Methods and systems for controlling machine speed
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorJeremy T. Sharp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A machine includes an engine, one or more machine retarder systems, a grade sensor, a load sensor, and a controller. Each of the retarder systems has a retarding capability including an amount of energy the respective retarder system can dissipate in one or more systems of the machine powering or transmitting power to propel the machine. The grade sensor is configured to measure a grade at which the machine is disposed. The load sensor configured to measure a load on the machine. The controller is in electrical communication with the engine, the one or more retarder systems, the grade sensor, and the load sensor. The controller determines a machine speed limit based on the grade, the load and the retarding capability of each of the one or more retarder systems.
Claims20
A machine comprising:
- an engine;
- one or more machine retarder systems, each of which has a retarding capability comprising an amount of energy the respective retarder system can dissipate in one or more systems of the machine powering or transmitting power to propel the machine;
- a grade sensor configured to measure a grade at which the machine is disposed;
- a load sensor configured to measure a load on the machine;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication with the engine, the one or more retarder systems, the grade sensor, and the load sensor, the controller determining a retarder speed limit based on the grade, the load and the retarding capability of each of the one or more retarder systems, the retarder speed limit being a speed of the machine that can be maintained by actuation of the one or more retarder systems without actuating a machine braking system.
A method of operating a machine, the method comprising:
- determining a grade at which the machine is disposed using a grade sensor coupled to the machine;
- determining a load of the machine using a load sensor coupled to the machine;
- and
- determining, by a controller in communication with one or more retarder systems, the grade sensor, and the load sensor, a retarder speed limit based on the grade, the load and a retarding capability of each of the one or more retarder systems,
- wherein the retarding capability of each of the one or more retarder systems is an amount of energy the respective retarder system can dissipate in one or more systems of the machine powering or transmitting power to propel the machine, and
- wherein the retarder speed limit is equal to a speed of the machine that can be maintained by actuation of the one or more retarder systems without actuating a machine braking system.
A machine comprising:
- an engine;
- one or more machine retarder systems, each of which has a retarding capability comprising an amount of energy the respective retarder system can dissipate in one or more systems of the machine powering or transmitting power to propel the machine;
- a grade sensor configured to generate one or more grade signals indicative of a grade at which the machine is disposed;
- a load sensor configured to generate one or more load signals indicative of a load on the machine;
- and
- an electronic control unit (ECU) configured to:
- receive the one or more grade signals, the one or more load signals, and receive or retrieve the retarding capability of each of the one or more retarder systems;
- determine a retarder speed limit based on the grade signals, the load signals and the retarding capability of the one or more retarder systems;
- and
- automatically limiting a speed of the machine to the determined retarder speed limit using the one or more machine retarder systems without actuating the machine braking system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.