System and method for enabling machine movement
AssigneeCaterpillar Global Mining America LLC
InventorJeffrey D. Looney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for enabling movement of a machine is provided. The system includes a support member provided on the machine. The support member is configured to be in a raised position or a lowered position relative to a frame of the machine. The system also includes an actuation module configured to selectively enable the movement of the machine. The system further includes an enabler valve coupled to the actuation module and the support member. The enabler valve is configured to selectively send a pilot signal to the actuation module based on the position of the support member.
Claims20
A system for selectively enabling and disabling movement of a machine relative to a surface on which the machine is supported, the system comprising:
- a mobile machine supported on a surface, the mobile machine including a machine frame and a support member coupled to and moveable relative to the machine frame between a first position and a second position different from the first position;
- an actuation module configured to enable movement of the machine along the surface based on the support member being in the first position, and configured to disable movement of the machine along the surface based on the support member being in the second position;
- and
- an enabler valve coupled to the actuation module and the support member, the enabler valve configured to send a pilot signal to the actuation module based on the support member being in the first position to enable movement of the machine along the surface.
A method for selectively enabling and disabling movement of a mobile machine relative to a surface on which the machine is supported, the machine including a machine frame and a support member coupled to and moveable relative to the machine frame between a first position and a second position different from the first position, the method comprising:
- based on the support member being in the first position:
- actuating an enabler valve coupled to an actuation module;
- sending a pilot signal from the enabler valve to the actuation module based on the actuation of the enabler valve;
- and
- enabling movement of the machine relative to the surface on which the machine is supported based on the pilot signal;
- and
- based on the support member being in the second position:
- disabling movement of the machine relative to the surface on which the machine is supported.
A machine comprising:
- a power source;
- a machine frame;
- a ground engaging member supporting the machine frame for movement along a surface;
- a support member coupled to and moveable relative to the machine frame between a first position and a second position different from the first position;
- an actuation module configured to enable movement of the machine frame along the surface based on the support member being in the first position and configured to disable movement of the machine frame along the surface based on the support member being in the second position;
- an enabler valve coupled to the actuation module and configured to send a pilot signal to enable the actuation module based on the support member being in the first position;
- and
- a propulsion module coupled to the actuation module and the ground engaging member, the propulsion module configured to move the machine frame along the surface based on both the actuation module being enabled and a user command.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.