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US 10,464,602 B2Granted
Limited slip differential drive system and methods of using the same
AssigneeCNH Industrial America LLC
InventorsJeffrey B. Fay, II, Philip J. Ehrhart
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosure relates to a steering system useful for providing stable control during rear axle steering of harvesters, such as self-propelled windrowers. The steering system utilizes left and right-hand side drive motors, and allows for hydraulic fluid to flow between the left and right-hand side drive motors through crossover lines to regulate a speed differential between wheels when the steering system is actuated into a rear axle steering operation mode.
Claims20
A steering system for a harvester, comprising:
- one or more drive pumps in communication with a steering mechanism;
- a right-hand side drive motor in communication with the one or more drive pumps via right-hand side drive lines;
- a left-hand side drive motor in communication with the one or more drive pumps via left-hand side drive lines;
- and
- a manifold in communication with the steering mechanism;
- wherein the manifold is in fluid communication with the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors via crossover lines;
- and
- wherein in a rear axle steering operation mode, hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow between the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors through the crossover lines to regulate a speed differential between wheels associated with the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors.
5 more elements
A harvester, comprising:
- a frame;
- at least one front axle comprising first and second front wheels pivotally mounted to the front axle;
- at least one rear axle comprising first and second casters pivotally mounted to the rear axle;
- and
- a steering system comprising:
- one or more drive pumps in communication with a steering mechanism;
- a right-hand side drive motor in communication with the one or more drive pumps via right-hand side drive lines;
- a left-hand side drive motor in communication with the one or more drive pumps via left-hand side drive lines;
- and
- a manifold in communication with the steering mechanism;
- wherein the manifold is in fluid communication with the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors via crossover lines;
- and
- wherein in a rear axle steering operation mode, hydraulic fluid is allowed to flow between the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors through the crossover lines to regulate a speed differential between first and second front wheels associated with the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors.
10 more elements
A method of steering a harvester, comprising:
- actuating a steering system of the harvester into a rear axle steering operation mode, the steering system comprising:
- one or more drive pumps in communication with a steering mechanism;
- a right-hand side drive motor in communication with the one or more drive pumps via right-hand side drive lines;
- a left-hand side drive motor in communication with the one or more drive pumps via left-hand side drive lines;
- and
- a manifold in communication with the steering mechanism;
- wherein the manifold is in fluid communication with the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors via crossover lines;
- and
- regulating one or more valves within the manifold to control an amount of flow of hydraulic fluid between the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors through the crossover lines to regulate a speed differential between wheels associated with the left-hand side and right-hand side drive motors.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.