System and method for controlling hydraulic flow
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorRobert J. Price
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for controlling hydraulic flow to a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with a pump. The method includes generating a signal representative of a speed of the pump and selecting a relationship from a plurality of relationships between valve commands and an operator input. The selection is based upon the speed signal. A valve is modulated to control the hydraulic flow to the hydraulic actuator based on the selected relationship and the operator input.
Claims21
A method for controlling hydraulic flow to a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with a variable displacement pump via a valve, the method comprising:
- generating a signal representative of a speed of the pump;
- selecting a relationship from a plurality of relationships between valve commands and an operator input, the plurality of relationships being configured to provide various actuator responses with respect to the operator input, wherein the plurality of relationships has a more gradual curve or slope as the speed of the pump is reduced, throughout a whole range of the operator input, the selection being based upon the speed signal;
- and
- modulating a valve to control the hydraulic flow to the hydraulic actuator based on the selected relationship and the operator input.
A system for controlling hydraulic flow to a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with a variable displacement pump via a valve, the system comprising:
- a sensor assembly for generating a signal representative of a speed of the pump;
- an operator input device for providing an operator input;
- and
- a controller electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and the operator input device, the controller being configured to select a relationship from a plurality of relationships between valve commands and the operator input based on the speed signal, the plurality of relationships being configured to provide various actuator responses with respect to the operator input, wherein the plurality of relationships has a more gradual curve or slope as the speed of the pump is reduced, throughout a whole range of the operator input.
A machine for moving a load, comprising:
- a variable displacement pump;
- a hydraulic actuator in fluid communication with the pump;
- a valve in fluid communication with the pump and the hydraulic actuator;
- a sensor assembly for generating a signal representative of a speed of the pump;
- an operator input device for providing an operator input;
- and
- a controller electrically coupled to the sensor assembly and the operator input device, the controller being configured to select a relationship from a plurality of relationships between valve commands and the operator input based on the speed signal, the plurality of relationships being configured to provide various actuator responses with respect to the operator input, wherein the plurality of relationships has a more gradual curve or slope as the speed of the pump is reduced, throughout a whole range of the operator input.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.