Power source derating component protection system

• US 20060042241A1
• Filed: 08/26/2004
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Swick, William Christopher, Epplin, Gregory August, Bright, Christopher Erik
• Granted Patent: US 7,204,085 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/431
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/184 Preventing damage resulting from overload or excessive wear of the driveline
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2246 Control of prime movers, e.g. depending on the hydraulic load of work tools
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/226 Safety arrangements, e.g. hydraulic driven fans, preventing cavitation, leakage, overheating
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2059/683 Sensing pressure in control systems or in fluid controlled devices, e.g. by pressure sensors for hydrostatic transmissions F16H2059/6861
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 59/68 Inputs being a function of gearing status

Abstract

A protection system is provided for a work machine with a power source. At least one sensor is configured to monitor a fluid parameter of a work machine system external to the power source. The sensor is further configured to produce a signal indicative of a value of the fluid parameter. The component protection system has a control module in communication with the at least one sensor, the control module being configured to derate a power source output base upon the value of the fluid parameter.

Claims

1. A protection system for a work machine having a power source, comprising:

at least one sensor configured to monitor a fluid parameter of a work machine system external to the power source, and to produce a signal indicative of a value of the fluid parameter;

a control module in communication with the at least one sensor, the control module being configured to selectively derate a power source output based upon the value of the fluid parameter.

2. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the work machine system is a transmission and the fluid parameter is a pressure of a fluid within the transmission.

3. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the work machine system is a transmission and the fluid parameter is a temperature of a fluid within the transmission.

4. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the work machine includes at least one work tool, the work machine system being a hydraulic system that actuates the at least one work tool and the fluid parameter is a pressure of a fluid within the hydraulic system

5. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the work machine includes at least one work tool, the work machine system being a hydraulic system that actuates the at least one work tool and the fluid parameter is a temperature of a fluid within the hydraulic system.

6. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the output is a speed of the power source.

7. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the output is a torque of the power source.

8. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the output is deratable to a maximum derate of 50% of full output.

9. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the control module includes a map having a table of parameter values and corresponding desired derate values.

10. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the control module derates the output in response to the value being outside of a predetermined range.

11. The protection system of claim 1, wherein the control module is further configured to actuate a warning when the value of the fluid parameter exceeds a predetermined acceptable range, but has not yet exceeded a minimum derate threshold.

12. A method of protecting a work machine system external to a work machine power source, the method comprising:

monitoring a fluid parameter associated with the work machine system; and

derating an output of the work machine power source based upon a value of the fluid parameter.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the work machine system is a transmission and monitoring a fluid parameter includes monitoring a pressure of a fluid within the transmission.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the work machine system is a transmission and monitoring a fluid parameter includes monitoring a temperature of a fluid within the transmission.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the work machine includes at least one work tool, the work machine system being a hydraulic system that actuates the at least one work tool and monitoring a fluid parameter includes monitoring a pressure within the hydraulic system.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the work machine includes at least one work tool, the work machine system being a hydraulic system that actuates the at least one work tool and monitoring a fluid parameter includes monitoring a temperature within the hydraulic system.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein derating an output includes derating a speed of the power source.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein derating an output includes derating a torque of the power source.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein derating the output is in response to the value being outside of a predetermined range.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein derating the output includes derating the output to a maximum derate of 50% of full output.

21. The method of claim 12, further including:

comparing the value of the fluid parameter to a derate map stored in a memory of a control module associated with the work machine; and

derating the output according to a relationship of the value of the fluid parameter and a derate value.

22. The method of claim 12, further including actuating a warning when the value of the fluid parameter exceeds a predetermined acceptable range, but has not yet exceeded a minimum derate threshold.

23. A work machine, comprising:

a power source;

a fluid system external to the power source and drivably connected to the power source; and

a protection system having;

at least one sensor configured to monitor a fluid parameter of a work machine system external to the power source and to produce a signal indicative of a value of the fluid parameter;

a control module in communication with the at least one sensor, the control module being configured to selectively derate a power source output based upon the value of the fluid parameter.

24. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the work machine system is a transmission and the fluid parameter is at least one of a pressure and a temperature of a fluid within the transmission.

25. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the work machine includes at least one work tool, the work machine system being a hydraulic system that actuates the at least one work tool, and the fluid parameter is a pressure of a fluid within the hydraulic system

26. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the work machine includes at least one work tool, the work machine system being a hydraulic system that actuates the at least one work tool, and the fluid parameter is a temperature of a fluid within the hydraulic system.

27. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the output is at least one of a speed and a torque of the power source.

28. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the output is derated to a maximum derate of 50% of full output.

29. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the control module includes a map having a table of parameter values and corresponding desired derate values.

30. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the control module derates the output in response to the value being outside of a predetermined range.

31. The work machine of claim 23, wherein the control module is further configured to actuate a warning when the value of the fluid parameter exceeds a predetermined acceptable range, but has not yet exceeded a minimum derate threshold.