Patents by Inventor John J. Baldauf

John J. Baldauf 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: 8515627
    Abstract: A machine includes a chassis, a linkage having a first end pivotally attached to the chassis at a first pivot point, and a bucket pivotally attached to a second end of the linkage at a second pivot point and rotatable about the second pivot point from a first position where gravity resists rotation of the bucket to a second position where gravity assists rotation of the bucket. A tilt actuator rotates the bucket about the pivot point and one or more sensors provide physical data of the bucket. A processor of the machine receives the physical data, determines from the physical data an equilibrium position of the bucket, determines a location of the center of gravity of the bucket with payload from the physical data and the equilibrium position, and estimates the weight of the payload based on the physical data and the location of the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer S. Marathe, John J. Baldauf
  • Patent number: 8428832
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the weight of a payload in a bucket of a machine where the bucket is attached to a chassis of the machine by a linkage. The apparatus comprises an energy storage device for storing potential energy of the bucket, payload, and linkage when the bucket is moved from a first suspended position to a second suspended position. A mechanism provides physical data corresponding to a physical change in the energy storage device caused by storage of the potential energy and a processor calculates the weight of the payload using the physical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sameer S. Marathe, John J. Baldauf
  • Publication number: 20100161184
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the weight of a payload in a bucket of a machine where the bucket is attached to a chassis of the machine by a linkage. The apparatus comprises an energy storage device for storing potential energy of the bucket, payload, and linkage when the bucket is moved from a first suspended position to a second suspended position. A mechanism provides physical data corresponding to a physical change in the energy storage device caused by storage of the potential energy and a processor calculates the weight of the payload using the physical data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sameer S. Marathe, John J. Baldauf
  • Publication number: 20100161185
    Abstract: A machine for transferring a payload from one location to another. The machine includes a chassis, a linkage having a first end pivotally attached to the chassis at a first pivot point, and a bucket pivotally attached to a second end of the linkage at a second pivot point and rotatable about the second pivot point from a first position where gravity resists rotation of the bucket to a second position where gravity assists rotation of the bucket. The machine also includes a tilt actuator for rotating the bucket about the pivot point and one or more sensors for providing physical data of the bucket. A processor of the machine receives the physical data, determines from the physical data an equilibrium position of the bucket between the first position and second position, determines a location of the center of gravity of the bucket with payload from the physical data and the equilibrium position, and estimates the weight of the payload based on the physical data and the location of the center of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sameer S. Marathe, John J. Baldauf