Implement system for machine and operating method therefor
AssigneeCaterpillar Global Mining Europe GmbH
InventorsCarl Moberg, Brent Duppong, Frank Kühnemund, Oliver Kortmann, Carsten Butz, Matthew Palmer
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An implement system for a machine includes a boom housing a drive mechanism for a cutting implement, and having a plurality of oil outlet ports formed therein. A control mechanism is configured to receive data indicative of an expected change in location of the outlet ports relative to an oil fill line within the boom, and vary a pattern of incoming oil flow to limit entrainment of air in the oil.
Claims20
An implement system for a machine, the implement system comprising:
- a cutting implement;
- a boom supporting the cutting implement and movable to position the cutting implement in contact with a material to be cut, the boom housing a drive mechanism for the cutting implement, and a plurality of oil outlet ports being formed in the boom, for draining oil conveyed through the boom in contact with the drive mechanism;
- and
- an oil pumping system for circulating the oil through the boom, the oil pumping system including at least one pumping mechanism, a plurality of incoming oil conduits for connecting the at least one pumping mechanism to the plurality of oil outlet ports, and a control mechanism for varying a pattern of incoming oil flow,
- the control mechanism being configured to:
- receive data indicative of an expected change in location of at least one of the plurality of oil ports relative to an oil fill line within the boom;
- and
- vary the pattern of incoming oil flow based on the data indicative of an expected change in location by way of commanding switching the oil pumping system between a first state receiving incoming oil flow through a first one of the plurality of incoming oil conduits and a second state receiving incoming oil flow through a second one of the plurality of incoming oil conduits, to limit entrainment of air in the circulated oil.
A machine comprising:
- a machine frame;
- ground-engaging propulsion elements coupled to the machine frame;
- an implement system coupled to the machine frame and including a cutting implement movable relative to the machine frame, and a boom supporting the cutting implement;
- a plurality of oil outlet ports formed in the boom, and the boom housing a drive mechanism configured for lubrication and cooling by way of oil conveyed through the boom to the plurality of oil outlet ports;
- an oil pumping system for circulating the oil through the boom and including at least one pumping mechanism, and a plurality of incoming oil conduits for connecting the at least one pumping mechanism to the plurality of oil outlet ports;
- the oil pumping system further including a control mechanism, and the control mechanism being configured to:
- receive data indicative of a change in a position or an orientation of the cutting implement relative to the machine frame that varies an expected location of at least one of the plurality of oil outlet ports relative to an oil fill line in the boom;
- and
- command switching the oil pumping system based on the data indicative of a change in a position or an orientation of the cutting implement from a first state receiving incoming oil flow through a first one of the plurality of incoming oil conduits to a second state receiving incoming oil flow through a second one of the plurality of incoming oil conduits.
A method of operating an implement system having a cutting implement and a boom housing a drive mechanism lubricated and cooled by way of oil circulated through the boom, the method comprising:
- monitoring a plurality of position parameters or orientation parameters of at least one of the boom or the cutting implement;
- receiving data of the plurality of position parameters or orientation parameters indicative of an expected change to a location of an oil fill line in the boom relative to at least one of a first oil outlet port or a second oil outlet port each formed in the boom;
- and
- commanding switching an oil pumping system in the implement system based on the data from a first state receiving an incoming flow of oil from the first oil outlet port to a second state receiving an incoming flow of oil from the second oil outlet port.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.