Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Vehicle control – guidance – operation – or indication – Construction or agricultural-type vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-02
2001-06-19
Louis-Jacques, Jacques H. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Vehicle control, guidance, operation, or indication
Construction or agricultural-type vehicle
C701S053000, C477S092000, C477S183000, C477S185000, C477S205000, C477S071000, C475S118000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249733
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to engine and transmission controls, and more particularly, to engine and transmission controls that automatically retard vehicle speed on off highway earth moving equipment.
BACKGROUND ART
Large mining and construction trucks have different driving characteristics than on-highway vehicles. One primary difference results from the size and mass of the truck. For example, many trucks now in production have a haul capacity of 370 tons. When operating a truck with this much mass it is important to control its speed especially when travelling down a grade.
Large mining and construction trucks are expensive to maintain if not operated properly. To reduce the wear on a truck's service brakes an experienced operator will use the transmission and engine to retard vehicle speed when travelling down an incline. Thus, when an experienced operator approaches an incline the operator will determine an appropriate gear based on the apparent grade of the slope and downshift into that gear. Then, when the truck enters the incline, the transmission and engine will create a retarding effect that will help prevent the truck from increasing speed and thereby requiring the operator to apply the service brakes to maintain the desired vehicle speed. If the operator chooses an inappropriate gear or the grade of the slope increases, the vehicle speed may begin to increase. An experienced operator will apply the service brakes to decrease engine speed to a shift point and downshift to the next lowest or a lower appropriate gear. Less experienced operators may use the service brakes to maintain a desired vehicle speed, which will reduce the life of the service brakes and increase the operating cost of the truck.
It would be preferable to have a system that could automatically operate the vehicle to control vehicle speed while travelling down an incline, in a manner approximating the effects of an experienced operator.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, an engine control system is provided for automatically controlling an engine retarder and providing signals to control a transmission on the vehicle. The engine control system includes an engine controller connected with an engine speed sensor, an automatic retarder enable switch, a throttle position sensor, an engine brake, vehicle service brakes, and a transmission controller. The engine controller automatically produces engine braking, vehicle service braking and transmission signals as a function of input signals received from input sensors.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description in connection with the drawings and appended claims.
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Caterpillar Inc.
Louis-Jacques Jacques H.
Wilbur R. Carl
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