Slope-limited retarding control for a propelled machine
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsRobert Sychra, Stephen Garnett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive system and a mechanical brake system. An inclination of the machine is determined. A speed of the machine is determined. A retarding requirement is determined based on the determined inclination and speed. A first portion of the retarding requirement is allocated to be met by the electric drive system, the first portion being less than or equal to a retarding capacity of the electric drive system. A second portion of the retarding requirement is allocated to be met by the mechanical brake system if the retarding requirement is greater than the retarding capacity of the electric drive system.
Claims30
A method for dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive system and a mechanical brake system, comprising:
- determining an inclination of the machine;
- determining a speed of the machine;
- determining a retarding requirement based on the determined inclination and speed;
- allocating a first portion of the retarding requirement to be met by the electric drive system, the first portion being less than or equal to a retarding capacity of the electric drive system;
- and
- allocating a second portion of the retarding requirement to be met by the mechanical brake system if the retarding requirement is greater than the retarding capacity of the electric drive system.
A system for dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive system and a mechanical brake system, comprising:
- an inclination indicator operable to output a signal corresponding to an inclination of the machine;
- a speed indicator operable to output a signal corresponding to a speed of the machine;
- a retarding requirement calculator operable to determine a retarding requirement based on the indicated inclination and speed;
- and
- a controller operable to:
- allocate a first portion of the retarding requirement to be met by the electric drive system, the first portion being less than or equal to a retarding capacity of the electric drive system;
- and
- allocate a second portion of the retarding requirement to be met by the mechanical brake system if the retarding requirement is greater than the retarding capacity of the electric drive system.
A propelled machine, comprising:
- an electric drive system;
- a mechanical brake system;
- an inclination indicator operable to output a signal corresponding to an inclination of the machine;
- a speed indicator operable to output a signal corresponding to a speed of the machine;
- a retarding requirement calculator operable to determine a retarding requirement based on the indicated inclination and speed;
- and
- a controller operable to:
- allocate a first portion of the retarding requirement to be met by the electric drive system, the first portion being less than or equal to a retarding capacity of the electric drive system;
- and
- allocate a second portion of the retarding requirement to be met by the mechanical brake system if the retarding requirement is greater than the retarding capacity of the electric drive system.
A method for dissipating power in a propelled machine, comprising:
- determining an inclination of the machine around a roll axis of the machine;
- determining a slope-limited speed of the machine based on the inclination;
- and
- determining an amount of retarding required to slow the machine to the slope-limited speed.
A system for dissipating power in a propelled machine, comprising:
- an inclination indicator operable to output a signal corresponding to an inclination of the machine around a roll axis of the machine;
- a slope-limited speed calculator operable to calculate a slope-limited speed of the machine based on the inclination;
- and
- a retarding requirement calculator operable to calculate an amount of retarding required to slow the machine to the slope-limited speed.
A propelled machine, comprising:
- a retarding system;
- an inclination indicator operable to output a signal corresponding to an inclination of the machine around a roll axis of the machine;
- a slope-limited speed calculator operable to calculate a slope-limited speed of the machine based on the inclination;
- and
- a controller operable to control the retarding system to slow the machine to the slope-limited speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.