Abstract: A steering system for steering a machine having opposing first and second sides with first and second pairs of rotatably mounted rear wheels disposed along the respective sides and at least one rotatably mounted, spaced front wheel. The system includes at least one first drive unit and at least one second drive unit for rotating the rear wheels of the respective pairs, and a steering input device that provides a signal to a controller that produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units to rotate the associated rear wheels along one side at rotational speeds greater than those along the other side to facilitate turning.

Abstract: A tandem drive arrangement includes one or more independently driven wheels (118) that are arranged in a tandem configuration along a beam (120). The beam (120) is rotatably connected to a frame (102) of a machine (100). The tandem drive arrangement further includes an actuator (206) operating to selectively impart a rotating moment to the beam (102). The rotating moment tends to rotate the beam (120) in one direction and counteracts a torque imbalance resulting from operation of motors (128) rotating one or more independently driven wheels (118) connected to the beam (120).

Abstract: A manual control (200) includes a stem (206) having an elongate shape and a centerline. A grip (204) is pivotally connected to an end of the stem (206) at a pivot point (222), and a sensor array (226) is integrated with the grip (204). The sensor array (226) includes at least one sensor disposed to measure a pivotal displacement of the grip (204) relative to the stem (206). The grip (204) and the sensor array (226) are pivotal with respect to the stem (206) at the pivot point (222).

Abstract: A rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper, the wheel tractor scraper having a tractor portion with a power source operatively connected to the front driven wheels, and a rear, scraper portion having a bowl, work tool, and first and second rear wheels, the rear wheel drive assist includes a work tool pump fluidly connected to a work tool motor to drive the work tool, fluid operated drive motors operatively connected to the rear wheels, and a diverter valve selectively movable between a first position that delivers fluid flow from the pump to the work tool motor, and a second position that delivers fluid flow from the work tool pump to the rear wheel drive motors.

Abstract: A radiator of a cooling system is disposed within an engine compartment, between a rear mounted engine and a cab on a wheeled machine. The remaining components within the engine compartment are arranged such that they are lower in height than the radiator, the engine compartment enclosure generally angling down from the cab rearward. The enclosure includes an air intake that opens into a gap between the enclosure and cab. A fan disposed rearward the radiator may pull cooling air through the air intake and past the radiator.

Abstract: A wheel tractor scraper having a rear wheel drive assist, the wheel tractor scraper includes a tractor portion pivotally coupled to a rear scraper portion, the rear scraper portion having a bowl for hauling material and a fluid powered work tool configured to assist in loading the bowl, the work tool powered by a fluid pump connected to a fluid operated work tool motor. The rear wheel drive assist includes a fluid operated drive motor coupled to the rear wheels of the machine, a diverter valve having a first position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the work tool motor and a second position at which fluid flow is delivered from the pump to the drive motor, and a controller being configured to control the diverter valve to engage the rear wheel drive assist. The machine may be operated by engaging the pump and work tool motor, and then actuating the diverter valve to the second position to divert flow from the work tool motor to the drive motor.

Abstract: A machine (100) includes a frame that is pivotally connected to a tandem drive arrangement. The tandem drive arrangement includes a beam (120) and a first motor (128) having a first stator portion (202) connected to a first end of the beam (120). The first motor (128) also includes a first rotor portion (204) connected to a first drive wheel (118). A load sharing arrangement (412) is associated with the tandem drive arrangement and includes a first collar (414) rotatably disposed around the first stator portion (202) and a second collar (426) rotatably disposed around a portion of the beam (120). A first linkage (424) is pivotally connected between the first and second collars such that the load sharing arrangement (412) balances unbalanced loading in the tandem drive arrangement by transferring the unbalanced loading to the frame.

Abstract: A machine (100) includes a frame (102) portion and a tandem wheel arrangement, which includes a main linkage (312) and a stabilizing linkage (322) that are pivotally connected to the frame (102) portion. A first mount (304) and a second mount (304) are pivotally connected to the main linkage (312) and to the stabilizing linkage (322), such that the main linkage (312), the stabilizing linkage (322), the first mount (304), and the second mount (304) define a four-bar-linkage arrangement (202) that operates to transfer unbalanced torque loads from the first mount (304) and the second mount (304) to the frame (102) portion.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission control system is disclosed. The control system has a first operator input device to receive operator input and produce a corresponding first signal indicative of a selected one of a plurality of available predetermined discrete machine travel speed ranges. The control system also has a second operator input device to receive operator input and produce a corresponding second signal indicative of desired machine travel. The control system also has a power source operatively coupled to drive a continuously-variable transmission, and a controller configured to regulate at least one of an output of the power source and an output of the continuously variable transmission in response to the first and second signals such that an actual machine travel speed remains within the selected one of the plurality of predetermined discrete machine travel speed ranges.

Abstract: A method of operating a machine is disclosed. The machine may have a power system that includes a prime mover, a multiple-ratio transmission, a propulsion device, and power-system controls. The method may include propelling the machine by transmitting power from the prime mover to the propulsion device through the multiple-ratio transmission, while controlling operation of the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission with the power-system controls. This may include determining with the power-system controls at least one energy-efficiency estimate based at least in part on energy-efficiency characteristics of the prime mover and energy-efficiency characteristics of the multiple-ratio transmission. Controlling the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission may further include controlling a prime-mover operating speed of the prime mover and a transmission drive ratio of the multiple-ratio transmission based at least in part on the at least one energy-efficiency estimate.

Abstract: A transmission control system is provided for a work machine that has a transmission and a traction device with a brake mechanism. The transmission control system has a speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a travel speed of the work machine. The transmission control system also has a controller in communication with the speed sensor and the brake mechanism. The controller is configured to determine when a transmission gear change is desired. The controller is further configured to adjust operation of the brake mechanism in response to the signal from the speed sensor when the transmission gear change is desired.

Abstract: A vibration management system (20) for a machine (10) may receive a signal indicative of an amount of vibration experienced via one or more sensors or an amount of vibration to be expected based on data from a surveying system (26) which may be combination with data from a positioning system (28) and a speed monitoring system (27). The vibration management system (20) may add this data to a vibration history of a machine member 11 to predict the accumulative vibration the machine member 11 may be exposed to. This characteristic is compared to a desired characteristic and an adjusting action may be taken in response to a deviation as to have a second predicted characteristic approach the desired characteristic. A site management system (500) may use the deviation to allocate resources.

Abstract: An operator interface for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface may have an operator interface device for receiving operator input corresponding to a requested machine function, wherein a machine function signal is generated in response to the received operator input. The operator interface may also have a help request device configured to receive an operator's request for information and generate a help signal. The operator interface may further have a controller in communication with the operator interface device and the help request device. The controller may be configured to provide information to the operator in response to receiving the help signal and the machine function signal. The information may relate to the requested machine function.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission control system is disclosed. The control system has a first operator input device to receive operator input and produce a corresponding first signal indicative of a selected one of a plurality of available predetermined discrete machine travel speed ranges. The control system also has a second operator input device to receive operator input and produce a corresponding second signal indicative of desired machine travel. The control system also has a power source operatively coupled to drive a continuously-variable transmission, and a controller configured to regulate at least one of an output of the power source and an output of the continuously variable transmission in response to the first and second signals such that an actual machine travel speed remains within the selected one of the plurality of predetermined discrete machine travel speed ranges.

Abstract: An air-treatment system includes a cooling circuit, a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cooling circuit, and a secondary circuit in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger. The air-treatment system also includes a controller in communication with at least one of the cooling circuit, the first heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit. The controller is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a desired ambient condition, operable to receive at least one input indicative of current ambient conditions, operable to receive at least one input indicative of at least one of the cooling circuit operation and secondary circuit operation, and operable to change the operation of at least one of the cooling circuit and the secondary circuit when the current ambient condition is outside of a desired operation condition range.

Abstract: An air-treatment system includes a cooling circuit, a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cooling circuit, and a secondary circuit in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger. The air-treatment system also includes a controller in communication with at least one of the cooling circuit, the first heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit. The controller is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a desired ambient condition, operable to receive at least one input indicative of current ambient conditions, operable to receive at least one input indicative of at least one of the cooling circuit operation and secondary circuit operation, and operable to change the operation of at least one of the cooling circuit and the secondary circuit when the current ambient condition is outside of a desired operation condition range.

Abstract: A steering control console for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control console has an armrest extending adjacent a seat in a forward direction generally parallel with a seat plane of symmetry. The control console also includes an operator interface device operatively connected to the armrest. The operator interface device is tiltable about a pivot axis through a range of approximately 70-90 degrees. The pivot axis is substantially aligned with the forward direction.

Abstract: A sensor is provided in a machine having a continuously variable transmission, for example, and the amount of force exerted by the machine against a load is sensed. Based on the sensed power, an appropriate audio signal is generated which simulates the sounds an operator would expect to hear when such force is applied with a machine having a conventional geared transmission. The sounds can include engine noises, as well as sounds associated with the flow of oil or other hydraulic fluids. In addition, the sounds can be generated from digitally pre-recorded audible data, or can be output based on calculated audible data. User controls are also provided to adjust the volume and frequency or pitch of the generated sounds.

Abstract: A metal oxide coating has a nanotextured surface defined by a plurality of capillary openings arranged in a pattern on the surface of the coating. Each of the capillary openings have a diameter defined by a previously present organic macromolecule. The metal oxide coating is formed by depositing a solution containing uniformly dispersed micelles composed of amphiphilic molecules on a metal, oxide, or plastic substrate. The micelles are self-arranging, in solution, as a result of mutually repulsive electrostatic forces on the surface of the micelles, and form a uniformly patterned organic template when the solution is deposited on the surface of the substrate. A metal oxide coating is then applied to the substrate, which forms a ceramic monolayer that is a negative image of the organic template. The organic template is then removed, thereby forming a metal oxide coating having a plurality of macromolecular-sized apertures formed therein.

Abstract: A metal oxide coating has a nanotextured surface defined by a plurality of capillary openings arranged in a pattern on the surface of the coating. Each of the capillary openings have a diameter defined by a previously present organic macromolecule. The metal oxide coating is formed by depositing a solution containing uniformly dispersed micelles composed of amphiphilic molecules on a metal, oxide, or plastic substrate. The micelles are self-arranging, in solution, as a result of mutually repulsive electrostatic forces on the surface of the micelles, and form a uniformly patterned organic template when the solution is deposited on the surface of the substrate. A metal oxide coating is then applied to the substrate, which forms a ceramic monolayer that is a negative image of the organic template. The organic template is then removed, thereby forming a metal oxide coating having a plurality of macromolecular-sized apertures formed therein.