Caterpillar Inc.

Ethan Tevis

Michael C Gentle

David Cox

Steven Edward Johnson

Ernest Everett Stoops

Karl Arthur Kirsch

Bryan Dale Van Dyke

Shawn Ivor Cullen

Matthew Donald Meads

Dwanz Mwalimu Mwasi

Brandon L Hagman

Richard Lane Fulcher

Joseph R Manley

Chad L Kassube

Michael Robert Kunde

Daniel Patrick Gillen

Jaspen T Patenaude

Travis N Richards

Michael L Repscher

Aaron P Hofner

Jody Mcdiffett

Maureen E Beck

Matthew D Dobsch

A method to shut down a motor grader is disclosed. The method comprises obtaining information that indicates the motor grader is to be shutdown. The method further includes causing a parking brake of the motor grader to be in a braked position, and a transmission of the motor grader to be in a neutral position. The method further includes causing an implement to be moved to a grounded position when the implement is not in the grounded position. The method further includes at least one of causing, via a controller, the motor grader to be shutdown, or causing, via the controller, an alert to be provided, wherein the alert includes information that, to complete the shutdown of the motor grader, the parking brake is to be in the braked position, the transmission is to be in the neutral position, and the implement is to be moved to the grounded position.

Method and system for operating motor graders

A system for reverting an actual heading of a mobile construction equipment subject to load from one or more work implements to a desired heading, the mobile construction equipment having a front frame articulatable with respect to a rear frame, the front frame including a steering apparatus, the system including: a rear inertial motion unit disposed on the rear frame, the rear inertial motion unit for providing an actual rear frame yaw rate; a steering sensor for providing an actual steering angle of the steering apparatus; an articulation sensor for providing an actual articulation angle between the front frame and the rear frame; and a controller for: receiving the actual rear frame yaw rate, the actual steering angle, and the actual articulation angle to determine the actual heading, receiving a steering control indicating a desired steering angle of the steering apparatus and an articulation control indicating a desired articulation angle.

Load based tracking assist

A mobile construction equipment for operation on a surface having at least one longitudinal slope grade includes: a blade that is movable with respect to the mobile construction equipment, the blade having a first blade side and a second blade side opposite the first blade side, the blade imparting at least one cross slope grade on the surface; and a controller for receiving the at least one longitudinal slope grade, a first blade side position of the first blade side, and at least one target cross slope grade, and, based on the at least one longitudinal slope grade and the first blade side position, adjusting a second blade side position of the second blade side so as to impart the at least one target cross slope grade on the surface.

Cross slope with grade compensation

A technique is directed to methods and systems of an implement lock-out on lever-controlled machines. A lock-out system can monitor the position of an implement and lock-out the implement control(s) when the implement is within a threshold distance to parts of the machine. The lock-out system can generate an implement lock-out to slow, stop, or reduce the force of a hydraulic valve(s) controlling the implement. The lock-out system can use inputs such as electronic fence blade position system data, articulation angles, wheel lean angles, steering angles, ripper positions, mode selection or similar data to determine to generate the implement lock-out. The lock-out system can generate the implement lock-out by a flow supply shutoff to the implement while maintaining pressure to the steering valve. The lock-out system can send visual or audible notifications to alert the operator of the implement's proximity to the machine or of an implement lock-out.

Methods and systems for implementing a lock-out command on lever machines

A method for detecting wear in an implement system of a grading machine includes receiving acceleration information from a sensor connected to the implement system while the grading machine performs a task and estimating an incremental amount of wear in the implement system of the grading machine based on the acceleration information. The method also includes determining a cumulative amount of wear in the implement system of the grading machine and outputting a notification based on the cumulative amount of wear.

Systems and methods for identifying wear on grading machine

The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating a grading machine. The method includes (i) receiving information indicating a current position of a moldboard of the grading machine; (ii) determining if the moldboard is moving toward an avoidance zone, and the avoidance zone is defined by a distance from a scarifier of the grading machine; and (iii) in response to a determination that the moldboard is moving toward the avoidance zone, adjusting at least one operating parameter of the moldboard or the scarifier of the grading machine.

Damage avoidance systems and methods for motor grader scarifiers

A method of operating a machine with at least one hydraulically actuated friction clutch. The method includes selecting, via a mode selector, a starting point defining an initial setting. An endpoint defining a peak setting is selected via the mode selector. A control curve is employed based on at least the selecting of the starting point and the selecting of the endpoint. An inching pedal of the machine is positioned to between 0 percent depressed and 100 percent depressed. At least one control command is generated as a function of the employing of the control curve and the positioning of the inching pedal. At least one control valve of at least one hydraulically actuated friction clutch is operated according to the at least one control command.

Inching systems and methods

A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade, and a control system. The control system is configured to automatically set at least one machine parameter of the grading blade based on a determined location of the grading machine and automatically set a mode of operation of the grading machine based on a determined location of the grading machine.

Control system for a grading machine

A computer-implemented method for automatically adjusting a moldboard of a motor grader can include receiving one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader, and determining, based on the received identifier(s), a first orientation of the moldboard. If the first orientation is not within an operating threshold, the method can further include selecting, based on the one or more identifiers, at least one of a plurality of actuators of the motor grader; and actuating the selected actuator(s) to move the moldboard from the first orientation to a second orientation within the operating threshold.

Systems and methods for automatic moldboard positioning

A control system is disclosed. The control system may include a first input component to control a lean angle of at least one set of wheels of a machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the lean angle. The control system may include a second input component to control an articulation angle of an articulated joint of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the articulation angle. The control system may include a third input component to control a rotation angle of an implement of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the rotation angle.

Control system for a work machine

A technique is directed to methods and systems for detecting the presence of a machine operator. In some implementations, an operator presence system monitors a machine to determine whether an operator is present in an operating machine. The operator presence system collects input data from sensors or devices on the machine and determines whether the operator is in the operator seat. During operation, if an operator is determined to not be in the operator seat, the operator presence system can generate and send notifications (e.g., visual or audible warnings) to alert the operator to sit in the operator seat.

Methods and systems for detecting a machine operator

A mobile machine includes an internal combustion engine operatively connected to a plurality of propulsion devices for travel over a work surface. The mobile machine can include an electronic controller that receives condition data signals indicative of the operating state or condition of the mobile machine from a plurality of condition input sensors. The electronic controller compares the condition data signals with condition threshold to determine whether to operate the internal combustion engine in accordance with rated engine speed range or an adjusted engine speed range.

Speed control for a mobile machine

A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a blade sideshift cylinder and a blade sideshift cylinder rod, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and extend or retract the blade sideshift cylinder to adjust a sideshift of the grading blade to one of a plurality of predetermined sideshift positions based on the input.

A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade, and at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade. The grading machine also includes a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, at least one drawbar sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the drawbar, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and perform an automatic turnaround operation.

A grading machine include a machine body, a grading blade, at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a drawbar centershift cylinder, a user interface, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive an input from the user interface and position and orient the grading blade and the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined maintenance positions based on the input.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomington, IL, United States of America

Ethan Tevis