Patents by Inventor Rick L. Mings

Rick L. Mings 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).

  • Publication number: 20230097444
    Abstract: A paving machine can include a frame; a screed coupled to the frame, the screed including one or more screed plates; one or more movable extender mechanisms located at a back end of each screed plate and configured to extend and retract up and down beneath the screed plate; and a controller configured to extend the one or more extender mechanisms a pre-determined distance before the screed begins a paving operation and to retract the one or more extender mechanisms after the screed has begun the paving operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventors: Chad M. Thiesse, Bradley D. Anderson, Ryan T. Thiesse, Ronald D. Wilson, Rick L. Mings, Bryan J. Downing, Anthony Paul Steinhagen, Mathew J. Hedrington
  • Patent number: 10724887
    Abstract: A paver material feed sensing system for a paving machine can comprise a sensor, sensor bracket, swivel assembly and mounting post. The sensor bracket can comprise an adjustable socket for receiving the sensor. The mounting post can comprise a first end coupled to the swivel assembly and a mounting slot located in a second end. The mounting slot can comprise a multi-faceted seat for engaging an edge of a plate of the paving machine. A method of positioning a paver material flow sensor can comprise tilting the mounting post on the plate of the paving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Thiesse, Rick L. Mings
  • Publication number: 20200064174
    Abstract: A paver material feed sensing system for a paving machine can comprise a sensor, sensor bracket, swivel assembly and mounting post. The sensor bracket can comprise an adjustable socket for receiving the sensor. The mounting post can comprise a first end coupled to the swivel assembly and a mounting slot located in a second end. The mounting slot can comprise a multi-faceted seat for engaging an edge of a plate of the paving machine. A method of positioning a paver material flow sensor can comprise tilting the mounting post on the plate of the paving machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Thiesse, Rick L. Mings
  • Patent number: 9932714
    Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings, Ryan T. Thiesse
  • Patent number: 9845578
    Abstract: A system for controlling a supply machine and a paving machine includes a supply machine having a first sensor for generating first signals indicative of a first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and a first controller configured to determine a first characteristic associated with the supply machine. The paving machine includes a second sensor for generating second signals indicative of a second characteristic associated with the paving machine and a second controller configured to determine the second characteristic associated with the paving machine, receive first operating signals indicative of the first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and generate command signals to control operation of the paving machine based upon the first characteristic associated with the supply machine and the second characteristic associated with the paving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings
  • Publication number: 20170314215
    Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving is provided. The paving machine includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. GRAHAM, Toby A. FRELICH, Rick L. MINGS, Ryan T. THIESSE
  • Patent number: 9611595
    Abstract: A paving system includes a plant, a plurality of supply machines, and a paving machine. A first controller determines the position of the plurality of supply machines. A second controller determines a rate at which the paving material is being applied to a work surface. A temperature sensor is associated with one of the plurality of supply machines and the paving machine to determine a temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine by one of the supply machines. The plant is configured to produce a batch of paving material and a third controller determines a batch temperature, receives signals indicative of the position of each supply machine, receives signals indicative of the temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine, and generates command signals to adjust the batch temperature based upon the position of each supply machine and the temperature of paving material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Rick L. Mings
  • Publication number: 20170060126
    Abstract: A system for controlling a supply machine and a paving machine includes a supply machine having a first sensor for generating first signals indicative of a first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and a first controller configured to determine a first characteristic associated with the supply machine. The paving machine includes a second sensor for generating second signals indicative of a second characteristic associated with the paving machine and a second controller configured to determine the second characteristic associated with the paving machine, receive first operating signals indicative of the first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and generate command signals to control operation of the paving machine based upon the first characteristic associated with the supply machine and the second characteristic associated with the paving machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings
  • Publication number: 20170058467
    Abstract: A paving system includes a plant, a plurality of supply machines, and a paving machine. A first controller determines the position of the plurality of supply machines. A second controller determines a rate at which the paving material is being applied to a work surface. A temperature sensor is associated with one of the plurality of supply machines and the paving machine to determine a temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine by one of the supply machines. The plant is configured to produce a batch of paving material and a third controller determines a batch temperature, receives signals indicative of the position of each supply machine, receives signals indicative of the temperature of paving material delivered to the paving machine, and generates command signals to adjust the batch temperature based upon the position of each supply machine and the temperature of paving material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Rick L. Mings
  • Patent number: 9045871
    Abstract: A paving machine including an adjustable screed assembly is provided. Actuators adjust the screed assembly into the plurality of different configurations. Sensors sense a respective configuration parameter indicative of the configuration of the screed assembly. A controller is configured to save a first set of parameters including the configuration parameters and save a second set of parameters including the configuration parameters in response. The controller is configured to recall one of the first set or second set of parameters, and adjust automatically the configuration of the screed assembly to correspond to the configuration parameters included in the recalled first set or second set of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Rick L. Mings, Jameson M. Smieja, Toby A. Frelich, Igor S. Ramos, Anthony P. Steinhagen, Jason W. Kopacz, Chad M. Thiesse, Ryan T. Thiesse, Bradley D. Anderson, Daniel D. Podany, Kea V. Chin
  • Publication number: 20150063907
    Abstract: A method of operating a machine having at least one tool is provided. The method may store one or more job profiles or machine configurations and an auto-zero or default profile in a memory associated with the machine, where each of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile may include one or more control settings for operating one or more of the machine and the tool; recall a selected one of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile in response to user input received at a user interface associated with the machine; engage or machine reset operation of one or more of the machine and the tool according to the control settings associated with the selected one of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile; and disengage at least part of the operation based on positioning information provided by one or more feedback devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Jameson M. Smieja, Rick L. Mings
  • Patent number: 8944719
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking manual operations during automatic control of a surface-engaging operation, such as laying a mat on a paving surface, include automatically operating a plurality of components to perform the surface-engaging operation without the actuation of corresponding operator controls. Actuation of the operator controls and actuation of the corresponding components to perform a manual operation can occur during the automatic operation. Information corresponding to the manual operation is recorded in response to detecting actuation of the operator controls and determining that the automatic operation of the machine is occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Steven E. Hourscht, Rick L. Mings
  • Patent number: 8827592
    Abstract: A machine with a chassis and a push-roller assembly connected to the chassis. The push-roller assembly engages a vehicle, has a support frame with rollers, and support arms with a chassis end connected to the support frame and a linkage end connected to the chassis. The support frame moves relative to the chassis when the support arm pivots with respect to the chassis and the support frame. The machine includes an actuator controller associated with an actuator in the push-roller assembly. The actuator is connected to the support arm, causing the support arm to pivot with respect to the chassis and support frame, displacing the support frame relative to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings, Ryan T. Thiesse, Chad M. Thiesse, Aaron M. Case
  • Publication number: 20140186115
    Abstract: A paving machine including an adjustable screed assembly is provided. Actuators adjust the screed assembly into the plurality of different configurations. Sensors sense a respective configuration parameter indicative of the configuration of the screed assembly. A controller is configured to save a first set of parameters including the configuration parameters and save a second set of parameters including the configuration parameters in response. The controller is configured to recall one of the first set or second set of parameters, and adjust automatically the configuration of the screed assembly to correspond to the configuration parameters included in the recalled first set or second set of parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Rick L. Mings, Jameson M. Smieja, Toby A. Frelich, Igor S. Ramos, Anthony P. Steinhagen, Jason W. Kopacz, Chad M. Thiesse, Ryan T. Thiesse, Bradley D. Anderson, Daniel D. Podany, Kea V. Chin
  • Publication number: 20140133906
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tracking manual operations during automatic control of a surface-engaging operation, such as laying a mat on a paving surface, include automatically operating a plurality of components to perform the surface-engaging operation without the actuation of corresponding operator controls. Actuation of the operator controls and actuation of the corresponding components to perform a manual operation can occur during the automatic operation. Information corresponding to the manual operation is recorded in response to detecting actuation of the operator controls and determining that the automatic operation of the machine is occurring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Steven E. Hourscht, Rick L. Mings
  • Publication number: 20130322965
    Abstract: A machine with a chassis and a push-roller assembly connected to the chassis. The push-roller assembly engages a vehicle, has a support frame with rollers, and support arms with a chassis end connected to the support frame and a linkage end connected to the chassis. The support frame moves relative to the chassis when the support arm pivots with respect to the chassis and the support frame. The machine includes an actuator controller associated with an actuator in the push-roller assembly. The actuator is connected to the support arm, causing the support arm to pivot with respect to the chassis and support frame, displacing the support frame relative to the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings, Ryan T. Thiesse, Chad M. Thiesse, Aaron M. Case