# US 12,179,583 B2 · System and method for controlling a tandem axle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,583 B2 - Document ID: US12179583B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/169,726 - Filed: 2023-02-15 - Published: 2024-08-15 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2023-02-15 - Assignees: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC - Applicants: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC - Inventors: Jeffrey M. David; Jason A. Sidders; Gustav Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179583B2 ## CPC - B60K 17/36: for driving tandem wheels - B60K 1/02: comprising more than one electric motor - B60K 17/356: having fluid or electric motor, for driving one or more wheels - B60K 23/04: for differential gearing - B60K 23/0808: {for varying torque distribution between driven axles, e.g. by transfer clutch} - B60K 2001/001: {one motor mounted on a propulsion axle for rotating right and left wheels of this axle} - B60K 2023/043: {Control means for varying left-right torque distribution, e.g. torque vectoring} - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES ## Abstract Methods and systems for operating a tandem axle that includes two electric machine propulsion sources are described. In one example, a controller determines a presence or absence of a beat signal that may be generated via rotating components of the tandem axle. Operation of the tandem axle may be adjusted in response to detection of the beat signal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for operating a tandem axle of a vehicle, comprising: adjusting operation of a first axle via a controller in response to a presence of a beat signal generated via the first axle and a second axle; and adjusting torque of a first electric machine in the first axle and adjusting torque of a second electric machine in the second axle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the beat signal via a difference in a first wheel speed of the tandem axle and a second speed of the tandem axle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising detecting the beat signal via a steering angle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where the beat signal is generated via a first signal having a first frequency and a second signal having a second frequency. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, where the beat signal has a frequency that is lower than the first frequency and the second frequency. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where adjusting operation of the first axle includes shifting from a first gear to a second gear. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where adjusting operation of the first axle includes lowering a torque output of the first axle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, where adjusting operation of the first axle includes adjusting a gear shift schedule of the first axle. ### Claim 9 A tandem axle system, comprising: a first axle including a first electric machine configured to provide propulsive effort via the first axle; a second axle including a second electric machine configured to provide propulsive effort via the second axle; and a controller including executable instructions stored in non-transitory memory that cause the controller to adjust operation of the first axle and the second axle in response to a beat signal, the beat signal generated via combining a first signal generated via the first axle and a second signal generated via the second axle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The tandem axle system of claim 9, where adjusting operation of the first axle includes adjusting a first axle torque output, and where adjusting operation of the second axle includes adjusting a second axle torque output. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The tandem axle system of claim 9, where adjusting operation of the first axle includes adjusting a gear shifting schedule of the first axle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The tandem axle system of claim 9, where adjusting operation of the second axle includes adjusting a gear shifting schedule of the second axle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The tandem axle system of claim 9, further comprising additional instructions to determine a presence or absence of the beat signal. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The tandem axle system of claim 13, where the presence or absence of the beat signal is based on a first wheel speed and a second wheel speed. ### Claim 15 A method for operating a tandem axle of a vehicle, comprising: adjusting operation of a first axle or a second axle of the tandem axle via a controller in response to a driver demand torque and a presence of a beat signal generated via the first axle and the second axle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, where adjusting operation of the first axle or the second axle includes reducing a first axle torque or a second axle torque to zero. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, where adjusting operation of the first axle or the second axle includes adjusting a gear shifting schedule of the first axle or the second axle. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, where the first axle and the second axle are electrified axles. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, where the presence of the beat signal is determined via the controller. ### Claim 20 A method for operating a tandem axle of a vehicle, comprising: adjusting operation of a first axle via a controller in response to a presence of a beat signal generated via the first axle and a second axle; and detecting the beat signal via a steering angle.