Abstract: An overshot loader including a set of ground engaging members, a frame attached to the set of ground engaging members, and a linkage assembly movably connected to the frame and located within a longitudinal center portion of the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting pilot fuel in a combustion engine. The method and apparatus includes determining a load of the engine, determining a desired injection timing of the pilot fuel and a desired quantity of pilot fuel to be injected as a function of a desired homogeneous distribution of the pilot fuel based on the engine load, and adjusting the injection timing and quantity of the pilot fuel to the desired values.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a variable displacement hydraulic pump having a swashplate pivotally attached to the pump. The method and apparatus includes determining a desired swashplate angle as a function of a power limit of the pump, determining an actual swashplate angle, determining a value of discharge pressure of the pump, moving a servo valve spool to a desired position as a function of the desired swashplate angle, the actual swashplate angle and the discharge pressure, and responsively moving the swashplate to the desired swashplate angle position.

Abstract: A method for determining a heat source model for a weld. The method includes the steps of determining a double elliptical distribution of the heat density of the weld, modifying the double elliptical distribution as a function of a profile geometry of the weld, and determining the heat source model as a function of the modified double elliptical distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a location of an object at an earthworking site. The method and apparatus includes determining a location in geographical coordinates of an earthworking implement at the earthworking site, determining a location in geographical coordinates of the object, displaying the earthworking implement and the object on a display having a top view and a side profile view of the earthworking site, selecting a perimeter of interest in the top view with respect to the earthworking implement, determining the coordinates of a portion of the object bounded by the perimeter of interest, and displaying a three-dimensional image of the portion of the object in the side profile view as a function of the perimeter of interest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing standby power from a generator. The method and apparatus includes determining a power failure condition of a primary power source, disconnecting the primary power source from a load, connecting the generator to the load, connecting a first capacitor supplied voltage to a starter system, activating the starter system to start the generator, and providing a second capacitor supplied voltage to a capacitor monitor/diagnostics controller during a transition period between the primary power source and the generator standby power.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for planning an alternate path in response to detection of an obstacle by a mobile machine at a work site. The work site includes a fleet of mobile machines and a fleet manager. The method includes the steps of determining the presence and location of an obstacle in a primary path of the mobile machine, determining an alternate path around the obstacle, and delivering a signal to the fleet manager with the location of the obstacle and the alternate path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a direction of travel of an earthworking machine having an earthworking implement. The method and apparatus includes determining a desired heading of the machine, determining an actual heading of the machine, determining a straight line path for the machine as a function of the desired heading, determining a deviation of the actual heading from the desired heading, determining a desired tilt angle of the implement as a function of the deviation, and controlling the tilt angle of the implement to the desired tilt angle and responsively steering the machine on the straight line path.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to detect an obstacle in the path of a mobile machine. The present invention scans a field of interest by each of a plurality of obstacle sensor systems, weights the scanned data received from the obstacle sensor systems, and determines at least one characteristic of the obstacle as a function of the weighted scanned data.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a rotary position sensor to a linkage pin housing and a linkage pin. The linkage pin is rotatably positioned within the linkage pin housing. The apparatus includes a sensor housing adapted to mount to the linkage pin housing, and a linkage pin adapter located within the sensor housing and having a first end adapted to mount to the linkage pin. The linkage pin adapter is adapted to rotate within the sensor housing as a function of a rotation of the linkage pin. The apparatus also includes a first coupling member connected to a second end of the linkage pin adapter. The first coupling member is flexible and has a general cup shape extending away from the linkage pin adapter. In addition, the apparatus includes a second coupling member connected to the first coupling member. The second coupling member is adapted to drivably rotate the rotary position sensor in response to the rotation of the linkage pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one of the pitch and slope of an implement on an earthmoving machine. The apparatus includes a mast connected to an upper corner of the implement, a first set of laser detectors connected to the mast, a second set of laser detectors connected to the mast, a third set of laser detectors connected to the mast, and a computer adapted to receive signals from the first, second, and third sets of laser detectors and responsively determine the angle of pitch and the angle of slope of the implement.

Abstract: System and method for determining an operating point of a mobile machine. The invention receives GPS information from a GPS and INU information from an inertial navigational unit. A plurality of error states are modeled. The operating point of the mobile machine is determined as a function of the error states and the GPS and INU information.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for training an operator of an earthworking machine having an implement control system. The method and apparatus includes switching from control by the implement control system to control by the operator, monitoring operator control commands, and comparing the operator control commands to control commands of the implement control system. The method and apparatus also includes communicating the comparison to the operator.