Control to mitigate operator abuse of drivetrain on grade
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsAustin J. Scott, Jeffrey K. Berry, Amanda C. Doolittle, Bryan K. Schache, Sameer S. Marathe, Subrat S. Kamat
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for mitigating powertrain abuse on a grade can include determining the grade a machine is on, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain; and if the grade is over a threshold, a controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.
Claims20
A method for mitigating powertrain abuse on a grade, the method comprising:
- determining the grade a machine is on, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain;
- and
- if the grade is over a threshold, a controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.
A system to mitigate powertrain abuse on a machine, the system comprising:
- a controller associated with the machine, the machine including an impeller clutch located between an engine and a powertrain so as to connect and disconnect engine power from the powertrain, the impeller clutch controlled by an impeller clutch pedal;
- and
- a grade sensor coupled to the controller;
- wherein the controller is configured such that if the grade is over a threshold, the controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch pedal such that the impeller clutch does not slip and machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.
A machine comprising:
- a frame;
- an engine coupled to the frame;
- a powertrain coupled to the frame;
- an impeller clutch located between the engine and the powertrain;
- a grade sensor configured to measure a grade at which the machine is disposed;
- and
- a controller in electrical communication the grade sensor, the controller determining if the grade is over a threshold, wherein the controller ignores any operator input to the impeller clutch such that machine speed retarding is utilized to keep the machine at a proper speed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.