Patents by Inventor Giles K. Sorrells

Giles K. Sorrells 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: 8447568
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and providing exception-based reports for machine data. The machine data is relayed to a remote system for automated analysis based on tests and parameters defined by an owner. If any exceptions are detected in the data based on the operator-defined input, output is generated. The output may take the form of exception-based printed or electronic reports, or the exception information may be relayed to a hand held device, preferably maintained by service personnel at the work site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Doddek, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20110320172
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and providing exception-based reports for machine data. The machine data is relayed to a remote system for automated analysis based on tests and parameters defined by an owner. If any exceptions are detected in the data based on the operator-defined input, output is generated. The output may take the form of exception-based printed or electronic reports, or the exception information may be relayed to a hand held device, preferably maintained by service personnel at the work site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: David J. Doddek, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 8014974
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and providing exception-based reports for machine data. The machine data is relayed to a remote system for automated analysis based on tests and parameters defined by an owner. If any exceptions are detected in the data based on the operator-defined input, output is generated. The output may take the form of exception-based printed or electronic reports, or the exception information may be relayed to a hand held device, preferably maintained by service personnel at the work site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Doddek, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 6996464
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically limiting the ground speed of a work machine. The work machine is adapted to move about the ground of a work site. An electronic site map having at least one speed restriction is maintained at a site office. The work machine monitors its position using an onboard GPS system and compares its actual speed and position to the site map. If the work machine exceeds the speed restriction, the work machine receives a signal and reduces speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 6842680
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to automatically control the speed of a work machine 10 based on ton-miles-per-hour limit of at least one of a plurality of tires 12. A vehicle information system 28 having a processor 32 and a database 34 monitors an actual ton-miles-per-hour calculation of the plurality of tires 12. The vehicle information system 28 functions in combination with an electronic control module 66 of the machine 10 to trigger an automatic speed reduction should the actual ton-miles-per-hour rating exceed a predetermined limit. The speed reduction may be affected by at least one of reducing a throttle setting, changing a transmission gear and automatic application of the machine brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: David J. Doddek, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 6839638
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for calibrating a payload monitor of a work machine. Altering the load carrying body of a work machine can adversely impact the accuracy of a payload monitor. The present invention provides a calibrating technique using an alternate coefficient that is programmed into the payload monitor. The alternate coefficient is then used by the payload monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Lueschow, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20040122580
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining road conditions base on monitoring a plurality of parameters of a machine system. The machine system includes a payload system, an engine control system, a transmission system and an accelerometer. A control module monitors the machine systems and estimates the torque output of a drivetrain. By analyzing data from the systems the control module can determine if the machine is being operated on road that is in need of repair and dispatch equipment to repair the road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Giles K. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20040122576
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for automatically limiting the ground speed of a work machine. The work machine is adapted to move about the ground of a work site. An electronic site map having at least one speed restriction is maintained at a site office. The work machine monitors its position using an onboard GPS system and compares its actual speed and position to the site map. If the work machine exceeds the speed restriction, the work machine receives a signal and reduces speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventor: Giles K. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20040102907
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for calibrating a payload monitor of a work machine. Altering the load carrying body of a work machine can adversely impact the accuracy of a payload monitor. The present invention provides a calibrating technique using an alternate coefficient that is programmed into the payload monitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Kevin J. Lueschow, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20030220729
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to automatically control the speed of a work machine 10 based on ton-miles-per-hour limit of at least one of a plurality of tires 12. A vehicle information system 28 having a processor 32 and a database 34 monitors an actual ton-miles-per-hour calculation of the plurality of tires 12. The vehicle information system 28 functions in combination with an electronic control module 66 of the machine 10 to trigger an automatic speed reduction should the actual ton-miles-per-hour rating exceed a predetermined limit. The speed reduction may be affected by at least one of reducing a throttle setting, changing a transmission gear and automatic application of the machine brakes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Doddek, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Publication number: 20030115019
    Abstract: A system and method for analyzing and providing exception-based reports for machine data. The machine data is relayed to a remote system for automated analysis based on tests and parameters defined by an owner. If any exceptions are detected in the data based on the operator-defined input, output is generated. The output may take the form of exception-based printed or electronic reports, or the exception information may be relayed to a hand held device, preferably maintained by service personnel at the work site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: David J. Doddek, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 5420791
    Abstract: An electronic control is provided for controlling the drive speed of a supplemental drive relative to an engine driven main drive of a vehicle. A fluid pump driven by the engine provides pressurized fluid flow. The supplemental drive is driven by the pressurized fluid. A main drive sensor senses the speed of the main drive and responsively produces a main drive speed signal. A command knob is provided for selecting a desired speed relationship between the main and supplemental drives. A knob sensor senses the position of the command knob and responsively produces a modifier signal. A modifier circuit receives the main drive speed and modifier signals and responsively produces a modified main drive speed signal. A supplemental drive sensor senses the speed of the supplemental drive and responsively produces a supplemental drive speed signal. A processor produces an error signal responsive to a difference between received modified main and supplemental drive speed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Olson, William J. Tate, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 5361208
    Abstract: An electronic control is provided for controlling the drive speed of a supplemental drive relative to an engine driven main drive of a vehicle. A fluid pump driven by the engine provides pressurized fluid flow. The supplemental drive is driven by the pressurized fluid. A main drive sensor senses the speed of the main drive and responsively produces a main drive speed signal. A command knob is provided for selecting a desired speed relationship between the main and supplemental drives. A knob sensor senses the position of the command knob and responsively produces a modifier signal. A modifier circuit receives the main drive speed and modifier signals and responsively produces a modified main drive speed signal. A supplemental drive sensor senses the speed of the supplemental drive and responsively produces a supplemental drive speed signal. A processor produces an error signal responsive to a difference between received modified main and supplemental drive speed signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Olson, William J. Tate, Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4835719
    Abstract: A payload monitoring system of a work vehicle includes a software controlled method of predicting when one additional bucketload of material will properly fill the vehicle to its rated capacity. The system calculates the actual magnitude of each bucketload of material and adds that value to the present payload to predict the future payload resulting from an additional bucketload of material. When the predicted future payload encompasses the rated capacity, the system signals the operators of both the work vehicle and the loading vehicle that one additional pass will complete the loading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Giles K. Sorrells
  • Patent number: 4745552
    Abstract: Anti-spin control systems are useful, for example, in industrial off-road vehicles. It is desirable that such systems exhibit rapid response to adverse working conditions, and be capable of quickly applying braking forces to whichever driven wheel is rotating at a higher velocity at a given time. The instant invention includes an electrical circuit for producing first and second brake control signals having values responsive to a working condition wherein one of the vehicle wheels loses traction and rotates more rapidly than the other vehicle wheel. A first controllable valve receives the first brake control signal and responsively controllably engages a brake mechanism associated with the faster rotating wheel, while a second controllable valve receives the second brake control signal and responsively controllably moves a brake mechanism associated with the slower rotating wheel from a brake released position to a brake pre-engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Weldon L. Phelps, Alan L. Stahl, Giles K. Sorrells