Control strategy for reduced fuel consumption in machine and powertrain system with same
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsJeremy Sharp, Suman Goli, Mark Rettig
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for a powertrain system includes an electronic control unit structured to receive ground speed data and load factor data. The electronic control unit determines an engine speed command to an engine and a torque command to a variable-torque transmission based upon an engine speed limit and a torque scale factor that can vary with ground speed and load factor. The commands produce an economy output of the powertrain to reduce fuel consumption.
Claims20
A control system for a powertrain in a machine comprising:
- a first sensing mechanism structured to monitor a ground speed of the machine;
- a second sensing mechanism structured to monitor an engine load of an engine in the powertrain;
- an input device structured to produce an operator input signal indicative of a requested powertrain output;
- and
- an electronic control unit structured to output an engine speed command for an engine in the powertrain and a torque command for a torque control mechanism of a variable-torque transmission in the powertrain,
- wherein the electronic control unit is in communication with each of the first sensing mechanism, the second sensing mechanism, and the operator input device, and is structured to determine each of the engine speed command and the torque command based on at least one of the ground speed and the engine load, to produce an economy powertrain output less than the requested powertrain output.
A powertrain system for a machine comprising:
- an engine;
- a variable-torque transmission coupled with the engine, and including a torque control mechanism structured to vary an output torque produced by the variable-torque transmission;
- an input device structured to produce an operator input signal indicative of a requested powertrain output;
- a first sensing mechanism structured to monitor a ground speed of the machine;
- a second sensing mechanism structured to monitor an engine load of the engine;
- and
- an electronic control unit coupled with the engine and with the torque control mechanism, the electronic control unit being in communication with each of the first sensing mechanism, the second sensing mechanism and the input device;
- wherein the electronic control unit is structured to determine each of an engine speed command for the engine and a torque command for the torque control mechanism based on at least one of the ground speed and the engine load, and to produce an economy powertrain output that is reduced from the requested powertrain output to an extent that is dependent upon the ground speed and the engine load.
A method of operating a machine including a powertrain having an engine and a variable-torque transmission, the method comprising:
- receiving a first input signal requesting a first output of the powertrain, during operating the machine according to a first combination of ground speed and engine load;
- commanding an engine speed and a transmission torque to operate the powertrain at a first economy output that is reduced to a relatively greater extent from the requested first output;
- receiving a second input signal requesting a second output of the powertrain, during operating the machine according to a second combination of ground speed and engine load;
- and
- commanding an engine speed and a transmission torque to operate the powertrain at a second economy output that is reduced to a relatively lesser extent from the requested second output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.