Apparatus for positioning an excavator housing
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorLonnie J. Devier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for positioning a housing of an excavator housing. A motor receives pressurized fluid to cause rotation of the excavator housing. A motor position sensor determines the rotational position of the housing and responsively produces a housing position signal. A pressure sensor determines the fluid pressure supplied to the motor and responsively produces a pressure signal. A microprocessor produces a signal indicative of a desired rotational position of the housing. The microprocessor receives the position and pressure signals, and responsively controls fluid to the motor in order to rotate the housing to the desired position.
Claims20
An apparatus for positioning an excavator housing, comprising:
- a pump for producing pressurized fluid;
- a motor having a drive gear, the motor receiving the pressurized fluid and responsively rotating the drive gear to cause rotation of the excavator housing;
- a control valve for regulating fluid flow from the pump to the motor;
- means for determining the rotational position of the housing and responsively producing a housing position signal;
- means for determining the fluid pressure supplied to the motor and responsively producing a pressure signal;
- means for producing a signal indicative of a desired rotational position of the housing;
- and
- control means for receiving the position and pressure signals, and responsively controlling the control valve in order to rotate the housing to the desired position.
A method for positioning a housing of an excavator, a motor receives pressurized fluid to cause rotation of the excavator housing, comprising:
- determining the rotational position of the housing and responsively producing a housing position signal;
- determining the fluid pressure supplied to the motor and responsively producing a pressure signal;
- producing a signal indicative of a desired rotational position of the housing;
- and
- receiving the position and pressure signals, and responsively controlling fluid to the motor in order to rotate the housing to the desired position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.