Work machine coast and brake control with an infinitely variable transmission
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsBriton T. Eastman, Christopher J. Maifield
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.
Claims15
A work machine, comprising:
- an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output;
- an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having an input coupled with said IC engine output;
- a ground speed actuator;
- a desired speed sensor associated with said ground speed actuator and providing an output signal indicating a slower ground speed;
- and
- at least one electrical processing circuit configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of said IVT, dependent upon said sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from said IVT input to said IC engine output is substantially zero.
A method of operating a work machine including an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output coupled with an input to an infinitely variable transmission (IVT), said method comprising the steps of:
- moving a ground speed actuator to a position corresponding to a slower ground speed of said work machine;
- sensing said position of said ground speed actuator and providing an output signal indicating said slower ground speed;
- and
- increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of said IVT, dependent upon said sensed output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from said IVT input to said IC engine output is substantially zero.
A work machine, comprising:
- an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output;
- an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having an input coupled with said IC engine output;
- a brake actuator;
- a brake sensor associated with said brake actuator, said brake sensor providing a first output signal indicating an actuation of said brake actuator;
- at least one electrical processing circuit configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of said IVT, dependent upon said first output signal, such that said IVT input back-drives said IC engine output;
- and
- at least one service brake, and wherein said brake sensor provides a second output signal indicating a further actuation of said brake actuator, said at least one electrical processing circuit configured for actuating said service brake, dependent upon said second output signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.