IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,323,389
Granted Patent B2
US 10,323,389 · App. 15/469,854 · Granted Jun 18, 2019

Control system and method for a machine

Inventors: Lindsay Rees (Peterborough, GB); Tobias Lippa (Wackersdorf, DE); Thomas Spindler (Wackersdorf, DE)
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
E02F9/265B66C23/88B66F17/003E02D17/13E02F3/437E02F9/121E02F9/2253E02F9/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,323,389
App. No.
15/469,854
Granted
Jun 18, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A control system for a work machine having an upper frame rotatably mounted to a lower frame includes a controller configured to limit a maximum speed of the machine when a rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame exceeds a first predetermined value.

Claims (26)

1. A control system for a work machine having an upper frame rotatably mounted to a lower frame, comprising:

a sensor configured to detect the rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame, and

a controller configured to limit a maximum travel speed of the work machine when the detected rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame exceeds a first predetermined value.

2. The control system of claim 1 , wherein:

the controller is configured to reduce the maximum travel speed of the work machine when the detected rotation angle is between the first predetermined value and a second predetermined value according to the rotation angle.

3. The control system of claim 2 , wherein:

at least one of the first and second predetermined values is in the range of 70-110 degrees.

4. The control system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a speed limit indicator, wherein the controller is configured to control said speed limit indicator to indicate whether the maximum travel speed is limited.

5. The control system of claim 1 , wherein:

the controller is configured to limit the maximum travel speed of the work machine to less than 10 kilometers per hour.

6. A work machine, comprising:

an upper frame rotatably mounted to a lower frame;

a sensor configured to detect the rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame, and

a controller configured to limit a maximum travel speed of the work machine when a rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame exceeds a first predetermined value.

7. The work machine of claim 6 , wherein:

the first predetermined value is in the range of 70-110 degrees.

8. A method for controlling a work machine having an upper frame rotatably mounted to a lower frame, the method comprising:

detecting a rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame, and

limiting a maximum travel speed of the work machine when the detected rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame exceeds a first predetermined value.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

reducing the maximum speed of the work machine according to the detected rotation angle when the rotation angle is between the first predetermined value and a second predetermined value.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein:

at least one of the first and second predetermined values is in the range of 70-110 degrees.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to control a work machine having an upper frame rotatably mounted to a lower frame, the program instructions comprising:

limiting a maximum speed of the work machine when a rotation angle between the upper frame and the lower frame exceeds a first predetermined value.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 27, 2017
From: REES, LINDSAY; LIPPA, TOBIAS; SPINDLER, THOMAS
To: CATERPILLAR INC.
Reel/Frame 041751/0055 →
Priority Claims (1)
GB 1606187.1 · Apr 8, 2016 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170292249A1 · Oct 12, 2017