Abstract: A device for measuring rotation of a spherical joint in a steering system, may include an anchor secured within a ball stud of the spherical joint and a rotational tie having a first end and a second end. The first end of the rotational tie may be secured to the anchor to hold the first end parallel to a longitudinal axis of the ball stud. The device may also include a rotation sensor including a sensor target rotationally coupled to the second end of the rotational tie and secured for free rotation to a framework of the spherical joint. The rotation sensor may also include an angle sensor configured and arranged to sense a changing angle of the sensor target.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame and an oscillating hitch. A first cylinder couples to a first side of the oscillating hitch and a first side of the frame. A second cylinder couples to a second side of the oscillating hitch and a second side of the frame. A first isolating mechanism couples to the first cylinder and rotates in response to a first rotation of the first cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A first angle sensor senses a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis. A second isolating mechanism couples to the second cylinder and rotates in response to a second rotation of the second cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A second angle sensor senses a second angular displacement of the second isolating mechanism about a second rotational axis.

Abstract: A secondary steering pump system may include a secondary steering pump, a bypass valve having a first bypass position configured for placing the secondary steering pump in fluid communication with a hydraulic tank and a second use/testing position configured for placing the secondary steering pump in fluid communication with a steering control circuit. The system may also include a solenoid valve configured for actuation by a solenoid and for selectively actuating the bypass valve from the first position to the second position. The system may also include a pressure sensor configured for sensing pressure in the system.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame, a first steering arm, a second steering arm, a first hydraulic actuator coupled to the frame and the first steering arm, and a second hydraulic actuator coupled to the frame and the second steering arm. A first angle sensor measures a rotational displacement of the first hydraulic actuator relative to the first steering arm. A first link couples the first hydraulic actuator and the first sensor, and isolates movements other than the first rotational displacement. A second angle sensor measures a second rotational displacement of the second hydraulic actuator relative to the second steering arm. A second link couples the second hydraulic actuator and the second sensor, and isolates movements other than the second rotational displacement.

Abstract: A machine includes a frame and an oscillating hitch. A first cylinder couples to a first side of the oscillating hitch and a first side of the frame. A second cylinder couples to a second side of the oscillating hitch and a second side of the frame. A first isolating mechanism couples to the first cylinder and rotates in response to a first rotation of the first cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A first angle sensor senses a first angular displacement of the first isolating mechanism about a first rotational axis. A second isolating mechanism couples to the second cylinder and rotates in response to a second rotation of the second cylinder relative to the frame or the oscillating hitch. A second angle sensor senses a second angular displacement of the second isolating mechanism about a second rotational axis.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive, from an autonomous vehicle controller, an instruction to set a hydraulic steering actuator, of a vehicle, to a particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a steering controller torque device, a current to set a steering controller, of the vehicle, to a particular steering controller angle that corresponds to the particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a hydraulic control system, a current to set the hydraulic steering actuator to the particular machine steering angle setting.

Abstract: An electronic control unit (ECU) may receive, from an autonomous vehicle controller, an instruction to set a hydraulic steering actuator, of a vehicle, to a particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a steering controller torque device, a current to set a steering controller, of the vehicle, to a particular steering controller angle that corresponds to the particular machine steering angle setting. The ECU may provide, to a hydraulic control system, a current to set the hydraulic steering actuator to the particular machine steering angle setting.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed. The machine may comprise a steering device configured to move along a steering position range in response to a force applied on the steering device by a machine operator. The steering device may have at least one soft stop position along the steering position range. The machine may further comprise a biasing member mechanically coupled to the steering device and configured to apply an opposing force that opposes movement of the steering device when the steering device is at or beyond the soft stop position. A magnitude of the opposing force may be sufficiently low such that the machine operator can move the steering device past the soft stop position. The machine may further comprise an electronic control device configured to determine the soft stop position based on one or more operation conditions of the machine.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a fluid reservoir, a pump motor and an accumulator. The pump motor is configured to provide pressurized fluid and to receive fluid to provide a power output. The hydraulic control system further includes a hydraulic actuator having a first and a second chamber, a first valve, a regenerative valve, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the first valve and the regenerative valve to selectively actuate the regenerative valve to allow flow of a first portion of the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. The controller is further configured to selectively actuate the first valve to allow flow of a second portion of the fluid from the first chamber through the pump motor to provide the power output to a shaft of a power source.

Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.

Abstract: A method for storing and reusing hydraulic energy in a machine is disclosed. The method includes transferring the hydraulic energy from an actuator to an upstream side of a motor pump via a first valve, during a normal mode. The method includes directing excess hydraulic energy from a downstream side of the motor pump to an accumulator by opening an accumulator valve and closing a bypass valve, during an energy saving mode. The method includes retrieving stored hydraulic energy from the accumulator to the upstream side of the motor pump by opening the accumulator valve, during an energy discharging mode.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is provided. The hydraulic control system includes a fluid reservoir, a pump motor and an accumulator. The pump motor is configured to provide pressurized fluid and to receive fluid to provide a power output. The hydraulic control system further includes a hydraulic actuator having a first and a second chamber, a first valve, a regenerative valve, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the first valve and the regenerative valve to selectively actuate the regenerative valve to allow flow of a first portion of the fluid from the first chamber to the second chamber. The controller is further configured to selectively actuate the first valve to allow flow of a second portion of the fluid from the first chamber through the pump motor to provide the power output to a shaft of a power source.

Abstract: A method for storing and reusing hydraulic energy in a machine is disclosed. The method includes transferring the hydraulic energy from an actuator to an upstream side of a motor pump via a first valve, during a normal mode. The method includes directing excess hydraulic energy from a downstream side of the motor pump to an accumulator by opening an accumulator valve and closing a bypass valve, during an energy saving mode. The method includes retrieving stored hydraulic energy from the accumulator to the upstream side of the motor pump by opening the accumulator valve, during an energy discharging mode.

Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is provided. The hydraulic circuit includes a primary pump, a displacement actuator, a charge pump, a direction control valve, and a pressure control valve. The displacement actuator is associated with the primary pump. The charge pump is configured to generate a flow of a pilot fluid. The direction control valve is configured to control the flow of the pilot fluid to the displacement actuator to affect a movement direction of the displacement actuator. The pressure control valve is configured to control a pressure of the pilot fluid to affect a movement amount of the displacement actuator. Further, the hydraulic circuit includes a controller. The controller is configured to control the direction and the pressure control valves to adjust a displacement of the primary pump based at least on one of a sensed engine parameter or a mode of operation of the primary pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic fan circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic fan circuit may have a primary pump, a motor, a fan connected to and driven by the motor, and a flywheel connected to and driven by one of the motor and the fan. The hydraulic fan circuit may also have a supply passage extending from the primary pump to the motor, a return passage extending from the motor to the primary pump, and a diverter valve configured to selectively connect the supply passage to a low-pressure sump.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed. The machine can include a frame and ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame. A hydraulically actuated implement system can be coupled with the frame, and can include a linkage configured to couple with an implement, a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame, and a ride control and downforce control circuit configured to implement a ride control mode and a downforce control mode. The ride control mode can be configured to maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure, and the downforce control mode can be configured to maintain the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of the linkage and the implement such that the implement engages a substrate with a predetermined down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure.

Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.

Abstract: A method for estimating a fluid charge of a hydraulic accumulator includes determining a first accumulator pressure at a first time with a pressure sensor, the first time during accumulator charging; determining a second accumulator pressure at a second time with the pressure sensor, the second time during accumulator charging; determining a first fan speed at the first time; determining a second fan speed at the second time; and estimating the fluid charge of the hydraulic accumulator as a function of the first accumulator pressure, the second accumulator pressure, the first fan speed, and the second fan speed.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a unidirectional variable displacement first pump, a first actuator connected to the first pump via a closed-loop first circuit, and a first switching valve disposed between the first actuator and the first pump. The first switching valve may be configured to control a fluid flow direction through the first actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a second actuator connected to the first pump in parallel with the first actuator via the first circuit, and a second switching valve disposed between the second actuator and the first pump. The second switching valve may be configured to control a fluid flow direction through the second actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a modulation valve associated with the first circuit and configured to selectively modulate a pressure of the first circuit during actuation of the first or second switching valves.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having first, second, and third pumps. The hydraulic system may also have a first actuator connected to the first pump in closed-loop manner, a second actuator connected to the second pump in closed-loop manner, and a third actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a selector valve associated with the third pump, and a first switching valve associated with the third pump and the third actuator. The first switching valve may be movable between a first position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a first direction, a second position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a second direction, and a third position at which the third pump is connected to the selector valve.