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:
Nov. 21, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 22, 1998
Roy V Brookhart, Cary, NC (US);
Steven T Ufheil, East Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A steering control system for controlling the steering of a work machine which utilizes differential speed control for maneuvering the machine wherein the operator of the work machine can select any one of a plurality of different steering modes which vary the gain of the operator input steering device based upon operating or environmental conditions, or based upon other sensed conditions of the work machine such as the ground speed of the machine. The present steering control system includes an operator input device actuatable to command a particular direction of movement of the work machine, a steering mode switch or other operator selectable mechanism for selecting any one of a plurality of different steering mode correlations established between actuation of the operator input device and operation of the respective left and right drive motors associated with the work machine, each steering mode correlation representing a different mode of operation of the left and right drive motors for the same input to the operator input device, and an electronic controller coupled with the operator input device and with the steering mode switch or other mechanism for receiving signals therefrom and for outputting signals to control the operation of the left and right drive motors in accordance with the selected steering mode.