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:
Mar. 11, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 10, 1997
Ronnie L. Satzler, Princeville, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A method of synchronizing first and second steering arrangements is provided to control the steering of a machine. The first steering arrangement has steerable wheels that turn in response to a steer input. The second steering arrangement has non-steerable wheels or drive units in which steering is provided by changing the relative speed of right and left drive units. An electronic controller senses and controls the angle of steer of each of the first and second steering arrangements in order to synchronize their respective outputs. If the second steering arrangement cannot provide the needed angle of steer, an independently controlled brake is proportionally applied to the appropriate drive unit in order to assist the second steering arrangement.