Caterpillar Inc.

Aaron J Gnagey

Curtis John Caldwell

Daniel Wilson Hoyt

Robert Alan Jackson

Kirk S Shively

Cory Denton Smith

Sean D Lawson

Timothy Edward Camacho

James Allen Roal

Mohammad Rahman

Mark Behn

Shikha Pokharel Thapa

A lifting machine includes a machine chassis, a boom extending from the machine chassis, a connector extending from the boom for coupling to a load, a control system that determines a rated lifting capacity of the machine, based on an orientation of the machine chassis and a lifting load, and a display. The display indicates the rated lifting capacity relative to a total lifting capacity, and the display also indicates the lifting load relative to the rated lifting capacity and the total lifting capacity.

Lifting capacity systems and methods for lifting machines

A pipelayer machine includes a propulsion system, a ranging, and a controller in communication with the propulsion system and the ranging system. The controller is configured to receive a predetermined distance that the pipelayer machine is to maintain between the pipelayer machine and an adjacent pipelayer machine, determine, via the ranging system, a first distance between the pipelayer machine and the adjacent pipelayer machine, and determine that a difference between the first distance and the predetermined distance is outside of a predetermined tolerance range. The controller is further configured to modify a speed of the propulsion system based at least in part on determining that the difference is outside of the predetermined tolerance range, wherein modifying the speed of the propulsion system causes acceleration or deceleration of the pipelayer machine.

Systems and methods for distance control between pipelayers

A controller may obtain, from one or more first devices of a first machine, first information regarding a load associated with a first portion of an object. The first portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of the first machine and a second portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of a second machine. The controller may obtain, from one or more second devices of the first machine, second information regarding an orientation of the first machine. The controller may determine, based on the first information and a threshold derived based on the second information, that a load drop condition is satisfied; perform a first action associated with dropping the load; and transmit, to the second machine, information regarding the first action to cause the second machine to perform a second action.

Automated load drop based on machine configuration

A system for determining a lifting capacity of a pipelayer is provided. The system includes a load sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a load suspended from a lifting hook, an angle sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angular position of a chassis relative to ground surface, a boom position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a boom relative to an undercarriage, and a counterweight position sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a counterweight relative to the undercarriage. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from each of the load sensor, the angle sensor, the boom position sensor, and the counterweight position sensor. The controller is also configured to determine the lifting capacity of the pipelayer based, at least in part, on the received signal.

System and method for determining a lifting capacity of a machine

A lift machine includes a machine chassis, a boom extending from the machine chassis, and a connector extending from the boom for coupling to a load. The machine further includes a control system that determines a lift capacity of the machine based on a skew of the connector caused by the load.

Lift capacity system for lifting machines

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a control system for controlling a braking system. The control system includes a parking brake operatively to at least one wheel, a park brake override mechanism operatively associated with the parking brake, an inching pedal operatively coupled to a transmission, a shift lever operatively coupled to the transmission, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the parking brake to detect when the parking brake is engaged, at least one sensor operatively coupled to the inching pedal to detect a depression of the inching pedal, and at least one sensor operatively coupled to the shift lever for detecting at least one of a forward or reverse gear selection. The control system further includes a controller operatively coupled to the at least one sensors to receive corresponding signals and adapted to control the engagement of the parking brake when the inching pedal is depressed and the at least one of the forward or reverse gear selections is desired.

Growing community of inventors

Morton, IL, United States of America

Aaron J Gnagey