LOCKING OUT A MACHINE TO PROHIBIT MOVEMENT

A construction machine includes a system and method for performing a lockout or stand down of the machine to prohibit movement of the machine or one or more components of the machine, without shutting down the machine. Information about the status of the machine or a component thereof can be collected and relayed to an electronic control module (ECM) to determine whether to lockout the construction machine. If appropriate, the ECM can command lockout to an electrical component of the machine or component to prohibit movement of the machine or component until the lockout is released. 1. A method of performing a lockout on a construction machine , the method comprising:collecting information on a status of the construction machine or a component of the construction machine;relaying the collected information to an electronic control module;determining whether to lockout the construction machine; andcommanding lockout from the electronic control module to an electrical component of the construction machine, wherein lockout prohibits movement of at least one of the construction machine and an implement of the construction machine, without shutting down the construction machine.2. The method of wherein collecting information on the status of the construction machine includes at least one of detecting an obstacle in a vicinity of the construction machine and determining service to be performed on the construction machine.3. The method of wherein detecting an obstacle in a vicinity of the construction machine is performed by one or more automated features.4. The method of wherein collecting information on the status of the construction machine includes participation by an operator of the construction machine claim 1 , and wherein relaying the collected information to the electronic control module is performed by the operator entering an input into an operator interface.5. The method of wherein the implement is a bed of the construction machine and the bed is movable between ...

System and method of preventing articulated machine roll-over

An articulated machine having a first frame and a second frame supported by first and second wheel assemblies respectively is provided. The machine includes a first sensor and a second sensor to provide position information of the first frame and the second frame respectively. The machine includes a drive train to couple the front and rear wheel assembly, and having an inter axle differential to facilitate the front and the rear wheel assembly to move at different speeds. The machine includes a controller to compare position of the first frame with position of the second frame to determine relative position of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The controller compares the relative position of the second frame with a predefined position limit. The controller selectively locks the inter axle differential when the determined relative position of the second frame is greater than the predefined position limit

Hill Start in a Vehicle

A hill brake system in a vehicle uses a controller to determine when a number of conditions, such as being stopped on an incline, are met and then automatically applies a braking force at least equal to a calculated grade load, that is, gravitational force. Using drive train measurements and known drivetrain characteristics, a rimpull force is calculated after release of an operator-controlled brake and the automatically applied braking force is reduced corresponding to the rimpull force generated by the drivetrain. The automatically applied braking force is released when any of several conditions are met including uphill motion of the vehicle or expiration of a timeout timer. 1. A method of providing a hill brake in a vehicle comprising:applying a braking force required to prevent the vehicle from rolling in a downhill direction after an operator-controlled brake is released;calculating a rimpull at a drive wheel of the vehicle; andreducing the braking force as the rimpull increases.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing the braking force comprises removing the braking force after detection of a trigger event.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the trigger event is one of an uphill motion of the vehicle and an uphill rotation of the drive wheel.4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the trigger event is expiration of a timeout period measured from a time the operator-controlled brake is released.5. The method of claim 1 , where calculating rimpull comprises:determining torque at an output of a torque converter;determining a current gear setting;calculating axle torque from the output power and a gear ratio of the current gear setting; andcalculating rimpull using a known conversion of axle torque to rimpull force less a known rolling resistance.6. A controller that provides a hill brake in a vehicle on an incline during acceleration from a stop claim 1 , the controller comprising:a rimpull subsystem that determines force at a drive wheel of the vehicle;a grade load ...

RETARDING DOWNSHIFT MANAGEMENT

A retarding unit in a vehicle is automatically controlled based on conditions including a current setting of the retarding control, downhill grade, speed, current gear, and impending gear change. With the retarder control set in the high position, when the vehicle is operating at a downhill angle greater than the low angle threshold and less than the high angle threshold, and the pending gear is a large step downshift, automatically setting a retarder level to a low retarder level. When the vehicle is operating on level ground and the pending gear is a large step downshift or the current gear is first or second gear, automatically setting the retarder level to off. When the vehicle is operating on flat ground and the deceleration is above a trigger level, automatically setting the retarder level to a low retarder level.

Method for controlling hoisting of an articulated machine

A method of controlling an articulated machine having a first frame and a second frame and travelling on a ground surface is provided. The method includes receiving a speed signal indicative of a speed of the articulated machine through a speed sensor by a controller. The method includes receiving an inclination signal indicative of an inclination of the ground surface through an inclination sensor by the controller. The method further includes receiving a payload signal indicative of a payload carried by the articulated machine through a payload sensor by the controller. The controller controls a hoisting of the second frame with respect to the first frame based on at least one of the speed signal, the inclination signal and the payload signal.

GEOFENCE BODY HEIGHT LIMIT WITH HOIST PREVENTION

Methods include electronically monitoring sensor or transceiver location information to detect a location of a machine. Responsive to detection of the machine, determining if the machine is located within a first geographic region, and if the machine is located within a first geographic region, electronically sending a command to an actuator that is coupled to the machine to initiate a first response. The first response includes limiting a height of an implement that is coupled to a chassis of the machine. The implement being height-adjustable relative to the chassis by action of the actuator. 1. A method comprising:electronically monitoring, using a processor, sensor or transceiver location information to detect a location of a machine; andresponsive to detection, using the processor, that the machine is located within a first geographic region, electronically sending a command, using the processor, to an actuator coupled to the machine to initiate a first response,wherein the first response includes limiting, using the processor, a height of an implement coupled to a chassis of the machine, wherein the implement is configured to be height-adjusted relative to the chassis by the actuator.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein limiting the height of the implement includes limiting the height of the implement to a first height claim 1 , wherein the first height is a maximum height allowed in the first geographic region.3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:receiving from a storage device, using the processor, the first height corresponding to the first geographic region.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein responsive to the detection claim 1 , using the processor claim 1 , that the machine is within the first geographic region or that the machine is within a second geographic region claim 1 , sending claim 1 , using the processor claim 1 , an implement height alert to a user interface to alert a user to a detected implement height issue.5. The method of claim 1 , ...

Work machine speed control braking

A machine includes an engine, a brake system, a speed sensor, a grade sensor, a load sensor, and a controller in electrical communication with the engine, the brake system, the one or more retarding systems, the speed sensor, the grade sensor, and the load sensor. The controller is configured to: determine a grade force based on the weight of the machine and the grade at which the machine is disposed; determine a deceleration force based on a target deceleration and the weight of the machine; monitor the speed at which the machine is traveling; determine an actual deceleration of the machine based on the monitored speed at which the machine is traveling; determine a deceleration error based on a difference between the actual deceleration and the target deceleration; determine a force correction based on the deceleration error; and control the brake system to apply a total brake force equal to the sum of the grade force, the deceleration force, and the force correction.

BRAKE FORCE MODULATION TO ENABLE STEERING WHEN STATIONARY

An articulated work machine includes a frame assembly having a front portion and a rear portion; an articulation joint connecting the front and rear portions and adapted to allow pivotal movement about the articulation joint by the front and rear portions; a plurality of front wheels attached to the front portion and a plurality of rear wheels attached to the rear portion; a brake associated with each of the front wheels and rear wheels; a steering sensor adapted to provide a steering signal from a steering mechanism of the articulated work machine; and a controller adapted to receive the steering signal, and wherein when a braking force is applied to the front and rear wheels when the controller receives the steering signal, the controller produces a signal to modulate the braking force to allow the front portion and rear portion of the machine to articulate without the machine moving forward. 1. An articulated work machine comprising:a frame assembly having a front portion and a rear portion;an articulation joint connecting the front and rear portions and adapted to allow pivotal movement about the articulation joint by the front and rear portions;a plurality of front wheels attached to the front portion and a plurality of rear wheels attached to the rear portion;a brake associated with each of the front wheels and rear wheels;a steering sensor adapted to provide a steering signal from a steering mechanism of the articulated work machine; anda controller adapted to receive the steering signal, and wherein when a braking force is applied to the front and rear wheels when the controller receives the steering signal, the controller produces a signal to modulate the braking force to allow the front portion and rear portion of the machine to articulate without the machine moving forward.2. The articulated work machine of claim 1 , wherein each of the brakes are hydraulic brakes controlled by a solenoid coupled to the controller claim 1 , wherein to modulate the braking ...

System and method of preventing articulated machine roll-over

An articulated machine having a first frame and a second frame supported by first and second wheel assemblies respectively is provided. The machine includes a first sensor and a second sensor to provide position information of the first frame and the second frame respectively. The machine includes a drive train to couple the front and rear wheel assembly, and having an inter axle differential to facilitate the front and the rear wheel assembly to move at different speeds. The machine includes a controller to compare position of the first frame with position of the second frame to determine relative position of the second frame with respect to the first frame. The controller compares the relative position of the second frame with a predefined position limit. The controller selectively locks the inter axle differential when the determined relative position of the second frame is greater than the predefined position limit.

Geofence body height limit with hoist prevention

Methods include electronically monitoring sensor or transceiver location information to detect a location of a machine. Responsive to detection of the machine, determining if the machine is located within a first geographic region, and if the machine is located within a first geographic region, electronically sending a command to an actuator that is coupled to the machine to initiate a first response. The first response includes limiting a height of an implement that is coupled to a chassis of the machine. The implement being height-adjustable relative to the chassis by action of the actuator.

Work machine speed control braking

A machine includes an engine, a brake system, a speed sensor, a grade sensor, a load sensor, and a controller in electrical communication with the engine, the brake system, the one or more retarding systems, the speed sensor, the grade sensor, and the load sensor. The controller is configured to: determine a grade force based on the weight of the machine and the grade at which the machine is disposed; determine a deceleration force based on a target deceleration and the weight of the machine; monitor the speed at which the machine is travelling; determine an actual deceleration of the machine based on the monitored speed at which the machine is travelling; determine a deceleration error based on a difference between the actual deceleration and the target deceleration; determine a force correction based on the deceleration error; and control the brake system to apply a total brake force equal to the sum of the grade force, the deceleration force, and the force correction.

Retarding downshift management

A retarder (140) in a vehicle (102) is automatically controlled based on conditions including a current setting of the retarding control, downhill grade, speed, current gear, and impending gear change. With the retarder control set in the high position, when the vehicle (102) is operating at a downhill angle greater than the low angle threshold and less than the high angle threshold, and the pending gear is a large step downshift, automatically setting a retarder level to a low retarder level. When the vehicle (102) is operating on level ground and the pending gear is a large step downshift or the current gear is first or second gear, automatically setting the retarder level to off. When the vehicle (102) is operating on flat ground and the deceleration is above a trigger level, automatically setting the retarder level to a low retarder level.

Locking out a machine to prohibit movement

Engine braking method and control system varying engine braking power within cylinder-number braking mode

Braking an engine 20 by operating an engine in a cylinder-number braking mode where exhaust valves 56 for at least some combustion cylinders 34 in the engine are operated in an engine braking timing pattern; determining a control term indicative of at least one of an intake air pressure or a change to an intake air pressure that varies a braking power of the engine; varying a position of an exhaust-impinged surface 60 in an exhaust turbine 50 for the engine based on the determined control term; varying a speed of an intake air compressor 52 for the engine driven by the exhaust turbine, based on the commanded varying of a position of the exhaust-impinged surface; and adjusting the braking power of the engine, within the cylinder-number braking mode, based on a change to intake air pressure in the engine occurring in response to the varied speed of the intake air compressor. Preferably determining the control term includes determining a desired intake manifold pressure (IMAP) and determining a control term includes determining the control term using a map associated with the requested cylinder-number braking mode.

Brake force modulation to enable steering when stationary