Patents by Inventor Stephen M. HANCOCK

Stephen M. HANCOCK 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).

  • Drill head position determination system
    Patent number: 11384633
    Abstract: A drill head position determination system may include a mast, a drill head movably attached to the mast, and a drill drive assembly configured to move the drill head up and down along a length of the mast. The drill head may be configured to rotate a drill string. The drill drive assembly may include at least one sheave and a cable system wound about the at least one sheave. The drill head position determination system may further include a sheave sensor operatively coupled to the at least one sheave and configured to determine a position of the drill head based on a measured rotational position of the at least one sheave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Fernando R. Gonzalez, Rex Glover, Stephen M. Hancock
  • Virtual hoist stop for mobile drilling machine
    Patent number: 11225862
    Abstract: A virtual hoist stop system for a mobile drilling machine may include a sensor assembly configured to monitor a full/empty status of a plurality of pipe storage slots, a drill string status, and a height of a rotary head, an operator interface configured to receive hoisting input, and a control module. The control module may be configured to receive signals from the sensor assembly, determine a target height based on the signals, receive hoisting input from the operator interface, and automatically stop the rotary head from hoisting beyond the target height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Gobal Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Moberg, Stephen M. Hancock
  • Virtual Hoist Stop For Mobile Drilling Machine
    Publication number: 20210230994
    Abstract: A virtual hoist stop system for a mobile drilling machine may include a sensor assembly configured to monitor a full/empty status of a plurality of pipe storage slots, a drill string status, and a height of a rotary head, an operator interface configured to receive hoisting input, and a control module. The control module may be configured to receive signals from the sensor assembly, determine a target height based on the signals, receive hoisting input from the operator interface, and automatically stop the rotary head from hoisting beyond the target height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Carl J. Moberg, Stephen M. Hancock
  • DRILL HEAD POSITION DETERMINATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20200370420
    Abstract: A drill head position determination system is disclosed. The drill head position determination system may include a mast, a drill head movably attached to the mast, and a drill drive assembly configured to move the drill head up and down along a length of the mast. The drill head may be configured to rotate a drill string. The drill drive assembly may include at least one sheave and a cable system wound about the at least one sheave. The drill head position determination system may further include a sheave sensor operatively coupled to the at least one sheave and configured to determine a position of the drill head based on a measured rotational position of the at least one sheave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Fernando R. GONZALEZ, Rex GLOVER, Stephen M. HANCOCK