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. 19, 2013
Filed:
Nov. 23, 2009
Jonathan D. Chappell, Peoria, IL (US);
Jason D. Bell, Dahinda, IL (US);
Paul Graham, Co. Durham, GB;
Richard Adams, Peterborough, GB;
Keith F. Harvey, Peoria, IL (US);
Stephen Thompson, Sunderland, GB;
James V. Dornberger, Canton, IL (US);
Jonathan D. Chappell, Peoria, IL (US);
Jason D. Bell, Dahinda, IL (US);
Paul Graham, Co. Durham, GB;
Richard Adams, Peterborough, GB;
Keith F. Harvey, Peoria, IL (US);
Stephen Thompson, Sunderland, GB;
James V. Dornberger, Canton, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A method for automatically controlling the downhill speed of a machine. The method includes establishing a target machine speed based on a current machine speed and determining whether at least one trigger condition including a grade greater than a predetermined threshold has been satisfied. If satisfied, the method activates a control system to control at least one of a powertrain retarder and a change in a transmission gear to prevent exceeding the target machine speed.