Caterpillar Inc.

Sameer S Marathe

Bradford Jay Holt

Scott Marks

Jeffrey Edward Jensen

Michael D Mitchell

Mark A Robinson

Michael Evan Hague

John J Baldauf

Jeffrey Kent Berry

Timothy A Vik

Wesley Thomas Payne

Zhiyong Wei

Matthew Stephen Marquette

Arick Matthew Bakken

Austin J Scott

Amanda C Doolittle

Kevin L Fuller

Bryan K Schache

Subrat S Kamat

A method for mitigating powertrain abuse on a grade can include determining the grade a machine is on, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain; and if the grade is over a threshold, a controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.

Control to mitigate operator abuse of drivetrain on grade

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 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

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a payload determination method associated with a machine includes determining first head-end and first rod-end pressures of a first actuator operably connected to a boom of the machine as the boom is raised across a position at a reference lift angle. The method further includes determining first head-end and first rod-end pressures of a second actuator operably connected to a work tool of the machine as the boom is raised across the position. The method further includes determining a weight of a payload carried by the work tool based on the first head-end pressure of the first actuator, the first rod-end pressure of the first actuator, the first head-end pressure of the second actuator, the first rod-end pressure of the second actuator, and a determined pitch angle of the machine. In such an exemplary method, the payload is carried by the work tool during at least one of the determining steps described above.

Payload determination system and method

A machine having a pump overspeed protection system operating thereon includes an internal combustion engine, a plurality of ground engaging elements, and a drivetrain coupling the internal combustion engine and the ground engaging elements. The drivetrain includes a torque converter having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The machine also includes a plurality of pumps driven by the internal combustion engine. An electronic control is in communication with the internal combustion engine, the torque converter, and the plurality of pumps. The electronic controller is configured to determine a pump speed of a first pump of the plurality of pumps, initiate a first action of a hierarchy of pump overspeed protection actions if the pump speed exceeds a first speed threshold, initiate a second action of the hierarchy of pump overspeed protection actions if the pump speed exceeds a second speed threshold, initiate a third action of the hierarchy of pump overspeed protection actions if the pump speed exceeds a third speed threshold, and monitor a condition of a component altered by at least one of the hierarchy of pump overspeed protection actions. At least one of the hierarchy of pump overspeed protection actions includes increasing a displacement of at least one of the plurality of pumps and at least another of the hierarchy of pump overspeed protection actions includes moving the torque converter from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration.

Pump overspeed protection method and machine using same

A machine includes a chassis, a linkage having a first end pivotally attached to the chassis at a first pivot point, and a bucket pivotally attached to a second end of the linkage at a second pivot point and rotatable about the second pivot point from a first position where gravity resists rotation of the bucket to a second position where gravity assists rotation of the bucket. A tilt actuator rotates the bucket about the pivot point and one or more sensors provide physical data of the bucket. A processor of the machine receives the physical data, determines from the physical data an equilibrium position of the bucket, determines a location of the center of gravity of the bucket with payload from the physical data and the equilibrium position, and estimates the weight of the payload based on the physical data and the location of the center of gravity.

Method and apparatus for calculating payload weight

An apparatus for determining the weight of a payload in a bucket of a machine where the bucket is attached to a chassis of the machine by a linkage. The apparatus comprises an energy storage device for storing potential energy of the bucket, payload, and linkage when the bucket is moved from a first suspended position to a second suspended position. A mechanism provides physical data corresponding to a physical change in the energy storage device caused by storage of the potential energy and a processor calculates the weight of the payload using the physical data.

A performance management system for use a plurality of machines operating at a common worksite is disclosed. The performance management system may have at least one data acquisition module configured to monitor performance of the plurality of machines, and a controller in communication with the at least one data acquisition module. The controller may be configured to collect machine performance data from the at least one data acquisition module, and detect a performance irregularity based on the collected machine performance data. The controller may be further configured to analyze the collected machine performance data, and determine which of a machine condition, an operator condition, and a site condition is the predominant cause of the performance irregularity based on the comparison.

Performance management system for multi-machine worksite

A method of operating a machine having a lockable differential includes monitoring a first operating parameter indicative of wheel slip, and monitoring a second operating parameter different from the first parameter, the method further including controlling locking and unlocking of the differential responsive to the second operating parameter. A machine is provided having an electronic controller including software control logic for controlling locking and unlocking of a differential, the electronic controller being configured to lock the differential where the machine is in an operating mode where wheel slip is likely, such as a digging/dozing mode. Satisfaction of criteria for locking may be recognition by the controller of a predetermined pattern of sensor inputs corresponding with a likely wheel slip condition, or actual slip detection.

Traction control method in machine using lockable differential

A vehicle includes at least one wheel, a parking brake associated with the at least one wheel and a service brake associated with the at least one wheel, and a braking control system. The braking control system interprets operator on/off commands to the parking brake. The service brakes are actuated instead of or in addition to the parking brake when a parking brake application is ordered and the vehicle speed falls outside a preferred vehicle speed range. If the vehicle is stopped and the parking brake is engaged, the parking brake is not disengaged responsive to an operator command until the service brake condition is within a preferred ready range.

Parking and service brake control system for a vehicle

An articulated work machine has a front frame and a rear frame connected for pivotal movement therebetween for steering the machine by an articulation joint. Each of the front and rear frames has two driven wheels, spaced laterally, each having a brake associated therewith. As the machine articulates during steering, one or more of the wheels may lose traction and slip. An electronic traction control system receives measured wheel speed signals and an articulation angle signal, calculates a desired wheel speed responsive to the wheel speed and articulation angle signals, and selectively applies the brakes until the measured wheel speed is equal to the desired wheel speed.

Growing community of inventors

Yorkville, IL, United States of America

Sameer S Marathe