System and Method for Managing Machine Power System

• US 20150267719A1
• Filed: 03/24/2014
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Gorman, Corey L., Nackers, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 9,568,030 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/32 working downwardly and towards the machine, e.g. with backhoes
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2066 of the type combustion engines
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/2292 Systems with two or more pumps
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 9/265 with follow-up actions (e.g. control signals sent to actuate the work tool)
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 19/005 Fault detection or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 19/007 Simulation or modelling
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/50518 using pressure relief valves
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6309 the pressure being a pressure source supply pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/633 representing a state of the prime mover, e.g. torque or rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/634 representing a state of a valve
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6346 representing a state of input means, e.g. joystick position
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6651 Control of the prime mover, e.g. control of the output torque or rotational speed
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6652 Control of the pressure source, e.g. control of the swash plate angle
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6655 Power control, e.g. combined pressure and flow rate control
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/6658 Control using different modes, e.g. four-quadrant-operation, working mode and transportation mode
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/857 Monitoring of fluid pressure systems
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/8643 the abnormal condition being a human failure
• CPC Class Codes: F15B 2211/88 Control measures for saving energy

Abstract

A power system for a machine is provided. The power system includes an operator interface for entering an operator command relating to one or more functions of the machine. The power system includes a hydraulic pump and an engine configured to provide power to the hydraulic device. A controller is in communication with the operator interface, the hydraulic device and the engine. The controller is configured to consider operator skill level information relating to a skill level of the operator of the machine and to determine at least one desired power system operating parameter based on the operator command and the operator skill level information and to adjust at least one of the hydraulic pump and the engine based on the desired power system operating parameter.

Claims

1. A power system for a machine comprising:

an operator interface for entering an operator command relating to one or more functions of the machine;

a hydraulic pump;

an engine configured to provide power to the hydraulic device; and

a controller in communication with the operator interface, the hydraulic device and the engine, the controller being configured to consider operator skill level information relating to a skill level of the operator of the machine and to determine at least one desired power system operating parameter based on the operator command and the operator skill level information and to adjust at least one of the hydraulic pump and the engine based on the desired power system operating parameter.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to consider machine utilization information relating to utilization of the machine and to determine the at least one desired power system operating parameter based on the operator command, the operator skill level information and the machine utilization information.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the machine utilization information includes a machine load factor.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the machine utilization information includes data relating on the operator commands entered via the operator interface.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to consider engine performance status information and to determine the at least one desired power system operating parameter based on the operator command, the operator skill level information and the engine performance status information.

6. The system of claim 3 wherein the engine performance status information includes a torque capability of the engine.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic pump communicates with a hydraulic system including a relief valve and wherein the operator skill level information includes a frequency that the relief valve operates.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the operator interface includes a kick-out control device and wherein the controller is configured to stop adjusting the at least one of the hydraulic pump and the engine based on the desired power system operating parameter and to instead adjust the at least one of the hydraulic pump and the engine based on a predetermined power system operating parameter when the kick-out control device is actuated.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the desired power system operating parameter is at least one of a machine power limit, an engine speed, and a hydraulic pump displacement.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to apply a timer before determining the at least one desired power system operating parameter based and adjusting at least one of the hydraulic pump and the engine based on the desired power system operating parameter.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller is configured to apply a rate of change limit on the determination of the at least one desired power system operating parameter.

12. A method for managing a power system of a machine comprising:

receiving an operator command through an operator interface;

collecting information relating to a skill level of an operator of the machine;

determining at least one desired power system operating parameter based on the operator command and the operator skill level information; and

adjusting an engine or hydraulic device of the power system based on the desired power system operating parameter.

13. The method of claim 12 further including the step of collecting machine utilization information relating to utilization of the machine and where the determining of the at least one desired power system operating parameter is based on the operator command, the operator skill level information and the machine utilization information.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the machine utilization information includes a machine load factor.

15. The method of claim 12 further including the step of collecting engine performance status information and wherein the determining of the at least one desired power system operating parameter is based on the operator command, the operator skill level information and the machine utilization information.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the engine performance status information includes a torque capability of the engine.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the hydraulic pump communicates with a hydraulic system including a relief valve and wherein the operator skill level information includes a frequency that the relief valve operates.

18. The method of claim 12 further including the step of determining whether a kick-out control device has been activated and stopping adjustment of the at least one of the hydraulic device and the engine based on the desired power system operating parameter and instead adjusting the at least one of the hydraulic pump and the engine based on a predetermined power system operating parameter.

19. The method of claim 12 wherein the desired power system operating parameter is at least one of a machine power limit, an engine speed, and a hydraulic pump displacement.

20. A machine comprising:

an operator interface for entering operator commands relating to one or more functions of the machine;

a work implement;

a hydraulic pump for driving movement of the work implement;

an engine configured to provide power to the hydraulic device; and

a controller in communication with the operator interface, the hydraulic device and the engine, the controller being configured to consider operator skill level information relating to a skill level of the operator of the machine and to consider machine utilization information relating to utilization of the machine, and to determine at least one desired power system operating parameter based on the operator commands, the operator skill level information and the utilization information and to adjust at least one of the hydraulic device and the engine based on the desired power system operating parameter.