Method for controlling variator of transmission system

• US 9,958,061 B2
• Filed: 04/25/2016
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Ge, Xinyu, Gu, Hua
• Primary Examiner(s): YOUNG, EDWIN
• Application Number:
  US15/137,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20160238130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/42 involving adjustment of a pump or motor with adjustable output or capacity F16H61/46 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/47 for achieving a target output speed

Abstract

A method for controlling a variator system of a machine is disclosed. The method includes storing a plurality of work cycle patterns associated with an operation of the machine in a memory module of a control system, and determining operating parameters of the machine based on inputs from a plurality of machine sensors. The method further includes classifying the current work segment as one of the plurality of predetermined work segments and determining an error value based on an actual output speed and a desired output speed of the variator. The method further includes determining a closed-loop gain value corresponding to the current work segment and the error value. The method further includes implementing the determined closed-loop gain and the determined current range to the actuator to adjust position of a swash plate of the variator, to control an output speed of the variator.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a variator of a transmission system of a machine, the method comprising:

storing a plurality of work cycle patterns associated with an operation of the machine in a memory module of a control system, each of the plurality of work cycle patterns including a plurality of predetermined work segments, wherein each of the plurality of predetermined work segments is associated with a closed-loop gain value;

determining by the control system, operating parameters of the machine based on inputs from a plurality of machine sensors;

detecting a current work segment of the machine based on the determined operating parameters of the machine;

classifying the detected current work segment of the machine as one of the plurality of predetermined work segments based on the plurality of work cycle patterns and the current work segment;

determining an error value based on an actual output speed of the variator and a desired output speed of the variator;

determining a closed-loop gain value corresponding to the current work segment and the error value;

determining a current range for actuating an actuator of the variator based on the current work segment; and

implementing the determined closed-loop gain value and the determined current range to the actuator to adjust position of a swash plate of the variator to control an output speed of the variator.