US 12,338,606 B2
Inching systems and methods
Ethan M. Tevis, Bloomington, IL (US); Jaspen T. Patenaude, Princeville, IL (US); and Joseph R. Manley, Bixby, OK (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Sep. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/465,073.
Prior Publication US 2023/0068612 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. E02F 9/20 (2006.01); E02F 9/22 (2006.01); E02F 3/76 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/2079 (2013.01) [E02F 9/202 (2013.01); E02F 9/2253 (2013.01); E02F 3/7636 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of operating a machine with at least one hydraulically actuated friction clutch, comprising:
selecting, via a mode selector, a starting point defining an initial torque value from a plurality of initial torque values that correspond to an initial engagement of the clutch;
selecting, via the mode selector, an endpoint defining a peak torque value from among a plurality of preset peak torque values that correspond to full engagement of the clutch;
employing a control curve based on at least said selecting of the starting point and said selecting of the endpoint wherein the control curve includes the initial torque value and the peak torque value;
positioning an inching pedal of the machine to between 0 percent depressed and 100 percent depressed;
generating at least one control command as a function of said control curve and said positioning of the inching pedal; and
operating at least one control valve of said at least one hydraulically actuated friction clutch according to the at least one control command.