Patents by Inventor Jeffrey E. Buettner

Jeffrey E. Buettner 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: 9157215
    Abstract: A computer-based method for displaying an implement payload weight to an operator of a vehicle is provided. The method includes calculating an implement payload weight at a lift position, displaying, at a first location on a monitor, the calculated implement payload weight, determining an accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight, and displaying, at a second location on the monitor proximate to the first location, an accuracy indicator based on the accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stanley, Jeffrey E. Buettner
  • Patent number: 8977445
    Abstract: A system for determining an operational state of a machine is provided. The system includes an implement position sensor configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of an implement. The system further includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure of a cylinder of the machine. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the implement position sensor and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the position signal and the pressure signal. The controller is further configured to determine a weight of a payload of the machine based on the received signals. Further, the controller is configured to determine a dig status of the machine based, at least in part, on a rate of change of the weight of the payload and the position of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Buettner
  • Publication number: 20140371994
    Abstract: A system for determining an operational state of a machine is provided. The system includes an implement position sensor configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of an implement. The system further includes a pressure sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a pressure of a cylinder of the machine. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the implement position sensor and the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the position signal and the pressure signal. The controller is further configured to determine a weight of a payload of the machine based on the received signals. Further, the controller is configured to determine a dig status of the machine based, at least in part, on a rate of change of the weight of the payload and the position of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Buettner
  • Publication number: 20140237868
    Abstract: A load estimator is disclosed for use with a scraper. The load estimator may have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a performance parameter of the scraper, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a hydraulic pressure associated with a bowl of the scraper, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to classify a current segment of an ongoing work cycle based on the first signal. The controller may also be configured to selectively estimate a load of material contained with the bowl of the scraper based on the second signal only when the current segment is classified as a segment where the load can be reliably estimated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael R. Whitchurch, Jeffrey E. Buettner, Jason S. Knowles, Robert K. Cannon
  • Publication number: 20140167971
    Abstract: A computer-based method for displaying an implement payload weight to an operator of a vehicle is provided. The method includes calculating an implement payload weight at a lift position, displaying, at a first location on a monitor, the calculated implement payload weight, determining an accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight, and displaying, at a second location on the monitor proximate to the first location, an accuracy indicator based on the accuracy of the calculated implement payload weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Robert W. Stanley, Jeffrey E. Buettner