Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Sarl

Justin Lee Steinlage

Christopher R Wright

Nathan Stephen Pauli

Fazal Ahmad Goraya

Brian Allen Byers

James W Landes

Benjamin J Hodel

David R Wisley

Jason Bell

Mo Wei

Jeremy Todd Peterson

Jacob Charles Maley

Drew Alan Fehr

David L Dickrell

Yun Liu

Emily Morris

David E Ault

Stefan Jacob Wulf

Gerard O McCann

Kory K Leesman

Kevin B Grover

Layne E Hook

Joshua D Jensen

Daryl R Brower

Scott A Tipton

Richard D Johnston

Bruce Addison Thomas, Iii

Jeffrey A Jones, Ii

A control system for a machine includes a machine body, a linkage assembly, a bucket coupled to the machine body via the linkage assembly, a user interface remote from the machine body, and a controller in communication with the user interface. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals defining a dump region. The dump region includes a front-most end point and a rear-most end point. The controller is also configured to receive one or more signals defining a dump order or dump specification and initiate an autonomous digging and dumping procedure.

Systems and methods for controlling a digging and dumping machine

A control system for a machine includes a machine body, a linkage assembly, an implement coupled to the machine body via the linkage assembly, one or more perception systems on the machine, and a controller in communication with the one or more perception systems. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals defining a dig region, define one or more dump regions based at least on the dig region and information from the one or more perception systems, and identify a position of a haul truck relative to the defined one or more dump regions.

Systems and methods for controlling a digging machine and positioning a transport vehicle

A work machine includes a frame, a linkage assembly, a work implement connected to the linkage assembly, and a grade control calibration system. The grade control calibration system includes a vision processing system, which includes a sensor fixed to the linkage assembly and a first controller. The vision processing system is configured to measure a length of a cutting portion of the work implement, and to transmit the length of the cutting portion of the work implement. The grade control calibration system also includes a grade control system in communication with the vision processing system and the linkage assembly. The grade control system includes a second controller configured to receive the length of the cutting portion of the work implement from the first controller, and to calibrate a position of the work implement based on the received length of the cutting portion of the work implement.

Continuous calibration of grade control system

An automatic condition monitoring and control system for a work machine may include an electronic control module configured for arrangement on the work machine. The electronic control module may be configured to monitor multiple conditions of the work machine and compare the multiple conditions to respective thresholds. The electronic control module may also be configured to start an engine of the work machine based on at least one of the comparisons, activate a heating or cooling system based on at least one of the comparisons, or both.

Automatic work machine condition monitoring and control module

A system for detecting truck damage is disclosed. The system includes a work machine that has a detection unit located on the work machine. The detection unit is used to generate a first image data and a second image data of a loading area of a truck. A controller of the system is used to receive the first image data, generate a 3D objected from the first image data, and receive the second image data that is generated later in time that the first image data. After receiving the second image data, the controller updates the 3D object and detects any indication of damage between the generating of the first image data and the second image data to the loading area.

System and method for detecting truck damage

A system for detecting carryback within a dump body of a haul truck may include at least one camera and at least one controller. The at least one camera is configured to generate a scan of an interior surface of the dump body. The at least one controller is configured to receive the scan of the interior surface of the dump body and determine a type of dump body by comparing the scan of the interior surface of the dump body with at least one scan of an interior surface of a known dump body.

Identify carryback in unknown truck bed

A work machine, a first method of defining a virtual 3D exclusion zone, and a second method of preventing collisions involving a work machine are disclosed. The work machine comprises a body, an implement arm, an imaging assembly, and an electrohydraulic assembly configured to prevent the implement arm from intersecting a 3D exclusion zone. The first method comprises scanning a local environment, generating a virtual 3D representation, identifying key structures, and generating a virtual 3D exclusion zone encompassing the key structures. The second method comprises defining a virtual 3D exclusion zone, monitoring a motion of the work machine, and adjusting the motion to avoid an intersection between the work machine and the 3D exclusion zone. The 3D exclusion zone may be implemented for a number of machines, environments, and key structures without unduly removing control from a human operator.

Work machine 3D exclusion zone

A method for detecting an unbalanced payload condition in a machine is disclosed. The method includes detecting, by a first sensor, a pressure exerted on each of one or more struts in the machine by a payload. The method further includes detecting, by a second sensor, one or more operational parameters associated with machine. Furthermore, method includes determining, by a controller, a center of gravity of the payload based on detected pressure, the one or more operational parameters, and one or more dimensions of the machine. Additionally, the method includes determining, by the controller, a force being exerted, by the payload, on each traction member of the machine based on the center of gravity of the payload. The method further includes detecting, by the controller, the unbalanced payload condition when the force, being exerted on at least one traction member of the plurality of traction members, exceeds a threshold value.

Methods and systems for detecting unbalanced payload condition in machines

A system for controlling propulsion of a machine is described. The system includes a first sensor for generating a first signal indicative of an articulation angle of the machine. The system also includes at least one transmission power unit coupled to front and rear powertrains of the machine. The system further includes a control module in communication with the first sensor and the at least one transmission power unit. The control module is configured to receive the first signal from the first sensor. The control module is also configured to control the at least one transmission power unit to provide power to at least one of the front powertrain or the rear powertrain, based on the articulation angle of the machine.

System and method for controlling propulsion of machine

An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller can additionally be electronically and controllably connected and configured to actuate the engine and the starter to start the engine in one or more of an initial engine start mode and one or more engine restart modes.

Idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine

A control system for a machine having a transmission system is provided. The control system includes a wheel speed sensor and a controller. The wheel speed sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a wheel speed. The controller is in communication with the wheel speed sensor. The controller is configured to modulate a parameter of a power source based, at least in part, on a comparison of the wheel speed and a localized speed of the machine near the wheel.

Machine control system

A system and method are provided for grade-based anti-hunt shift control of an automatic transmission powering a machine. A shift controller determines a recommended gear in which to operate the transmission and sets an anti-hunt timer upon recommending a shift from a first gear to a second gear. The anti-hunt timer prevents a subsequent shift back to the first gear while the anti-hunt timer is running. A grade-based controller is configured to track machine operation and to determine when the machine operational factors change such that an estimated steady state gear differs from the second gear. When such a change is encountered, the grade-based controller clears the anti-hunt timer and sets a secondary timer. The clearing of the anti-hunt timer allows a downshift to accommodate the detected grade while the setting of the secondary timer prevents a subsequent clearing of the anti-hunt timer while the secondary timer is running.

Grade-based anti-hunt timer

A control system for a machine having a transmission system is provided. The control system includes a wheel speed sensor, a cruise control module and a controller. The wheel speed sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a wheel speed. The cruise control module is configured to maintain a desired wheel speed of the machine. The controller is in communication with the wheel speed sensor and the cruise control module. The controller is configured to selectively deactivate the cruise control module based, at least in part, on a comparison of the wheel speed and a localized speed of the machine near the wheel.

Cruise control system

A method of limiting machine speed of a dual powertrain machine includes propelling the dual powertrain machine by transmitting power from a first engine of a first electronically controlled powertrain to a first set of ground engaging elements, and transmitting power from a second engine of a second electronically controlled powertrain to a second set of ground engaging elements. The method also includes identifying a machine speed limit, executing a first machine speed limiting algorithm in a first controller of the first electronically controlled powertrain to determine a first engine control command based on the machine speed limit, and controlling the first engine using the first engine control command. A second machine speed limiting algorithm is executed in a second controller of the second electronically controlled powertrain to determine a second engine control command based on the machine speed limit, and the second engine is controlled using the second engine control command.

Dual powertrain machine speed limiting

A method of controlling an automatic transmission of a machine includes a step of identifying an upcoming gear ratio change from a current gear ratio to a proposed gear ratio. An estimated power output value, based on the proposed gear ratio and a current engine speed, is determined. The estimated power output value is adjusted based on a derated operating condition. If the estimated power output value is greater than or equal to a current power output value, a gear evaluation identifier is set to a first value. If the estimated power output value is less than the current power output value, the gear evaluation identifier is set to a second value.

Growing community of inventors

Mackinaw, IL, United States of America

Justin Lee Steinlage