Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Stratton
Kenneth L. Stratton 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).
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Patent number: 10480157Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a first material engaging work implement includes a first machine, a second machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to store a kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, determine a second machine operation zone, with the second machine operation zone being defined by a material movement plan of the second machine, and determine a current pose of the first machine. The controller is further configured to determine a first machine operation zone based upon the pose of the first machine, the kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, and the second machine operation zone, with the first machine operation zone being spaced from the second machine operation zone, and generate a plurality of command signals to move the first material engaging work implement within the first machine operation zone between a first position and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2016Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 10384882Abstract: A material management system and method manages and tracks the progress of excavated material transferred through an excavation site by a conveyer system operating in cooperation with an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC). The material management system distinguishes the material dispensed into the IPCC into identified material batches. To track the identified material batches, the material management system records data regarding the conveyer speed and the conveyer distance associated with the IPCC, as well as possible other data regarding the identified material batches. The material management system processes this to track the indentified material batches along the conveyer route.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 10248133Abstract: A system for mapping terrain using at least a first machine and a second machine traveling along the terrain includes a controller for each of the respective first and second machines. Each respective machine includes a plurality of sensors in electrical communication with the controller of each respective machine. The controller is configured to receive, from the plurality of sensors located on each respective machine a plurality of machine parameters indicative of sensed operations of the respective machine as the respective machine travels along the terrain. The controller is further configured to determine, based on the received machine parameters for the respective machine, a geometry and a grade of a plurality of paths on the terrain along which the respective machine travels.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Jeffrey Edward Jensen
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Patent number: 10233616Abstract: A guidance system and method for guiding excavation at an excavation site utilizes an excavating machine and an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC) having a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material. The guidance system can receive first hopper data associated with the first hopper and second hopper data associated with the second hopper and can process the first hopper data and second hopper data to determine a selected hopper for dispensing material. In an aspect, the guidance system can generate a guidance indication to display to the operator of the excavating machine that indicates the selected hopper.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2017Date of Patent: March 19, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 10060097Abstract: An excavation system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine having a work tool and with an IPCC. The excavation system may have a location device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the excavation machine, a display, and at least one controller in communication with the location device and the display. The controller may be configured to receive a second signal indicative of a location of the IPCC, and to cause representations of the excavation machine and the IPCC to be simultaneously shown on the display based on the first and second signals. The at least one controller may also be configured to determine a swing radius of the work tool, and to selectively cause an indication of alignment between the IPCC and the swing radius to be shown on the display based on the first signal, the second signal, and the swing radius.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 28, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Russell Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton, Michael Edward Brandt, James D. Humphrey, James William Ryan
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Publication number: 20180179737Abstract: A guidance system and method for guiding excavation at an excavation site utilizes an excavating machine and an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC) having a first hopper and a second hopper for receiving material. The guidance system can receive first hopper data associated with the first hopper and second hopper data associated with the second hopper and can process the first hopper data and second hopper data to determine a selected hopper for dispensing material. In an aspect, the guidance system can generate a guidance indication to display to the operator of the excavating machine that indicates the selected hopper.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20180170685Abstract: A material management system and method manages and tracks the progress of excavated material transferred through an excavation site by a conveyer system operating in cooperation with an in-pit crusher and conveyer (IPCC). The material management system distinguishes the material dispensed into the IPCC into identified material batches. To track the identified material batches, the material management system records data regarding the conveyer speed and the conveyer distance associated with the IPCC, as well as possible other data regarding the identified material batches. The material management system processes this to track the indentified material batches along the conveyer route.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20180066415Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a first material engaging work implement includes a first machine, a second machine, and a controller. The controller is configured to store a kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, determine a second machine operation zone, with the second machine operation zone being defined by a material movement plan of the second machine, and determine a current pose of the first machine. The controller is further configured to determine a first machine operation zone based upon the pose of the first machine, the kinematic model and characteristics of the implement system, and the second machine operation zone, with the first machine operation zone being spaced from the second machine operation zone, and generate a plurality of command signals to move the first material engaging work implement within the first machine operation zone between a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9909284Abstract: A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9851719Abstract: The disclosure relates to method for executing project plan at worksite including project location. The method includes receiving, the project plan and analyzing, by the control unit, the project plan to determine excavation locations and dumping locations. The method further includes determining properties of material associated with the excavation locations and the dumping locations. The method includes determining, by the control unit, if properties of material associated with the excavation locations are matching with the properties of material present at the dumping locations, and if properties of materials present at the excavation locations are matching with the properties of materials present at the dumping locations, by combining materials present at the excavation locations with the materials present at the dumping locations. The method includes instructing the machine to excavate materials.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20170344011Abstract: The disclosure relates to method for executing project plan at worksite including project location. The method includes receiving, the project plan and analyzing, by the control unit, the project plan to determine excavation locations and dumping locations. The method further includes determining properties of material associated with the excavation locations and the dumping locations. The method includes determining, by the control unit, if properties of material associated with the excavation locations are matching with the properties of material present at the dumping locations, and if properties of materials present at the excavation locations are matching with the properties of materials present at the dumping locations, by combining materials present at the excavation locations with the materials present at the dumping locations. The method includes instructing the machine to excavate materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2016Publication date: November 30, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9805317Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling fluid delivery on a site using at least one fluid delivery machine are disclosed. An exemplary such method includes identifying at least one path on the site based on map information associated with the site, calculating a fluid delivery requirement of the at least one path based on environmental information associated with the site, and dispatching a fluid delivery machine on a mission to treat the at least one path with fluid based on the fluid delivery requirement.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam J. Gudat, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, David C. Orr, Kenneth L. Stratton, Craig L. Koehrsen, Claude W. Keefer, Michael D. Braunstein
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Publication number: 20170198459Abstract: A hazard avoidance system for a machine includes a profile monitoring device configured to determine a profile created by the machine, a position detection module configured to determine a position of the machine on the worksite and a controller communicably coupled to the profile monitoring device and the position detection module. The controller is configured to receive the profile determined by the profile monitoring device, receive the position of the machine, determine the profile as a hazard if the gradient of the profile is above a certain gradient and determine the location of the hazard and transmit location of the hazard and initiate preventive action in a second machine operating in proximity to the machine on the worksite.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: July 13, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20170191246Abstract: An excavation system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine having a work tool and with an IPCC. The excavation system may have a location device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a location of the excavation machine, a display, and at least one controller in communication with the location device and the display. The controller may be configured to receive a second signal indicative of a location of the IPCC, and to cause representations of the excavation machine and the IPCC to be simultaneously shown on the display based on the first and second signals. The at least one controller may also be configured to determine a swing radius of the work tool, and to selectively cause an indication of alignment between the IPCC and the swing radius to be shown on the display based on the first signal, the second signal, and the swing radius.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Russell FRIEND, Kenneth L. STRATTON, Michael Edward BRANDT, James D. HUMPHREY, James William RYAN
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Patent number: 9624650Abstract: A system associated with an implement of a machine is provided. The system includes a ground speed detection module configured to generate a signal indicative of a ground speed of the machine. The system further includes an implement control module coupled to the ground speed detection module. The implement control module receives the signal indicative of the ground speed of the machine. The implement control module detects at least one of the ground speed of the machine being less than a predetermined speed threshold and a rate of change of the ground speed being above a limit. The implement control module determines a presence of an obstruction in a path of the machine based, at least in part, on the detection. The implement control module further select a movement from a plurality of movements associated with the implement and triggers the movement of the implement.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 18, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9593942Abstract: A system for determining the stroke of a hydraulic cylinder is provided. The hydraulic cylinder includes a barrel with a rod that slidably extends therefrom. A fiber optic shape sensing system is positioned to determine the stroke of the rod relative to the barrel. An interrogation module is fixed to a reference frame. A fiber bundle is joined to the interrogation module at a proximal end and a fiber termination at a distal end, which is joined to the connecting end of the rod. A signal conditioning module connected to the interrogation module is configured to compute the location of at least one position of the fiber bundle relative to the reference frame; and provide an output indicative of the stroke of the connecting end relative to the barrel.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20160326725Abstract: A system associated with an implement of a machine is provided. The system includes a ground speed detection module configured to generate a signal indicative of a ground speed of the machine. The system further includes an implement control module coupled to the ground speed detection module. The implement control module receives the signal indicative of the ground speed of the machine. The implement control module detects at least one of the ground speed of the machine being less than a predetermined speed threshold and a rate of change of the ground speed being above a limit. The implement control module determines a presence of an obstruction in a path of the machine based, at least in part, on the detection. The implement control module further select a movement from a plurality of movements associated with the implement and triggers the movement of the implement.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9487931Abstract: An excavation system is disclosed as having a locating device configured to generate a position signal indicative of a position of an excavation machine, a sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of a work tool status, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a location of a haul truck, to determine when the work tool is filled with at least a threshold amount of material from a pile at the worksite, and to determine the position of the excavation machine. The controller may further be configured, based on operating limitations of the excavation machine, to determine a pivot point between the location of the haul truck and the position of the excavation machine; to plan a travel path for the excavation machine to the haul truck through the pivot point; and to direct an operator of the excavation machine to follow the travel path.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David C. Atkinson, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9463483Abstract: A mobile fluid delivery machine has a communication device configured to receive fluid delivery mission instructions that identify a sequence of path segments on a site and corresponding fluid delivery allocation information for the path segments, and a location device determining the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine. It also has a fluid delivery system including a display device and at least one processor that is configured to identify the fluid delivery allocation information for the path segment that corresponds to the location of the mobile machine on the site, and to determine, based on the fluid delivery allocation information for the path segment that corresponds to the location of the mobile machine on the site, a fluid delivery rate for the path segment. The processor is also configured to cause the display device to display an indication of the determined fluid delivery rate for the path segment.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Adam J Gudat, James D Humphrey, Peter W Anderton, David C Orr, Kenneth L Stratton, Craig I Koehrsen, Claude W Keefer, Michael D Braunstein
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Publication number: 20160282857Abstract: A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton