# US 10,118,656 B2 · Articulated machine employing stabilizers and steering interlock > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,118,656 B2 - Document ID: US10118656B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/987,485 - Filed: 2016-01-04 - Published: 2017-07-06 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-04 - Assignees: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC - Applicants: Caterpillar Global Mining America LLC - Inventors: James Robert Szalko; Patrick W. Sullivan; Rex Glover; Justin B. Eaton; Paul A. Dvorak - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10118656B2 ## CPC - B62D 53/02: comprising a uniaxle tractor unit and a uniaxle trailer unit {(see B60B11/00 - B60B11/08)} - B62D 5/06: fluid, i.e. using a pressurised fluid for most or all the force required for steering a vehicle - B62D 12/00: Steering specially adapted for vehicles operating in tandem or having pivotally connected frames (steering endless tracks or the like B62D11/00; steering specially adapted for trailers B62D13/00) - B62D 21/186: {for building site vehicles or multi-purpose tractors (tracked vehicles B62D55/10; tractors in general B62D49/00; building site vehicles in general E02F; lift-trucks B66F)} - E02F 9/085: {Ground-engaging fitting for supporting the machines while working, e.g. outriggers, legs (for vehicles in general B60S9/00, for cranes B66C23/78)} - E21B 7/024: {having means for adapting to inclined terrain; having means for stabilizing the vehicle while drilling} - E21B 7/025: {Rock drills, i.e. jumbo drills} - B60S 9/10: by fluid pressure - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS - B60S: SERVICING, CLEANING, REPAIRING, SUPPORTING, LIFTING, OR MANOEUVRING OF VEHICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer operates between a stowed state and an unstowed state, wherein the directional control valve depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit when the stabilizer is in the unstowed state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer operates between a stowed state and a unstowed state, the machine further comprising an override circuit that clears an override condition, wherein the directional control valve depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit only when the override condition is clear and the stabilizer is in the unstowed state. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The machine of claim 1, wherein the stabilizer is fully retracted in a stowed state and not fully retracted in a unstowed state, wherein the machine further comprises a sensor that provides data about a position of the stabilizer being in the stowed state or the unstowed state. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The machine of claim 4, further comprising a controller coupled to the sensor and the directional control valve, wherein the controller receives the data from the sensor to determine the state of the stabilizer and selectively depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit by activating the directional control valve according to the state of the stabilizer. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The machine of claim 5, further comprising a hydraulic stabilizer circuit, wherein the sensor is a hydraulic pressure sensor configured to report a pressure spike associated with the stabilizer being fully retracted. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The machine of claim 5, wherein the sensor is one of a pressure sensor and an optical sensor that is configured to report when the stabilizer is fully retracted. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The machine of claim 5, further comprising an override circuit coupled to the controller, the override circuit used to clear or set an override condition, wherein the controller activates the directional control valve to depressurize the hydraulic steering circuit only when the override condition is clear and the stabilizer is in the unstowed state. ### Claim 9 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The steering interlock system of claim 9, wherein the directional control valve selectively depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit when the stabilizer is in the unstowed state. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The steering interlock system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor coupled to the hydraulic stabilizer circuit, the sensor providing data corresponding to the stabilizer being in the unstowed state. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The steering interlock system of claim 9, further comprising an override circuit, the override circuit causing the directional control valve to selectively maintain pressure in the hydraulic steering circuit when the override circuit is active. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The steering interlock system of claim 12, further comprising a controller coupled to the override circuit, the controller receiving a signal from the override circuit that causes the controller to selectively maintain pressure in the hydraulic steering circuit. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein determining the state of the stabilizer to be in the stowed state comprises determining that the stabilizer is in a fully retracted position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein determining the stabilizer to be in the unstowed state comprises determining that the stabilizer is in any position other than a fully retracted position. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein determining the stabilizer is in the fully retracted position comprises receiving data from a sensor coupled to the stabilizer. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein enabling the hydraulic steering circuit comprises determining a state of an override circuit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein disabling the hydraulic steering circuit of the machine comprises activating a directional control valve to depressurize the hydraulic steering circuit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein activating the directional control valve to depressurize the hydraulic steering circuit comprises providing a signal from a controller that causes the directional control valve to depressurize the hydraulic steering circuit.