Work Machine Coast And Brake Control With An Infinitely Variable Transmission
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsBriton T. Eastman, Christopher J. Maifield
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Abstract
A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.
Claims16
A work machine, comprising:
- an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output;
- an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having an input coupled with said IC engine output;
- a ground speed actuator;
- a desired speed sensor associated with said ground speed actuator and providing an output signal indicating a slower ground speed;
- and
- at least one electrical processing circuit configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of said IVT, dependent upon said sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from said IVT input to said IC engine output is substantially zero.
A method of operating a work machine including an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output coupled with an input to an infinitely variable transmission (IVT), said method comprising the steps of:
- moving a ground speed actuator to a position corresponding to a slower ground speed of said work machine;
- sensing said position of said ground speed actuator and providing an output signal indicating said slower ground speed;
- and
- increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of said IVT, dependent upon said sensed output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from said IVT input to said IC engine output is substantially zero.
A work machine, comprising:
- an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output;
- an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having an input coupled with said IC engine output;
- a brake actuator;
- a brake sensor associated with said brake actuator, said brake sensor providing a first output signal indicating an actuation of said brake actuator;
- and
- at least one electrical processing circuit configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of said IVT, dependent upon said first output signal, such that said IVT input back-drives said IC engine output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.