Patent US5989154A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5989154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for limiting the torque on a power train and method of operating same
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-11
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Granted: 1999-11-23
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Expires: 2017-08-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for controlling the torque on a power train of a machine is disclosed. The power train includes an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission. A torque converter speed sensor produces a torque converter speed signal and an engine speed sensor produces an engine speed signal. A gear selector device produces a gear select signal indicating a desired gear ratio. A look-up table stores an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve. Finally, an electronic controller receives the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, and selects one of the upper and lower engine power curves to operate the engine in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven V. Christensen
- 👤 Dale A. Dalton
- 👤 Joshua Zulu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 02:31
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60W; B60W10/00; B60W10/04; B60W10/06; B60W10/10; B60W10/11; B60W30/00; B60W30/18; B60W30/1819
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for controlling the torque on the power train of a machine, the power train including an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission, comprising: a torque converter speed sensor senses the output speed of the torque converter and responsively produces a torque converter speed signal; an engine speed sensor senses the speed of the engine and responsively produces an engine speed signal; a gear selector device positionable at a plurality of positions indicates a desired gear ratio and produces a gear select signal in response to being positioned at one of the plurality of positions; a look-up table stores an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve; and an electronic controller receives the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, and selects one of the upper and lower engine power curves to operate the engine in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
An apparatus for controlling the torque on the power train of a machine, the power train including an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission, comprising: a torque converter speed sensor senses the output speed of the torque converter and responsively produces a torque converter speed signal; an engine speed sensor senses the speed of the engine and responsively produces an engine speed signal; a gear selector device positionable at a plurality of positions indicates a desired gear ratio and produces a gear select signal in response to being positioned at one of the plurality of positions; a look-up table stores an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve; and an electronic controller receives the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, and selects one of the upper and lower engine power curves to operate the engine in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller selects the upper power curve in response to the selected gear ratio being other than a first gear ratio.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the controller selects the lower power curve in response to the selected gear ratio being a gear ratio first gear ratio and the torque converter speed being non-zero.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the controller transitions to the upper power curve from the lower power curve in response to the torque converter output speed being substantially zero.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for controlling the torque on the power train of a machine, the power train including an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission, comprising the steps of: sensing the output speed of the torque converter and responsively producing a torque converter speed signal; sensing the speed of the engine and responsively producing an engine speed signal; producing a gear select signal indicating a desired gear ratio of the transmission; storing an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve; and receiving the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, selecting one of the upper and lower engine power curves, and producing a fuel delivery signal to control the fuel injected into the engine to operate the engine at the selected power range in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
146 words
A method for controlling the torque on the power train of a machine, the power train including an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission, comprising the steps of: sensing the output speed of the torque converter and responsively producing a torque converter speed signal; sensing the speed of the engine and responsively producing an engine speed signal; producing a gear select signal indicating a desired gear ratio of the transmission; storing an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve; and receiving the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, selecting one of the upper and lower engine power curves, and producing a fuel delivery signal to control the fuel injected into the engine to operate the engine at the selected power range in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method, as set forth in claim 5, including the step of operating the engine at full rated power in accordance with the upper power curve in response to the selected gear ratio being a gear ratio other than a first gear ratio.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method, as set forth in claim 6, including the step of limiting the engine power in accordance with the lower power curve in response to the selected gear ratio being a first gear ratio and the torque converter speed being non-zero.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method, as set forth in claim 7, including the step of increasing the engine power in accordance with the upper power curve in response to the torque converter output speed being substantially zero.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for controlling the torque on the power train of a machine, the power train including an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission, comprising the steps of: sensing the output speed of the torque converter and responsively producing a torque converter speed signal; sensing the speed of the engine and responsively producing an engine speed signal; producing a gear select signal indicating a desired gear ratio of the transmission; storing an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve; and receiving the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, and selecting one of the upper and lower engine power curves to operate the engine in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for controlling the torque on the power train of a machine, the power train including an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission, comprising the steps of: sensing the output speed of the torque converter and responsively producing a torque converter speed signal; sensing the speed of the engine and responsively producing an engine speed signal; producing a gear select signal indicating a desired gear ratio of the transmission; storing an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve; and receiving the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, and selecting one of the upper and lower engine power curves to operate the engine in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method, as set forth in claim 9, including the step of selecting the upper engine power curve in response to the selected gear ratio being a gear ratio other than a first gear ratio.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as set forth in claim 10, including the step of selecting the lower power curve in response to the selected gear ratio being a first gear ratio and the torque converter speed being non-zero.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method, as set forth in claim 11, including the step of transitioning from the lower engine power curve to the upper engine power curve in response to the torque converter output speed being substantially zero.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5525043A
Cited
US5457633A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-11-22 | 2003-05-24 | 2003-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-11-22 | 2007-05-24 | 2007-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-11-22 | 2011-05-24 | 2011-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |