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: 8351684Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed. The system has at least one sensor configured to gather a plurality of current points defining a current surface of a site and a database containing a plurality of previously-gathered points defining a previous surface of the site. The system also has a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to compare a height of at least one of the plurality of the current points to a height of a corresponding at least one of the plurality of previously-gathered points and to determine if an update to the database is warranted based on the comparison. The controller is further configured to update the database if it is determined that an update is warranted.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2008Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Yifeng Lin, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Patent number: 8306726Abstract: A system including a mobile machine and a central control station is provided. The mobile machine includes a communication device and a position monitoring system including a receiver configured to receive position data from a positioning satellite and generate a position signal. The position monitoring system also includes an inertial navigation unit including a sensor configured to measure a parameter of the mobile machine and generate a movement signal. The position monitoring system also includes a controller configured to receive the position signal and the movement signal, detect an unavailability of the position signal, calculate a position parameter, determine whether a difference between a first and a second value of a parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generate a warning signal. The central control station is configured to communicate with the controller, receive the position signal and/or the movement signal, and monitor the position of the mobile machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron Michael Donnelli, Craig Lawrence Koehrsen, Kenneth L Stratton, Joshua Struble
-
Publication number: 20120271504Abstract: A management system for use at a worksite is disclosed. The management system may have at least one object detection sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a feature of a roadway traversed by the mobile machine, a positioning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of the mobile machine, and at least one performance sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of a performance parameter of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the feature. The management system may also have a controller configured to determine a surface condition of the roadway based on the first signal, index the surface condition to a particular location on the roadway based on the second signal, and generate a map of the roadway providing a representation of the surface condition and the performance parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2011Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Patent number: 8210991Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an inclination of the machine, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a travel speed of the machine, a third sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of an engine speed of the machine, and a controller disposed in communication with each of the first, second, and third sensors. The controller is configured to determine whether the machine is freewheeling in a neutral gear, and to generate a machine braking command based on at least one of the first, second, and third signals. A method of retarding a machine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Fu Pei Yuet, Jamie Shults, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20120154572Abstract: A simulation and control system for a machine is disclosed. The simulation and control system may have a user interface configured to display a simulated environment. The machine simulation and control system may also have a controller in communication with the user interface and a remotely located machine. The controller may be configured to receive from the machine real-time information related to operation of the machine at a worksite. The controller may also be configured to simulate the worksite, operation of the machine, and movement of a machine tool based on the received information. The controller may further be configured to provide to the user interface the simulated worksite, operation, and movement in the simulated environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2012Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Jamie Shults, Jean-Jaques Clar, Derrick Darby, Augusto J. Opdenbosh, Juan Carlos Santamaria
-
Patent number: 8139108Abstract: A simulation and control system for a machine is disclosed. The simulation and control system may have a user interface configured to display a simulated environment. The machine simulation and control system may also have a controller in communication with the user interface and a remotely located machine. The controller may be configured to receive from the machine real-time information related to operation of the machine at a worksite. The controller may also be configured to simulate the worksite, operation of the machine, and movement of a machine tool based on the received information. The controller may further be configured to provide to the user interface the simulated worksite, operation, and movement in the simulated environment.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Jamie Shults, Jean-Jacques Clar, Derrick Darby, Augusto J. Opdenbosch, Juan Carlos Santamaria
-
Patent number: 8099205Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The guidance system may have a scanning device configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral distance from the machine to a roadway marker, a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device and the locating device. The controller may be configured to receive a desired lateral distance from the machine to the roadway marker, and to compare the desired lateral distance to the actual lateral distance. The controller may further be configured to implement a response to the comparison based on the geographical location.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2008Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robert M. Coats, Michael Sean McDaniel, David J. Edwards, Ramkumar Subramanian, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20110288769Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: 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: 20110266360Abstract: Systems and methods for executing a fluid delivery mission are disclosed. In one embodiment a mobile fluid delivery machine for delivering fluid to a site has a tank storing fluid, and at least one spray head configured to spray the stored fluid onto the site. In addition, the mobile fluid delivery machine has a communication device configured to receive fluid delivery mission instructions from a site computing system, the mission instructions identifying a sequence of path segments on the site and corresponding fluid delivery amounts allocated to the path segments, and a location device configured to determine the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine on the site.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2010Publication date: November 3, 2011Inventors: Adam J. Gudat, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, David C. Orr, Kenneth L. Stratton, Craig L. Koehrsen, Claude W. Keefer, Michael D. Braunstein
-
Patent number: 8019514Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an inclination of the machine. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to stop operation of the machine in response to the signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Fu Pei Yuet, Jamie Shults, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20110160920Abstract: A systems and methods for delivering fluid to a site using a mobile fluid delivery machine are disclosed. The method includes determining a location of the mobile fluid delivery machine on the site, and determining a fluid delivery rate based on the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine using information related to the site. The method further includes delivering the fluid to a surface of the site at the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine, at the determined fluid delivery rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: David C. Orr, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20110160919Abstract: A system and method for delivering fluid to a site using a mobile fluid delivery machine are disclosed. The method includes determining a value of a parameter associated with the site using a sensor, and determining a fluid delivery rate based on the value of the site parameter. The method further includes delivering the fluid to a surface of the site at the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine, at the determined fluid delivery rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: June 30, 2011Inventors: David C. Orr, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Patent number: 7864066Abstract: An automated lost load response system for work machines is disclosed. The response system has a container supported by the machine to retain material. It also has a sensor situated to detect material lost from the container. The sensor generates a signal corresponding to detection of material lost. Additionally, the response system has a controller that is in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to provide a load loss warning based on the signal generated by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Bradley Scott Kriel, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20100274434Abstract: A system including a mobile machine and a central control station is provided. The mobile machine includes a communication device and a position monitoring system including a receiver configured to receive position data from a positioning satellite and generate a position signal. The position monitoring system also includes an inertial navigation unit including a sensor configured to measure a parameter of the mobile machine and generate a movement signal. The position monitoring system also includes a controller configured to receive the position signal and the movement signal, detect an unavailability of the position signal, calculate a position parameter, determine whether a difference between a first and a second value of a parameter exceeds a predetermined threshold, and generate a warning signal. The central control station is configured to communicate with the controller, receive the position signal and/or the movement signal, and monitor the position of the mobile machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventors: Aaron Michael Donnelli, Craig Lawrence Koehrsen, Kenneth L. Stratton, Joshua Struble
-
Patent number: 7779947Abstract: A system for controlling slip of a machine is disclosed. The system has a power source configured to produce a power output, at least one driven traction device, and a transmission operably connected to transmit the power output from the power source to the at least one driven traction device. The system further has at least one sensor configured to detect an acceleration of the machine and to generate a corresponding signal, and a controller configured to receive the signal and to reduce a magnitude of power or torque transmitted to the at least one driven traction device when the detected acceleration indicates slip of the at least one driven traction device.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Patent number: 7761921Abstract: The present disclosure is associated with a user requesting access to the software option associated with a machine, a remote facility receiving the request, authorizing access to the software option, and sending an enabling signal to enable the software. The enabling signal (e.g., a software key) may then be used to access and use the software option. An intermediary may be used to authenticate the enabling signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2003Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Julie A. Gannon, Steven W. O'Neal, April D. Scott, Vernon R. Smith, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20100010703Abstract: A guidance system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The guidance system may have a scanning device configured to generate a signal indicative of a lateral distance from the machine to a roadway marker, a locating device configured to determine a geographical location of the machine, and a controller in communication with the scanning device and the locating device. The controller may be configured to receive a desired lateral distance from the machine to the roadway marker, and to compare the desired lateral distance to the actual lateral distance. The controller may further be configured to implement a response to the comparison based on the geographical location.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Inventors: Robert M. Coats, Michael Sean McDaniel, David J. Edwards, Ramkumar Subramanian, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20090318263Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an inclination of the machine, a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a travel speed of the machine, a third sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of an engine speed of the machine, and a controller disposed in communication with each of the first, second, and third sensors. The controller is configured to determine whether the machine is freewheeling in a neutral gear, and to generate a machine braking command based on at least one of the first, second, and third signals. A method of retarding a machine is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Inventors: Fu Pei Yuet, Jamie Shults, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20090202109Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed. The system has at least one sensor configured to gather a plurality of current points defining a current surface of a site and a database containing a plurality of previously-gathered points defining a previous surface of the site. The system also has a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to compare a height of at least one of the plurality of the current points to a height of a corresponding at least one of the plurality of previously-gathered points and to determine if an update to the database is warranted based on the comparison. The controller is further configured to update the database if it is determined that an update is warranted.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2008Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Yifeng Lin, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
-
Publication number: 20090002187Abstract: An automated lost load response system for work machines is disclosed. The response system has a container supported by the machine to retain material. It also has a sensor situated to detect material lost from the container. The sensor generates a signal corresponding to detection of material lost. Additionally, the response system has a controller that is in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to provide a load loss warning based on the signal generated by the sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventors: Bradley Scott Kriel, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton