Construction Or Agricultural-type Vehicle (e.g., Crane, Forklift) Patents (Class 701/50)
  • Patent number: 11976444
    Abstract: A work machine is provided with grade control capability using an imaging system, e.g., rather than GPS. The work machine includes at least one work implement for working at least part of a terrain, and first sensors (e.g., cylinder sensors) generate signals corresponding to positions of the work implement. Second sensors (e.g., stereo cameras) generate signals corresponding to positions of representative features of the terrain (e.g., curbs) in a field of view. A controller receives the signals and determines in a local reference system independent of a global reference system: first position information corresponding to the work implement; and second position information corresponding to the representative features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Luke J. Kurth, Sean A. Mairet, Billy J. Naderman
  • Patent number: 11972551
    Abstract: A detection system detects malfunctions in an autonomous farming vehicle during an autonomous routine using one or more models and data from sensors coupled to the autonomous farming vehicle. The models may include machine-learned models trained on the sensor data and configured to identify objects indicative of an operational or malfunctioning component within a tilling assembly such as a tilling shank or sweep. Additionally, a machine-learned model may be trained on sensor data to detect whether debris has plugged the tilling assembly of the autonomous farming vehicle. In response to detecting a malfunction or a plug, the detection system may modify the autonomous routine (e.g., pausing operation) or provide information for the malfunction to be addressed (e.g., the likely location of a malfunctioning sweep that has detached from the tilling assembly).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: BLUE RIVER TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Divya Sharma, Michael Albert Elcano, Byron Gajun Ho, Jeremy Douglas Krantz, Tyler Niday, Robert Joseph Plumeau
  • Patent number: 11970840
    Abstract: An articulated-type front work implement has a boom, an arm, and a bucket that are driven members coupled to each other; a boom cylinder, an arm cylinder and a bucket cylinder that are hydraulic actuators each of which drives a corresponding one of the plurality of driven members on the basis of an operation signal; a plurality of operation members each outputting the operation signal to one of the hydraulic actuators; and a controller that outputs the operation signal to at least one of the plurality of hydraulic actuators or executes area limiting control of correcting the output operation signal such that the front work implement moves on a target surface preset for a work target of the front work implement or within an area above the target surface, and corrects the operation signal on the basis of information related to operation of the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroki Takeuchi, Shiho Izumi, Ryu Narikawa, Shuuichi Meguriya, Teruki Igarashi
  • Patent number: 11971732
    Abstract: An agricultural harvester includes an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module for detecting a location of an object relative to the agricultural harvester and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices receive first data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, the first data indicating the location of the object relative to the agricultural harvester, receive image data from the camera and use the image data to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle. If the object is a receiving vehicle, the one or more computing devices use the first data and the second data to generate graphic data defining a graphical representation illustrating the relative positions of the unload conveyor and the receiving vehicle. An electronic device including a graphical user interface presents the graphical representation on the graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Peter Christiansen, Ramon Buchaca Tarragona, Morten Leth Bilde
  • Patent number: 11970370
    Abstract: A method for handling of an offshore wind turbine component includes using a vessel having a hull on which a motion compensating crane is mounted. The crane includes a main boom; a main boom luffing assembly; a mobile hoist cable suspension member; and a hoist winch and a hoist cable driven by the hoist winch. An object suspension device is suspended from the hoist cable. The mobile hoist cable suspension member is supported by a motion compensating support device that is fitted to the tip end of the main boom, the motion compensating support device including one or more motor powered motion displacement actuator assemblies and a motion compensating support device controller. The method includes connecting the offshore wind turbine component to the object suspension device; and operating the motion compensating support device to provide motion compensation in at least one direction of the object suspension device and the connected offshore wind turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ITREC B.V.
    Inventors: Cornelis Martinus Van Veluw, Joop Roodenburg
  • Patent number: 11970869
    Abstract: The invention relates to the technical field of pump truck control, and discloses a pump truck boom control method, a pump truck boom control system and a pump truck. The pump truck boom control method comprises: detecting a working condition of a boom, wherein the boom is divided into first-type arms close to the first arm and second-type arms close to the last arm in advance; and controlling each arm in the first-type arms to act at respective preset movement speed when the boom is in an opening placing boom working condition before the construction or in a folding placing boom working condition after the construction. The method can realize speed-up control on movement speeds of the each arm in the first-type arms under the opening placing boom working condition before the construction or under the folding placing boom working condition after the construction without a boom posture detection sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: ZOOMLION HEAVY INDUSTRY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Liang Wu, Jun Yin, Ze Chen, Liang Wan, Xinyu Fu
  • Patent number: 11970828
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piste grooming vehicle having at least one piste grooming device for preparing a piste and to a method for operating such a piste grooming vehicle. Use in grooming ski pistes or snowboard pistes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: KÄSSBOHRER GELÄNDEFAHRZEUG AG
    Inventors: Peter Betz, Olivier Hargoaa, Michael Kuhn, Jens Rottmair, Jonathan Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 11965742
    Abstract: A work support system includes a positioning device to measure a position of a working object based on a signal of a positioning satellite, a notifier to issue notification of the working object based on whether the position of the working object measured by the positioning device is in an area, and an area changer to change a size of the area based on a number of the positioning satellite included in the signal received by the positioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryosuke Kinugawa, Keisuke Miura
  • Patent number: 11965318
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for determining process data of a work process carried out by an implement based on the determination of a moved mass by a weighing system of the implement and the detection of a parameter concerning a state of the implement and/or a work step, wherein with reference to these and further data a prediction value concerning the remaining part of the current work process is determined and on the basis of which information on the assistance is indicated to the operator of the implement, and to an implement comprising such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LIEBHERR-HYDRAULIKBAGGER GMBH
    Inventors: Ferdinand Hofmann, Anton Renner, Oliver Sawodny, Hannes Wind
  • Patent number: 11959253
    Abstract: An excavator includes a lower traveling structure, an upper swing structure swingably mounted on the lower traveling structure, an attachment attached to the upper swing structure, a display device, and a hardware processor. The display device is configured to display multiple ranges including a first range and a second range lower in stability degree than the first range in the working range of the attachment such that the multiple ranges are distinguishable. The hardware processor is configured to determine a setting with respect to the multiple ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 11959255
    Abstract: A work machine control device includes a measurement-data acquisition unit that acquires measurement data of a three-dimensional measurement device that is mounted on a work machine including work equipment and measures a three-dimensional shape including a ridgeline of a work target on which the working equipment performs work, and a target calculation unit that calculates and outputs, based on the measurement data regarding the ridgeline of the work target, a distance from the work machine to the work target or an angle of repose of the work target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yohei Seki, Masataka Ozaki
  • Patent number: 11952746
    Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for implementing autonomous control of powered earth-moving vehicles, including to automatically determine and control movement around a site having potential obstacles. For example, the systems/techniques may determine and implement autonomous operations of powered earth-moving vehicle(s) (e.g., obtain/integrate data from sensors of multiple types on a powered earth-moving vehicle, and use it to determine and control movement of the powered earth-moving vehicle around a site), including in some situations to implement coordinated actions of multiple powered earth-moving vehicles and/or of a powered earth-moving vehicle with one or more other types of construction vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AIM Intelligent Machines, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kotlaba, Adam Sadilek
  • Patent number: 11952747
    Abstract: A remote operation device includes: a vibration detector to detect a plurality of vibration components in a plurality of directions different from each other, the vibration components being included in a vibration caused on an attachment; a transmission device; and a transmission control section that controls an operation of the transmission device. A vibration determination condition is set in advance, the vibration determination condition including a condition that an amplitude of a maximum vibration component largest in amplitude among the plurality of vibration components detected by the vibration detector is equal to or larger than a preset amplitude threshold. The transmission control section controls the operation of the transmission device to allow the vibration information to be transmitted to an operator only when the vibration determination condition is met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOBELCO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Noda, Koji Yamashita, Yoichiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11952745
    Abstract: A movement processing unit generates a work equipment operation signal for moving a bucket to a loading point and a swing operation signal related to a target swing speed, based on a command for starting an automatic movement of the bucket. A target speed changing unit changes the target swing speed so that the work equipment does not interfere with the loading target during a swing of a swing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yusuke Saigo, Kazuhiro Hatake
  • Patent number: 11954743
    Abstract: A system comprises a first portable electronic device associated with an agricultural harvester and a second portable electronic device associated with a crop transport vehicle. At least one of the first portable electronic device and the second portable electronic device is configured to receive a geographic position of the other portable electronic device and, using only the first geographic position and the second geographic position, identify a harvesting operation performed by the agricultural harvester; determine a harvesting distance, a harvesting duration of time, or both of the harvesting operation; and estimate a current fill level of the crop transport vehicle based on the harvesting distance, the harvesting duration of time, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventor: Florian Hanrieder
  • Patent number: 11952750
    Abstract: The present invention provides a working machine that makes it possible to alert its operator to cautions properly without obstructing the view of the operator. The working machine includes a cab for its operator to ride in, a projection device that projects image light to form an image of cautions to an operator who operates the working machine, a display unit that displays image light projected by the projection device, state detection element to detect a state of the working machine, and a controller that controls the projection device so that a manner of displaying the cautions on the display unit will change depending on the state of the working machine detected by the state detection element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shota Imamura, Yuji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 11952741
    Abstract: A shovel (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lower travelling body (1), an upper pivot body (3) pivotably mounted to the lower travelling body (1), an object detection device (70) provided to the upper pivot body (3), and a controller (30) that brakes a drive unit of the shovel. The controller (30) is configured to, when the object detection device (70) detects an object, automatically brake the drive unit. The controller is configured to, upon determining that an operator has an intention to continue operation during execution of the braking, deactivate the braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeya Izumikawa
  • Patent number: 11953589
    Abstract: A system includes an agricultural harvester with an electromagnetic detecting and ranging module and a camera for capturing images of an area within a field of view of the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module. One or more computing devices detect the presence of an object using data from the electromagnetic detecting and ranging module, use image data from the camera to determine whether the object is a receiving vehicle and, if the object is a receiving vehicle, generate automated navigation data to automatically control operation of at least one of the agricultural harvester and the receiving vehicle to align an unload conveyor of the agricultural harvester with a grain bin of the receiving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Peter Christiansen, Ramon Buchaca Tarragona, Morten Leth Bilde
  • Patent number: 11939741
    Abstract: A work vehicle comprising a frame supported by a ground engaging device. A boom assembly is coupled to the frame. An attachment coupler is coupled to the boom assembly. An electronic data processor is communicatively coupled to a boom actuator, an attachment coupler actuator, a boom sensor, an attachment coupler sensor, and an operator input device. A computer readable storage medium comprising machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an operator input and for a tilt forward command, command the boom actuator to move the boom assembly to a frame contact position and then command the attachment coupler actuator to move the attachment coupler towards a lower position. For a tilt rearward command, command the attachment coupler actuator to move the attachment coupler towards an upper position and then command the boom actuator to move the boom assembly towards a raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Alex R. Vandegrift, John R. Mahrenholz, Todd F. Velde, Benjamin Morrison, Bryan Rausch, Megan E. Marotz, Christopher J. Meyer
  • Patent number: 11939748
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for generating a three-dimensional virtual track model. This track model may be used, for example, in collision prevention and mitigation systems and methods, such as those described herein, and in other collision prevention and mitigation systems and other mining systems using virtual track models. In some embodiments, the systems and methods described herein provide a simplified modeling process that enables quick, accurate modeling of tracks of a mining machine that can account for custom tracks that vary in size depending on the particular mining machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: JOY GLOBAL SURFACE MINING INC
    Inventors: Wesley P. Taylor, Megan M. Scheppa
  • Patent number: 11940789
    Abstract: A system for autonomous or semi-autonomous operation of a vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a machine automation portal (MAP) application configured to enable a computing device to (a) display a map of a work site and (b) provide a graphical user interface that enables a user to (i) define a boundary of an autonomous operating zone on the map and (ii) define a boundary of one or more exclusion zones. The system also includes a robotics processing unit configured to (a) receive the boundary of the autonomous operating zone and the boundary of each exclusion zone from the computing device, (b) generate a planned command path that the vehicle will travel to perform a task within the autonomous operating zone while avoiding each exclusion zone, and (c) control operation of the vehicle so that the vehicle travels the planned command path to perform the task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: EQUIPMENTSHARE.COM INC.
    Inventors: William J. Schlacks, IV, Brian Adams, James Dianics, Ian Graves, Rob Martin, Scott Pfursich
  • Patent number: 11939747
    Abstract: A display device displays information image related to an excavation work, in an ambient environment image in a view of a work area or an attachment viewed from a shovel, or in a field of view of an operator viewing the work area or the attachment from the shovel. The shovel may include the display device. A management device may include a display apparatus, a communication device which communicates with the shovel, and a remote control device operated by a user to remotely control the shovel via the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Itoh, Masaru Onodera
  • Patent number: 11939743
    Abstract: A work machine includes a work implement. A control system for the work machine includes a controller configured to operate the work implement according to a target trajectory for a backward movement while the work machine is moving backward. A method is performed by a processor for controlling a work machine including a work implement. The method includes operating the work implement according to a target trajectory for a backward movement while the work machine is moving backward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Junji Harada
  • Patent number: 11939982
    Abstract: A system for distributing particulate material from an agricultural machine includes a fan configured to provide an airflow in a supply line for distributing particulate material, a hydraulic system configured to drive the fan at a plurality of fan speeds, and a control system configured to control the hydraulic system. The control system executes a program stored in a non-transient medium operable to: determine a given product application rate for distributing the particulate material; determine a given ground speed of the agricultural machine; determine a fan speed for achieving the given product application rate at the given ground speed; and control the hydraulic system to drive the fan at the fan speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Rex Ruppert, David Hafvenstein
  • Patent number: 11933017
    Abstract: A work machine loads materials onto a conveyance vehicle. The work machine includes a work implement having a bucket, a topography sensor configured to measure a topography and a controller. The controller determines a target digging path of the bucket based on topographical data indicative of the topography measured by the topography sensor. The controller acquires an actual digging path based on positions of the bucket during digging. The controller is calculates at least one of a viscosity and a hardness of materials based on a difference between the target digging path and the actual digging path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Aizawa, Kenjiro Shimada
  • Patent number: 11933018
    Abstract: A blade control device includes: a corrected design surface generation unit that generates a corrected design surface connecting a first surface existing in front of a work vehicle and a second surface having a different slope from a slope of the first surface on an initial design surface indicating a target shape of an excavation object to be excavated using a blade of the work vehicle; and a blade control unit that outputs a control command to control a height of the blade based on the corrected design surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Ishihara, Daichi Noborio, Yutaka Nakayama
  • Patent number: 11921512
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for generating shared collaborative maps for planting or harvesting operations. A method of generating a collaborative shared map between machines includes generating a first map for a first machine based on a first set of data and generating a second map for a second machine based on a second set of data. The method further includes generating at least one shared collaborative map for at least one of the first and second machines based on the first and second maps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CLIMATE LLC
    Inventors: Doug Sauder, Tavis Bones, Tim Reddy
  • Patent number: 11920321
    Abstract: A system for automatically performing an earthmoving operation may include a work vehicle having an implement that is articulable by the work vehicle over a stroke length, a user interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the user interface. The controller may be configured to receive an operator input via the user interface associated with performing an earthmoving operation with the implement of the work vehicle according to one of a plurality of earthmoving styles. Additionally, the controller may be configured to control the operation of the work vehicle to perform the earthmoving operation with the implement within the worksite based at least in part on the one of the plurality of earthmoving styles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Mohamed Abd El Salam Mohamed, Alessandro Benevelli, Domenico Meola, Scott Elkins
  • Patent number: 11913190
    Abstract: Provided is a wheel loader capable of reducing erroneous determination of rear wheel lifting. The wheel loader 1 includes a controller 5 for determining a rear wheel lifting state where rear wheels 11B are lifted upwardly. The controller 5 is configured to, when a temporal change rate ? of a bucket operation angle becomes a temporal change rate of a bucket operation angle necessary for a tilt operation of a bucket 23 during an excavation operation and a temporal change rate ? of a vehicle body inclination angle estimated by the controller 5 becomes a temporal change rate of an obliquely upward inclination state of a rear vehicle body with respect to a front vehicle body, turn on a correlation flag indicating a correlation between an operation state of the bucket 23 and an inclination state of a vehicle body to determine a rear wheel lifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Ito, Yoshikazu Urimoto
  • Patent number: 11904871
    Abstract: A policy map is obtained that includes a first set of machine settings values for controlling a machine to perform an operation at a site, at different locations in the field. An adjustment component receives sensor signals indicating conditions that will be encountered by the machine in the future, as it moves through the site. A cost determination component determines whether an adjustment is to be made to the first set of settings values, based upon the sensor signals. A predictive vehicle model provides an expected vehicle response, based upon the adjusted settings values that are selected. Control signals are generated based upon adjusted setting values that are generated from the policy map, the expected vehicle response, and the future condition sensor signals. The control signal generator generates the control signals to control a set of controllable subsystems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andy B. Appleton, Nohoon Kl, Wissam H. El-Ratal, Rui Zhang, Justin T. Roth
  • Patent number: 11905685
    Abstract: A state data acquisition unit acquires state data indicating a state of a work machine at a plurality of times. A work determination unit determines a classification of a work of the work machine for each of the plurality of times based on the acquired state data. A period determination unit determines a start point and an end point of a period related to a predetermined classification among determined classifications of works. An index-value determination unit obtains an index value of the state of the work machine from the start point to the end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Shintaro Hamada, Minami Sugimura
  • Patent number: 11904858
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a driving speed control device for an agricultural work vehicle, and a driving speed control method for an agricultural work vehicle, the device comprising: a confirmation unit for confirming set transmission information about a driving device of an agricultural work vehicle, and confirming a transmission mode for controlling an engine and a transmission of the driving device; an acquisition unit, which confirms, from the set transmission information, set revolutions per minute (RPM) relating to RPM of the engine when the transmission mode is an RPM designation mode, so as to acquire transmission information on the basis of the set RPM; and a control unit for controlling the driving device by using the acquired transmission information according to the transmission mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: LS MTRON LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Woong Lee, Ji Hun Yu
  • Patent number: 11908076
    Abstract: A display system for a work machine includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire three-dimensional data of a plurality of measurement points, a conversion unit configured to convert the three-dimensional data into a vehicle body coordinate system, an image generation unit configured to generate a reference image representing a three-dimensional shape of a terrain based on the three-dimensional data converted into the vehicle body coordinate system, and a display processing unit configured to display the reference image on a captured image in a superimposed manner. The image generation unit decides a display form of the reference image at a position of the reference image corresponding to each measurement point depending on a distance of the measurement point in a normal direction with respect to a ground surface of the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Takahama
  • Patent number: 11903379
    Abstract: A method for performing spraying operations includes monitoring a field condition of a first swath based on data received from a sensor as an agricultural sprayer makes a first pass across a field, the sensor being associated with a first boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the first pass. The method further includes controlling a nozzle assembly as the sprayer makes a second pass across the field to perform a spraying operation along the first swath based on the monitored field condition of the first swath, the nozzle assembly being associated with a second boom section assembly extending over the first swath during the second pass. Additionally, the method includes monitoring a field condition of a second swath based on data received from the sensor as the sprayer makes the second pass across the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: Kevin M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11895948
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R. Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11897448
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus can provide control signaling to control one or more autonomous machines during a plurality of predefined periods of time. Each of the one or more autonomous machines can be controlled according to a maximized productivity level for each task performed by the autonomous machine while at the same time generating sound during performance of the task at the maximized productivity level no louder than respective maximum noise limit levels specific for the plurality of predefined periods of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sean A. Randleman
  • Patent number: 11891066
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling a vehicle (1) comprising a drivetrain comprising at least one drive device (2) adapted to generate mechanical power, the method comprising—controlling the vehicle to perform a mission comprising a plurality of stages (MS1-MS12), —collecting operational data relevant to the operation of the drivetrain, wherein the operational data indicate a de-rate of a component of the drivetrain, a fault of a component of the drivetrain, and/or an environmental condition which influences the drivetrain operation, —determining an expected mission stage (MS1-MS12), —determining, in dependence on the operational data, the propulsive capacity (CA1-CA3) in at least two different operational areas (A1-A3) of the drive device (2), —mapping the operational area propulsive capacities (CA1-CA3) to the expected mission stage (MS1-MS12), and —controlling the vehicle (1) in dependence on said mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Teodoro Bora, Johan Fries
  • Patent number: 11891290
    Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a hydraulic control system. The hydraulic control system may include a hydraulic module, a PLC control module, a hydraulic valve group control module, a manipulation module, and an action module. The manipulation module is connected with the PLC control module and is configured to input an operation instruction to the PLC control module; the PLC control module is respectively connected to the hydraulic module and the hydraulic valve group control module, and is configured to output a control signal corresponding to the operation instruction to the hydraulic valve group control module, and control the activation of the hydraulic module to provide hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic valve group control module; and the action module is connected with the hydraulic valve group control module, and is configured to perform an action corresponding to the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: ZHEJIANG JIALIFT WAREHOUSE EQUIPMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaoxiao Dai, Chunxi Chen
  • Patent number: 11889788
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11884251
    Abstract: Method and system may be configured to determine a stationary time period during which a vehicle has remained stationary. The method and system may be further configured to enable a parked function of the vehicle in response to determining that the stationary time period exceeds a designated threshold. While the parked function is enabled, the vehicle applies a braking effort to the vehicle in response to detecting movement of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alexandre Rossmann, Amit Saxena, Keith Smith
  • Patent number: 11885097
    Abstract: A controller 20 mounted on a hydraulic excavator 1 that is able to perform machine control transmits work situation parameters (machine body position, hydraulic working fluid temperature, bucket weight, and target surface gradient) to a management server 71, receives, from the management server, control command correction values that are calculated by the management server on the basis of the work situation parameters and that represent correction values for correcting control commands, and controls hydraulic actuators 5, 6, and 7 with corrected control commands that represent the control commands corrected on the basis of the control command correction values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuuichi Meguriya, Shiho Izumi
  • Patent number: 11882781
    Abstract: A control system for an implement hitch of an agricultural vehicle, wherein the hitch is mounted to the vehicle and includes one or more hydraulic cylinders or other actuators operable to raise and lower the hitch between minimum and maximum heights relative to the vehicle and hold the hitch static at one or more heights between the minimum and maximum heights. The control system includes a rocker control device having a first operating position and being movable in a first direction to a first limit position and in a second direction to a second limit position. An electronic control unit connected to the rocker control device is configured to control operation of the or each of the hydraulic cylinders or actuators and thereby control raising and lowering of the hitch in response to user operation of the rocker control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Tobias Albrecht, Andreas Kämmerer, Gerhard Mariner, Peter Miller
  • Patent number: 11882786
    Abstract: A computer system and computer-implemented techniques for determining and presenting improved seeding rate recommendations for planting seeds in a field are provided. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving digital data representing planting parameters including seed type information and planting row width, and retrieving a set of seeding models based upon the planting parameters, where each of the seeding models includes a regression model defining a relationship between plant yield and seeding rate on a specific field. The method also includes generating an empirical mixture model as a composite distribution of the set of seeding models, generating a seeding rate distribution for the planting parameters based upon the empirical mixture model, and calculating a seeding rate recommendation based on the seed rate distribution. The method then also includes planting plant seeds in the specific field consistent with the seeding rate recommendation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: CLIMATE LLC
    Inventors: Sanjay Lamsal, Lijuan Xu
  • Patent number: 11879216
    Abstract: A paver, in particular a slipform paver, has a machine frame supported by front and rear undercarriages and a paving device for the paving of material. The paver is provided with an apron monitoring device for generating elevation profile data or elevation profile signals describing the elevation profile of the material deposited in the apron of the paving device in a direction transverse to the working direction. A data or signal processing device receives the elevation profile data or signals. The apron monitoring device provides the data needed to allow the material to be spread more evenly across the working width of the paver during the feeding operation by means of a spreading device for spreading the material to be paved in a direction transverse to the working direction and/or to allow the spreading device to be controlled for improved spreading of the material after the paver has been fed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Inventors: Jens Brieskorn, Lothar Schwalbach, Stefan Wagner, Bernd Walterscheid, Gunnar Ramseger, Martin Dahm
  • Patent number: 11881061
    Abstract: A time period for which an ineffective operation is performed during an excavation work is reduced. A work machine includes a vehicular body, a running wheel rotatably attached to the vehicular body, a work implement operable with respect to the vehicular body, an operation apparatus for operating the running wheel and the work implement, and a controller that controls an operation by the work machine. The controller determines that an ineffective operation in which the work implement does not work is being performed during the excavation work based on an operation command value output from the operation apparatus and outputs a time period for which the ineffective operation is being performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Daimon, Hiroyuki Aratame
  • Patent number: 11877095
    Abstract: A method for automatically controlling a display system for a work vehicle having a first implement supported at a first end of a chassis, a second implement supported at a second end of the chassis, and a chair that is selectively movable between a first position oriented toward the first end of the work vehicle and a second position oriented toward the second end of the work vehicle. The method may include receiving an input indicative of a position of the chair and an input indicative of an operating state of the work vehicle. Additionally, the method may include controlling a display device to display image data from an imaging device associated with a first portion of a worksite or a second portion of the worksite based at least in part on the position of the chair and the operating state of the work vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Eric James Zieser, Randy Joe Hageman, Jeffrey Marc Stewart, Matthew D. Wagenbach, James Sutor
  • Patent number: 11874671
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to autonomous machines (AMs) and more particularly to techniques for intelligently planning, managing and performing various tasks using AMs. A control system (referred to as a fleet management system or FMS) is disclosed for managing a set of resources at a site, which may include AMs. The FMS is configured to control and manage the AMs at the site such that tasks are performed autonomously by the AMs. An AM may directly communicate with another AM located on the site to complete a task without requiring to be in constant communication with the FMS during the performance of the task. The FMS is configured to use various optimization techniques to allocate resources (e.g., AMs) for performing tasks at the site. The resource allocation is performed so as to maximize the use of available AMs while ensuring that the tasks get performed in a timely manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SafeAI, Inc.
    Inventors: Bibhrajit Halder, Sudipta Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 11874665
    Abstract: A method of area coverage planning with replenishment planning includes receiving information of a boundary of the work area, location information of one or more refill stations, and information of a current amount of the material left in the autonomous vehicle, laying a plurality of tracks within the boundary of the work area so as to minimize a total distance of the plurality of tracks, generating a coverage trajectory, and based on (i) the coverage trajectory, (ii) the location information of the one or more refill stations, (iii) the current amount of the material left in the autonomous vehicle, and (iv) a nominal full amount and a nominal consumption rate of the material by the autonomous vehicle, determining one or more logistic points along the coverage trajectory at which a remaining amount of the material reaches a threshold, for each logistic point, generating a replenishment trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Kapil Tahiliani, Juan Carlos Santamaria, Shantnu Kakkar, Eric Paul Boehlke
  • Patent number: 11871697
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Noel W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11874669
    Abstract: One or more information maps are obtained by an agricultural work machine. The one or more information maps map one or more agricultural characteristic values at different geographic locations of a field. An in-situ sensor on the agricultural work machine senses an agricultural characteristic as the agricultural work machine moves through the field. A predictive map generator generates a predictive map that predicts a predictive agricultural characteristic at different locations in the field based on a relationship between the values in the one or more information maps and the agricultural characteristic sensed by the in-situ sensor. The predictive map can be output and used in automated machine control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Nathan R Vandike, Bhanu Kiran Reddy Palla, Bradley K. Yanke, Noel W. Anderson, Mehul Bhavsar, Hrishikesh Tupe