Patent ID: 9296295
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: B60K,B60W,B60Y,F16D

Claim Text:
1. A method of operating an articulating machine having a front portion, a rear portion attached to the front portion via an articulation joint, and a plurality of traction devices operatively coupled to the front portion and the rear portion via respective axle assemblies, comprising: sensing a rotational speed of at least one of the plurality of traction devices with a speed sensor; determining a ground speed of the machine relative to the operating surface as a function of the sensed rotational speed; determining a ground speed signal associated with a first traction device as a function of the ground speed of the machine, the ground speed signal indicative of a ground speed of the first traction device relative to the operating surface; determining an ideal rotational target speed value for the first traction device as a function of the ground speed associated with the first traction device, the ideal rotational target speed providing a maximum tractive efficiency for the ground speed; determining a practical rotational target speed value associated with the first traction device as a function of the sensed rotational speed of the first traction device; determining an actual rotational target speed value based on a combination of the ideal rotational target speed value and the practical rotational target speed value; determining an articulation angle between the front portion and the rear portion of the machine; determining an engagement force based on the ideal rotational target speed value and the determined articulation angle, wherein the magnitude of the engagement force decreases as the magnitude of the articulation angle of the machine increases; selectively reducing the rotational speed of the first traction device if the sensed rotational speed of the first traction device is greater than the actual rotational target speed value for the first traction device by selectively engaging a hydraulically actuated clutch assembly by selectively supplying fluid at a first fluid pressure based on the determined engagement force, wherein the hydraulically actuated clutch assembly is associated with a differential gear set disposed within the axle assembly for the first traction device; and selectively increasing the pressure of the fluid supplied to the hydraulically actuated clutch assembly to a second pressure greater than the first pressure after the clutch is initially engaged.