Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.

Brad L Holsapple

Paul Thomas Corcoran

Liqun Chi

Scott Alan Leman

Sanat Arun Talmaki

Allen John DeClerk

Mark William Whiting

Michael L Knussman

Hans P Dietz

David R Meinhold

William C Evans

Stephen T Tady

Kevin C Lent

A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks.

Method of optimizing performance of machines at a worksite

Method of controlling machines at a worksite

A system for validating compaction of work material at a work site including a compaction machine. A sensor and a location sensor are associated with the compaction machine. A controller is configured to receive compaction data from the sensor and position data from the location sensor and to determine a structural parameter of the work material based on the compaction data and physical properties of the compaction machine. The controller associates the structural parameter of the work material with the position data. The controller saves structural parameters and associated position data for different locations in the work site and for different layers of work material in the work site and compares the saved structural parameters and associated position data with predetermined structural design criteria for corresponding locations and layers in the work site.

System and method for validating compaction of a work site

A track belt tensioning management system is provided for actively adjusting the tension on a track belt in response to the difference in linear output speed between a drive wheel and the track belt. This is accomplished by sensing the speeds of the drive wheel and the track belt and delivering the sensed signals to a controller which processes the signals and determines the difference in their respective linear output speeds. If the difference varies from a predetermined value, the controller directs appropriate signals to a hydraulic valve arrangement which controllably directs pressurized fluid to and from a hydraulic actuator arrangement to adjust the tension between the drive wheel and the track belt. The subject arrangement maintains sufficient frictional force between the drive wheel and the belt to control the slip therebetween as required while at the same time limiting the forces in order to reduce premature failures and/or wear on the track belt and other associated components.

Track belt tension management system

A method of mining includes striking the surface of friable to brittle, essentially homogeneous mineral materials with a plurality of concave-faced cutting tools rotating about a longitudinal axis disposed substantially parallel with the surface of the mineral material. Segments of the mineral material are cleaved by the cutting tools as the tools strike the surface and then pass along a predetermined path completely through the mineral material.

Method of mining

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Metamora, IL, United States of America

Brad L Holsapple