Patent ID: 6138069
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: A01B,B60K,B60W,E02F,F02D,F16H

Abstract:
In a utility vehicle of the type having an engine, a hydraulic drive ground-traversing system with ground wheels drivenly connected with the engine, and a hydraulic power take-off system drivenly connected with the engine and having an attachment for driving the attachment from the engine to perform work relative to the ground traversed by the vehicle, the improvement comprising generating five electric output signals and constant vehicle ground speed by virtue of:an electric sensor operative in relationship to the speed of said wheels and being operative for the emission of a first electric output signal in accord with the speed of said wheels,the power-take-off system being operable at speeds synchronized with the speeds of said engine and being operatively driven by said engine at speeds synchronized with the speeds of said engine and being drivingly connected with said attachment for the operation of said attachment at selected speeds,an electrically responsive hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor operatively mounted on the vehicle and drivingly connected together and being operatively connected with said engine and said wheels for powering said wheels at selectable constant ground speeds,an engine speed selectably movable foot pedal on the vehicle and having a selectively variable electric current controller operative according to the selected moved position of said pedal for the emission of a second electric output signal,an engine speed electric sensor operative in response to the speed of said engine for detecting engine speed and being operative for the emission of a third electric output signal, in accord with the speed of said engine,an engine fuel feeder connected with said engine for supplying fuel to said engine and including an electric device electrically connected to said engine speed sensor for metering the supply of fuel to said engine in accord with reception of the output signal from said engine speed electric sensor,a manually adjustable vehicle ground-speed control having a selectively variable electric controller for establishing the amount of electric current flowing therethrough for the emission of a fourth electric output signal in accord with the electric current flowing therethrough,a manually adjustable vehicle engine-speed control having a selectively variable electric controller for establishing the amount of electric current flowing therethrough for the emission of a fifth electric output signal, in accord with the electric current flowing therethrough,an electrically powered electronic controller of the type capable of processing the electricity of the input of the five signals and sending current therefrom in accord with said signals,discrete electric connections respectively connected between said electronic controller and each of said ground-speed sensor, and said foot pedal controller, and said engine-speed sensor, and said manual ground-speed controller, and said manual engine-speed controller, all for imposing the respective said output signals one through five onto said electronic controller, andelectric connections respectively connected between said electronic controller and said engine fuel feeder electric device for sending electric signals to said electric device in electric power sufficient to control the operating speed of said engine, to thereby establish and maintain a selected speed of operation of said attachment and of the ground speed of the vehicle.