Caterpillar Inc.

Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.

Robert J Price

Roger D Koch

Brian Mintah

Kevin Dwight King

Jeffrey Stephen Alig

Vijayakumar Janardhan

Shoji Tozawa

Everett Gene Brandt

Daniel Stanek

Jeffrey Kent Berry

James J Kalafut

Bryan D Brown

Adam J Gudat

Ronald L Satzler

George G Codina

Dean R Potts

Samuel B Stevens

James E Gee

Andrew J Tonsor

Thomas J Richards

Francis J Raab

Michael C Gatz

William C Evans

Katherine C Glee

N Keith Lay

Bassam J Alshaer

Srinivas Kowta

Liliana Grajales

Katherine Christine Braddy

Jeffrey L Finley

Chad Magstadt

Gregory Mettlach

John T Grober

David R Kweram

Rob L Lohnes

Parmesh Venkateswaran

Megan Clark

Systems and methods for remotely controlling machines includes generating, on a display device associated with a remote control console, a first image associated with a position of the machine at a first time period. A virtual position of the machine is estimated based at least on the first position and at least one operating parameter associated with the machine. A virtual image of the machine relative to the first image is generated on the display device, the virtual image of the machine corresponding to the estimated virtual position of the machine.

System and method for controlling machines remotely

The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement having at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may have at least one state sensor configured to measure a state of the at least two linkage members. The payload calculation system may also have a processing device in communication with the at least one state sensor. The processing device may account for changes in a center of gravity of each of the at least two linkage members. The processing device may also be configured to use the at least one state sensor to determine a mass of a payload moved by the work implement.

Payload system with center of gravity compensation

A paving system includes a machine having a plurality of ground-engaging elements and a frame. The machine may be a paving machine having a receiver configured to receive electronic data indicative of a non-uniformity in a substrate within a region to be paved with a mat of paving material. The paving system further includes an electronic control unit configured to control compactor interaction with the mat of material according to a mat smoothness criterion, including controlling compactor interaction with the mat of material in response to data, such as screed control data, indicative of the non-uniformity in the substrate.

Paving system and method for controlling compactor interaction with paving material mat

A method of operating machine system includes receiving expected material placement data for a paving machine and comparing the expected material placement data with actual material placement data. The method further includes outputting a signal based on the comparison, and commanding replenishing material from a supply machine to the second supply volume responsive to the signal. A paving control system for a paving system includes a computer readable memory configured to store expected material placement data, a receiver configured to receive actual material placement data and a data processor configured to output a control signal to a supply machine to controllably replenish material to an external material supply volume for the paving system in a manner responsive to comparing the expected material placement data with the actual material replacement data.

Machine system operation and control strategy for material supply and placement

A data acquisition system for an excavation machine having a power source configured to drive a tool through a work cycle is disclosed. The data acquisition system may have a first sensor associated with the power source to generate a first signal indicative of a performance of the power source, and a second sensor associated with the tool to generate a second signal indicative of a performance of the tool. The data acquisition system may also have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to record the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments. The controller may be further configured to link the performance of the power source and the performance of the tool together with one of the plurality of segments during which the associated first and second signals were recorded.

Data acquisition system indexed by cycle segmentation

A payload monitoring system for an excavation machine is disclosed. The payload monitoring system may have a tool, a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a velocity of the tool, and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a lift force of the tool. The payload monitoring system may also have a controller in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The controller may be configured to record the velocity and the lift force of the tool during a work cycle based on the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments including a loaded moving segment. The controller may also be configured to determine a period of time within the loaded moving segment during which the velocity of the tool is substantially constant, and calculate a payload of the tool based on the lift force recorded during the period of time.

Adaptive payload monitoring system

A method for controlling an engine of a machine includes a step of setting an initial engine speed of the engine based on a position of an operator engine speed selection device. The machine is operated for a period of time at the initial engine speed, and a power usage value for the machine during that period of time is identified. The initial engine speed of the engine is then lowered to a reduced engine speed corresponding to the power usage value.

Method for adjusting engine speed based on power usage of machine

A control system for an excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a work tool movable to perform an excavation work cycle, at least one sensor configured to monitor a speed of the work tool and generate a signal indicative of the monitored speed, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to record the monitored speed of the work tool during each excavation work cycle, and compare the signal currently being generated to a maximum speed recorded for a previous excavation work cycle. The controller may be further configured to partition a current excavation work cycle into a plurality of segments based on the comparison.

Adaptive work cycle control system

A method and machine with an automated digging cycle is provided. The method includes moving an implement system of the machine through a work cycle, including interacting with a material. The method further includes sensing values associated with a bucket velocity parameter, such as bucket tip velocity, during interacting with the material, and controlling the velocity parameter via commands which control a sequence of bucket orientations whereby an implement system of the machine interacts with the material, responsive to the sensed values. The machine includes an electronic controller configured via a control algorithm to execute the automated digging cycle. A velocity based control system for an excavating machine includes an electronic controller configured to receive velocity signals from at least one sensor, determine a bucket tip velocity, and output control commands to move a bucket of the excavating machine through a material via a sequence of bucket orientations that is based on the determined bucket tip velocity.

Velocity based control process for a machine digging cycle

An excavation control system for a machine is disclosed. The excavation control system may have a tool, at least one operator input device configured to provide manual control over movement of the tool, and a controller in communication with the at least one operator input device. The controller may be configured to receive an input related to an operator desired tool location, and determine that an operator is manually controlling movement of the tool toward the operator desired tool location. The controller may be further configured to automatically assume control over movement of the tool toward the operator desired tool location based on the determination.

Semi-autonomous excavation control system

The present disclosure is directed to a payload calculation system for use with a work implement. The payload calculation system may have a state sensor configured to measure a state of the work implement. The payload calculation system may further have a processing device configured to calculate a mass of a payload moved by the work implement. The processing device may be configured to use the measured state to compensate the calculation of the mass for centrifugal, inertial, and frictional forces of the work implement caused by the work implement rotating about a vertical pivot.

Payload system that compensates for rotational forces

A machine control system may include a machine mounted stereo imaging apparatus configured to provide a 3-D model indicative of a terrain feature. The machine control system may also include a control module configured to process the 3-D model, and automatically perform an operation with a work tool based on the characteristics of the 3-D model.

Machine control system and method

A method of controlling a machine during an excavating operation is provided. Stabilizers are deployed to ground contact to stabilize the machine at a first set-up position. Excavating is performed with an excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase while the machine is stabilized at the first set-up position. An automated machine preparation for repositioning mode is initiated for preparing the machine, after the excavating phase, for repositioning to a second set-up position for a second excavating phase, by activating an input device to send input signals to a controller. Output signals are delivered from the controller to control automated machine preparation for repositioning to the second set-up position.

Preparation for machine repositioning in an excavating operation

A method of repositioning a machine during an excavating operation from a first machine position to a second machine position is provided. A target distance to the second machine position is selected. An operator input device configured to send a control input signal to a control module to initiate a repositioning phase is activated. During a repositioning phase, the machine is moved toward the second position while an operator maintains control of movement. A determination is made when the machine has traveled the target distance. The machine is stopped under automated machine control at the second machine position.

Automated machine repositioning in an excavating operation

A control system for customizing a relationship between an operator input at an input controller and a corresponding response of a work machine is disclosed. The control system includes an input controller operable to receive an operator input and generate a corresponding control signal. The control system also includes a hand-held programmable device having parameters stored therein. The parameters are adjustable to control responsiveness of a component of the work machine over a range of inputs at the input controller. The hand-held programmable device is operable to adjust the parameters in response to an input from an operator. A control module is disposed on the work machine and is operable to receive signals from the hand-held programmable device. The signals are representative of a desired relationship between an operator input to the input controller and a corresponding response of the work machine. The control module is also operable to receive the control signal from the input controller and process the control signal based on the signals from the hand-held programmable device.

Growing community of inventors

Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Robert J Price