Articulated machine employing stabilizers and steering interlock
AssigneeCaterpillar Global Mining LLC
InventorsJames Robert Szalko, Patrick W. Sullivan, Rex Glover, Justin B. Eaton, Paul A. Dvorak
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A machine includes a front section having front wheels, a rear section having rear wheels, and a pivot that couples the front section to the rear section as well as a hydraulic steering circuit that moves the front section relative to the rear section about the pivot. The machine also includes a stabilizer and further includes a directional control valve that selectively depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit according to a state of the stabilizer.
Claims20
A machine comprising:
- a front section having front wheels;
- a rear section having rear wheels;
- a pivot that couples the front section to the rear section;
- a hydraulic steering circuit that moves the front section relative to the rear section about the pivot;
- a stabilizer;
- and
- a directional control valve that selectively depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit according to a state of the stabilizer.
A steering interlock system in a machine comprising:
- a pump that supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid;
- a hydraulic stabilizer circuit including:
- a stabilizer cylinder coupled to the pump;
- and
- a stabilizer coupled to the stabilizer cylinder, the stabilizer operated between a stowed state and a unstowed state by the stabilizer cylinder;
- and
- a hydraulic steering circuit including:
- a steering cylinder coupled to the pump, the steering cylinder configured to cause the machine to change a steering angle;
- and
- a directional control valve coupled between the pump and the steering cylinder, the directional control valve configured to selectively depressurize the hydraulic steering circuit responsive to the stabilizer being in the stowed state or the unstowed state.
A method of operating an machine having a stabilizer, the method comprising:
- determining a state of the stabilizer to be in one of a stowed state and an unstowed state;
- enabling a hydraulic steering circuit of the machine when the stabilizer is in the stowed state;
- and
- disabling the hydraulic steering circuit of the machine when the stabilizer is in the unstowed state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.