Abstract: A control system for a machine includes one or more component controllers for one or more components of the machine. The control system also includes a supervisory controller, connected to the one or more component controllers, and having at least one supervisory processor configured to perform operations comprising receiving supervisory system inputs, including at least one of a machine component status input, a key switch input, a directional input, or an operator presence input, from an operator of the machine, requesting and receiving, from each of the one or more component controllers, a status of the one or more components, and, upon receiving an indication that a status of a component, of the one or more components, is faulted, disabling the faulted component, and disabling any other components, of the one or more components, that require the faulted component for operation.

Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, a power source mounted on the frame, a switched reluctance motor, an inverter configured to control power to the motor from a power source, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicating a desired torque and determine if the desired torque is between an upper threshold and a lower threshold. If the desired torque is between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, pulse width modulation is used to produce a PWM adjusted torque command, and the motor is commanded based on the PWM adjusted torque command. The PWM adjusted torque command is configured to cycle between the upper threshold and the lower threshold to produce the desired torque.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery-operated machine is disclosed. The charging system includes a charging receptacle having a power connection and a signal connection, with the charging receptacle configured to receive electrical current via the power connection from a power supply plug. The charging system further includes a heat rejection element thermally coupled to the charging receptacle, a temperature sensor, and a charging controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the charging receptacle. The charging controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the temperature signal being indicative of a charging-receptacle temperature. The charging controller is further configured to transmit, via the signal connection to the connected plug, a control signal to adjust (e.g., raise or lower) the electrical current supplied to the power connection.

Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a traction system supporting the frame, a power source mounted on the frame, a switched reluctance motor, an inverter configured to control power to the motor from a power source, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicating a desired torque and determine if the desired torque is between an upper threshold and a lower threshold. If the desired torque is between the upper threshold and the lower threshold, pulse width modulation is used to produce a PWM adjusted torque command, and the motor is commanded based on the PWM adjusted torque command. The PWM adjusted torque command is configured to cycle between the upper threshold and the lower threshold to produce the desired torque.

Abstract: A charging system for a battery-operated machine is disclosed. The charging system includes a charging receptacle having a power connection and a signal connection, with the charging receptacle configured to receive electrical current via the power connection from a power supply plug. The charging system further includes a heat rejection element thermally coupled to the charging receptacle, a temperature sensor, and a charging controller operatively coupled to the temperature sensor and the charging receptacle. The charging controller is configured to receive a temperature signal from the temperature sensor, the temperature signal being indicative of a charging-receptacle temperature. The charging controller is further configured to transmit, via the signal connection to the connected plug, a control signal to adjust (e.g., raise or lower) the electrical current supplied to the power connection.

Abstract: A fault detection system for a machine having a plurality of electrical conducting elements insulated from a frame ground of the machine is disclosed. The fault detection system may include a high voltage DC power source, a positive high voltage bus connected to a positive terminal of the high voltage DC power source and providing high voltage electrical power to the plurality of electrical conducting elements, and a negative high voltage bus connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage DC power source and returning high voltage electrical power from the plurality of electrical conducting elements. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage buses may be selectively connected through a plurality of switches to plural zones of the electrical conducting elements, with each of the plural zones being electrically connected in parallel, and selectively connected to the high voltage DC power source by one of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A machine is described that includes an electric drive for propelling the machine along a ground surface. The machine includes an electric power supply system configured to deliver operating electrical power to the electric drive. The electric power system includes a first generator and a second generator. The electric power system also includes a first rectifier coupled to the first generator and having a first direct current (DC) output and a second rectifier coupled to the second generator and having a second DC output. Both the first DC output and the second DC output are coupled to the single DC bus, thereby providing an arrangement for the first rectifier and the second rectifier to simultaneously provide power to the single DC bus. The electrical power system also includes a first inverter/controller coupled to the single DC bus and configured to provide a controlled alternating current to a first motor.

Abstract: A fault detection system for a machine having a plurality of electrical conducting elements insulated from a frame ground of the machine is disclosed. The fault detection system may include a high voltage DC power source, a positive high voltage bus connected to a positive terminal of the high voltage DC power source and providing high voltage electrical power to the plurality of electrical conducting elements, and a negative high voltage bus connected to a negative terminal of the high voltage DC power source and returning high voltage electrical power from the plurality of electrical conducting elements. At least one of the positive and negative high voltage buses may be selectively connected through a plurality of switches to plural zones of the electrical conducting elements, with each of the plural zones being electrically connected in parallel, and selectively connected to the high voltage DC power source by one of the plurality of switches.

Abstract: A machine is described that includes an electric drive for propelling the machine along a ground surface. The machine includes an electric power supply system configured to deliver operating electrical power to the electric drive. The electric power system includes a first generator and a second generator. The electric power system also includes a first rectifier coupled to the first generator and having a first direct current (DC) output and a second rectifier coupled to the second generator and having a second DC output. Both the first DC output and the second DC output are coupled to the single DC bus, thereby providing an arrangement for the first rectifier and the second rectifier to simultaneously provide power to the single DC bus. The electrical power system also includes a first inverter/controller coupled to the single DC bus and configured to provide a controlled alternating current to a first motor.

Abstract: A paving machine for laying a mat of paving material on a paving surface includes a generator, such as a switched reluctance generator, integrally installed with a pump drive and operatively connected to an output shaft of a power source of the paving machine. The generator outputs AC power to a power converter that in turn outputs DC power for a plurality of screed heating elements to produce heat to warm a screed. The paving machine may also include an insulation monitoring system for determining the occurrences of ground faults in the electrical components by comparing current levels in the components to a predetermined maximum current level. A controller of the paving machine may monitor the temperature of the generator and produce the speed of the power source to prevent overheating.

Abstract: A method for dissipating power through a machine may include directing power into a power system of the machine. The method may further include controlling a parasitic load of the power system to increase dissipation of the power system, the controlling of the parasitic load being a function of a power dissipation limit of the power system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter in an electric drive machine is disclosed. The method may include determining a first switching frequency and determining a second switching frequency. The method may also include comparing the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency. The method may further include selecting a power converter switching frequency from the lesser of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency to control a power converter.

Abstract: A system for controlling a machine with a continuously variable transmission includes a first control device configured to produce a first signal based on a first operator input and a second control device configured to produce a second signal based on a second operator input. The system also includes a control system configured to receive the first and second signals from the first and second control devices and generate a raw torque value based on the first and second signals. The control system is also configured to determine an output torque value based on the raw torque value and transmit the output torque value to the transmission to control the transmission.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of an engine-driven machine to avoid engine under-speeding entails converting a received speed or torque command into a power command. When an engine under-speed condition is sensed, the system performs underspeed correction in the power domain before converting the underspeed processed power command back into the units of the original domain. The converted underspeed processed power command is issued to the transmission or other component to alleviate the engine under-speeding condition.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a variator operate to detect variator torques and/or internal pressures and generates a preliminary corrective command. The preliminary corrective command is transformed via a dynamic transform to account for system characteristics during transient operating conditions such as machine acceleration, such that the acceleration of the system during transient periods is not torque-limited by static torque-control map values. In an embodiment, the acceleration may be positive or negative, and in a further embodiment, braking is automatically applied in the case of negative requested power or desired machine retarding.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward a method for dissipating power through a machine. The method may include directing power into a power system of the machine. The method may further include controlling a parasitic load of the power system to increase dissipation of the power system, the controlling of the parasitic load being a function of a power dissipation limit of the power system.

Abstract: A method of controlling a power converter in an electric drive machine is disclosed. The method may include determining a first switching frequency and determining a second switching frequency. The method may also include comparing the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency. The method may further include selecting a power converter switching frequency from the lesser of the first switching frequency and the second switching frequency to control a power converter.

Abstract: A method of adjusting the operation of an engine-driven machine to avoid engine under-speeding entails converting a received speed or torque command into a power command. When an engine under-speed condition is sensed, the system performs underspeed correction in the power domain before converting the underspeed processed power command back into the units of the original domain. The converted underspeed processed power command is issued to the transmission or other component to alleviate the engine under-speeding condition.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing machine performance using speed shaping in a machine having an engine and a drivetrain implementing engine underspeed module receives a throttle command requesting an increase in engine speed and transmits the throttle command to the engine. If the requested increase exceeds a predetermined function, the predetermined function is forwarded to the engine underspeed module as a speed standard. The engine underspeed module determines whether the actual engine speed attained by the engine is less than the speed standard by more than a predetermined gap value and, if so, reduces the power required by the drivetrain to avoid lugging of the engine.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing machine performance using speed shaping in a machine having an engine and a drivetrain implementing engine underspeed module receives a throttle command requesting an increase in engine speed and transmits the throttle command to the engine. If the requested increase exceeds a predetermined function, the predetermined function is forwarded to the engine underspeed module as a speed standard. The engine underspeed module determines whether the actual engine speed attained by the engine is less than the speed standard by more than a predetermined gap value and, if so, reduces the power required by the drivetrain to avoid lugging of the engine.