Method and apparatus for controlling a work implement
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsRandy K. Krieg, John J. Cheek
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling a work implement movably connected to a work machine. An implement controller automatically controls simultaneous first and second control modes of operation assigned to the work implement. A sensor applies a signal to the implement controller indicating position of the work implement. The implement controller reverses the simultaneous first and second control modes assigned to the work implement upon detecting a predetermined movement of the work movement. The simultaneous first and second control mode assignments may also be changed by actuation of a manually actuatable device.
Claims26
An apparatus for controlling a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second control modes of operation, comprising:
- an implement controller operable to assign the first and second control modes of operation to the work implement wherein the implement controller is operable to reverse the first and second mode assignments to the work implement upon receipt of a signal;
- and
- a sensor associated with the work implement and coupled to the implement controller for applying said signal to the implement controller indicating position of the work implement, whereby the implement controller is operable to change the control mode assignments to the work implement upon determining a predetermined movement of the work implement as indicated by the sensor.
An apparatus for controlling opposite sides of a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second control modes of operation, comprising:
- an implement controller operable to assign the first and second control modes of operation to the opposites sides of the work implement, wherein one side of the work implement is assigned to the first control mode and the other side of the work implement is assigned to the second control mode;
- and
- a sensor associated with the work implement and coupled to the implement controller for applying a signal to the implement controller indicating position of the work implement, whereby the implement controller is operable to change the first and second control mode assignments to the opposite sides of the work implement upon determining a predetermined movement of the work implement as indicated by the sensor.
An apparatus for controlling opposite sides of a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second modes of operation, comprising:
- an implement controller operable to assign the first and second control modes of operation to the opposites sides of the work implement, wherein one side of the work implement is assigned to the first control mode and the other side of the work implement is assigned to the second control mode;
- positioning mechanisms connected to each side of the work implement for altering the position of each side of the work implement, wherein one of the positioning mechanisms is operable to move one side of the work implement to a first position and the other positioning mechanism is operable to move the other side of the work implement to a second position;
- and
- a sensor associated with the work implement and coupled to the implement controller for applying a signal to the implement controller indicating position of the work implement, whereby the implement controller is operable to change the control mode assignments to, and the first and second positions of, the opposite sides of the work implement upon determining a predetermined movement of the work implement as indicated by the sensor.
An apparatus for controlling a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second control modes of operation, comprising:
- an implement controller operable to assign the first and second control modes of operation to the work implement;
- a drive mechanism operatively connected to the implement controller and the work implement for moving the work implement between a first rotational position and a second rotational position under control of the implement controller;
- and
- a manually actuatable device electrically coupled to the implement controller, whereby the implement controller is operable to change the control mode assignments to, and the position of, the work implement upon actuation of the manually actuatable device.
A method for controlling a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second control modes of operation, comprising:
- as signing a first control mode to the work implement;
- assigning a second control mode to the work implement;
- sensing movement of the work implement;
- and reversing the first and second control modes assigned to the work implement upon a predetermined movement of the work implement as detected during the sensing step.
A method for controlling a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second control modes of operation, comprising:
- assigning a first control mode to the work implement;
- assigning a second control mode to the work implement;
- detecting actuation of a manually actuatable device;
- and
- reversing the first and second control modes assigned to the work implement upon actuation of the manually actuatable device as detected during the detecting step.
A method for controlling opposite sides of a work implement of a work machine in simultaneous first and second control modes of operation, comprising:
- assigning a first control mode to one side of the work implement;
- assigning a second control mode to the other side of the work implement;
- sensing movement of the work implement;
- and reversing the first and second control modes assigned to the work implement upon a predetermined movement of the work implement as detected during the sensing step.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.