MACHINE EMPLOYING CAB MOUNTS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING CAB MOUNTS TO MAINTAIN SNUBBING HEIGHT AND PROVIDE MOUNT DIAGNOSTICS

摘要

A machine (100) employing controllable mounts (106) and a method for controlling such mounts (106) to maintain ideal snubbing height (144) and provide mount diagnostics are disclosed. The controllable mount (106) may include a housing (108), a pin (120), rheological fluid (116) within the housing (108) and coils (131) provided proximate to the rheological fluid (116). The pin (120) may be held in the housing (108) with a limited degree of play by an elastomeric member (124) and in so doing hold the pin (120) at the ideal snubbing height (144). Over time the elastomeric member (124) may degrade and begin to sag. Sensors (160, 170, 214, 222, 226, 230) associated with the housing may monitor this sag and if necessary energize a field across the rheological fluid (116) or pressurize gas within the housing (108) so as to adjust to the position of the pin (120) back to the ideal snubbing height (144). The data gathered by the sensors (160, 170, 214, 222, 226, 230) can also be stored and used to determine the remaining serviceable life of the controllable mount (106) and diagnose when it should be replaced.