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US 6,549,837 B2Granted
Automatic tracking control for work machines
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsTimothy A. Feucht, Timothy M. Gutzwiller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In many applications, it is desirable to have work machines automatically maintain a desired speed and heading. Provided is an electronic control connected with left and right hydraulic motor assemblies that drive left and right ground engaging propulsion mechanisms, left and right speed sensors, and on operator input.
Claims10
A control system for use on work machines having ground engaging propulsion mechanisms on a left side and a right side of said machines, comprising:
- a first motor associated with said left ground engaging propulsion mechanism;
- a first speed sensor associated with the ground engaging propulsion mechanism on the left side of the machine, said first speed sensor producing a left propulsion speed signal;
- a second motor associated with said right ground engaging propulsion mechanism;
- a second speed sensor associated with the ground engaging propulsion mechanism on the right side of the machine, said second speed sensor producing a right propulsion speed signal;
- an operator input producing an input signal;
- an electronic controller receiving said left propulsion speed signal and said right propulsion speed signal and said input signal and producing a control signal associated with said first motor and a control signal associated with said second motor to control said first and second motors as a function of said input signal, said left propulsion speed signal and said right propulsion speed signal.
3 more elements
A method of controlling a work machine having a left and a right ground engaging propulsion mechanism, comprising:
- enabling an automatic tracking mode;
- determining the speed of said left and right ground engaging propulsion mechanism;
- determining a desired work machine velocity;
- and
- controlling the speed of said left and right ground engaging propulsion mechanism as a function of said automatic mode, the speed of said left and right ground engaging propulsion mechanism, and the desired work machine velocity.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.