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:
Jun. 05, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 17, 1998
Craig B Kelley, Dunlap, IL (US);
Matthew A Hartman, Bloomington, IL (US);
Mark D Shane, Princeville, IL (US);
Daniel E Shearer, Metamora, IL (US);
Bernie D Lunsford, Lowpoint, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A dual steering system for controlling the steering of a motor grader is disclosed. The first portion of the steering system comprises a steering wheel connected through a hydraulic steering valve to hydraulic right and left steering cylinders, which are connected to the right front tire and left front tire, respectively. Rotation of the steering wheel causes rotation of the front tires. A second portion of the steering system comprises a first button and a second button that are mounted to a control lever. Actuation of the first button sends a first electrical input signal and actuation of the second button sends a second electrical input signal to an electronic control computer. The electronic control computer generates control signals in response to the electrical input signals and transmits these control signals to a plurality of electro-hydraulic actuators. Actuation of an electro-hydraulic actuator by one of the control signals leads to actuation of the right steering cylinder and the left steering cylinder thereby causing rotation of the front wheels of the grader in one of two directions. Thus, the direction of travel of a motor grader can be controlled by one of two steering systems, one of which permits an operator to maintain contact with a control lever while adjusting the steering of the motor grader.