The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 27, 1987
Filed:
Oct. 10, 1986
James P Mueller, East Peoria, IL (US);
Weldon L Phelps, Dunlap, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
Clutch-brake steering systems are known to operate on track vehicles which are highly reliable and cost effective, but lacked the fine degree of controllability found in the more expensive differential steering. An electronically controlled clutch-brake steering control apparatus provides control signals to electrohydraulic proportional valves for accurately modulating the control pressures of a set of steering clutches and brakes. A pair of sensors deliver signals, which are indicative of track speed, to the control apparatus. The apparatus acts to adaptively adjust selected ones of the valves to maintain a desired track speed differential. Thus, the controllability of the clutch-brake steering system is enhanced to effectively compete with more expensive and complex systems.