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Manual control device and method

  • US 20130229272A1
  • Filed: 03/05/2012
  • Published: 09/05/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
  • Status: Abandoned Application
First Claim
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1. A machine having an actuator operating to displace an implement of the machine based on a command provided by an operator, the command provided in the form of a displacement of a handle of a manual control device by the operator, the displacement occurring in an activation direction of the handle, the machine comprising:

  • a variable damper associated with the handle and being extendible or retractable upon motion of the handle, the variable damper configured to selectively alter a stiffness thereof in response to a control signal;

    a displacement sensor associated with the variable damper and configured to provide a displacement signal indicative of a displacement of the handle in a direction associated with the variable damper; and

    a controller associated with the manual control device, the displacement sensor, the variable damper, and the actuator, the controller disposed to;

    determine a then present operating state of the actuator,determine a command provided to the actuator based on the displacement signal, andprovide the control signal to stiffen the variable damper such that the displacement of the handle is limited to an additional displacement of the handle that corresponds to a difference between the then present operating state of the actuator and a maximum allowable operating state of the actuator.

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