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. 25, 2014
Filed:
Dec. 14, 2009
Steven D. Jones, Metamora, IL (US);
Ronald B. Warnat, Howell, MI (US);
Brett D. Ellen, Peoria Heights, IL (US);
Nathan S. Pauli, Peoria, IL (US);
Michael S. Contratto, Chillicothe, IL (US);
Steven D. Jones, Metamora, IL (US);
Ronald B. Warnat, Howell, MI (US);
Brett D. Ellen, Peoria Heights, IL (US);
Nathan S. Pauli, Peoria, IL (US);
Michael S. Contratto, Chillicothe, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A machine employing controllable mounts and a method for controlling such mounts based on machine operation are disclosed. The controllable mount may include a housing, a pin, rheological fluid within the housing and coils provided proximate to the rheological fluid. As current is applied to the coils, the apparent viscosity of the rheological fluid is increased, and in so doing so are the damping and stiffness properties of the controllable mount. With other operations such as roading or working on a flat surface, the feedback afforded by the mounts is not as important as operator comfort, in which case the current applied to the coils can be lowered and thus the mount can be made more relaxed. The machine of the present disclosure identifies the machine operation being performed through sensors, predictive algorithms, implement position, and operator input and sets the current and properties of the controllable mounts accordingly.