With Flexible Endless Member Patents (Class 173/195)
  • Patent number: 11982131
    Abstract: A machine comprising a frame supported on a movable carrier. A first actuator is adapted to actuate a boom coupled to the frame. A first sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. At least one second actuator actuates a drilling work device coupled to the boom. A second sensor generates signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom and the drilling work device and actuates at least one of the first actuator and the second actuator through predetermined sequential steps to automatically position the machine in a default configuration. The controller further receives signals indicative of data corresponding to at least one drilling hole and automatically positions the machine in an operating configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Saravanan S. Mathivanan, Sridhar Thondikulam Raveendran, Sudhagar Selvam
  • Patent number: 11649679
    Abstract: A machine includes a boom coupled to a movable carrier and at least one boom actuator adapted to actuate the boom. At least one boom sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the boom. A drilling work device is coupled at a distal portion of the boom. First and second actuators are adapted to actuate the drilling work device. At least one drilling work device sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of a spatial orientation of the drilling work device. A controller receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the boom, receives signals indicative of the spatial orientation of the drilling work device, and actuates at least one of the at least one boom actuator and the first and second actuators through predetermined sequential steps to automatically position the machine in a shipping configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Saravanan S. Mathivanan, Sridhar Thondikulam Raveendran, Sudhagar Selvam
  • Patent number: 11401676
    Abstract: A drilling machine includes a main body, a mast to mount a drilling tool, a kinematic mechanism movably constraining the mast to the main body while allowing mutual rotation. The kinematic mechanism includes an elongated component hinged at two ends. When the drilling machine is in a drilling configuration, the elongated component performs a structural function to constrain the mast to the main body. An assembling and moving equipment includes a moving element movably mounted to the drilling machine and supporting the elongated component. A moving actuator controls the relative position between the moving element and a mounting portion of the drilling machine. When the drilling machine is in an assembling configuration, one end of the elongated component is released and the moving element acts upon the elongated component. Moving the moving element relative to the mounting portion of the drilling machine causes rotation of the elongated component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SOILMEC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Massari, Lucas Cecchini, Gianluca Vetricini, Daniele Villa
  • Patent number: 10876400
    Abstract: A cutting assembly for a rock excavation machine including a frame. The cutting assembly includes a boom supported on the frame and a cutting device. In some aspects, the boom includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion includes a first structure and a second structure slidable relative to the first structure. The second portion includes a first member pivotably coupled to the second structure, and a second member pivotably coupled to the first member. The cutting device is supported on the second member. In some aspects, a material handling device is supported independently of the boom and movable between a retracted position and an extended position independent of the boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventors: Nagy Daher, Richard Boyd, Edward Bagnall, Stuart Reeves
  • Patent number: 9464398
    Abstract: A pile-driving apparatus and a method for driving a pile element into the ground, wherein a head region of the pile element is arranged in a driving helmet on an underside of a driven hammer unit, which is moved by a main winch and a main rope along a mast and drives the pile element in a vertical driving position into the ground. The pile element is hoisted by an auxiliary winch with auxiliary rope from a lying position into the approximately vertical driving position, in which the head region of the pile element is received in the driving helmet of the hammer unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: BAUER Maschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Korherr, Juergen Heilgemeir, Michael Meixner
  • Publication number: 20090008116
    Abstract: A pile driver including an apparatus for allowing relative movement between a hammer and a boom of an excavator. The apparatus includes a mounting plate mounted to the boom that interfits with and is slidable with respect to a frame rail mounted to the hammer. In operation, the hammer is placed on top of a pile and, as the pile is driven downwardly, the hammer follows the pile. Owing to the relative movement between the boom of the excavator and the hammer, the hammer follows the pile without requiring continuous downward readjustment of the boom. In one embodiment, the mounting plate assembly does not extend substantially above the hammer frame. In another embodiment, the hammer can rotate with respect to the boom. In one embodiment, the hammer includes a ram, a cylinder for lifting the ram, and rotation-resistant cable connecting the ram and the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PILE DRIVING PRODUCTS, LLC
    Inventors: John Jinnings, Mark Gustin
  • Patent number: 6216797
    Abstract: A thrust system for a horizontal directional drill is provided. The thrust system includes a drill boom having a drive sprocket positioned at the first end thereof and a driven sprocket positioned at the second end thereof. A carriage for supporting the horizontal drill is slidably received on the drill boom. The carriage includes idler sprockets positioned between the drive sprocket and driven sprocket in the drill boom. A serpentine chain extends about the drive sprocket, the driven sprocket and the idler sprockets in order to provide greater thrust and pullback of the drill at given torques. Rotation of the drive sprocket in a first direction draws the carriage towards the first end of the drill boom, and rotation of the drive sprocket in a second direction draws the carriage towards the second end of the drill boom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Robert G. Draney, Willie Lessard