Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Caterpillar Inc.

Thomas P Muller

Aleksandar M Egelja

Richard George Ingram

Leon A Wirt

Sabri Cetinkunt

Chenyao Chen

Unnat Pinsopon

Philip J Blatner

Maintenance requirements for hydraulic cylinders used to actuate heavy equipment may be predicted by measuring actual use of the cylinders. Sensors measuring piston position within each cylinder are integrated and the results stored in histograms bins to provide a permanent record of motion. Hydraulic pressure and temperature are also recorded. Data are downloaded periodically and compared with data from laboratory tests and/or from other units in the field.

Hydraulic cylinder life prediction

An apparatus and method of providing a work machine to a customer is disclosed. An embodiment includes at least one machine sensor and at least one computer. Signals indicative of the work performed by the machine are provided. The computer receives the signals and calculates the productivity of the machine.

Apparatus and method of providing a work machine

In the present invention, the distance from a predetermined point to the center of gravity of the load and a first portion of a work machine and the distance from that predetermined point to the center of gravity of the second portion of the work machine are compared, either singly or in a combination, to a predetermined value. Optionally, the articulation angle of the machine and weight and position of the load are combined with a vehicle weight value into a stability value and the stability value is compared to an alarm value. Should an instability condition be detected, an output signal is sent to an output device to alert the operator and/or affect the movement of the machine to prevent instability of the work machine.

Apparatus and method for a machine stability system for an articulated work machine

A method and system for altering operating behavior of a sub-system component of a machine to suit a user's preference includes a database for storing a plurality of parameters associated with the operating behavior of the sub-system component. The parameters have sets of values associated therewith wherein each set of values define one of a plurality of acceptable operating behaviors for the sub-system component. A sub-system controller receives a selection signal from the operator via a user interface selecting one of the set of values of the parameters according to his/her preference. The sub-system controller then controls the sub-system component based on the selected set of values for the parameters.

Method and system for selecting desired response of an electronic-controlled sub-system

A steering system for turning a machine has a plurality of wheels that include a first and second wheel that share a first axis of rotation. The plurality of wheels also includes at least one tether wheel that has a second axis of rotation and may be pivoted relative to the first and second wheels. The first and second axes of rotation define a turning angle. A plurality of drive units include first and second drive units for independently rotating the first and second wheels respectively at variable speeds. A steering input device produces a steering input signal, and a controller receives the steering input signal and produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units. The drive unit request signals may command a turn by rotating the wheels at different speeds thereby altering the turning angle and turning the machine. In this manner, the present invention may steer the machine without articulation cylinders, a transmission, a drive shaft, or a differential.

Method and apparatus for steering articulated machines using variable speed devices

The present method and apparatus provide a control system on a machine including an electronic controller for controlling operation of at least one subsystem, an internal data storage device containing data readable by the controller representative of an allowable range for controlling an operating parameter for the subsystem, and a data interface operable for allowing the controller to access data contained in an external data storage device. The present method and apparatus additionally provide an external data storage device containing data accessible by the controller representative of at least one preferred value for controlling the operating parameter. The controller is operable to access the at least one preferred value and compare it to the allowable range, and if the at least one preferred value is within the allowable range, then selecting the at least one preferred value for controlling the operating parameter, and if the at least one preferred value is beyond the allowable range, then selecting the allowable range for controlling the operating parameter. Additionally, preferably the data contained in the portable external data storage device is readable by controllers of at least one other machine for customizing or limiting operation of at least one operating parameter thereof, and the card is movable from machine to machine. The preferred value can optionally be a global limiting factor for customizing or limiting operation of a plurality of subsystems of one or more machines.

Method and apparatus for customizing and limiting operation of machine subsystems

Fluid control system

A mobile apparatus (20) has a hydraulically operated pivoted boom (22) and a hydraulically operated pivoted arm (24) and on the free end of the arm is a hydraulically operated mechanism (26) for handling heavy loads in ways that cause torsional and bending distortion of the boom (22) and the arm (24). Coplanar steel hydraulic conduits (42a and 42b, and 45a and b to 50a and b) are slidably carried in conduit support blocks (57); and those blocks in turn are mounted on brackets (53) fixed to the arm (24) or brackets (69) fixed to the boom (22) by carrying means (56 or 72) which allows directionally unrestricted limited movement of the blocks (57) in a plane parallel to that of the conduit centers, and which also allows axial movement along lines perpendicular to that plane.

Mounting assembly for hydraulic conduits of a mobile apparatus

A mobile apparatus (20) has a pivoted boom (22), and hydraulic cylinders (23a and 23b) flank the boom for moving it about its pivotal mounting (22a). Head end conduits (31a and 31b) and rod end conduits (33a and 33b) which connect the cylinders to a hydraulic pressure source are protected by guard means (35) including a unitary, rigid guard member (38) which is mounted upon the cylinders (23a and 23b) by mounting means (41) which affords limited movement of the guard member (38) relative to the cylinders (23a and 23b) in the plane of a central guard plate (39) and axially of mounting bolts (48).

Guard structure for fluid conduits of hydraulic cylinders of mobile

PCT No. PCT/US79/00501 SEC. 371 Date July 16, 1979 SEC. 102(e) Date July 16, 1979 PCT Filed July 16, 1979 A mobile apparatus (20) has a hydraulically operated pivoted boom (22) and a hydraulically operated pivoted arm (24) and on the free end of the arm is a hydraulically operated mechanism (26) for handling heavy loads in ways that cause torsional and bending distortion of the boom (22) and the arm (24). Coplanar steel hydraulic conduits (42a and 42b, and 45a and b to 50a and b) are slidably carried in conduit support blocks (57); and those blocks in turn are mounted on brackets (53) fixed to the arm (24) or brackets (69) fixed to the boom (22) by carrying means (56 or 72) which allows directionally unrestricted limited movement of the blocks (57) in a plane parallel to that of the conduit centers, and which also allows axial movement along lines perpendicular to that plane. The guard structure (100 or 101) of the present invention is similarly mounted for limited movement and includes readily removable conduit coupling guard members (104, 107, 108 and 109) to facilitate tightening conduit couplings (43a and b and 50d and e).

Guard structure for hydraulic conduits of a mobile apparatus

A door holding apparatus holds a door in a preselected position relative to a door support. The apparatus includes a rod which has a first end pivotally connected to the door and a second end for engaging the door or door support. Force exerting apparatus exerts a force against the rod and urges the rod into forcible engagement with the door or door support.

Door holding apparatus

A housing assembly (10) connects a lamp (11) to a frame (12) of a work vehicle (53) or machine for general illumination. The lamp (11) is removable for use as an inspection lamp. The frame (12) has an opening (14) and a first flange (16). In the assembly (10), a lamp housing (24) has first and second opposed walls (28,30) and a front wall (32). The housing (24) is movable between a first position (34) at which the front wall (32) covers the frame opening (14) and a second position (36) at which the front wall (32) is spaced from the frame opening (14). The flange (16) and first wall (28) each have a respective one of a protrusion (20) and opening (22). The protrusion (20) and opening (22) are mated at the first position (34). Apparatus (26) removably connects the housing (24) to the frame (12) and maintains the housing (24) at the first position (34) for using the lamp (11) fixed to the frame (12) and allowing removal of the lamp (11) for use at other locations.

Apparatus for a removable lamp

An engine enclosure comprises a support frame having a pair of vertically disposed rear posts interconnected at their upper ends to a pair of vertically disposed center posts by tie rods. A counterweight mounting device is secured on the outside of the rear posts to form an integral part thereof.

Growing community of inventors

Montgomery, IL, United States of America

Thomas P Muller