# US 11,299,866 B2 · Dozer blade attachment control system and apparatus for a compact track loader > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,299,866 B2 - Document ID: US11299866B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/581,582 - Filed: 2019-09-24 - Published: 2021-03-25 - Granted: 2022-04-12 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-24 - Assignees: Deere & Company - Applicants: Deere & Company - Inventors: John Mahrenholz - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11299866B2 ## CPC - E02F 3/844: {for positioning the blade, e.g. hydraulically} - E02F 3/7613: {with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the pivoting arms about a vertical axis, e.g. angle dozers} - E02F 3/7618: {with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the pivoting arms about a horizontal axis} - E02F 3/7631: {with the scraper blade adjustable relative to the frame about a horizontal axis} - E02F 9/2041: {Automatic repositioning of implements, i.e. memorising determined positions of the implement (for dipper-arms or bucket-arms E02F3/434, E02F3/437, E02F3/438, E02F3/439 take precedence)} - E02F 9/2217: {with energy recovery arrangements, e.g. using accumulators, flywheels} - E02F 9/2228: {including an electronic controller} - E02F 9/2282: {Systems using center bypass type changeover valves} - E02F 9/2285: {Pilot-operated systems} - E02F 9/2296: {Systems with a variable displacement pump} - F15B 1/021: {used for damping} - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) - F15B: SYSTEMS ACTING BY MEANS OF FLUIDS IN GENERAL; FLUID-PRESSURE ACTUATORS, e.g. SERVOMOTORS; DETAILS OF FLUID-PRESSURE SYSTEMS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A dozer blade attachment control system for a work machine comprises a dozer blade attachment coupled to the attachment coupler, a hydraulic circuit, and an electronic controller. The hydraulic circuit comprises a hydraulic pump, a diverter valve operable in a first position and second position, and a pressure compensated directional control valve. The electronic controller is communicatively coupled to the hydraulic circuit. The electronic circuit may modify the hydraulic circuit to one or more of a first configuration with the diverter valve in the first position for tilt, a second configuration with the diverter valve in the second position for angling, and a third configuration with the diverter valve in the second position and the pressure compensated directional control valve creating a shuttle flow path from a higher and a lower side of the hydraulic circuit for simultaneously tilting and angling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dozer blade attachment control system for a work machine, the work machine extending in a fore-aft direction, the system comprising: a frame and a ground-engaging mechanism, the ground-engaging mechanism configured to support the frame on a surface; a boom assembly coupled to the frame, the boom assembly having a pair of boom arms; an attachment coupler coupled to a distal section of the boom arms; a dozer blade attachment coupled to the attachment coupler; a hydraulic circuit supported on the frame, the hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump delivering fluid through a plurality of flow paths coupled to one or more of a tilt hydraulic cylinder on the dozer blade attachment and an angle hydraulic cylinder on the dozer blade attachment, the tilt hydraulic cylinder coupled to an auxiliary port supported on the frame and operationally positioned to move the dozer blade attachment in a direction of roll, the angle hydraulic cylinder coupled to the auxiliary port supported on the frame, and operationally positioned to move the dozer blade attachment in a direction of yaw; a diverter valve operable in a first position delivering hydraulic fluid through a first flow path and a second position delivering hydraulic fluid through a second flow path; a pressure compensated directional control valve operable to selectively feed from a pressure differential from the plurality of flow paths; and an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the hydraulic circuit, the electronic controller operable to modify the hydraulic circuit to one or more of a first configuration with the diverter valve in the first position, the first position enabling actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder, a second configuration with the diverter valve in the second position, the second position enabling actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder; and a third configuration with the diverter valve in the second position enabling actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder and the pressure compensated directional control valve creating a shuttle flow path from a higher and a lower pressure side of the hydraulic circuit, the pressure compensated directional control valve enabling simultaneous actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 1, wherein the third configuration comprises one or more of a minimum flow rate and a fixed flow rate through the second flow path for actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 1, the system further comprising: a joystick with a switch coupled to the electronic controller for operating in manual mode, wherein pushing the joystick to the right relative to the for-aft direction tilts the dozer blade attachment to the right and pushing the joystick to the left relative to the fore-aft direction tilts the dozer blade attachment to the left, and pushing the switch forward causes the dozer blade attachment to angle right and pushing the switch rearward causes the dozer blade attachment to angle left. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 1, the system further comprising: a grade control system coupled to the electronic controller for operating the work machine in grade control mode, the grade control system operating the hydraulic circuit in the third configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 4, wherein the grade control mode enables actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder in automatic mode and enables actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder in manual mode. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The work machine of claim 4, wherein the grade control mode enables actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder in automatic mode and enables actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder in automatic mode. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic circuit further comprises an accumulator. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 7, wherein the accumulator performs one or more of storing energy, absorbing shock, building pressure, and maintaining a constant pressure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary port is a single auxiliary hydraulic coupling access supported on the frame for coupling to an attachment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The dozer blade attachment control system of claim 1, wherein the shuttle network scavenges hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic circuit automatically to maintain the tilt hydraulic cylinder at a specific tilt angle. ### Claim 11 A work machine comprising a dozer blade attachment, the work machine comprising: a frame and a ground-engaging mechanism, the ground-engaging mechanism configured to support the frame on a surface; a boom assembly coupled to the frame, the boom assembly having a pair of boom arms; an attachment coupler coupled to a distal section of the boom arms; a dozer blade attachment coupled to the attachment coupler; a hydraulic circuit supported on the frame, the hydraulic circuit comprising a hydraulic pump delivering fluid through a plurality of flow paths coupled to one or more of a tilt hydraulic cylinder on the dozer blade attachment and an angle hydraulic cylinder on the dozer blade attachment, the tilt hydraulic cylinder coupled to an auxiliary port supported on the frame and operationally positioned to move the dozer blade attachment in a direction of roll, the angle hydraulic cylinder coupled to the auxiliary port supported on the frame, and operationally positioned to move the dozer blade attachment in a direction of yaw; a diverter valve operable in a first position delivering hydraulic fluid through a first flow path and a second position delivering hydraulic fluid through a second flow path; a pressure compensated directional control valve operable to selectively feed from a pressure differential from the plurality of flow paths; and an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the hydraulic circuit, the electronic controller operable to modify the hydraulic circuit to one or more of a first configuration with the diverter valve in the first position, the first position enabling actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder, a second configuration with the diverter valve in the second position, the second position enabling actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder; and a third configuration with the diverter valve in the second position enabling actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder and the pressure compensated directional control valve creating a shuttle flow path from a higher and a lower pressure side of the hydraulic circuit, the pressure compensated directional control valve enabling simultaneous actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The work machine of claim 11, wherein the third configuration comprises one or more of a minimum flow rate and a fixed flow rate through the second flow path for actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The work machine of claim 11 further comprising: a joystick with a switch coupled to the electronic controller for operating in manual mode, wherein pushing the joystick to the right relative to a for-aft direction tilts the dozer blade attachment to the right and pushing the joystick to the left relative to the fore-aft direction tilts the dozer blade attachment to the left, and pushing the switch forward causes the dozer blade attachment to angle right and pushing the switch rearward causes the dozer blade attachment to angle left. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The work machine of claim 11 further comprising: a grade control system coupled to the electronic controller for operating the work machine in grade control mode, the grade control system operating the hydraulic circuit in the third configuration. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The work machine of claim 14, wherein the grade control mode enables actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder in automatic mode and enables actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder in manual mode. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The work machine of claim 14, wherein the grade control mode enables actuation of the tilt hydraulic cylinder in automatic mode and enables actuation of the angle hydraulic cylinder in automatic mode. ### Claim 17 The work machine of 11, wherein the hydraulic circuit further comprises an accumulator. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The work machine of claim 16, wherein the accumulator performs one or more of storing energy, absorbing shock, building pressure, and maintaining a constant pressure. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The work machine of claim 11, wherein the auxiliary port is a single auxiliary hydraulic coupling access supported on the frame for coupling to an attachment. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The work machine of claim 11, wherein the shuttle network scavenges hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic circuit automatically to maintain the tilt hydraulic cylinder at a specific tilt angle.