Drivetrain protection and management system
First Claim
1. A method for managing and protecting a drivetrain system for, a vehicle comprising:
- (a) monitoring a plurality of vehicle characteristics including at least wheel speed data and operational data from power-transmitting components, communicating the wheel speed data to an anti-lock brake controller, and communicating the operational data to a data-link;
(b) using a drivetrain protection and management system to identify an excessive drivetrain operating condition by providing input to the drivetrain protection and management system from the anti-lock brake controller and the data-link, and analyzing the input to identify the excessive drivetrain operating condition;
(c) reducing drivetrain torque at one drivetrain component once the excessive drivetrain operating condition is identified;
(d) storing the excessive drivetrain operating condition as a significant operational event; and
(e) generating an output including the significant operational event.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A drivetrain protection and management system (DPMS) monitors and determines individual wheel speeds to detect wheel spin and slip conditions on a drive axle. Wheel spin is caused by low surface friction, excessive input torque, lack of inter-axle differential and differential locks, excessive operating temperatures, or poor driving techniques. When wheel spin or slip exceeds a threshold, the DPMS automatically controls input torque to the drive axle by controlling engine or retarder torque. In addition to monitoring wheel speeds, the DPMS monitors other vehicle characteristics such as engine torque/speed, transmission ratio, transmission output speed, vehicle speed, throttle position, for example. The DPMS monitors and stores these vehicle characteristics over time and generates a data output that summarizes a history of vehicle operating conditions. The DPMS can communicate this data output real time during vehicle operation, which can be used by a fleet to maximize vehicle performance.
29 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for managing and protecting a drivetrain system for, a vehicle comprising:
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(a) monitoring a plurality of vehicle characteristics including at least wheel speed data and operational data from power-transmitting components, communicating the wheel speed data to an anti-lock brake controller, and communicating the operational data to a data-link; (b) using a drivetrain protection and management system to identify an excessive drivetrain operating condition by providing input to the drivetrain protection and management system from the anti-lock brake controller and the data-link, and analyzing the input to identify the excessive drivetrain operating condition; (c) reducing drivetrain torque at one drivetrain component once the excessive drivetrain operating condition is identified; (d) storing the excessive drivetrain operating condition as a significant operational event; and (e) generating an output including the significant operational event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for managing and protecting a drivetrain system for a vehicle comprising:
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(a) monitoring a plurality of vehicle characteristics including at least a first wheel speed for a first wheel, monitoring a second wheel speed for a second wheel, wherein the first and second wheels rotate about a first common axis, monitoring a third wheel speed for a third wheel, and monitoring a fourth wheel speed for a fourth wheel, wherein the third and fourth wheels rotate about a second common axis defined by a drive axle, and including determining a wheel speed for at least one unmonitored wheel as a function of monitored wheel speeds; (b) identifying an excessive drivetrain operating condition by determining whether the third wheel is operating in a spin condition, a slip condition, or a no-spin condition based on the first, second, third, and fourth wheel speeds, determining whether the fourth wheel is operating in a spin condition, a slip condition, or a no-spin condition based on the first, second, third, and fourth wheel speeds, and determining if a spin threshold is exceeded when at least one of the third and fourth wheels is in the spin condition, and determining if a spin threshold is exceeded when at least one of the unmonitored wheels, the third wheel, and the fourth wheel is in the spin condition; (c) reducing drivetrain torque at one drivetrain component once the excessive drivetrain operating condition is identified, including generating a control signal to control wheel speed by controlling input torque into the drive axle when the spin threshold is exceeded; (d) storing the excessive drivetrain operating condition as a significant operational event; and
(e) generating an output including the significant operational event. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification