Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC

Yongliang Zhu

Joseph Leo Faivre

Drew Alan Fehr

Christopher A Padilla

Nathan Ennis

Jason Hill

Patrick Pecchio

Colin Daniell

Geoffrey Mills

Owen Kolstad

Phillip Alan Newberry

Michael C Subrt

Shawn Zeller

Brad Robert Van De Veer

Jeffrey Stephen Alig

Imed Gharsalli

Bruce John Wiewel

Cody Joshua Ryerson

Vivek Bhaskar

Sam M Kherat

Eric Dishman

Geoff Mills

Wayne Lamb

Shawn Cullen

Yaw estimation systems and methods for an earthmoving machine and control architecture to receive roll and pitch input from an engine end frame (EEF) inertial motion unite (IMU) and from a non-engine end frame (NEEF) IMU, estimate a yaw articulation angle of the NEEF relative to the EEF by at least two different estimation methods based on the received roll and pitch input, fuse the at least two different estimation methods to generate an updated yaw articulation angle, calculate a yaw articulation rate based on the received roll and pitch input, integrate as an integration the updated yaw articulation angle and the yaw articulation rate, generate a real-time yaw articulation angle estimate of the NEEF relative to the EEF based on the integration, and operate the earthmoving machine based on the real-time yaw articulation angle estimate.

Yaw estimation systems and methods for rigid bodies of earthmoving machines connected by a revolute joint

Systems and methods for providing grade control on a motor grader without the use of masts attached to the blade. Embodiments include a body angle sensor configured to detect movement of a construction machine's body, a front 3D positioning device configured to detect a geospatial position of the construction machine's body within a world space, a drawbar angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's drawbar, and a blade angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's blade. Two positions on the blade may be calculated first within a machine space and subsequently within the world space. Movement of at least one articulating connection may be caused based on the blade positions within the world space.

Motor grader 3D grade control

Systems and methods for providing grade control on a motor grader without the use of masts attached to the blade. Embodiments include a body angle sensor configured to detect movement of a construction machine's body, a front GNSS receiver configured to detect a geospatial position of the construction machine's body within a world space, a drawbar angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's drawbar, and a blade angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's blade. Two positions on the blade may be calculated first within a machine space and subsequently within the world space. Movement of at least one articulating connection may be caused based on the blade positions within the world space.

An excavation system includes a work tool, and linkage connecting the work tool to the machine. The excavation system also includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angle of the linkage, a display, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller is configured to selectively cause the display to notify a user of the excavation system when the angle of the linkage is within a desired material penetration range of angles.

Excavation system providing linkage placement training

A system for determining a hydraulic seal coefficient of friction of a hydraulic cylinder includes a force sensor to provide a force signal indicative of a force of the cylinder. A controller is configured to receive a plurality of first force signals at a first load and determine a first friction force and receive a plurality of second force signals at a second load and determine a second friction force. A hydraulic seal coefficient of friction is determined based at least in part upon the first friction force and the second friction force. A method is also disclosed.

System for determining coefficients of seal friction

An apparatus and method are provided for assisting an operator of a motor grader to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode. The method includes receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode, determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer, and receiving an operator steering command. The received operator steering command is converted to an articulation command to place the machine into a crab steer mode. The articulation command is executed and is also converted into a final steering command consistent with the articulation command, and the final steering command is then executed.

Auto crab operation for motor grader

A payload control system includes a tool position sensor, a boom lift sensor, and a boom swing sensor. A controller is configured to determine a segment of a work cycle based upon the tool position, the boom lift, and the boom swing signal, and determine a payload moved by the tool during the segment of the work cycle.

System for work cycle detection

A payload control system includes a sensor system and a force sensor system. A controller determines a calibration machine state, a calibration linkage force, and machine calibration parameters based at least in part upon the calibration machine state and the calibration linkage force. The controller also determines a loaded implement machine state, a loaded implement linkage force, and a mass of the payload based at least in part upon the machine calibration parameters, the loaded implement machine state, and the loaded implement linkage force.

Payload Estimation system

A system for automated control of a motor grader includes a first sensor to indicate bounce of the motor grader and a speed sensor to indicate the ground speed. A controller determines a maximum amplitude of the bounce of the motor grader and controls the ground speed of the motor grader at least in part based upon the maximum amplitude of the bounce. A method is also provided.

Anti-bounce control system for a machine

An articulation control system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a traction device. The articulation control system may have a speed sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a travel speed of the mobile machine, a steering angle sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a steering angle of the traction device, and an articulation actuator configured to articulate a front frame of the mobile machine relative to a rear frame of the mobile machine. The articulation control system may also have a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the steering angle sensor, and the articulation actuator. The controller may be configured to track a travel path of the front frame based on the first and second signals, and to regulate operation of the articulation actuator to cause the rear frame to follow the travel path of the front frame.

Articulation control system having steering path tracking

An articulated machine and method of operation, the articulated machine having a first frame with a first traction device and a steering apparatus that controls a steering angle thereof, the first frame pivotally coupled to a second frame at an articulation joint, the second frame having a second traction device, a steering sensor configured to provide a steering signal indicative of the steering angle, and an electronic controller configured to automatically control an articulation angle based on the steering signal.

Steering system with automated articulation control

A system is provided for positioning a work implement. The system has at least one actuator for actuating a movement of the work implement. In addition, the system has at least one sensor associated with the at least one actuator and configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an orientation and a position of the work implement. The system also has at least one ground inclination sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of an inclination of a surface of the ground. Furthermore, the system has a controller configured to automatically adjust the orientation and position of the work implement in response to data received from the at least one sensor and the at least one ground inclination sensor.

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Yongliang Zhu