Back to results
US 8,459,394 B2Granted
Rear wheel drive assist with articulation based speed modulation
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsCorwin E. Storer, Douglas J. Carlton, Todd M. Weier
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rear wheel drive assist for an articulated machine such as a wheel tractor scraper, the machine including a first frame section having a first longitudinal axis, a second frame section with a second longitudinal axis, the first and second frame sections being pivotally connected to an articulation hitch, and an articulation sensor configured to provide an articulation angle signal indicative of an articulation angle formed between the first and second longitudinal axes. The rear wheel drive assist includes a drive motor operatively connected to the rear wheel of the machine, and a controller configured to control operation of the rear wheel drive assist based upon the articulation angle signal.
Claims20
An articulated machine, comprising:
- a first frame section having a power source drivingly connected to at least one front wheel, the first frame section further having a first longitudinal axis;
- a first wheel sensor configured to provide an indication of a front wheel speed;
- a second frame section having at least one rear wheel and a second longitudinal axis, the first and second frame sections pivotally connected at an articulation hitch;
- an articulation sensor configured to provide an articulation signal indicative of an articulation angle between first and second longitudinal axes;
- and
- a rear wheel drive assist providing a power output to the at least one rear wheel, comprising:
- at least one drive motor operatively connected to the at least one rear wheel;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the first wheel sensor and the articulation sensor and configured to:
- determine a desired rear wheel speed based on the articulation signal, the desired rear wheel speed being less than the front wheel speed;
- and
- modulate the power output to the at least one rear wheel based upon the desired rear wheel speed.
9 more elements
An articulated machine, comprising:
- a first frame section having a power source drivingly connected to at least one front wheel, the first frame section further having a first longitudinal axis;
- a second frame section having at least one rear wheel and a second longitudinal axis, the first and second frame sections pivotally connected at an articulation hitch;
- an articulation sensor configured to provide an articulation signal indicative of an articulation angle between first and second longitudinal axes;
- a first speed sensor configured to provide an indication of a front wheel speed;
- a second speed sensor configured to provide an indication of a rear wheel speed;
- and
- a rear wheel drive assist providing a power output to the at least one rear wheel, comprising:
- at least one drive motor operatively connected to the at least one rear wheel;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the first wheel sensor and the articulation sensor and configured to:
- determine a desired rear wheel speed based on the articulation signal, the desired rear wheel speed being less than the front wheel speed;
- and
- modulate the power output to the at least one rear wheel by reducing the rear wheel speed relative to the front wheel speed based on the desired rear wheel speed.
10 more elements
A wheel tractor scraper, comprising:
- a tractor portion having a power source drivingly connected to at least one front wheel, the tractor portion having a first longitudinal axis;
- a scraper portion pivotally connected to the tractor portion at an articulation hitch, the scraper portion having a second longitudinal axis, a bowl and at least one rear wheel;
- first and second linear actuators connected between the tractor portion and the scraper portion in opposed position, the first and second actuators configured to move the tractor portion relative to the scraper portion about the articulation hitch;
- an articulation sensor configured to provide an articulation signal indicative of an articulation angle between the first and second longitudinal axes;
- a first speed sensor configured to provide an indication of a front wheel speed;
- a second speed sensor configured to provide an indication of a rear wheel speed;
- and
- a hydraulic rear wheel drive assist providing a power output to the at least one rear wheel, comprising:
- a fluid pump fluidly connected to at least one fluid drive motor, the fluid drive motor operatively connected to the at least one rear wheel;
- and
- a controller communicatively coupled to the first wheel sensor and the articulation sensor and configured to:
- determine a desired rear wheel speed based on the articulation signal, the desired rear wheel speed being less than the front wheel speed;
- and
- modulate the power output to the at least one rear wheel by reducing the rear wheel speed relative to the front wheel speed based on the desired rear wheel speed.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.