state of the stabilizer.

Articulated machine employing stabilizers and steering interlock

A hydraulic system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic system may have a closed-loop, meterless hydraulic circuit with a first pump fluidly connected to a first actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a closed-loop, metered hydraulic circuit with a second pump fluidly connected to a second actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a combiner valve configured to selectively direct fluid from the closed-loop metered hydraulic circuit to the closed-loop meterless hydraulic circuit.

System having combinable transmission and implement circuits

A hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission configured to transmit power from a power source to a power output of a machine operating at low, intermediate, and high speed ranges is described. The hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission may comprise a hydrostatic transmission portion including a first hydrostatic driveline having a first hydrostatic motor, and a second hydrostatic driveline having a second hydrostatic motor. The hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission may further comprise a direct drive transmission. The hydrostatic transmission portion may operate alone to transmit power from the power source to the power output at the low speed range, and the direct drive transmission portion may operate alone to transmit power from the power source to the power output at the high speed range.

Hybrid hydrostatic-direct drive transmission

A hydrostatic drive system for a machine is disclosed. The hydrostatic drive system includes a pump, a hydraulic motor configured to receive a pressurized fluid from the pump and a controller operably connected to the pump and the hydraulic motor. The controller is configured to receive an input signal indicative of a current machine speed and a desired machine speed. Further, the controller is configured to output a motor displacement command signal and a pump displacement command signal to adjust a displacement of the hydraulic motor and the pump respectively based on the input signal to maintain at least one of constant machine speed or constant acceleration or constant deceleration during adjustment of the pump displacement and the motor displacement.

Hydrostatic drive system

A hydraulic power control system includes an engine driving a variable displacement pump. The variable displacement pump is fluidly connected to a first passageway and a second passageway, and has a selectively variable displacement that is adjustable in response to a pump displacement command signal. A hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the first and second passageways operates by a flow of hydraulic fluid originating from the pump. A controller receives an engine speed signal and adjusts pump displacement based on the engine speed signal to reduce the rotation speed of the pump when an overrun condition is present.

Over-speed control system and method

A drive system for a machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine, a pump driven by the engine to pressurize fluid, a motor connected to the pump via an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a traction device driven by the motor. The drive system may also have an operator input device movable from a neutral position through a range to a maximum displaced position to affect a speed of the engine, and a controller in communication with the input device and at least one of the pump and motor. The controller may be configured to gradually adjust a displacement of the at least one of the pump and motor to slow the traction device over a period of time after the operator input device is returned to the neutral position.

Hystat drive system having coasting functionality

A closed hydrostatic circuit with variable charge and variable flushing systems is disclosed. A variable displacement charge pump is configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydrostatic circuit. An electronically controlled pressure regulating valve is in communication with an output of the charge pump and is linked to a controller. When the hydrostatic control system detects a high hydraulic temperature condition, the electronically controlled pressure regulating valve, that is in communication with an output of the charge pump and that is linked to a controller, increases the charge pump flow. A bidirectional variable displacement hydrostatic motor is connected in parallel to two input/output lines. A flush valve is in communication with the hydrostatic motor and both input/output lines. The flush valve and hydrostatic motor are both in communication with the flush orifice and a flush relief valve. When the pressure regulating valve causes the charge pump to operate at or near a full capacity, fluid exits the flush valve and passes through both the flush orifice and the flush relief valve. In contrast, when the pressure regulating valve causes the charge pump to operate at a lower or near minimum capacity, fluid exits the flush valve and passes through the flush orifice only without passing through the flush relief valve.

Hydrostatic circuits with variable charge and variable flushing systems

A final drive for a vehicle is disclosed. The final drive includes a motor assembly, a planetary gear train and a drive sprocket. The motor assembly includes a hydraulic motor, an output shaft, a housing, a thrust bearing, a brake and first, second and third chambers. The housing includes a supply port, a first passageway, a second passageway and a drain port.

Motor assembly for final drive

A method and system for retarding an engine of a machine is provided. The machine has a hydraulic pump driven by the engine, a motor driven by the hydraulic pump, and a fan driven by the motor. The method includes sensing the operating speed of the engine with an engine speed sensor. The method also includes operating the motor at a first pressure. The method also includes comparing the operating speed to a trigger speed. The method also includes operating the motor at a second pressure greater than the first pressure if the operating speed of engine exceeds the trigger speed by a predetermined value.

Method and apparatus for retarding an engine

A flushing system for a transmission is disclosed. The system has a first pump and a first actuator connected to the first pump to form a first loop. The system also has a second pump and a second actuator connected to the second pump to form a second loop. The system further has a charge pump configured to replenish the first and second loops. The system also has a single charge relief valve situated to receive fluid from the first pump, the second pump, and the charge pump.

Flushing system having a single charge relief valve

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

An attachment frame is connected with a loader arm of a work machine for connecting an implement thereto. A latch member is operatively associated with the attachment frame and movable between a disengaged position and an engaged position. A link has a first end portion connected to the latch member and a second end portion. A pivot member has a first end portion pivotally connected on the attachment frame, a second end portion pivotally connected on the second end portion of the link, and a central portion. A cylinder has a head end portion connected to the attachment frame and a rod end portion connected to the central portion of the pivot member. The cylinder is connected with a supply of hydraulic fluid so that upon pressurization thereof the cylinder is actuated for moving the latch member between the disengaged and engaged positions to respectively detach and attach the implement to the work machine.

Hydraulically actuated quick coupling device

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.

Control system for, and a method of, disengaging a hydraulically-driven implement from a work machine

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Sanford, NC, United States of America

Paul Anthony Dvorak