Caterpillar Inc.

Daniel Stanek

Roger D Koch

Robert J Price

Jeffrey Stephen Alig

Troy Kenneth Becicka

Michael Allen Taylor

Thandava Krishna Edara

Jean-Jacques Clar

Brian Gerard Funke

Kyle Adam Edwards

Paul Russell Friend

Kenneth Lee Stratton

Mo Wei

Robert J McGee

William James Tate

Lance Mathew Cowper

Robert Roy Sychra

Seth J Redenbo

Daniel Kimsey Dunn, Iii

Frederic Nadeau

A system for monitoring a machine at a work site includes a prime mover, a ground-engaging drive mechanism to propel the machine, and a plurality of sensors. A controller generates propulsion commands to propel the machine about the work site in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner and determines a plurality of performance characteristics of the machine. The controller further determines whether the plurality of performance characteristics meet a plurality of performance thresholds and generates an alert command if any of the plurality of performance characteristics do not meet the plurality of performance thresholds.

System and method for monitoring a machine

A system for controlling a machine during an autonomous material moving operation includes a terrain sensing system, a position sensing system, and a ground engaging work implement. A controller is configured to determine the topography of the work surface, generate a first target profile, generate signals to autonomously operate the machine along a work surface, receive a plurality of signals associated with a plurality of necessary input conditions, and generate a pause command based upon an absence of one of the plurality of necessary input conditions to define a pause condition. The controller may determine the position of the machine, determine an estimate of an amount of material being moved, generate a second target profile, and generate signals to re-start autonomous operation of the machine based upon the second target profile after elimination of the pause condition.

System and method for controlling a machine

A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.

System for remotely controlling a machine

A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.

System and method for re-directing a ripping path

A method for sequencing drill holes for a mobile drill rig is disclosed. The method may include receiving a hole pattern having a plurality of planned holes and generating at least a first group of parallel pathways and a second group of parallel pathways between the plurality of holes of the hole pattern. The first group of pathways may be angled relative to the second group of pathways. The method may also include selecting between the first group of pathways and the second group of pathways based on which group of pathways includes fewer total pathways. The method may further include generating a combined pathway by linking at least one pathway from the selected group of pathways to at least a second pathway from the selected group of pathways and transmitting the combined pathway to a module configured to control movement of the mobile drill rig

Sequencing algorithm for planned drill holes

A system for automated movement of a reference point along a three dimensional path stores a three dimensional path including a plurality of spaced apart points. A velocity vector of the reference point and a look ahead vector extending from the reference point define a plane of travel. A directional vector of the reference point is determined along the plane of travel, and a command vector directs movement of the reference point at least in part based upon the directional vector. The velocity vector and the look ahead vector may be used to determine the directional vector. A method is also provided.

System and method for controlling movement along a three dimensional path

A tool control system is disclosed. The control system may have a first actuator configured to control a first linkage. The control system may further have a second actuator configured to control a second linkage. The control system may also have a third actuator configured to control a work tool, wherein the second linkage is connected to the work tool and movably connected to the first linkage. The control system may still further have a plurality of operator input devices configured to provide operator control of the first, second, and third actuators. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the first, second, and third actuators and the plurality of operator input devices. The controller may be configured to receive a desired tool path for the work tool. The controller may also be configured to control movement of the first, second, and third actuators based on operator input received from fewer than all of the plurality of operator input devices to move the work tool along the desired tool path.

Tool control system

A method of controlling a machine during an excavating operation is provided. Stabilizers are deployed to ground contact to stabilize the machine at a first set-up position. Excavating is performed with an excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase while the machine is stabilized at the first set-up position. An automated machine preparation for repositioning mode is initiated for preparing the machine, after the excavating phase, for repositioning to a second set-up position for a second excavating phase, by activating an input device to send input signals to a controller. Output signals are delivered from the controller to control automated machine preparation for repositioning to the second set-up position.

Preparation for machine repositioning in an excavating operation

A method of repositioning a machine during an excavating operation from a first machine position to a second machine position is provided. A target distance to the second machine position is selected. An operator input device configured to send a control input signal to a control module to initiate a repositioning phase is activated. During a repositioning phase, the machine is moved toward the second position while an operator maintains control of movement. A determination is made when the machine has traveled the target distance. The machine is stopped under automated machine control at the second machine position.

Automated machine repositioning in an excavating operation

A system and method of assisting an operator of an excavating machine includes recommending a hop distance to move the machine based on the maximum distance that the machine can move and still be able to reach the bottom of the excavation that has already been dug by the machine during an excavating operation.

Recommending a machine repositioning distance in an excavating operation

A method is provided for enhancing the repositioning of an excavating machine, including an excavating assemblage, from one set-up position to a next, subsequent set-up position. A joystick is controlled in implement control mode to operate at least one of a boom, a stick, and a bucket of the excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase from a first machine set-up position. The first excavating phase is terminated and, during a machine repositioning phase, the machine is moved to a second machine set-up position for a second excavating phase at the second machine set-up position. After terminating the first excavating phase and before moving the machine to the second machine set-up position, an input/display device is accessed and activated to convert the joystick from implement control mode to machine control mode. At least machine steering and machine propulsion are controlled with the joystick set in the machine control mode during the machine repositioning phase. Before beginning the second excavating phase, an input/display device is accessed and activated to convert the joystick from machine control mode to implement control mode. The joystick is controlled in implement control mode to operate the excavating assemblage during the second excavating phase from the second machine set-up position.

Repositioning assist for an excavating operation

A protection system for an electrical device may include at least one temperature sensitive element located in a region adjacent to a component of the electrical device and configured to provide an output related to an actual temperature in the region. The system may also include a controller configured to determine the actual temperature in the region based on the output of the at least one temperature sensitive element and to determine a predicted temperature of the component based on the actual temperature in the region and on a predetermined heat dissipation characteristic of the electrical device.

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Chillicothe, IL, United States of America

Daniel Stanek