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).

  • Patent number: 10480157
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 10384882
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 10248133
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Jeffrey Edward Jensen
  • Patent number: 10233616
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 10060097
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Russell Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton, Michael Edward Brandt, James D. Humphrey, James William Ryan
  • Publication number: 20180179737
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20180170685
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20180066415
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9909284
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9851719
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20170344011
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9805317
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20170198459
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20170191246
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Russell FRIEND, Kenneth L. STRATTON, Michael Edward BRANDT, James D. HUMPHREY, James William RYAN
  • Patent number: 9624650
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9593942
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20160326725
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9487931
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Atkinson, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9463483
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: 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
  • Publication number: 20160282857
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton