Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC

Edward Wolf

Chris Richardson

Mark Edward Nichols

System and method for providing an excavation characteristic associated with an earthmoving machine. In one embodiment, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with an attachment mounted to an earthmoving machine may be identified. An optical benchmark signal may be detected, by an optical receiver. The position of the attachment relative to the earthmoving machine may be determined based, at least in part, on identification of the RFID tag. The position of the attachment may be provided to an operator of the earthmoving machine.

Earthmoving machine sensor

A system and method for sensing surface compaction effected by a compactor machine of the type having a vibrating compacting roller, and providing a sensor signal indicating sensed surface compaction to a control mounted on the compactor machine, includes a sensor for sensing compaction and providing a signal indicating sensed surface compaction. The sensor is mounted on the compacting roller support of the compactor machine. The system includes a vibration-to-electric energy converter, mounted with the sensor on the compacting roller support and subjected to vibration. The converter converts the vibration energy to electric energy which may be supplied to the sensor and to a transmitter. The transmitter is powered by the electric energy from said vibration-to-electric energy converter and transmits the sensor signal to a receiver on the machine. The receiver provides the sensor signal to a control for the machine.

Wireless sensor with kinetic energy power arrangement

A GPS reception arrangement includes a GPS radome body having an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a peripheral body portion between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and extending circumferentially there around, and a GPS antenna positioned inside the radome body. A plurality of light sources on the peripheral body portion of the radome body project light in a manner to identify the GPS radome, and distinguish it from other radomes. Retroreflective material is positioned around the radome body on the peripheral body portion, adjacent the plurality of light sources.

Radome

A GPS reception arrangement includes a GPS radome body having an upper body portion, a lower body portion and a peripheral body portion between the upper body portion and the lower body portion and extending circumferentially there around, and a GPS antenna positioned inside the radome body. A plurality of light sources on the peripheral body portion of the radome body project light in a manner to identify the GPS radome. Retroreflective material is positioned around the radome body on the peripheral body portion, adjacent the plurality of light sources.

Growing community of inventors

Dayton, OH, United States of America

Edward Wolf