Caterpillar Inc.

Michael D Staub

William James Tate

Darin S Motz

Cameron T Lane

Keith A Kabrick

Michael D Hudson

Joseph Edward Tabor

Tom N Brooks

Bradley Bailey

Dennis A Barney

Harold Duane Dabbs

Claude Wesley Keefer

Bryan Everett Copeland

Louis G Alster

Frederick Beach

Srikar Thaduvayi

Jeremy Joe Wilson

Kevin Anthony O'Neil

Andrew Saxsma

Steve D Lundquist

Nischol N Antao

Christopher Kent Hoadley

Elliott E Plumer

Adam Michael Buhs

Douglas J Lockhart

A system, method, and device for providing local electronic servicing of a machine can comprise providing, to a mobile device, access to a network manager of the machine via a pairing and connection process between the network manager and the mobile device over a network; enabling, from a back office system, local electronic access functionality, such as functionality with elevated privileges, on the mobile device upon successful pairing and connection between the network manager and the mobile device; and with the mobile device and the network manager paired and connected, electronically accessing data of the machine using the mobile device.

System, method, and device for providing local electronic servicing

A system for collecting data from a machine lacking network connectivity may comprise a mobile vehicle. The mobile vehicle may be configured for providing a vehicle communication network to a data hauling device of the machine, the machine being remote from a stationary site having a site-specific communication network. The mobile vehicle may further be configured for retrieving data from the data hauling device via the vehicle communication network, detecting the site-specific communication network, and uploading the retrieved data to the stationary site using the site-specific communication network.

Systems and methods for obtaining data from machines disconnected from a network

A retarding system for an electric drive machine is provided. The retarding system includes an electrical retarding system and a hydraulic braking system. A single pedal controls both the electrical retarding system and the hydraulic braking system. The pedal includes a first range of travel that provides input to the electrical retarding system and a second range of travel that additionally controls the hydraulic braking system. The pedal further includes different levels of travel resistance in each of the two ranges of travel that correspond to providing inputs to the electrical retarding system and the hydraulic braking system.

Retarding system for an electric drive machine

The disclosure relates, in one aspect, to a friction brake cooling system for a machine. The cooling system includes at least one pump connected to at least one reservoir containing cooling fluid. A controller is configured to divert a cooling fluid flow through a valve to a first friction brake system and to a second friction brake system based on the use of the systems. In another aspect, the disclosure relates to a method of cooling a first friction brake system and a second friction brake system including diverting a flow of brake cooling fluid to the systems based on the use of the systems.

Brake cooling fluid diverter for an off-highway machine

The disclosure describes, in one aspect, a method for changing a direction of a machine that is moving in a first direction. The method includes the step of receiving a signal indicative of an intention to change the direction of the machine to a second direction. The method also includes the step of determining whether a signal indicative of a speed of the machine is greater than a threshold based at least in part on an electric motor parameter. Finally, the method includes the step of applying a braking torque to at least one travel mechanism of the machine in response to a signal indicative of an accelerator pedal position until the speed reaches the threshold.

Method and system for controlling a driving direction of an electric drive machine

A retarding system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The machine may have a power source and a traction device driven by the power source. The retarding system may have a speed sensor configured to generate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine. Additionally, the retarding system may have a service brake configured to retard motion of the traction device. The retarding system may also have an engine brake configured to retard motion of the power source. In addition, the retarding system may have a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the service brake, and the engine brake. The controller may be configured to substantially concurrently retard motion of the traction device based on the speed signal and retard motion of the power source based on the speed signal.

Retarding system that retards motion of power source

The control system may have an electric motor and a traction device connected to an output of the motor. The control system may also have a decelerator and a controller. The controller may be in communication with the motor and the decelerator. The controller may be configured to determine a creep torque and apply the creep torque to the traction device when the decelerator is actuated.

Creep control for motor system

A system and method for initiating autoguidance on a mobile machine when turning the machine at the end of a path. When an operator moves a steering mechanism of a mobile machine away from a straight travel position, the autoguidance typically deactivates so that the operator can control the machine through the turn. When the operator attempts to activate autoguidance as the turn is completed, the position of the steering mechanism is monitored for a predetermined time interval. If the position of the steering mechanism falls within a predetermined position zone, autoguidance remains activated; otherwise, autoguidance is deactivated. In addition, during the predetermined time interval, the direction of motion of the steering mechanism is monitored; if the direction is, at any time, away from the predetermined position zone, autoguidance is deactivated.

System and method for initializing autoguidance for a mobile machine

A method is provided for determining the location of a work machine at a work site, where the work machine includes a house, a boom connected to the house, a stick connected to the boom, and a work implement connected to the house. Reference signals are received from an external reference source. The position of a point on the house is determined in response to the received signals. Information about the work machine is determined based on the position of the point on the house. The status of center-of-rotation (COR) information is updated. The system determines if an event has occurred. If an event is determined to have occurred, event reactions occur.

Method and apparatus for determining machine location

A system and method for providing autoguidance for an agricultural machine. The system includes a main machine control module to control steering of the agricultural machine, a position determining system, and a guidance map. The system also includes an autoguidance control module to receive a position signal from the position determining system and data from the guidance map, and responsively determine a current position and a desired path to traverse by the agricultural machine, wherein the desired path to traverse is determined with respect to rows of crop in a field, and wherein the main machine control module is adapted to receive a control signal from the autoguidance control module and control steering of the agricultural machine in response to activation of the autoguidance control module control signal.

Autoguidance system and method for an agricultural machine

The system includes a path planning system adapted to store a site model of the field. The site model includes data defining a plurality of parameters associated with the field. The path planning system is further adapted to receive information indicative of a work implement connected to the agricultural machine, and a desired work operation of the agricultural machine. A plurality of desired paths for the agricultural machine to traverse are planned as a function of the plurality of field parameters, the work implement, and the desired work operation. An autoguidance control system is adapted to receive the plurality of desired paths, and responsively produce a control signal upon activation of the autoguidance control system. A machine control system receives the control signal, and responsively controls the operation of the agricultural machine with respect to the plurality of desired paths.

System and method for planning the operations of an agricultural machine in a field

A method and apparatus for determining an area of crop being harvested by a harvesting machine having a cutter bar of a known total width. The method and apparatus includes a position determining system located on the harvesting machine, and a processor located on the harvesting machine. The processor is adapted to receive position signals from the position determining system and to determine a first position of the harvesting machine, determine a first effective cutter bar width, determine a second position of the harvesting machine, determine a second effective cutter bar width, and responsively determine an area of a polygon bounded by the first and second positions, and the first and second cutter bar widths.

Method and apparatus for determining an area of harvested crop

A method and apparatus for providing autoguidance for a plurality of agricultural machines. Each agricultural machine has a work implement attached to it. The method includes the steps of determining a reference path by a first agricultural machine, communicating the location of the reference path to each remaining agricultural machine, and determining a plurality of desired paths parallel to the reference path by each of the plurality of agricultural machines. Each plurality of desired paths is determined as a function of the width of the corresponding work implement for each respective agricultural machine.

Method and apparatus for providing autoguidance for multiple agricultural machines

A method and apparatus for controlling an earthworking implement on an earthworking machine to preserve a crown on the surface of a road, including determining the position of the crown on the road surface, choosing a sloped grade on one side of the crown, positioning the earthworking implement on the sloped grade so that a first end of the earthworking implement is on the road surface. The processor determines a desired position of a second end of the earthworking implement so that the second end overlaps the crown and the earthworking implement does not cut the crown.

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Metamora, IL, United States of America

Michael D Staub