Caterpillar Inc.

Tom N Brooks

William James Tate

Cameron T Lane

Michael D Staub

Keith A Kabrick

Michael D Hudson

Joseph Edward Tabor

Robert L McNabb

Roby A Parks

Jason Martin

Dave N Martin

The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.

Brake cooling fluid diverter for an off-highway machine

An assembly for coupling a dump truck bed to a frame of a work machine includes an attachment member secured in fixed relation to the frame. The attachment member has a plurality of first fastener apertures defined therein. The assembly also includes a hydraulic cylinder having a first end and a second end. The first end of the hydraulic cylinder is pivotally coupled to the dump truck bed. The assembly further includes a bearing assembly having an inner race and an outer race, wherein (i) the outer race is disposed around the inner race such that the outer race rotates in relation to the inner race thereby defining a central axis of rotation, (ii) the outer race is fixed in relation to the second end of the hydraulic cylinder, (iii) the inner race is fixed in relation to the attachment member, and (iv) the inner race has a plurality of second fastener apertures defined therein. The assembly also includes a plurality bolts respectively positioned within the plurality of first apertures of the attachment member and the plurality of second apertures of the inner race so as to secure the inner race to the attachment member, wherein the plurality of first apertures of the attachment member and the plurality of second apertures of the inner race are each eccentrically located relative to the central axis of rotation.

Assembly for coupling a dump truck bed to a frame of a work machine

A method for retarding a work machine having a fluid-cooled brake system includes the step of advancing said work machine at a first ground speed during a first period of time. The method also includes the step of sensing a fluid temperature of brake coolant circulating through said brake system during the first period of time. The method further includes the step of advancing said work machine at a second ground speed during a second period of time based on said fluid temperature. During retarding of the work machine, the radiator fan is operated at a predetermined, maximum fan speed irrespective of engine speed of the work machine's engine. Moreover, during retarding of the work machine according to the method of the present invention, the circulation pumps of the work machine's brake cooling system are operated at a predetermined, maximum pump speed irrespective of engine speed of the work machine's engine. An apparatus for retarding a work machine is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for retarding a work machine having a fluid-cooled

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Oakley, IL, United States of America

Tom N Brooks