Methods and systems for controlling the engine speed of agricultural vehicles for increasing engine speeds

• US 8,255,127 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Issued: 08/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Original Assignee: AGCO Corporation
• Inventors: Price, Trail, George, Manu
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES, ALICIA M
• Application Number:
  US13/313,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20120078490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 265 Days
• Field of Search: 701/50, 701/102, 701/103, 701/110, 701/115, 701/207, 123/350, 123/352, 123/357, 123/361, 123/376, 123/396, 123/399, 123/403, 56/102.A, 56/102.G, 180/170
• US Class Current: 701/50
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 31/001 Electric control of rotation speed
• CPC Class Codes: F02D 41/0205 using an auxiliary engine speed control engine speed control per se F02D31/00

Abstract

An engine speed control system for an agricultural vehicle includes a variable throttle controller, a mode selector, and a control device. The variable throttle control permits an operator to select a variably adjustable engine speed and the mode selector permits the operator to select between a plurality of pre-set engine speeds. The control device receives output signals from the throttle controller, generates engine speed commands, and delivers the commands to an engine controller for controlling the speed of the agricultural vehicle'"'"'s engine. The control device is operable to generate a first engine speed command associated with one of the pre-set engine speeds when an operator activates the mode selector and to temporarily or permanently override the first engine speed command with a second engine speed command associated with the throttle controller when the operator activates the throttle controller.

Claims

1. An engine speed control system for an agricultural vehicle, the system comprising:

a throttle controller for selecting a variably adjustable engine speed;

a mode selector for selecting between a plurality of pre-set engine speeds; and

a control device responsive to the throttle controller and the mode selector for generating engine speed commands and delivering the engine speed commands to an engine controller for controlling the speed of the agricultural vehicle'"'"'s engine, the control device being operable to generate a first engine speed command associated with one of the pre-set engine speeds when an operator activates the mode selector and to cancel the first engine speed command and generate a second engine speed command associated with the throttle controller when the operator activates the throttle controller, the throttle controller is being moved to a higher engine speed, and the throttle controller calls for an engine speed greater than the pre-set engine speed, and wherein the control device does not cancel the first engine speed command when the operator activates the throttle controller and the throttle controller calls for an engine speed less than the pre-set engine speed.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the throttle controller is a hand throttle configured to be positioned within a cab of the agricultural vehicle.

3. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mode selector is a mode selector switch that permits selection of first or second pre-set engine speeds.

4. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the mode selector is a mode selector switch that permits selection of first, second, third, or fourth pre-set engine speeds.

5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control device is incorporated within a vehicle guidance system of the agricultural vehicle.