US4630685A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for controlling an earthmoving implement
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1983-11-18
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2003-11-18
Abstract
Abstract Earthmoving machines and earthmoving implements are difficult to operate to achieve maximum implement power and to control the implement under changing working conditions. The instant apparatus is designed to maximize implement power by automatically sensing and responding to variables related to implement power and to control the implement by automatically sensing and responding to the longitudinal angular velocity of the machine. The apparatus includes a mechanism for moving the implement in response to sensed variables related to implement power, a transducer for sensing the longitudinal angular velocity of the machine, and a control for modifying the implement position in response to the sensed angular velocity of the machine.
Inventors
- 👤 Francis B. Huck, Jr.
- 👤 David C. Janzen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:37
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/76; E02F3/80; E02F3/84; E02F3/844; E02F3/845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
In an apparatus for controlling an earthmoving implement of an earthmoving machine, said earthmoving machine being movable at a longitudinal angular velocity and said earthmoving implement being movable to a plurality of up/down positions, said apparatus including actuatable means for controllably raising and lowering said earthmoving implement to any of said plurality of positions, the improvement comprising: means for sensing longitudinal angular velocity and producing an angular velocity signal in response to said sensed longitudinal angular velocity; and means for receiving said angular velocity signal and controlling said actuatable means in response to said received angular velocity signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
In an apparatus for controlling an earthmoving implement of an earthmoving machine, said earthmoving machine being movable at a longitudinal angular velocity and said earthmoving implement being movable to a plurality of up/down positions, said apparatus including actuatable means for controllably raising and lowering said earthmoving implement to any of said plurality of positions, the improvement comprising: means for sensing longitudinal angular velocity and producing an angular velocity signal in response to said sensed longitudinal angular velocity; and means for receiving said angular velocity signal and controlling said actuatable means in response to said received angular velocity signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including means for sensing the ground speed of said earthmoving machine and generating a speed signal in response to said sensed ground speed; means for manually controlling said actuatable means and raising and lowering said earthmoving implement; and, means for receiving said speed signal, automatically controlling said actuatable means and raising said earthmoving implement in response to the magnitude of said speed signal being less than a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein said means for automatically controlling said actuatable means for lowering said earthmoving implement in response to the magnitude of said speed signal being greater than said predetermined value.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, including means for controllably modifying said predetermined value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said modifying means includes a manual control member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including means for sensing a force applied to said implement and generating a force signal in response to said sensed force; means for sensing the ground speed of said earthmoving machine and generating a speed signal in response to said sensed ground speed; and, means for determining the actual implement power in response to said force and speed signals and automatically controlling said actuatable means for respectively raising and lowering said earthmoving implement in response to the magnitude of said actual implement power being greater than and less than a predetermined value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 6, including means for controllably modifying said predetermined value.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 7, wherein said modifying means includes a manual control member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for controlling an earthmoving implement of an earthmoving machine, comprising: actuatable means for moving said earthmoving implement to a plurality of up/down positions in response to receiving a control signal; means for sensing the ground speed of said earthmoving machine and generating a speed signal in response to said sensed ground speed; means for sensing a force applied to said implement and generating a force signal in response to said sensed force; means for controllably producing one of a predetermined command ground speed and command implement power signal; means for receiving said speed signal, said force signal, and said command signal, producing said control signal in response to said received signals, and delivering said control signal to said actuatable means; means for sensing the longitudinal angular velocity of said earthmoving machine and responsively producing an angular velocity signal; and, means for receiving said angular velocity signal and responsively modifying said control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for controlling an earthmoving implement of an earthmoving machine, comprising: actuatable means for moving said earthmoving implement to a plurality of up/down positions in response to receiving a control signal; means for sensing the ground speed of said earthmoving machine and generating a speed signal in response to said sensed ground speed; means for sensing a force applied to said implement and generating a force signal in response to said sensed force; means for controllably producing one of a predetermined command ground speed and command implement power signal; means for receiving said speed signal, said force signal, and said command signal, producing said control signal in response to said received signals, and delivering said control signal to said actuatable means; means for sensing the longitudinal angular velocity of said earthmoving machine and responsively producing an angular velocity signal; and, means for receiving said angular velocity signal and responsively modifying said control signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said command signal producing means includes a manual control member being movable to a range of command ground speed positions and a range of command implement power positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, wherein said control signal producing means includes a software programmed microprocessor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
Apparatus, as set forth in claim 9, including means for producing forward and reverse direction signals and delivering said direction signals to said modifying means; and, wherein said modifying means inhibits the delivery of said control signal to said actuatable means in response to receiving said reverse direction signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |