Vehicle overspeed system implementing impeller clutch lockout
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorHong-Chin Lin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An overspeed system for a vehicle is disclosed. The overspeed system may have a power source, a transmission unit, and a torque converter assembly operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit. The overspeed system may also have a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a vehicle speed, and a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly and the travel speed sensor. The controller may be configured to prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal.
Claims20
A vehicle overspeed system, comprising:
- a power source;
- a transmission unit;
- a torque converter assembly operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit;
- a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a vehicle speed;
- and
- a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly and the travel speed sensor, the controller being configured to prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal.
A method for preventing vehicle overspeeding, comprising:
- transmitting power from a traction device of a vehicle to a power source of the vehicle;
- sensing a speed of the vehicle;
- and
- selectively preventing interruption of the power transmission based on the sensed speed.
A machine, comprising:
- a traction device configured to engage a work surface and propel the machine;
- a power source configured to generate a power output;
- a transmission configured to transmit the power output from the power source to the traction device;
- a torque converter assembly configured to couple the power source to the transmission;
- a travel speed sensor associated with an output of the transmission to generate a signal indicative of machine travel speed;
- and
- a controller in communication with the transmission, the torque converter assembly, and the travel speed sensor, the controller being configured to:
- prevent a shift of the transmission to a neutral condition in response to a signal indicating a speed of the machine exceeding a first predetermined threshold speed;
- independently prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal indicating a speed of the machine exceeding a second predetermined threshold speed greater than the first predetermined threshold speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.