Vehicle overspeed system implementing impeller clutch lockout
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorHong-Chin Lin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An overspeed system for a vehicle is disclosed. The overspeed system may have a power source, a transmission unit, and a torque converter assembly operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit. The overspeed system may also have a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a vehicle speed, and a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly and the travel speed sensor. The controller may be configured to prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal.
Claims20
A vehicle overspeed system, comprising:
- a power source;
- a transmission unit;
- at least one of a impeller clutch or a lockup clutch operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit;
- an input device configured to produce a first signal indicative of a requested amount of coupling between the power source and the transmission unit via the at least one of the impeller clutch or the lockup clutch;
- a travel speed sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a vehicle speed;
- and
- a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly, the input device, and the travel speed sensor, the controller being configured to:
- receive the first signal, wherein the first signal is configured to indicate a request for at least a first degree of coupling or a second degree of coupling, the second degree of coupling being less than the first degree of coupling;
- when the at least one of the impeller clutch or the lockup clutch is set at the first degree of coupling, maintain the at least one of the impeller clutch or the lockup clutch at or above the first degree of coupling based on the first signal from the input device requesting the second degree of coupling and based on the second signal indicative of vehicle speed.
A machine, comprising:
- a traction device configured to engage a work surface and propel the machine;
- a power source configured to generate a power output;
- a transmission configured to transmit the power output from the power source to the traction device;
- a torque converter assembly configured to couple the power source to the transmission;
- a travel speed sensor associated with an output of the transmission to generate a signal indicative of machine travel speed;
- and
- a controller in communication with the transmission, the torque converter assembly, and the travel speed sensor, the controller being configured to:
- prevent a shift of the transmission to a neutral condition in response to a signal indicating a speed of the machine exceeding a first predetermined threshold speed;
- prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal indicating a speed of the machine exceeding a second predetermined threshold speed greater than the first predetermined threshold speed.
A vehicle overspeed system, comprising:
- a power source;
- a transmission unit;
- a torque converter assembly operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit;
- a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a vehicle speed;
- and
- a controller in communication with the torque converter assembly and the travel speed sensor, the controller being configured to:
- prevent a decoupling of the torque converter assembly in response to the signal, and
- prevent shifting of the transmission unit to a neutral condition in response to the signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.