Abstract: A system for controlling an engagement operation between first and second movable machines includes a separation sensor, a relative speed sensor and a controller. The separation sensor determines a separation distance between the first and second machines. The relative speed sensor determines a relative difference in speed between the first and second machines. The controller determines the separation distance between the first and second machines, decelerates the first movable machine when the separation distance is within a deceleration zone, determines a relative difference in speed between the first and second machines, and generates an engagement speed command to operate the first movable machine at a first ground speed equal to a second ground speed of the second movable machine plus a relative engagement speed when the separation distance is within a buffer zone.

Abstract: A work machine with a mechanical brake touch-up system includes a power source that provides power to a rotational element. The work machine includes a brake that is configured with a piston to selectively engage a frictional element rotationally coupled to the rotational element, a position sensor for generating a position signal of the piston, and a control valve configured to supply hydraulic pressure to the piston to selectively apply a retarding torque to the frictional element, a speed sensor for generating a rotational speed signal. The work machine includes a touch-up controller which is configured to detect a retarding condition of the work machine based on the speed signal, and, upon detection of a retarding condition, control the position of the piston to a touch-up position between an engaged and retracted position.

Abstract: A system for controlling an engagement operation between first and second movable machines includes a separation sensor, a relative speed sensor and a controller. The separation sensor determines a separation distance between the first and second machines. The relative speed sensor determines a relative difference in speed between the first and second machines. The controller determines the separation distance between the first and second machines, decelerates the first movable machine when the separation distance is within a deceleration zone, determines a relative difference in speed between the first and second machines, and generates an engagement speed command to operate the first movable machine at a first ground speed equal to a second ground speed of the second movable machine plus a relative engagement speed when the separation distance is within a buffer zone.

Abstract: Engine anti-idling and restart may be implemented in a machine having a power source, a movable work tool, a pump driven by the power source, an actuator receiving fluid from the pump and moving the work tool, a high-pressure fluid reservoir, and an assist motor operatively connected to the power source. Engine restart may include detecting operator input to start the power source, and fluidly connecting the fluid reservoir to the assist motor to assist in starting the power source in response to detecting the operator input. Prior to shutting down the power source during anti-idling, fluid from the pump may be input to the assist motor, pressurized and communicated to the high-pressure fluid reservoir in response to determining that idle condition exists and a reservoir charge pressure is less than a reservoir minimum restart pressure needed to restart the power source.

Abstract: Engine anti-idling and restart may be implemented in a machine having a power source, a movable work tool, a pump driven by the power source, an actuator receiving fluid from the pump and moving the work tool, a high-pressure fluid reservoir, and an assist motor operatively connected to the power source. Engine restart may include detecting operator input to start the power source, and fluidly connecting the fluid reservoir to the assist motor to assist in starting the power source in response to detecting the operator input. Prior to shutting down the power source during anti-idling, fluid from the pump may be input to the assist motor, pressurized and communicated to the high-pressure fluid reservoir in response to determining that idle condition exists and a reservoir charge pressure is less than a reservoir minimum restart pressure needed to restart the power source.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may include an actuator configured to receive and discharge fluid via a first passage and a second passage, an input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a desire to operate the actuator, and pump configured to draw low-pressure fluid from one of the first and second passages and discharge fluid at an elevated pressure into the other of the first and second passages based on the signal from the input device. The hydraulic system may further include a charge circuit fluidly connected to the first and second passages, a force modulation control valve configured to selectively direct fluid from either of the first and second passages to the charge circuit based on the signal from the input device, and at least one relief valve configured to selectively direct fluid discharged from the pump to the charge circuit when the elevated pressure exceeds a pressure relief threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a work piece surface of high melting temperature materials such as Advanced High Strength Steels, wherein a friction stir welding tool may include cutting elements located on the outside diameter of a collar assembly, wherein the collar assembly may be retrofitted for existing friction stir welding tools, or may be designed as a custom attachment for a new hybrid friction stir welding tool, wherein the surface of the work piece may be modified by removing detrimental flash and burr created during operation of the friction stir welding tool.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a cutting insert may include a compression device having a sleeve with a bore. The sleeve may receive a substantially hollow can. Solid particulates may be positioned within the can, and a substrate material or other punch may also be positioned in the can. A forming device adjacent an end of the can in which the solid particulates are located may include at least one protrusion extending into the bore. The protrusion may be adapted to deform the can while also forming the plurality of solid particulates into a solid mass having one or more reliefs and/or lobes. A method may include pressing the solid particulates while within a can to form a solid mass having one or more reliefs or lobes. An HPHT process may be performed to bond the solid mass to a substrate material.

Abstract: A system and method for friction stir welding of small diameter tubing, wherein the small diameter tubing is held in a correct position with a grasp sufficient to perform FSW when the tubing is comprised of high melting temperature materials, wherein the small diameter tubing can be rotated by the positioning and holding system while a FSW tool is held stationary, or vice versa, wherein internal mandrels are also described which can fit inside the smaller dimensions of the small diameter tubing and expand to provide a counter force to prevent deformation of the tubing when forces are applied by the FSW tool, wherein new FSW tool geometries are also described which enable the FSW tool to direct more heat on a tool/workpiece interface to counteract a lack of contact between the FSW shoulder and the workpiece because of tube curvature, and wherein the FSW tool is positioned on a small diameter tube by trailing the joint to provide desirable heating at the joint/workpiece interface and surface finishing.

Abstract: An integrated implement actuation and propulsion system for a machine is provided. The system may include: an implement circuit including a first pump and at least one hydraulic implement; a propulsion circuit including a second pump; a hydraulic motor; a brake valve; a back pressure valve; and a combiner valve connected to both the implement circuit and the propulsion circuit, the combiner valve being configured to effect selective fluid communication between the implement circuit and the propulsion circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a mandrel that can be used to react the loads that are created by a friction stir joining tool as it performs friction stir joining of tubulars, the mandrel selected from a disposable mandrel, a partially disposable mandrel, a reusable mandrel, and a mandrel that is partially disposable and partially reusable.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a work piece surface of high melting temperature materials such as Advanced High Strength Steels, wherein a friction stir welding tool may include cutting elements located on the outside diameter of a collar assembly, wherein the collar assembly may be retrofitted for existing friction stir welding tools, or may be designed as a custom attachment for a new hybrid friction stir welding tool, wherein the surface of the work piece may be modified by removing detrimental flash and burr created during operation of the friction stir welding tool.

Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a first actuator fluidly coupled to a first rotating group in a first closed-loop circuit, a flow control module fluidly coupled to the first closed-loop circuit via a first conduit, a second actuator fluidly coupled to the flow control module via a second conduit, a second rotating group in selective fluid communication with the first conduit and the second conduit via the flow control module, and a controller operatively coupled to the flow control module. The controller is configured to operate the flow control module in a first mode and a second mode. The first mode effects fluid communication between the second rotating group and the first closed-loop circuit via the first conduit, and blocks fluid communication between the second rotating group and the second actuator via the second conduit.

Abstract: A system and method for modifying a work piece surface of high melting temperature materials such as Advanced High Strength Steels, wherein a friction stir welding tool may include cutting elements located on the outside diameter of a collar assembly, wherein the collar assembly may be retrofitted for existing friction stir welding tools, or may be designed as a custom attachment for a new hybrid friction stir welding tool, wherein the surface of the work piece may be modified by removing detrimental flash and burr created during operation of the friction stir welding tool.

Abstract: A novel energy saving mode of charging an accumulator in an electro-hydraulic system is disclosed involving toggling the position of a fan isolation valve from the flow-passing position, where the flow is driving a fan motor thereby maintaining a fan in an on position, to the flow-blocking position where the flow is inhibited from driving the fan motor thereby causing the fan to turn off, when the time to charge an accumulator is less than the period of time that the fan may be off and still allow for the cooling requirements of the engine to be satisfied. By diverting fluid flow from driving the fan motor to charging the accumulator, the disclosed energy saving mode allows for a greater flow of fluid to be delivered to the accumulator for charging, making it possible to charge the accumulators quicker and more efficiently while maintaining the cooling requirements of the engine. The energy saving mode of operation may illustratively be used in a hystat fan and hybrid system.

Abstract: A system and method for friction stir welding of small diameter tubing, wherein the small diameter tubing is held in a correct position with a grasp sufficient to perform FSW when the tubing is comprised of high melting temperature materials, wherein the small diameter tubing can be rotated by the positioning and holding system while a FSW tool is held stationary, or vice versa, wherein internal mandrels are also described which can fit inside the smaller dimensions of the small diameter tubing and expand to provide a counter force to prevent deformation of the tubing when forces are applied by the FSW tool, wherein new FSW tool geometries are also described which enable the FSW tool to direct more heat on a tool/workpiece interface to counteract a lack of contact between the FSW shoulder and the workpiece because of tube curvature, and wherein the FSW tool is positioned on a small diameter tube by trailing the joint to provide desirable heating at the joint/workpiece interface and surface finishing.

Abstract: A humidifier for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system during a call for humidity includes an air intake configured to fluidically interface with an HVAC duct, a humidifier pad, a valve for controlling delivery of water from a water source to the humidifier pad, and a controller for controlling the valve. The controller may be configured to cause the valve to deliver a variable amount of water over a particular call for humidity. For example, and in some instances, the controller may cause the valve to deliver water to the humidifier pad for substantially less than all of the time for a particular call for humidity.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a cutting insert may include a compression device having a sleeve with a bore. The sleeve may receive a substantially hollow can. Solid particulates may be positioned within the can, and a substrate material or other punch may also be positioned in the can. A forming device adjacent an end of the can in which the solid particulates are located may include at least one protrusion extending into the bore. The protrusion may be adapted to deform the can while also forming the plurality of solid particulates into a solid mass having one or more reliefs and/or lobes. A method may include pressing the solid particulates while within a can to form a solid mass having one or more reliefs or lobes. An HPHT process may be performed to bond the solid mass to a substrate material.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a cutting insert. The apparatus may include compression device having a first sleeve with a bore therein. The first sleeve may receive a substantially hollow can. A plurality of solid particulates may be positioned within the can, and a substrate material or other punch may also be positioned in the can. A forming device of the compression device may be located adjacent an end of the can in which the solid particulates are located. The forming device may include at least one protrusion extending from an inner surface thereof into the bore. The protrusion may be adapted to deform the can while also forming the plurality of solid particulates into a solid mass having one or more reliefs and one or more lobes therein.

Abstract: A method of evaluating defects in a friction stir welded seam is provided, the method including: providing a welded sheet of metallic stock, the sheet having a top edge and a bottom edge, opposed side edges, and a joining seam formed between the opposed side edges by means of friction stir welding; isolating a preselected test specimen from the sheet of welded metallic stock, the specimen comprising either the top edge or the bottom edge and a test portion of the seam, with the test portion extending from an intermediate point to either the top or bottom edge and having a longitudinal axis, so that said test portion is disposed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis, thereby establishing a test specimen face and a weld root; and detaching the specimen from the sheet and then testing the integrity of said weld root.