Torque estimator for a machine

• US 20070255471A1
• Filed: 04/28/2006
• Published: 11/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Wallis, Michael, Ring, Paul, Carter, Jason, Grembowicz, Conrad, Sorrells, Giles
• Granted Patent: US 7,970,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/62
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2050/0075 Automatic parameter input, automatic initialising or calibrating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 2556/10 Historical data
• CPC Class Codes: B60W 30/1846 Preventing of breakage of drive line components, e.g. parts of the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/1004 Estimation of the output torque
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2200/101 Engine speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 2400/12 Engine control specially adapted for a transmission comprising a torque converter or for continuously variable transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0215 in relation with elements of the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/1497 With detection of the mechanical response of the engine
• CPC Class Codes: G01L 3/24 Devices for determining the value of power, e.g. by measuring and simultaneously multiplying the values of torque and revolutions per unit of time, by multiplying the values of tractive or propulsive force and velocity
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 13/025 Test-benches with rotational drive means and loading means; Load or drive simulation

Abstract

A torque estimator is disclosed for estimating torque on a machine. A computer system may include a torque estimator module located on the machine. The torque estimator module may be configured to receive a plurality of engine parameters, receive a drivetrain component parameter, determine an estimated torque value at the drivetrain component based on the plurality of engine parameters and the drivetrain component parameter. The computer system also may include an analysis module located on the machine. The analysis module may be configured to receive the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter, and update a histogram data structure based on the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter. The analysis module may also be configured to evaluate the histogram data structure in order to determine if excessive torque is being applied to a drivetrain component.

Claims

1. A computer system for determining imminent failure of a machine drivetrain component, the computer system comprising:

a torque estimator module disposed on the machine and configured to;

receive a plurality of engine parameters;

receive a drivetrain component parameter;

determine an estimated torque value at the drivetrain component based on the plurality of engine parameters and the drivetrain component parameter; and

an analysis module disposed on the machine configured to;

receive the estimated torque value from the torque estimator module and receive the drivetrain component parameter;

update a histogram data structure based on the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter; and

evaluate the histogram data structure in order to determine imminent failure of the machine drivetrain component.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of engine parameters includes an engine speed and an engine load.

3. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the drivetrain component parameter includes a torque converter output speed.

4. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the histogram data structure includes a first index parameter and a second index parameter for accessing a location within the histogram data structure.

5. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the first index parameter represents an estimated pinion torque and the second index parameter represents a transmission output speed.

6. The computer system of claim 4, wherein the first index parameter represents an estimated torque converter output torque and the second index parameter represents a transmission input speed.

7. A method for determining torque on a drivetrain component of a machine, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of engine parameters;

receiving a drivetrain component parameter;

determining an estimated torque value at the drivetrain component based on the plurality of engine parameters and the drivetrain component parameter;

providing the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter to an analysis module located on the machine;

determining a location in a data structure using a combination of the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter as an index into the data structure; and

updating a value stored at the location in the data structure.

8. The method of claim 7, further including evaluating the data structure in order to determine an excessive torque condition.

9. The method of claim 8, further including, if the estimated torque at the drivetrain component is excessive, transmitting a message to indicate an excessive torque condition.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving the drivetrain component parameter includes receiving a torque converter output speed.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein receiving the drivetrain component parameter includes receiving a transmission actual gear value.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the data structure includes a two-parameter histogram including a first axis representing an estimated pinion torque and a second axis representing a transmission output speed.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the data structure includes a two-parameter histogram including a first axis representing an estimated torque converter output torque and second axis representing a transmission input speed.

14. A computer readable medium for use on a computer system, the computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing a method comprising:

receiving a first engine parameter and a second engine parameter;

receiving a drivetrain component parameter;

determining an estimated torque value at the drivetrain component based on the plurality of engine parameters and the drivetrain component parameter;

providing the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter to an analysis module; and

updating a histogram data structure based on the estimated torque value and the drivetrain component parameter.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further includes determining imminent failure of the drivetrain component based on an evaluation of a region of the histogram data structure.

16. A machine comprising:

a drivetrain including at least one component;

a torque estimator module configured to estimate torque on the at least one drivetrain component;

an analysis module configured to;

receive a torque estimate from the torque estimator module;

update a data structure based on the torque estimate;

determine imminent drivetrain component damage based on evaluation of the data structure; and

degrade the performance of the machine of the machine if imminent drivetrain component damage is determined.

17. A method for automatically configuring a torque estimator module, the method comprising:

providing a global set of performance tables including at least one set of machine performance tables;

providing a machine identification parameter;

determining a machine type based on the machine identification parameter;

selecting a set of machine performance tables from the global set of performance tables based on the machine type;

determining a machine operating state;

selecting at least one working performance table from the set of machine performance tables, based on the operating state; and

determining an estimated torque value using the at least one working performance table.

18. A machine comprising:

a drivetrain including at least one component; and

a torque estimator module configured to;

determine a machine type based on a machine identification parameter;

select a set of machine performance tables from a global set of performance tables based on the machine type;

determine a machine operating state;

selecting at least one working performance table from the set of machine performance tables, based on the operating state; and

determine an estimated torque value of the at least one component using the at least one working performance table.

19. The machine of claim 18, further including an analysis module coupled to the torque estimator module, the analysis module configured to:

receive an estimated torque value from the torque estimator module;

update a data structure based on the estimated torque value;

determine imminent drivetrain component damage based on evaluation of the data structure; and

provide a warning to an operator of the machine if imminent drivetrain component damage is determined.

20. The machine of claim 19, wherein the analysis module is further configured to request a degrading of machine performance, if imminent drivetrain component damage is determined.