US5613581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrohydraulic control device for a drive train of a machine
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-11
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Granted: 1997-03-25
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Expires: 2016-01-11
Abstract
Abstract An electrohydraulic control device for a drive train of a machine including an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, and an impeller clutch is disclosed. A manually operated impeller clutch pedal produces an impeller clutch pedal signal in response to the position of the impeller clutch pedal. An impeller clutch electrohydraulic valve produces fluid flow to the impeller clutch to controllably engage and disengage the impeller clutch. An impeller clutch pressure curve that is responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position is stored in memory. A rotary position switch selects a desired rimpull setting indicative of a desired reduction in rimpull and produces a desired rimpull signal. An electronic controller receives the desired rimpull signal and reconfigures the impeller clutch pressure curve. Thereafter, the electronic controller receives the impeller clutch pedal signal and controllably actuates the electrohydraulic valve to produce a desired impeller clutch pressure defined by the impeller clutch pressure curve.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew O. Fonkalsrud
- 👤 Steven V. Christensen
- 👤 Mitchell J. McGowan
- 👤 Thomas L. Grill
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:04
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; B; B60; B60W; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/18009; B60W30/18063; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/066; B60W2520/00; B60W2520/30; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/314; F16D2500/31406; F16D2500/31413; F16D2500/3146; F16D2500/31466; F16D2500/31493; F16D2500/316; F16D2500/3168; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/702; F16D2500/70205; F16D2500/70217; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/70406; F16D2500/7041; F16D2500/70446; F16D2500/70448; F16D2500/706; F16D2500/70605; F16D2500/70663; F16H45/00; F16H2045/002; F16H59/50; F16H59/54; F16H59/68; F16H59/72; F16H61/00; F16H61/70; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19149; Y10T74/19153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An electrohydraulic control device for a drive train of a machine including an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, and an impeller clutch connected between the engine and the torque converter, comprising: a manually operated impeller clutch pedal produces an impeller clutch pedal signal in response to the position of the impeller clutch pedal; an impeller clutch electrohydraulic valve for producing fluid flow to the impeller clutch to controllably engage and disengage the impeller clutch; memory means for storing an impeller clutch pressure curve that is responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position; operator selectable means for selecting a desired rimpull setting indicative of a desired reduction in rimpull and producing a desired rimpull signal; means for receiving the desired rimpull signal and reconfiguring the impeller clutch pressure curve; and means for receiving the impeller clutch pedal signal and controllably actuating the electrohydraulic valve to produce a desired impeller clutch pressure defined by the impeller clutch pressure curve.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An electrohydraulic control device for a drive train of a machine including an engine, a transmission, a torque converter, and an impeller clutch connected between the engine and the torque converter, comprising: a manually operated impeller clutch pedal produces an impeller clutch pedal signal in response to the position of the impeller clutch pedal; an impeller clutch electrohydraulic valve for producing fluid flow to the impeller clutch to controllably engage and disengage the impeller clutch; memory means for storing an impeller clutch pressure curve that is responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position; operator selectable means for selecting a desired rimpull setting indicative of a desired reduction in rimpull and producing a desired rimpull signal; means for receiving the desired rimpull signal and reconfiguring the impeller clutch pressure curve; and means for receiving the impeller clutch pedal signal and controllably actuating the electrohydraulic valve to produce a desired impeller clutch pressure defined by the impeller clutch pressure curve.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the operator selectable means includes a rotary position switch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the desired rimpull settings are modifiable by the operator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 3, including a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the torque converter and producing a temperature signal indicative of the torque converter temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 4, including means for receiving the temperature signal and selecting the original impeller clutch pressure curve in response to the temperature signal being greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 5, including a set of brakes and a hydraulic valve for producing fluid flow to the brake set to controllably engage and disengage the brake set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 6, including means for adjusting the impeller clutch pressure proportional to the impeller clutch pedal position in response to the pedal being depressed from a first position to a second position, and adjusting the brake pressure proportional to the impeller clutch pedal position in response to the pedal being depressed from a second position to a third position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
50 words
An electrohydraulic control device, as set forth in claim 7, wherein the memory means stores a brake pressure curve that is responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position, the control means selectively controlling the braking hydraulic valve to produce the desired brake pressure in response to the brake pressure curve.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling the torque of a drive train of a machine including an engine, a torque converter, an impeller clutch connected between the engine and the torque converter, and an impeller clutch pedal comprising the steps of: producing an impeller clutch pedal signal in response to the position of the impeller clutch pedal; storing a plurality of desired rimpull settings each corresponding to a maximum allowable impeller clutch pressure; selecting a desired rimpull setting and producing a desired rimpull signal; and receiving the desired rimpull and the impeller clutch pedal signals, and producing a desired impeller clutch pressure responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position up to the maximum allowable impeller clutch pressure defined by the desired rimpull setting.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for controlling the torque of a drive train of a machine including an engine, a torque converter, an impeller clutch connected between the engine and the torque converter, and an impeller clutch pedal comprising the steps of: producing an impeller clutch pedal signal in response to the position of the impeller clutch pedal; storing a plurality of desired rimpull settings each corresponding to a maximum allowable impeller clutch pressure; selecting a desired rimpull setting and producing a desired rimpull signal; and receiving the desired rimpull and the impeller clutch pedal signals, and producing a desired impeller clutch pressure responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position up to the maximum allowable impeller clutch pressure defined by the desired rimpull setting.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as set forth in claim 9, including the step of modifying the desired rimpull settings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method, as set forth in claim 10, including the steps of: storing an impeller clutch pressure curve that is responsive to the impeller clutch pedal signal; receiving the desired rimpull signal and reconfiguring the impeller clutch pressure curve; and receiving the impeller clutch pedal signal and producing the desired impeller clutch pressure defined by the impeller clutch pressure curve.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method, as set forth in claim 11, including the steps of: sensing the temperature of the torque converter and producing a temperature signal indicative of the torque converter temperature; and receiving the temperature signal and selecting the original impeller clutch pressure curve in response to the temperature signal being greater than a predetermined value.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method, as set forth in claim 12, including step of adjusting the impeller clutch pressure proportionally to the impeller clutch pedal position in response to the pedal being depressed from a first position to a second position, and adjusting the brake pressure proportional to the impeller clutch pedal position in response to the pedal being depressed from a second position to a third position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method, as set forth in claim 13, including the steps of storing a brake pressure curve that is responsive to the impeller clutch pedal position and producing a desired brake pressure in response to the brake pressure curve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-03-24 | 2000-09-23 | 2001-03-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-03-24 | 2004-09-23 | 2005-03-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-03-24 | 2008-09-23 | 2009-03-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |