Machine having continuously variable transmission, and control system and operating method therfor
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsBarry Mei, Jeffrey Berry
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Operating a machine including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) includes operating an engine of the machine at a lower engine speed, receiving data indicative of an expected increase in load on the engine, and commanding increasing the engine speed responsive to the data. The engine is operated at a higher engine speed responsive to the commanded increase, with the operation at the higher engine speed being initiated proactively so as to limit retarding a ground speed of the machine. Related control logic and machine structure is also disclosed.
Claims20
A method of operating a machine comprising:
- operating an engine of the machine at a lower engine speed;
- transferring torque by way of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) from an output shaft of the engine to a drive shaft coupled with ground-engaging elements of the machine;
- receiving data indicative of an expected increase in a load on the engine;
- commanding increasing engine speed responsive to the data;
- operating the engine at a higher engine speed responsive to the commanded increase;
- and
- limiting lugging the engine by way of initiating the operating of the engine at the higher engine speed prior to the occurrence of the expected increase in load on the engine.
A machine comprising:
- a frame;
- an engine coupled to the frame;
- ground-engaging elements coupled to the frame;
- a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled between the engine and the ground-engaging elements;
- and
- an engine speed control system including a monitoring mechanism structured to monitor a machine parameter indicative of one of a plurality of different power demands of the machine, a throttle, and an electronic control unit coupled with the monitoring mechanism and with the throttle;
- the electronic control unit being structured to determine an expected increase in a load on the engine responsive to data from the monitoring mechanism, and to responsively command an adjustment in a position of the throttle such that an increase in engine speed is initiated prior to occurrence of the expected increase in load on the engine.
An engine speed control system for a machine having a continuously variable transmission (CVT) comprising:
- a plurality of monitoring mechanisms structured to monitor a plurality of different machine parameters indicative of a plurality of different power demands of the machine;
- a throttle structured to couple with an engine of the machine and movable so as to adjust a fueling of the engine to vary engine speed;
- and
- an electronic control unit coupled with the plurality of monitoring mechanisms and with the throttle;
- the electronic control unit being structured to receive data from the plurality of monitoring mechanisms indicative of an expected increase in load on the engine;
- and
- the electronic control unit being further structured to limit lugging the engine by way of commanding an adjustment in a position of the throttle, such that an increased engine speed is produced, responsive to the data, and prior to occurrence of the expected increase in load.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.