Maurice F Franz

6684635, Feb 3, 2004

Dec 27, 2001

10/026759

Maurice F. Franz - Washington IL

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

F16D 3103

60448

A method is provided for controlling a torque output of an hydrostatic motor in fluid communication with a variable displacement pump. At least one of the motor and pump has variable displacement capabilities. The method includes monitoring at least one motor condition of the hydrostatic motor and determining a displacement signal corresponding to the monitored motor condition. The variable displacement capabilities are controlled based on the displacement signal to reduce a torque ripple in the torque output of the hydrostatic motor.

40808505, Mar 28, 1978

Sep 2, 1975

5/609637

Thomas J. Bubula - Joliet IL
Maurice F. Franz - East Peoria IL
Gordon W. Johnson - Peoria IL
James D. Rinaldo - Joliet IL

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

B60K 4100
F16D 3102
F16H 4702

74861

A drive train includes a hydrostatic transmission unit and a multiple speed range transmission unit arranged in series between a prime mover and a primary output shaft, variable displacement and torque transmitting capacity of the hydrostatic transmission unit being adjusted by hydraulic controls including a speed control valve for developing a differential pressure signal proportional to a desired rate of operation, a modulating valve for regulating the differential pressure signal corresponding to accelerating and decelerating operation of the transmission, a directional control valve for determining the direction of operation of the hydrostatic transmission unit, and a range selector valve for shifting the operating speed range of the multiple speed range transmission as the hydrostatic transmission approaches a limit of displacement, the displacement of the hydrostatic transmission being automatically reset in response to shifting of the multiple speed range transmission. Operating speed limits are automatically established for the drive train by an override speed control valve which manually adjusts the differential pressure signal for reduced torque transmission through the drive train when the prime mover is operating below a minimum speed. A speed limiting control valve responds to operation of the prime mover above a maximum selected speed for automatically applying a brake within the drive train in order to supplement dynamic braking capacity of the transmission unit, the speed limiting control valve including means producing a feedback signal for resisting manual operation of the override speed control valve in proportion to engagement of the brake within the drive train.

39410072, Mar 2, 1976

Mar 18, 1974

5/452116

Philip S. Webber - Morton IL
Maurice F. Franz - East Peoria IL

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

F16D 6700
G01K 100

74340

Pneumatically operated devices respond to movement of a shift lever by decoupling change speed gears from both the input and output of a transmission and then brake the gears to a stop, shift gear engagements as necessary, release the brakes and re-engage the input and output clutches to re-establish drive at a newly selected drive ratio. A self-cycling control circuit is connected between the shift lever and pneumatic devices to actuate and deactuate such devices as necessary to accomplish a selected shift. The circuit includes means which enables re-engagement of the input and output clutches only after critical gear couplings and decouplings are established together with means which cycles the gears to facilitate engagements and disengagements if these have not occurred in a predetermined time. Means are also provided for preconditioning the system to respond quickly to a subsequent shift lever movement.

54924510, Feb 20, 1996

Oct 3, 1994

8/316986

Maurice F. Franz - Washington IL
Ardean R. Larsen - Chillicothe IL

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

F04B 2100

417312

In many hydraulic systems, fluid-borne noise is generated during operation due to the effects of the hydraulic pump. This fluid-borne noise is then transmitted to the hydraulic valves, hydraulic lines, and other structure that valves and lines are mounted on. These structures then emit vibrations that create the largest portion of the system air-borne noise. In the subject invention, an apparatus is provided for the attenuation of fluid-borne noise in a hydraulic system. The apparatus includes a mechanism for effectively sensing the flow ripple produced by the pump and a mechanism for transmitting a signal (C) representative of the flow ripple to a negative ripple generator which provides a corrective flow to the hydraulic system to cancel the flow ripple. By eliminating the flow ripple in the hydraulic system, the associated air-borne noise that is created by various components that are associated with the hydraulic system is attenuated.

42032938, May 20, 1980

Oct 25, 1977

5/844662

Thomas J. Bubula - Joliet IL
Maurice F. Franz - East Peoria IL
Gordon W. Johnson - Peoria IL
James D. Rinaldo - Joliet IL

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

F16H 3910

60490

A drive train includes a hydrostatic transmission unit and a multiple speed range transmission unit arranged in series between a prime mover and a primary output shaft, variable displacement and torque transmitting capacity of the hydrostatic transmission unit being adjusted by hydraulic controls including a speed control valve for developing a differential pressure signal proportional to a desired rate of operation, a modulating valve for regulating the differential pressure signal corresponding to accelerating and decelerating operation of the transmission, a directional control valve for determining the direction of operation of the hydrostatic transmission unit, and a range selector valve for shifting the operating speed range of the multiple speed range transmission as the hydrostatic transmission approaches a limit of displacement, the displacement of the hydrostatic transmission being automatically reset in response to shifting of the multiple speed range transmission. Operating speed limits are automatically established for the drive train by an override speed control valve which manually adjusts the differential pressure signal for reduced torque transmission through the drive train when the prime mover is operating below a minimum speed. A speed limiting control valve responds to operation of the prime mover above a maximum selected speed for automatically applying a brake within the drive train in order to supplement dynamic braking capacity of the transmission unit, the speed limiting control valve including means producing a feedback signal for resisting manual operation of the override speed control valve in proportion to engagement of the brake within the drive train.

41933230, Mar 18, 1980

Oct 25, 1977

5/844663

Thomas J. Bubula - Joliet IL
Maurice F. Franz - East Peoria IL
Gordon W. Johnson - Peoria IL
James D. Rinaldo - Joliet IL

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

F16H 4700

74733

A drive train includes a hydrostatic transmission unit and a multiple speed range transmission unit arranged in series between a prime mover and a primary output shaft, variable displacement and torque transmitting capacity of the hydrostatic transmission unit being adjusted by hydraulic controls including a speed control valve for developing a differential pressure signal proportional to a desired rate of operation, a modulating valve for regulating the differential pressure signal corresponding to accelerating and decelerating operation of the transmission, a directional control valve for determining the direction of operation of the hydrostatic transmission unit, and a range selector valve for shifting the operating speed range of the multiple speed range transmission as the hydrostatic transmission approaches a limit of displacement, the displacement of the hydrostatic transmission being automatically reset in response to shifting of the multiple speed range transmission. Operating speed limits are automatically established for the drive train by an override speed control valve which manually adjusts the differential pressure signal for reduced torque transmission through the drive train when the prime mover is operating below a minimum speed. A speed limiting control valve responds to operation of the prime mover above a maximum selected speed for automatically applying a brake within the drive train in order to supplement dynamic braking capacity of the transmission unit, the speed limiting control valve including means producing a feedback signal for resisting manual operation of the override speed control valve in proportion to engagement of the brake within the drive train.