Patent ID: 8452499

Claim:
A clutch control system for allocating clutch wear during shuttle shifting of a transmission, the transmission being operatively connected to a prime mover to control velocity of a machine, the transmission having a first directional clutch and a second directional clutch, the first directional clutch and the second directional clutch being operatively connected to an input shaft of the transmission, a plurality of additional clutches operatively connected to an output shaft of the transmission, a first of the additional clutches operating as an engagement clutch, a second of the additional clutches operating as a first braking clutch, and a third of the additional clutches operating as a second braking clutch, comprising: a controller configured to: transmit a first engagement signal to engage the engagement clutch; transmit an isolation signal to disengage the first directional clutch and isolate the prime mover from the additional clutches; transmit a first braking signal to the first braking clutch to apply a first braking force; transmit a second braking signal to the second braking clutch to apply a second braking force before reducing the first braking force, the engagement clutch, the first braking clutch and the second braking clutch cooperating to apply a combined force to slow rotation of the output shaft; transmit a first reduction signal to one of the engagement clutch, the first braking clutch, and the second braking clutch to reduce the combined force; transmit a second reduction signal to another of the engagement clutch, the first braking clutch, and the second braking clutch to reduce the combined force; and transmit a second engagement signal to engage the second directional clutch upon an occurrence of a designated trigger event.