Caterpillar Inc.

Eric Wade Cler

Aaron Robert Shatters

Brad Robert Van De Veer

Jeffrey Kent Berry

Shaun D Currier

Andrew Nathan Schifferer

Sairam Gopalan Velamakanni

Daniel Reese Puckett

Travis E Barnes

Norval P Thomson

Zhijun Cai

Michael Anthony Spielman, Jr

Jeffrey Stephen Alig

David C Copley

Bradley K Bomer

Matthew Michael Tinker

Eric Hughes

Kevin J Sergott

Eric A Hutchison

Anand Krishnamurthygopalan

Kristofor Lee Dahl

Eric R O'Brien

Wei Li

Christopher P Cherwin

Matthew James Sirovatka

Matthew Colin Mowers

Urvish Joshi

Michael Lynn Johnson

Austin J Scott

Thomas E Beccue

Thomas Lynn Grill

Lucas Adam Knapp

Tyler Bowman

Michael A Weber

Randy Aneloski

Michael Anthony Spielman

Kirti Tamhane

Byron D Collis

Robin M Boroski

Miguel A Palacios

Todd R Okimoto

Aaron Josiah Meyer

Marius G Enescu

Kevin L Duel

Matthew Scott Good

Rick William Berlage

Huzefa S Gulamhusein

In a mobile equipment with an articulated front portion having a worktool, a fisheye camera with a wide field of view, containing the front portion, is often mounted in a fixed direction on a rear portion of the mobile equipment. Thus, when the front portion moves (e.g., rotates) relative to the rear portion, a view around the front portion may be compromised due to inherent cropping in fisheye-distortion correction. Digital panning of panoramic video is disclosed that rotates a projection surface, in accordance with movement of the front portion, and generates a projected video on the projection surface, utilizing information that may have otherwise been cropped, to expand the visible area around the worktool. The digital panning in the projected video may mimic an operator turning their head to look down the longitudinal axis of the front portion while using the worktool.

Digital panning of panoramic video to follow machine worktool movement

A method for assisting an operator in operating a machine. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a selection of a task of a plurality of tasks, each task associated with a corresponding movement pattern of the machine; sensing, by a sensor unit, at least one condition of at least one component of the machine associated with the selected task; and determining, by the controller, whether the condition is within a predetermined set of parameters associated with the selected task. In response to determining that the condition is not within the predetermined set of parameters, the method further includes generating, by the controller, an audible or a haptic signal associated with at least one of the condition or the at least one component.

Method for assisting or training operators to operate machines

A system for communicating slippage experienced by at least one traction device of a work machine, to a remote operator interface for controlling the work machine through the remote operator interface is described. The system includes a controller configured to receive data associated with a speed of the at least one traction device of the work machine and determine a slippage condition of the at least one traction device based on the data. The controller is further configured to activate a visual overlay over a virtual image, of the at least one traction device, displayed in a video feed to represent the slippage condition on the remote operator interface. The video feed is a real-time video feed, indicating one or more operations of the work machine, displayed on the remote operator interface.

System and method for communicating traction device slippage

A wheel loader machine includes a bucket configured to hold a predetermined load of a granular or powder material, a hydraulic system having an electro-hydraulic actuator to move the bucket over tilt angles and to shake the bucket, a hydraulic sensor configured to detect hydraulic pressure, an interface configured to receive input parameters and to output status information of the bucket, and a controller. The input parameters including a target weight of the granular or powder material. The status information including weight of the granular or powder material in the bucket determined using the detected hydraulic pressure. The controller configured to control the hydraulic system to tilt the bucket to a predetermined tilt angle and to shake the bucket in accordance with an agitation pattern until the weight of the granular or powder in the bucket is at or below the target weight of the granular or powder material.

System and method for bucket agitation during automated payload tip-off

A method for monitoring a machine operating at a worksite, is provided. The machine includes an implement for performing one or more implement operations and is configured to be propelled by a set of ground engaging members between a first location and second location. A first input indicative of start of a travelling operation of the machine after completion of a first implement operation at the first location, is received. One or more transmission parameters associated with the machine are determined, when the machine moves from first location to second location. A second input indicative of end of the travelling operation at start of a second implement operation at the second location is received. A number of revolutions completed by ground engaging members between the first location and the second location is determined based on the transmission parameters. The number of revolutions is displayed on input/output device associated with machine.

System and method for monitoring a machine operating at a worksite

A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.

Automatic dig assistance system for a machine

A controller-implemented method for controlling a fan drive of a machine having a transmission is provided. The controller-implemented method may include generating a default fan speed for controlling the fan drive based on one or more operating conditions associated with the machine, generating an override fan speed based on one or more operating conditions associated with the transmission, and controlling the fan drive according to the override fan speed at least partially during calibration of the transmission.

Thermal management system and method of thermal management during transmission calibration

A system for controlling an operation of a machine is disclosed. The system includes an image capturing device and a controller. The image capturing device generates a signal indicative of a surrounding area of the machine. The controller is in communication with the image capturing device. The controller determines a preceding work cycle of the machine comprising a dig segment and determines a preceding segment associated with the preceding work cycle to be a dump segment. The controller further identifies a work aggregate within the surrounding area of the machine, when the preceding segment of the preceding work cycle is the dump segment. Further, the controller determines a distance between an implement of the machine and the work aggregate and issues a shift request to downshift a gear drive of a transmission system of the machine, if the distance is less than a predefined distance.

System and method for controlling operation of machine

A payload weight of a load of material carried by an implement of a machine may be estimated taking into account angular acceleration of the payload. A lift cylinder pressure differential and a lift arm angular acceleration may be determined as the implement is raised through a weigh range. An angular acceleration compensation factor may be determined from the lift arm angular acceleration, and a compensated differential pressure may be calculated by multiplying the lift cylinder pressure differential by the angular acceleration compensation factor. The estimated payload weight may then be determined based on the compensated pressure differential and a head end cross-sectional area of the lift cylinder.

Wheel loader payload measurement system linkage acceleration compensation

A method of operating a ride control system of a machine having an accumulator is provided. The method includes detecting a pressure at the accumulator. The method includes generating a first set of input data associated with a drive system and a brake pedal. The method includes generating a second set of input data associated with a lift cylinder. The method also includes determining a working mode of the ride control system based on the first set of input data and the second set of input data. The working mode of the ride control system includes a normal mode and an exposed mode. The method includes operating a ride control activation solenoid valve, upon determining the pressure at the accumulator to be above a predefined threshold, and the working mode of the ride control system to be the exposed mode.

Method of operating ride control system

A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring engine parameters using an electronic controller, determining a surge speed limit for the engine based on a compressor map, determining an offset engine speed based on a margin between the surge speed limit and an engine speed, determining a minimum engine speed based on the margin, applying the offset engine speed to an engine speed signal to provide an adjusted engine speed, and applying the adjusted engine speed to a desired engine speed when a speed of the engine approaches the surge speed limit.

Turbocharger compressor anti-surge engine control strategy and method

A power system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a work tool. The power system may have an engine, a first input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of an operator-desired output of the engine, a second input device configured to generate a second signal indicative of an operator-desired movement of the work tool, and a controller in communication with the engine, the first input device, and the second input device. The controller may be configured to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and based on a desired speed of the engine during a first mode of operation, and to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and a desired torque of the mobile machine during a second mode of operation. The controller may be further configured to selectively switch operation of the machine between the first and second modes based on the second signal.

Power system having clutch-based fuel control modes

A device for accessing an elevated entry position on a machine including an operator position includes a platform, which includes a step surface, configured to ascend and descend between a base position and the elevated entry position, wherein the platform remains within an existing envelope of the machine throughout ascent, descent, and storage of the platform, and wherein the ascending and descending proceeds along an axis substantially orthogonal to the step surface. The device may further include a lifting mechanism operatively connected to the machine and the platform.

Powered access device

A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device, a work implement, and a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The operator input device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation. The work implement may be driven by the power source to accomplish a task. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed task, and adjust power source operation based on the task signal and the classification.

Machine system having task-adjusted economy modes

A work machine may have a payload overload control system. The system may include a payload carrier and a lift mechanism configured to raise and lower the payload carrier. The system may further include a payload monitor configured to determine a payload in the payload carrier. The system may also include a controller configured to compare the determined payload with a predetermined maximum payload and to selectively control lift of the payload carrier by the lift mechanism based on the comparison between the determined payload and the predetermined maximum payload.

Payload overload control system

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Eric Wade Cler