Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC

Caterpillar Inc.

Sudhagar Selvam

Saravanan S Mathivanan

Sridhar Thondikulam Raveendran

A machine includes a boom coupled to a movable carrier and at least one boom actuator adapted to actuate the boom. At least one boom sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. A drilling work device is coupled at a distal portion of the boom. First and second actuators are adapted to actuate the drilling work device. At least one drilling work device sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom, receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the drilling work device, and actuates at least one of the at least one boom actuator and the first and second actuators through series of predetermined steps to automatically position the machine in a shipping configuration.

System and method to automatically position a machine in a shipping configuration

A machine comprising a frame supported on a movable carrier. A first actuator is adapted to actuate a boom coupled to the frame. A first sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. At least one second actuator actuates a drilling work device coupled to the boom. A second sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom and the drilling work device and actuates at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator through predetermined sequential steps to automatically position the machine in a default configuration. The controller further receives signals indicative of data corresponding to at least one drilling hole and automatically positions the machine in an operating configuration.

System and method to automatically position a machine in an operating configuration

A system for automatic tilting of an operator cabin of a work machine includes a first sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a first pitch angle of a frame structure relative to a non-inclined surface. The system also includes a tilting mechanism to tilt the operator cabin relative to the frame structure. The system further includes a controller that receives the first signal indicative of the first pitch angle. The controller determines a second pitch angle based on the first pitch angle. The controller controls first and second actuators to tilt the operator cabin by the second pitch angle relative to the non-inclined surface. The second pitch angle is opposite in direction to the first pitch angle. Further, based on a tilting of the operator cabin, a plane defined by the operator cabin is substantially parallel to the non-inclined surface.

System and method for automatic tilting of operator cabin

A system for disassembling a drill assembly including a drill bit and one or more columns interlinked with each other. The system includes a first clamping mechanism adapted to engage one of the drill bit or a first column, and a second clamping mechanism adapted to engage a second column disposed successively to the drill bit or the first column. The second clamping mechanism is turned relative to the first clamping mechanism to at least partially delink the second column from the first column or the drill bit. The system further includes a first actuator adapted to move one of the first clamping mechanism or the second clamping mechanism relative to the other to define a gap therebetween to reveal an interface between the second column and the drill bit or the first column for delinking the second column relative to the drill bit or the first column.

System and method for disassembling drill assemblies

A machine includes a boom coupled to a movable carrier and at least one boom actuator adapted to actuate the boom. At least one boom sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. A drilling work device is coupled at a distal portion of the boom. First and second actuators are adapted to actuate the drilling work device. At least one drilling work device sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom, receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the drilling work device, and actuates at least one of the at least one boom actuator and the first and second actuators through predetermined sequential steps to automatically position the machine in a shipping configuration.

A torque wrench engagement mechanism for a drilling machine is provided. The torque wrench engagement mechanism includes a wrench assembly. The wrench assembly includes a wrench member having a receiving portion adapted to receive a flattened portion of a pipe. The wrench assembly includes a guide member disposed adjacent to the wrench member. The wrench assembly also includes at least one guide pin disposed between the wrench member and the guide member. The wrench assembly further includes a spring member disposed in association with the at least one guide pin. The torque wrench engagement mechanism also includes an actuation member operably coupled to the wrench assembly. At an extended position of the actuation member, the spring member is adapted to move the wrench member to engage with the flattened portion of the pipe, when the flattened portion of the pipe slidably aligns with the receiving portion of the wrench member.

Torque wrench engagement mechanism

A linkage assembly for a drilling machine includes a first arm, a second arm, an actuation member, and a connector assembly. A first end of the first arm is pivotally coupled to a positioning member at a first pivot joint. A first end of the second arm is pivotally coupled to a feed table at a second pivot joint. A first end of the actuation member is pivotally coupled to the feed table at a third pivot joint. The connector assembly is fixedly coupled to a second end of the first arm, and pivotally coupled to a second end of the second arm and a second end of the actuation member. The linkage assembly is adapted to pivot the feed table relative to the positioning member about a pivot axis based on movement of the actuation member between an extended position and a retracted position.

Linkage assembly for drilling machine

A levelling assembly is provided, for levelling an upper carriage assembly of a machine with respect to an undercarriage assembly having a first track roller frame and the second track roller frame. A levelling body is rotatably coupled to the first track roller frame and the second track roller frame and defines a first side and a second side laterally opposite to the first side. The levelling assembly includes a first pair of fluid actuators for movably coupling first side of the levelling body with the first track roller frame and a second pair of fluid actuators for movably coupling second side of the levelling body with the second track roller frame. The first and the second pair of fluid actuators move the levelling body between a fore tilted position and an aft tilted position relative to the first and the second track roller frames.

Undercarriage assembly for a machine

A ripper assembly for a machine includes a main ripper unit and at least one auxiliary ripper unit. The main ripper unit is adapted to be coupled to a frame of the machine and is moveable relative to the frame along a height of the machine. The main ripper unit includes a main ripper. The auxiliary ripper unit is pivotably coupled to the main ripper unit, and is pivotable infinitely between a first position and a second position with respect to the main ripper unit. A distance between the main ripper unit and the auxiliary ripper unit, defined laterally in relation to a direction of travel of the machine, varies as the auxiliary ripper unit pivots from the first position to the second position.

Width adjustable ripper assembly

A swivel assembly for a drilling machine is provided. The swivel assembly includes a positioning member pivotally coupled to a boom member associated with the drilling machine. The swivel assembly also includes a bearing assembly coupled to each of the positioning member and a feed table associated with the drilling machine. The bearing assembly is adapted to rotate about a rotational axis. The swivel assembly further includes at least one actuator operably coupled to the bearing assembly. The bearing assembly is adapted to selectively rotate the feed table relative to the positioning member about the rotational axis based, at least in part, on an actuation of the at least one actuator.

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Chennai, India

Sudhagar Selvam