Patents by Inventor Troy K. Becicka
Troy K. Becicka 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: 10640952Abstract: A system for moving material with a work implement includes an image display device, an operator input device, and a position sensor. A controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface at a work site, display a portion of the work site on the image display device including an operational location at the work area, modify a position of the operational location on the image display device with the operator input device to define a modified operational location, generate a material movement plan based upon the position of the work surface and modified operational location, and generate command instructions to move the machine according to the material movement plan.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2016Date of Patent: May 5, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seth J. Redenbo, Troy K. Becicka, Mo Wei, Kyle Edwards, Michael Taylor
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Publication number: 20180163376Abstract: A system for moving material with a work implement includes an image display device, an operator input device, and a position sensor. A controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface at a work site, display a portion of the work site on the image display device including an operational location at the work area, modify a position of the operational location on the image display device with the operator input device to define a modified operational location, generate a material movement plan based upon the position of the work surface and modified operational location, and generate command instructions to move the machine according to the material movement plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Seth J. Redenbo, Troy K. Becicka, Mo Wei, Kyle Edwards, Michael Taylor
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Patent number: 9783955Abstract: A system for moving material from a first work area to a second work area includes a change in terrain sensor, a machine position sensor, and a controller. The controller performs first material moving operations including tip head operations until the void at the second work area is filled to a predetermined extent. The controller performs second material moving operation including backstacking operations until a predetermined amount of material has been moved from the first work area.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Ross McAree, Kyle Edwards, Peter Beasley
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Patent number: 9605415Abstract: A system for monitoring a machine at a work site includes a prime mover, a ground-engaging drive mechanism to propel the machine, and a plurality of sensors. A controller generates propulsion commands to propel the machine about the work site in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner and determines a plurality of performance characteristics of the machine. The controller further determines whether the plurality of performance characteristics meet a plurality of performance thresholds and generates an alert command if any of the plurality of performance characteristics do not meet the plurality of performance thresholds.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Mo Wei, Troy K. Becicka, Daniel Stanek
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Patent number: 9469967Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface along a first slot and along a second slot. The work surface along the first slot and the second slot define at least a portion of a berm. The controller is further configured to determine a physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot and generate a berm reduction command if the physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot is less than the characteristic threshold of the first slot and the second slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kyle Edwards, Mo Wei
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Publication number: 20160299037Abstract: A computer-implemented method of scoring an automated pass performed by a machine having an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include calculating a normalized power value based on one or more machine parameters, determining an average normalized power value based on the normalized power value calculated during the pass, and generating a status indicator based on the average normalized power value and one or more predefined thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James H. DeVore, Michael A. Taylor, Troy K. Becicka
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Patent number: 9360334Abstract: A system for setting an end location of a path of operation of a machine at a work site includes a position sensor configured to determine a position of a path at the work site and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a first path and a position of a second path, the first path and the second path defining a pair of paths on opposite sides of the path of operation and determine a physical characteristic of the pair of paths based upon the position of the first path and the position of the second path. The controller is further configured to determine whether the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than a threshold characteristic and set the end location of the path of operation if the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than the threshold characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Troy K. Becicka, Kyle Edwards
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Patent number: 9340214Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Daniel Stanek, Troy K. Becicka, Seth J. Redenbo, Paul Friend, Daniel K. Dunn, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Publication number: 20160076226Abstract: A system for monitoring a machine at a work site includes a prime mover, a ground-engaging drive mechanism to propel the machine, and a plurality of sensors. A controller generates propulsion commands to propel the machine about the work site in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner and determines a plurality of performance characteristics of the machine. The controller further determines whether the plurality of performance characteristics meet a plurality of performance thresholds and generates an alert command if any of the plurality of performance characteristics do not meet the plurality of performance thresholds.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Mo Wei, Troy K. Becicka, Daniel Stanek
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Publication number: 20160076893Abstract: A system for setting an end location of a path of operation of a machine at a work site includes a position sensor configured to determine a position of a path at the work site and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a first path and a position of a second path, the first path and the second path defining a pair of paths on opposite sides of the path of operation and determine a physical characteristic of the pair of paths based upon the position of the first path and the position of the second path. The controller is further configured to determine whether the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than a threshold characteristic and set the end location of the path of operation if the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than the threshold characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Troy K. Becicka, Kyle Edwards
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Publication number: 20160076224Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface along a first slot and along a second slot. The work surface along the first slot and the second slot define at least a portion of a berm. The controller is further configured to determine a physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot and generate a berm reduction command if the physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot is less than the characteristic threshold of the first slot and the second slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kyle Edwards, Mo Wei
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Patent number: 9234750Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine within a work area having a crest includes a first data map and a second data map. At least one sensor system generates operating data indicative of a change in terrain and a controller compares the operating data to the first data map while the machine is within a zone adjacent the crest. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
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Patent number: 9163384Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
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Publication number: 20150291180Abstract: A system for remotely controlling a machine includes a remote input device, a transmitter remote from the machine, and a receiver at the machine. A controller is configured to store a desired communications threshold, receive input commands from the remote input device, generate a plurality of remote control input signals based upon the input commands, and transmit the plurality of remote control input signals at a location remote from the machine. The controller is further configured to receive at least some of the plurality of remote control input signals at the machine, determine a communications parameter based upon at least one of the plurality of remote control input signals, compare the communications parameter to the desired communications threshold, and generate a command to stop the machine if the communications parameter is outside the desired communications threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: October 15, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Brian G. Funke, Daniel Stanek, Troy K. Becicka, Seth J. Redenbo, Paul Friend, Daniel K. Dunn, Kenneth L. Stratton
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Patent number: 9098087Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a machine includes a drive system, a position sensor, and a communications system. A controller is configured to determine the position of the machine and determine a signal transmission threshold based at least in part upon the position of the machine. The controller may stop movement of the machine upon an interruption in signal transmission from a remote system exceeding the signal transmission threshold.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2013Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul Friend, Jean-Jacques Clar, Brian G. Funke, Troy K. Becicka
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Patent number: 9033062Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The system includes a ripper sensor associated with a ripper of the machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the ripper. The system includes a steering command sensor associated with a steering control module of the machine. The steering command sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a steering command of the machine. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signals indicative of the position of the ripper and the steering command of the machine. The controller is configured to execute an action based on the engaged state of the ripper and the steering command of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Kimberly N. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
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Patent number: 9014924Abstract: A system for determining material characteristics of a material of a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a first estimate of the material characteristics and utilizes a planning system to determine an expected profile. The expected profile is based at least in part upon the first estimate of the material characteristics. The controller determines an actual profile of the work surface, compares the expected profile to the actual profile, and determines a second estimate of the material characteristics based at least in part upon the difference between the expected profile and the actual profile.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
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Patent number: 9002593Abstract: A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Lance Cowper, Troy K. Becicka, Brian G. Funke, Thandava K. Edara, Kyle Edwards
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Publication number: 20150014003Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The system includes a ripper sensor associated with a ripper of the machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the ripper. The system includes a steering command sensor associated with a steering control module of the machine. The steering command sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a steering command of the machine. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signals indicative of the position of the ripper and the steering command of the machine. The controller is configured to execute an action based on the engaged state of the ripper and the steering command of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Kimberly N. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
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Publication number: 20140336881Abstract: A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2013Publication date: November 13, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Lance Cowper, Troy K. Becicka, Brian G. Funke, Thandava K. Edara, Kyle Edwards