Caterpillar Inc.

The Climate Corporation

Roger D Koch

Robert J Price

Jeffrey Stephen Alig

Daniel Stanek

Dale M Koch

Michael Strnad

Bryan James Everett

Joseph Leo Faivre

James Decker Humphrey

Brahmaramba Tallapragada

Hiren R Patel

Jeff S Alig

Rob L Lohnes

A soil imaging system having a work layer sensor disposed on an agricultural implement to generate an electromagnetic field through a soil area of interest as the agricultural implement traverses a field. A monitor in communication with the work layer sensor is adapted to generate a work layer image of the soil layer of interest based on the generated electromagnetic field. The work layer sensor may also generate a reference image by generating an electromagnetic field through undisturbed soil. The monitor may compare at least one characteristic of the reference image with at least one characteristic of the work layer image to generate a characterized image of the work layer of interest. The monitor may display operator feedback and may effect operational control of the agricultural implement based on the characterized image.

Work layer imaging and analysis for implement monitoring, control and operator feedback

Systems and methods for controlling a machine comprise receiving information indicative of an occurrence of a prospective event and providing an event initiation signal to one or more machines. The event initiation signal may be configured to cause a controller of the one or more machines to control movement of the one or more machines based at least on a location of the machine relative to a designated area surrounding a location at which the prospective event is to occur.

Systems and methods for machine control in designated areas

A tool control system is disclosed. The control system may have a first actuator configured to control a first linkage. The control system may further have a second actuator configured to control a second linkage. The control system may also have a third actuator configured to control a work tool, wherein the second linkage is connected to the work tool and movably connected to the first linkage. The control system may still further have a plurality of operator input devices configured to provide operator control of the first, second, and third actuators. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the first, second, and third actuators and the plurality of operator input devices. The controller may be configured to receive a desired tool path for the work tool. The controller may also be configured to control movement of the first, second, and third actuators based on operator input received from fewer than all of the plurality of operator input devices to move the work tool along the desired tool path.

Tool control system

A slippage condition response system for a machine is disclosed. The response system may have a sensing system configured to sense a parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the machine. Additionally, the response system may have a locator configured to sense a parameter indicative of a location of the machine. The response system may also have a map configured to store at least one known slippage condition location. Each known slippage condition location may have a slippage condition position and a modified speed limit. In addition, the response system may have a controller, which may be in communication with the sensing system, the locator, and the map. The controller may be configured to monitor the location of the machine, monitor the parameter indicative of a slippage condition of the machine, and update the map, based on the monitored parameter and the monitored location.

Slippage condition response system

A control system for use with an excavation machine is disclosed. The control system may have a boom member, a linear actuator connected to pivot the boom member in a first direction, a rotary actuator connected to swing the boom member in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and an operator input device configured to generate a command signal indicative of a desired movement of the boom member. The control system may also have a tilt sensor configured to detect an inclination of the excavation machine, and a controller in communication with the rotary actuator, the operator input device, and the tilt sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a swing end stop for the boom member, to control the rotary actuator to move the boom member based on the command signal, and to modify the command signal to inhibit movement of the boom member past the swing end stop based on the detected inclination of the excavation machine.

Adaptive excavation control system having adjustable swing stops

A cable guide for a mobile machine is disclosed. The cable guide includes a supporting body, a guide member, and an electronic signaling instrument. The supporting body is configured to engage a worksite. The guide member is mounted on the supporting body and is configured to direct the cable in a fixed travel path in response to movement by the mobile machine. The electronic signaling instrument is engaged with the guide member and is configured to transmit an electronic signal indicative of a location of the cable guide.

Cable guide having a signaling instrument

A method of controlling a work tool with respect to a design surface gradient identifies surface gradient and determines a desired angle for the work tool. Movement of the machine is monitored and the distance between the design surface gradient and the work tool is determined. The angle of the work tool is varied based on one or more of these parameters.

Constant work tool angle control

An avoidance system for a mobile earthmoving machine is disclosed. The avoidance system includes a sensor system configured to periodically detect a position of a cable tethered from the machine within a worksite and generate a position data set in response thereto. A controller is associated with the sensor system and configured to determine a cable avoidance region based on the position data set.

Avoidance system for locating electric cables

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 system and method of assisting an operator of an excavating machine includes recommending a hop distance to move the machine based on the maximum distance that the machine can move and still be able to reach the bottom of the excavation that has already been dug by the machine during an excavating operation.

Recommending a machine repositioning distance in an excavating operation

A method is provided for enhancing the repositioning of an excavating machine, including an excavating assemblage, from one set-up position to a next, subsequent set-up position. A joystick is controlled in implement control mode to operate at least one of a boom, a stick, and a bucket of the excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase from a first machine set-up position. The first excavating phase is terminated and, during a machine repositioning phase, the machine is moved to a second machine set-up position for a second excavating phase at the second machine set-up position. After terminating the first excavating phase and before moving the machine to the second machine set-up position, an input/display device is accessed and activated to convert the joystick from implement control mode to machine control mode. At least machine steering and machine propulsion are controlled with the joystick set in the machine control mode during the machine repositioning phase. Before beginning the second excavating phase, an input/display device is accessed and activated to convert the joystick from machine control mode to implement control mode. The joystick is controlled in implement control mode to operate the excavating assemblage during the second excavating phase from the second machine set-up position.

Growing community of inventors

Pekin, IL, United States of America

Roger D Koch