Caterpillar Inc.

Michael C Gentle

Ethan Tevis

David Cox

Daniel Patrick Gillen

Jeffrey Lee Kuehn

Nathaniel Harshman

Ernest Everett Stoops

Bryan Everett Copeland

Karl Arthur Kirsch

Kevin Lee Welty

David Allen Ober

Phillip Alan Newberry

Brandon L Hagman

Vincent D Jones

Michael S Hill

Michael David Seyfert

Travis N Richards

Michael L Repscher

Jody Mcdiffett

Systems and methods for operating a grading machine. The method includes (i) receiving information regarding material on a surface, and the grading machine is configured to travel on the surface and move the material on the surface; (ii) determining a set of parameters for operating the grading machine, and the set of parameters include an articulation angle of the grading machine and a moldboard angle of a moldboard of the grading machine; and (iii) positioning a snow wing and the moldboard of the grading machine based on the set of parameters such that the snow wing has a predetermined spatial relationship with the moldboard.

Systems and methods for operating snow wings of motor graders

A controller may obtain sensor data collected by one or more sensors of a work machine having a ground-engaging implement positionable at an angle that defines a leading edge and a trailing edge of the ground-engaging implement. The sensor data may relate to material being worked by the work machine using the ground-engaging implement. The controller may detect, based on the sensor data, at least one of an accumulation of the material at the leading edge of the ground-engaging implement or a formation of a ribbon of the material forced from the leading edge of the ground-engaging implement. The controller may cause one or more position adjustments for the ground-engaging implement to resolve the at least one of the accumulation or the formation of the ribbon.

Autonomous control of a machine performing grading

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

Systems to control movement of a motor grader include a sensor for providing a bounce signal indicative of a bouncing movement of the motor grader, and a controller programmed with instructions that, when executed: receive the bounce signal from the sensor; analyze the bounce signal from the sensor; determine whether the maximum amplitude of the bouncing movement exceeds a threshold; in response to determining whether the maximum amplitude exceeds the threshold, generate an articulation angle command signal to change an articulation angle of the motor grader; and transmit the articulation angle command signal to change the articulation angle.

Anti-bounce control systems for machines, and associated 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

Systems and methods for automatically adjusting a motor grader can include receiving one or more identifiers corresponding to a configuration of the motor grader; determining, based at least in part on the one or more identifiers, a position of a leading edge of a blade of the motor grader relative to a rear frame axis of the motor grader; and, if the determined position is not within an operating threshold, causing a frame actuator of the motor grader to change an articulation angle of the frame to move the leading edge to within the acceptable threshold.

Systems and methods for automatically adjusting a motor grader

An automated system for a machine can include a controller and a plurality of position sensors to deliver information regarding a position of a work tool of the machine to the controller; wherein the controller receives information regarding a location of a machine structure of the machine, and wherein the controller is configured to establish a first virtual boundary proximate to the machine structure in view of the information regarding the location of the machine structure; wherein the controller is configured to receive operator commands regarding one or more functions of the work tool of the machine; and wherein, when the work tool reaches the first virtual boundary, the controller inhibits one or more functions of the work tool while at the same time allowing other functions of the work tool.

Different boundaries for implement functions with virtual fence to avoid tire or structural damage

A method is disclosed, which may include determining a distance of movement of a component of a machine; determining a load factor on the component over the distance of movement; estimating a remaining useful life of at least one of the component, or a wear component associated with the component, based on the distance of movement and the load factor; and performing one or more actions based on the estimated remaining useful life.

Growing community of inventors

Maroa, IL, United States of America

Michael C Gentle