Caterpillar Inc.

David Conway Atkinson

Kenneth Lee Stratton

Jeremy Todd Peterson

Christopher F Gallmeyer

Yung T Bui

Nolan S Finch

Brian V Tranel

Michael J Evancik

Ashutosh Katari

Paul Adam Gamble

Naveen Kumar S Aproop

Ronald W Hartman

Jeremy R Couch

A system for controlling an engagement operation between first and second movable machines includes a separation sensor, a relative speed sensor and a controller. The separation sensor determines a separation distance between the first and second machines. The relative speed sensor determines a relative difference in speed between the first and second machines. The controller determines the separation distance between the first and second machines, decelerates the first movable machine when the separation distance is within a deceleration zone, determines a relative difference in speed between the first and second machines, and generates an engagement speed command to operate the first movable machine at a first ground speed equal to a second ground speed of the second movable machine plus a relative engagement speed when the separation distance is within a buffer zone.

Engagement control system and method

A method for determining an angle of a tip of a ripper shank includes a controller receiving an input command. The controller estimates an angle of the tip based on one or more parameters of the input command. Further, the controller acquires a video feed of the ripper shank and detects an object in the video feed. The controller identifies the object as one of the ripper shank or a component movable with a movement of the ripper shank based on a match of a color of the object to a predefined color and a match of a profile of the object to a predefined profile. The controller co-relates the profile to an angular value in a map table and sets the angular value to be an actual angle of the tip over the angle of the tip estimated based on the input command.

Method for determining angle of tips of ripper shanks in dozer machines

The disclosure relates to a control system for a machine. The control system includes an input unit for obtaining terrain information pertaining to a worksite. The control system further includes a plurality of illumination devices mounted on the machine. The control system further includes a controller in communication with the input unit and the plurality of illumination devices. The controller is configured to receive the terrain information from the input unit. The controller further determines grade pertaining to a work area of the worksite based on the terrain information. The controller is further configured to operate the plurality of illumination devices, based on the grade, to selectively illuminate the work area of the work site.

Control system for headlights of a machine

An excavation system is disclosed as having a locating device configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of an excavation machine, a sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of a work tool status, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a location of a haul truck, to determine when the work tool is filled with at least a threshold amount of material from a pile at the worksite, and to determine the position of the excavation machine. The controller may further be configured, based on operating limitations of the excavation machine, to determine a pivot point between the location of the haul truck and the position of the excavation machine; to plan a travel path for the excavation machine to the haul truck through the pivot point; and to direct an operator of the excavation machine to follow the travel path.

Excavation system providing machine cycle training

A machine includes a frame having ground engaging propulsion elements coupled therewith, and a hydraulically actuated implement system having a linkage, an implement coupled with the linkage, and a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage. The machine further includes a control system having an electronic control unit configured to receive an implement down force control command, and responsively adjust a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator such that the implement rests with controlled down force upon a substrate below the machine. The controlled down force may be less than a quiescent down force of the hydraulically actuated implement system. Related methodology is also disclosed.

Machine having hydraulically actuated implement system with down force control, and method

A machine such as a wheel loader includes a frame and ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame. A hydraulically actuated implement system of the machine includes a linkage and an implement and is adjustable from a starting configuration to a second configuration according to a substrate collision avoiding pattern. In the second configuration, the implement hovers above a substrate beneath the machine. Related methodology and control logic is also disclosed.

Machine, control system and method for hovering an implement

A method of determining and regulating a mass flow rate exhaust gases recirculated into an engine is disclosed. The method may comprise directing the exhaust gases through a venturi and sensing a differential exhaust pressure across the venturi. The method may further include sensing an absolute exhaust pressure at the venturi, and sensing a temperature of the exhaust gases. The method may further include determining the mass flow rate of the exhaust based on the sensed differential fluid pressure, absolute fluid pressure, and temperature.

Onboard method of determining EGR flow rate

A valve arrangement for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The valve arrangement may have a housing at least partially defining a venturi passageway, a first port disposed at an entrance to the venturi passageway, and a second port disposed at a throat of the venturi passageway. The valve arrangement may further have a valve element disposed within the housing to regulate the flow of fluid through the housing, and a sensor mounted to the housing in communication with the first and second ports. The valve arrangement may also have a controller mounted to the housing in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to affect movement of the valve element in response to input from the sensor.

EGR valve having integrated motor, controller, and flow meter

A valve arrangement for a power source is disclosed. The valve arrangement has a first valve element and a second valve element. The valve arrangement also has an actuator configured to drive the first and second valve elements. The valve arrangement further has a planetary gear arrangement interconnecting the actuator and the first and second valve elements.

Throttle and recirculation valves having a common planetary drive

A method and apparatus for controlling the ratio of ambient air to recirculated gases in an internal combustion engine, wherein an gas injector includes a intake air conduit defining a ambient air flow path, an actuator connected to the intake air conduit, a recirculated gas conduit operatively coupled and disposed within the intake air conduit defining a recirculated gas flow path and a valve apparatus operatively coupled to the intake air conduit and recirculated gas conduit. The valve apparatus includes; a shaft, a throttle valve coupled to the shaft and in fluid communication with the ambient air flow and a recirculated gas valve coupled to the shaft in fluid communication with the recirculated gas flow. The shaft rotates one of the throttle valve and the recirculated gas valve independent of the rotation of the other one of throttle valve and said recirculated gas valve.

Growing community of inventors

Dunlap, IL, United States of America

David Conway Atkinson