Eaton Corporation

Caterpillar Inc.

Randy T Anderson

Doug Gilbert

Michael D Anderson

Matthew Michael Tinker

In order to reduce drivetrain component wear and tear, a machine monitors for an impending downshift and automatically slows the machine to a speed that keeps engine rpm below a target engine rpm before the downshift is completed. A controller in the machine determines the current speed of the machine and then slows the machine to a new speed associated with the target rpm in the new gear. The controller may simply apply the brakes to slow the machine to the new speed independently of the process of changing gears or may actively delay the gear change until the new speed is achieved.

High speed downshift management

A hydraulic drive system for storing and releasing hydraulic fluid includes a high pressure storage device, a low pressure storage device, and a pump-motor operating at a range of pump-motor speeds for converting between hydraulic energy and mechanical energy. The pump-motor is disposed between the high pressure device and the low pressure device. In normal operation, the hydraulic drive system enters a motoring mode where hydraulic energy is released from the high pressure storage device and converted to mechanical energy using the pump-motor. It also enters a pumping mode where mechanical energy is converted into hydraulic energy. A neutral state exists where hydraulic energy is neither stored nor released from the high pressure storage device. An approach for compensating for temperature changes using varying pressure limits helps to maintain the hydraulic drive system in normal operation, thereby promoting efficiency within the hydraulic drive system.

Hydraulic drive system with temperature compensation for pressure limit

A hydraulic drive system for storing and releasing hydraulic fluid includes a high pressure storage device, a low pressure storage device and a pump-motor operating at a range of pump-motor speeds for converting between hydraulic energy and mechanical energy. The pump-motor is disposed between the high pressure device and the low pressure device. In normal operation, the hydraulic drive system enters a motoring mode where hydraulic energy is released from the high pressure storage device and converted to mechanical energy using the pump-motor. It also enters a pumping mode where mechanical energy is converted into hydraulic energy. A neutral state exists where hydraulic energy is neither stored nor released from the high pressure storage device. An approach for facilitating the precharging of the high pressure storage device to a minimum threshold pressure promotes efficiency within the hydraulic drive system.

Hydraulic drive system with precharge logic

A hydraulic drive system for storing and releasing hydraulic fluid includes a high pressure storage device, a low pressure storage device, and a pump-motor operating at a range of pump-motor speeds for converting between hydraulic energy and mechanical energy. The pump-motor is disposed between the high pressure device and the low pressure device. In normal operation, the hydraulic drive system enters a motoring mode where hydraulic energy is released from the high pressure storage device and converted to mechanical energy using the pump-motor. It also enters a pumping mode where mechanical energy is converted into hydraulic energy. A neutral state exists where hydraulic energy is neither stored nor released from the high pressure storage device. When the pump-motor includes a swash-plate or similar structure, compensating for drift during normal operation helps to promote efficient operation of the hydraulic drive system.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Randy T Anderson