Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
  • Publication number: 20210156761
    Abstract: A seal testing system includes a drive system and a rotating shaft driven by the drive system. The system further includes a first seal testing subassembly including a first rotating member coupled to the rotating shaft, a first stationary member located adjacent the first rotating member, and a first test seal disposed between the rotating member and the stationary member at a first seal interface; and a second seal testing subassembly including a second rotating member coupled to the rotating shaft, a second stationary member located adjacent the second rotating member, and a second test seal disposed between the rotating member and the stationary member at a second seal interface. The system additionally includes a misalignment assembly coupled to the first and second stationary members to move the first and second stationary members the same distance to provide an equal misalignment at the first and second seal interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Igor STRASHNY, Andrew D. HAMILLA
  • Patent number: 10981759
    Abstract: A dump block assembly for a dragline bucket rigging assembly including a frame assembly having a first side frame and a second side frame attached to and parallel to the first side frame. The first side frame includes a first attachment portion having a first upper connection portion, a first lower connection portion opposite the first upper connection portion, and a first central connection portion spaced apart from and in between the first upper connection portion and the first lower connection portion. The second side frame includes a second attachment portion having a second upper connection portion, a second lower connection portion opposite the second upper connection portion, and a second central connection portion spaced apart from and in between the second upper connection portion and the second lower connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Michael R. Stolz
  • Publication number: 20210062470
    Abstract: A system to control operation of a machine having a ground-engaging work implement for moving material about a worksite include a controller configured to determine a feasible target profile for the work implement to engage material. The feasible target profile may include a preload segment, a cut segment, and a loading segment. The controller determines a feasible prospective cut segment from a plurality of prospective cut segments. The controller generates a prospective preloading segment and a prospective loading segment associated with the feasible prospective cut profile. Position points associated with the loading segment are extracted and the controller determines if the ground-engaging work implement will align with the plurality of position points. The controller may also determine whether the load volume for the prospective cut segment is efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20210046499
    Abstract: A method for applying fluid to a travel lane is disclosed. The method may include receiving information related to a travel lane including a first set of tire paths and a second set of tire paths to be traveled by one or more vehicles, generating spray pattern control information for a fluid application machine having multiple spray heads based on the first set of tire paths and the second set of tire paths to be traveled by the one or more vehicles, and selectively triggering the multiple spray heads of the fluid application machine to alternately apply fluid to the first set of tire paths and the second set of tire paths based on the spray pattern control information and based on a current position of the fluid application machine on the travel lane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Michael VANCE, Jagath SAMARAWEERA
  • Patent number: 10882434
    Abstract: Described herein are illustrative payload carrying machines and dump body linkage. An example vehicle can include a frame and a dump body movable relative to the frame. In the example vehicle, an articulation mechanism can be connected to both the dump body and the frame. The articulation mechanism can be a four-link system including a first pair of links can be coupled to the frame and dump body and a second pair of links can be coupled to the frame and dump body. The second pair of links can be longer than the first pair of links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Cusack, Kris E. Seitz, Daniel R. Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20200407941
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a coupling assembly (13) for a machine (10). The coupling assembled comprises a pin (27) comprising at least a first pin passageway (31) for lubricant extending between a first pin passageway inlet (32) and a first pin passageway outlet (33) for directing lubricant outside of the pin (27). The coupling assembly (13) also comprises a distribution device (28) for distributing lubricant comprising at least one distribution device inlet (45) for receiving lubricant and at least one distribution device outlet (46, 62, 47, 48). The distribution device (28) is mounted to the pin (27) and the at least one distribution device outlet (46, 62, 47, 48) is arranged to direct lubricant into the first pin passageway inlet (32).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Igor Strashny, Candace Bauer
  • Publication number: 20200401141
    Abstract: A system for moving material from a first location to a second location includes a planning system to identify an initial spot location. A perception sensor is configured to generate perception signals indicative of whether an obstacle is in the path between a material carrying machine and the initial spot location. An alternate spot location is determined if an obstacle is in the path and a propulsion command is generated to move the material carrying machine from the current pose to the alternate spot location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Andrew J. Vitale, Bryan J. Everett, Mark H. Banham, Craig L. Koehrsen
  • Patent number: 10851590
    Abstract: A mobile drilling machine may include a drilling mast including a mast frame. The mobile drilling machine may further include a rotary head movably mounted on the mast frame, the rotary head controllable to rotate a drill string at a desired drill string rotation speed. The rotary head may further be controllable to move up and down the mast frame at a desired drill string feed speed. Additionally, the mobile drilling machine may include a joystick movable to control the desired drill string rotation speed and the desired drill string feed speed of the rotary head. A controller of the mobile drilling machine may be configured to receive a current desired drill string rotation speed and drill string feed speed information from the joystick and lock the current desired drill string rotation speed and the desired drill string feed speed upon activation of a switch mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Rex Glover, Ahsan Shahid, Hyppolite Kuissi
  • Publication number: 20200048055
    Abstract: A dump block assembly for a dragline bucket rigging assembly including a frame assembly having a first side frame and a second side frame attached to and parallel to the first side frame. The first side frame includes a first attachment portion having a first upper connection portion, a first lower connection portion opposite the first upper connection portion, and a first central connection portion spaced apart from and in between the first upper connection portion and the first lower connection portion. The second side frame includes a second attachment portion having a second upper connection portion, a second lower connection portion opposite the second upper connection portion, and a second central connection portion spaced apart from and in between the second upper connection portion and the second lower connection portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Michael R. Stolz
  • Patent number: 10538896
    Abstract: A hoist drum is disclosed for use with a power shovel. The hoist drum may have a body that is hollow and generally cylindrical, and an anchor connected to an outer annular surface of the body. The hoist drum may also have at least one stiffener located inside the body and extending in an axial direction of the body across the anchor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Jason J. Trotnow, Gurbachan S. Bumraw
  • Publication number: 20190337437
    Abstract: Described herein are illustrative payload carrying machines and dump body linkage. An example vehicle can include a frame and a dump body movable relative to the frame. In the example vehicle, an articulation mechanism can be connected to both the dump body and the frame. The articulation mechanism can be a four-link system including a first pair of links can be coupled to the frame and dump body and a second pair of links can be coupled to the frame and dump body. The second pair of links can be longer than the first pair of links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Cusack, Kris E. Seitz, Daniel R. Hettinger
  • Publication number: 20190309773
    Abstract: A head end seal assembly for a hydraulic cylinder may include a cylinder seal carrier having a seal carrier bore with a main seal groove and a coating ring groove adjacent the main seal groove. A main seal disposed within the main seal groove is fabricated from a resilient material and engages a rod outer surface of a rod to substantially prevent leakage of pressurized fluid from the hydraulic cylinder. A coating ring disposed within the coating ring groove is fabricated from a thermoplastic polymer such as Teflon and engages the rod outer surface such that portions of the thermoplastic polymer are deposited into indentations on the rod outer surface as the rod slides past the coating ring to smooth the surface and reduce abrasion between the rod and the main seal. A second coating ring on the opposite side of the main seal may coat the rod as it moves in the opposite direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Brian Sybrandy, Paul Lightfoot
  • Patent number: 10385892
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine includes a plurality of hydraulic component, wherein the hydraulic components include hydraulic actuators and hydraulic motors. The hydraulic system also includes a plurality of hydraulic circuits, and a plurality of hydraulic pumps for supplying hydraulic fluid to the plurality of hydraulic components via the hydraulic circuits. At least one hydraulic component receives hydraulic flow exclusively from a designated one of the hydraulic pumps and at least another, different hydraulic component receives shared hydraulic flow from a flow sharing set of the hydraulic pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Sharath Cugati, Christoper Williamson, Pengfei Ma, Mark Vonderwell, Sean Johnson, James W. Fuerst, Jiao Zhang
  • Patent number: 10240322
    Abstract: An energy storage system associated with a machine having a work tool and one or more auxiliary loads includes a power source which generates mechanical power. An energy storage device supplies power to the one or more auxiliary loads. An electrical generator is operably coupled to the power source and converts at least a portion of the mechanical power into electrical power. The electrical generator supplies the electrical power to the energy storage device. A controller is communicably coupled to the power source, the work tool, the energy storage device, and the electrical generator. The controller determines a power demand of the work tool. The controller then compares whether the determined power demand exceeds a pre-determined threshold power. The controller disables the electrical generator from supplying the electrical power to the energy storage device if the power demand exceeds the pre-determined threshold power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Peter James Miller, Arthur Milkowski
  • Patent number: 10233950
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system may include a closed loop hydraulic circuit with at least one hydraulic motor. A plurality of variable displacement pumps may be fluidly connected in parallel in the closed loop hydraulic circuit. A plurality of hydraulic actuators may be configured to adjust the displacement of the variable displacement pumps. A pilot valve assembly may be configured to supply the hydraulic actuators with hydraulic fluid having a pilot pressure corresponding to a desired displacement of the variable displacement pumps. A pressure regulating device may be configured to limit the pilot pressure of the hydraulic fluid supplied to the hydraulic actuators when a working pressure in the closed loop hydraulic circuit reaches a maximum allowable working pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Marcus Bitter
  • Patent number: 10167893
    Abstract: A stopper assembly for a machine. The machine includes an implement. The stopper assembly includes a mount and a stopper. The mount is configured to be coupled to the machine. The stopper is configured to be pivotally coupled to the mount. The stopper is configured to restrict a pivotal movement of the implement when the stopper abuts the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Michael Vince Hicks
  • Patent number: 10144622
    Abstract: A modular hoist drum is disclosed for use with a power shovel. The modular hoist drum may have a first outer body, a second outer body, and an anchor body that are hollow and generally cylindrical. The anchor body is connected between the first outer body and the second outer body. The anchor body may include an internal anchor configured to receive a ferrule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Aruna Kinjarapu, Robin Varghese, Sivakumar Subramaniam, Tridib K. Das, Joseph A. Rapp, Narendra Thippappa, Gurbachan S. Bumraw
  • Patent number: 10132352
    Abstract: A system for lubricating a pivot joint including a first bushing and a second bushing and a pin disposed coaxially within a cylinder clevis, the pin having a first groove and a second groove on a first side, and third grooves on a second side and a bore along a length of the pin from first side to the second side. The first groove is used for mounting a seal. The second groove and the third grooves provide transmission of a lubricant to the first bushing and the second bushing respectively. A first cover plate and a second cover plate are fastened to the cylinder clevis using a plurality of fasteners. The first cover plate includes a first port and a second port for providing the lubricant to the first bushing and the second bushing respectively. A spring is provided between the second cover plate and the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Elvis Tormen, Martin Kunigk
  • Patent number: 10118656
    Abstract: A machine includes a front section having front wheels, a rear section having rear wheels, and a pivot that couples the front section to the rear section as well as a hydraulic steering circuit that moves the front section relative to the rear section about the pivot. The machine also includes a stabilizer and further includes a directional control valve that selectively depressurizes the hydraulic steering circuit according to a state of the stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: James Robert Szalko, Patrick W. Sullivan, Rex Glover, Justin B. Eaton, Paul A. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20180313060
    Abstract: An energy storage system associated with a machine having a work tool and one or more auxiliary loads includes a power source which generates mechanical power. An energy storage device supplies power to the one or more auxiliary loads. An electrical generator is operably coupled to the power source and converts at least a portion of the mechanical power into electrical power. The electrical generator supplies the electrical power to the energy storage device. A controller is communicably coupled to the power source, the work tool, the energy storage device, and the electrical generator. The controller determines a power demand of the work tool. The controller then compares whether the determined power demand exceeds a pre-determined threshold power. The controller disables the electrical generator from supplying the electrical power to the energy storage device if the power demand exceeds the pre-determined threshold power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: Peter James Miller, Arthur Milkowski