Patents by Inventor Benjamin Barbier

Benjamin Barbier has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11970375
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; a towing winch assembly coupled to the machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The towing winch assembly may be provided in the front portion of the pipelayer machine. The operator cabin may be provided between the towing winch assembly and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Caldwell, Donald L Vance, Benjamin Barbier
  • Patent number: 11970374
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Caldwell, Donald L. Vance, Benjamin Barbier
  • Patent number: 11970376
    Abstract: A system for controlling a winch assembly includes a rotatable winch drum with an attached cable. A winch motor is configured to rotate the winch drum. A sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of the number of layers of the winch cable on the winch drum. A winch controller is configured to receive a control input requesting a selected rotation of the winch drum, receive the signals from the sensor, determine a number of layers of the winch cable disposed on the winch drum, and generate control commands to control the winch motor to rotate the winch drum based on the control input and the number of layers of the winch cable. The control command rotates the winch drum to produce a substantially constant line speed based on the selected control input independent of the number of layers determined to be disposed on the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Caldwell, Benjamin Barbier
  • Patent number: 11814269
    Abstract: A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Jackson, Benjamin Barbier, Curtis J. Caldwell, Michael T. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20230105579
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John CALDWELL, Donald L. VANCE, Benjamin BARBIER
  • Publication number: 20230109258
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; a towing winch assembly coupled to the machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The towing winch assembly may be provided in the front portion of the pipelayer machine. The operator cabin may be provided between the towing winch assembly and the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John CALDWELL, Donald L. VANCE, Benjamin BARBIER
  • Publication number: 20230101055
    Abstract: A system for controlling a winch assembly includes a rotatable winch drum with an attached cable. A winch motor is configured to rotate the winch drum. A sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of the number of layers of the winch cable on the winch drum. A winch controller is configured to receive a control input requesting a selected rotation of the winch drum, receive the signals from the sensor, determine a number of layers of the winch cable disposed on the winch drum, and generate control commands to control the winch motor to rotate the winch drum based on the control input and the number of layers of the winch cable. The control command rotates the winch drum to produce a substantially constant line speed based on the selected control input independent of the number of layers determined to be disposed on the winch drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Caldwell, Benjamin Barbier
  • Publication number: 20220315394
    Abstract: A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. JACKSON, Benjamin BARBIER, Curtis J. CALDWELL, Michael T. JACKSON
  • Publication number: 20070205620
    Abstract: A conforming to the human hand rigid gadget to protect shoppers hands from the puncturing plastic handles of conventional carry out plastic bags (supermarket, department stores, etc) while heavy with contents, attachable and detachable at will, in the form of a tubular gadget with a longitudinal opening, to introduce the handles of the plastic bag(s) being carried, long enough to conform to the lower perimeter of the plastic bag(s) handles and able to sustain several bags carrying merchandise without breaking. Its thickness, also in conformity with the holding hand for a for a pleasant holding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Inventor: Benjamin Barbier