US 12,392,231 B2
Control of an impeller clutch of a torque converter for a gaseous fuel engine
Shawn M. Damm, Houston, TX (US); Rodney D. Harms, Houston, TX (US); Todd Ryan Kabrich, Tomball, TX (US); Yuesheng He, Sugar Land, TX (US); and Sri Harsha Uddanda, Cypress, TX (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Jun. 5, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/329,286.
Prior Publication US 2024/0401453 A1, Dec. 5, 2024
Int. Cl. F16H 45/02 (2006.01); E21B 43/26 (2006.01); F04B 17/05 (2006.01); F16H 61/14 (2006.01); F16H 45/00 (2006.01)
CPC E21B 43/2607 (2020.05) [F04B 17/05 (2013.01); F16H 45/02 (2013.01); F16H 61/143 (2013.01); F16H 2045/002 (2013.01); F16H 2045/005 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A hydraulic fracturing pump system, comprising:
a hydraulic fracturing pump;
a gaseous fuel engine configured to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump;
a transmission system comprising a gear system mechanically coupled to the hydraulic fracturing pump and a torque converter configured to fluidly couple the gaseous fuel engine and the gear system, the torque converter comprising:
an impeller;
a turbine fluidly coupled to the impeller and mechanically coupled to the gear system;
a stator positioned between the impeller and the turbine;
an impeller clutch configured to mechanically couple the impeller to the gaseous fuel engine; and
a lockup clutch configured to mechanically couple the gaseous fuel engine and the gear system; and
a controller configured to:
cause disengagement of the impeller clutch; and
cause an upshift of the gear system based on disengagement of the impeller clutch.