SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING A HYDRAULIC SYSTEM

• US 20100146958A1
• Filed: 12/11/2008
• Published: 06/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Peterson, Randal Neil, Verkuilen, Mike T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,095,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 60/327
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/963 Arrangements on backhoes for alternate use of different tools backhoes per se E02F3/30; quick-acting devices to connect tools to arms E02F3/3609, for arms to tractors or the like E02F3/627
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2203 Arrangements for controlling the attitude of actuators, e.g. speed, floating function
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 11/006 Hydraulic "Wheatstone bridge" circuits, i.e. with four nodes, P-A-T-B, and on-off or proportional valves in each link
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/30575 in a Wheatstone Bridge arrangement (also half bridges)

Abstract

A method of operating a hydraulic system is disclosed. The method includes holding an implement configuration in an orientation. The method also includes sensing a pressure within a chamber of a hydraulic actuator associated with the implement configuration when the implement configuration is in the orientation and comparing a first signal indicative of the first sensed pressure with a first pressure value. The method further includes selecting a first functional relationship from among a plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is greater than the first pressure value and selecting a second functional relationship from among the plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is less than the first pressure value. The method includes controlling the hydraulic actuator based on the selected functional relationship.

Claims

1. A method of operating a hydraulic system, comprising:

holding an implement configuration in an orientation;

sensing a first pressure within at least one chamber of at least one hydraulic actuator associated with the implement configuration when the implement configuration is in the orientation;

comparing a first signal indicative of the first sensed pressure with a first pressure value;

selecting a first functional relationship from among a plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is greater than the first pressure value;

selecting a second functional relationship from among the plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is less than the first pressure value; and

controlling the hydraulic actuator based on the selected functional relationship.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the first signal with a first pressure value includes comparing the first signal with a first range of pressure values associated with the first functional relationship and a second range of pressure values associated with the second functional relationship.

3. The method of claim 2, further including selecting the first functional relationship if the first signal is within the first range of pressure values, and selecting the second functional relationship if the first signal is within the second range of pressure values.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stored functional relationships are associated with a different category of implement configurations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the implement configuration includes a plurality of components and each of the plurality of stored functional relationships is associated with a different category of components.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stored functional relationships functionally relate operator inputs and operational parameters corresponding to the hydraulic actuator.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the operational parameters establish pressure settings for the chamber of the hydraulic actuator.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the operational parameters establish a maximum velocity for a component of the implement configuration.

9. The method of claim 1, further including:

sensing a second pressure within at least one chamber of a second hydraulic actuator associated with the implement configuration; and

comparing a second signal indicative of the second pressure with a second pressure value.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein comparing the second signal with the second pressure value includes comparing the second signal with a third range of pressure values associated with a third functional relationship and a second range of pressure values associated with a fourth functional relationship.

11. The method of claim 9, further including selecting the third functional relationship if the second signal is within the third range of pressure values, and selecting the fourth functional relationship if the second signal is within the fourth range of pressure values.

12. A method of operating a hydraulic system, comprising:

moving an implement configuration through a motion;

sensing a first pressure within at least one chamber of at least one hydraulic actuator associated with the implement configuration when the implement configuration moved through the motion;

comparing a first signal indicative of the first sensed pressure with a first pressure value;

selecting a first functional relationship from among a plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is greater than the first pressure value;

selecting a second functional relationship from among the plurality of stored functional relationships if the first signal is less than the first pressure value; and

controlling the hydraulic actuator based on the selected functional relationship.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein comparing the first signal with the first pressure value includes comparing the first signal with a first range of pressure values associated with the first functional relationship and a second range of pressure values associated with the second functional relationship.

14. The method of claim 13, further including selecting the first functional relationship if the first signal is within the first pressure range, and selecting the second functional relationship if the first signal is within the second pressure range.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of stored functional relationships are associated with a different category of implement configurations.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the implement configuration includes a plurality of components and each of the plurality of stored functional relationships are associated with a different category of components.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of stored functional relationships functionally relate pressure values and operational parameters corresponding to the hydraulic actuator.

18. A machine having a hydraulic system, comprising:

an implement configuration including a tool and a linkage system;

a hydraulic actuator that affects movement of a component of the implement configuration, the hydraulic actuator including a first chamber and a second chamber;

a sensor that senses pressure within at least one chamber while the implement configuration is controlled in a first manner; and

a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to compare a signal indicative of the sensed pressure with a first pressure value, modify a stored functional relationship as a function of the signal, and control the hydraulic actuator in a second manner based upon the modified functional relationship.

19. The hydraulic system of claim 18, wherein the first manner includes holding the implement configuration in an orientation.

20. The hydraulic system of claim 18, wherein the first manner includes moving the implement configuration through a motion.