Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Inc
  • Method and system for supplying fuel gas
    Patent number: 11821389
    Abstract: A system for introducing a gaseous fuel to an internal combustion engine includes a fuel storage device, a compressor, and an air and fuel conduit in fluid communication with the fuel storage device and with the compressor. The air and fuel conduit includes a first passage and a second passage that includes a first portion and a second portion, the second portion being a venturi portion, the second passage being fluidly connected to the compressor in parallel with the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew T. Wolk
  • Node-to-node network time synchronization
    Patent number: 11824925
    Abstract: In some implementations, a node may receive one or more communications, wherein the one or more communications include time information, and wherein the one or more communications are associated with a peer-to-peer network. The node may identify a primary node associated with the peer-to-peer network based on an indicator included in a communication, from the one or more communications, that is associated with the primary node. The node may synchronize a time stored by the node based on time information included in the communication that is associated with the primary node. The node may receive an indication that the node has successfully joined the peer-to-peer network based on synchronizing the time to the time information. The node may selectively update the time stored by the node based on a reference time included in periodic data transfer communications that are associated with the primary node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Haddad
  • Ground-engaging track shoe having raised-relief fixturing surfaces
    Patent number: 11820446
    Abstract: A ground-engaging track shoe includes a shoe plate having link-side fixturing surfaces and ground-side fixturing surfaces. The link-side fixturing surfaces and the ground-side fixturing surfaces are raised in profile relative to a link-facing surface and a ground-facing surface, respectively. The fixturing surfaces enable a fixture to clamp the track shoe for support during processing, enabling improvements in maintaining portions of the track shoe flat and reducing part to part variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
  • Ground engaging tool wear and loss detection system and method
    Patent number: 11821177
    Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a left image and a right image of a bucket of a work machine having at least one ground engaging tool (GET). The example system identifies a first region of interest from the left image corresponding to the GET and a second region of interest from the right image corresponding to the GET. The example system also generates a left-edge digital image corresponding to the first region of interest and a right-edge digital image corresponding to the second region of interest. Further, the example system determines a sparse stereo disparity between the left-edge digital image and the right-edge digital image, and also determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the sparse stereo disparity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, John M Plouzek, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Raymond Alan Wise
  • Systems and methods for lubricant dilution detection
    Patent number: 11821345
    Abstract: Systems and methods for lubricant dilution detection are disclosed. A method for detecting lubricant dilution for a lubrication system includes detecting a low idle condition. The method includes receiving sensed values indicative of lubricant pressure and lubricant temperature during the low idle condition. The method also includes determining a lubricant pressure threshold based on the sensed value indicative of lubricant temperature. The method further includes determining lubricant dilution based on the sensed value indicative of lubricant pressure and the determined lubricant pressure threshold during the low idle condition. In accordance with a determination that there is lubricant dilution, the method includes outputting an indication of the lubricant dilution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ben McAuley, Tyler P. Jewell, Michael J. Campagna, Andrew W. Billing
  • System and method of automatically picking and handling parts
    Patent number: 11820599
    Abstract: An automated parts handling system includes a conveyor, a robotic arm configured to pick parts from a parts receptacle and place the picked parts on the conveyor, a vision device disposed over or adjacent the conveyor and configured to determine the number of parts picked by the robotic arm from the parts receptacle and placed on the conveyor, a memory, and a processor communicatively coupled to the conveyor, the robotic arm, and the vision device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Robert Kopecko
  • Inverter location and orientation within a mobile machine
    Patent number: 11821173
    Abstract: A mobile machine includes front and rear ends, a frame, rotatably supported ground engaging mechanisms, and an electrical drive system. The electrical drive system includes a source of electrical energy, an inverter, at least one electric motor operatively coupled to rotate at least one of the ground engaging mechanisms, a plurality of first electric cables electrically coupling the source of electrical energy to the inverter, and a plurality of second electric cables electrically coupling the inverter to the electric motor. The inverter is disposed in the mobile machine in a vertical orientation at the rear end of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randy D. Stoecker, David A. Gleissner, Lance M. Cowper, Kurt D. Smeltzer
  • Shrouds for grouser protectors in track shoes and grouser shroud inventory
    Patent number: 11820447
    Abstract: A shroud for a track shoe grouser protector includes an elongate shroud body having weld holes formed in a first shroud leg and a second shroud leg attached to a base in the elongate shroud body. The shroud may have a fore to aft profile having the form of a flat-crowned arch with the shroud legs flared outward to form a grouser opening for positioning the shroud upon a track shoe grouser in a ground-engaging track system. An inventory of shrouds includes long shrouds and short shrouds positionable in a plurality of different assembly combinations to shield grousers in track shoes having a range of sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan Stuart Clarke, Paul Prest
  • Automated load drop based on machine configuration
    Patent number: 11821172
    Abstract: A controller may obtain, from one or more first devices of a first machine, first information regarding a load associated with a first portion of an object. The first portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of the first machine and a second portion, of the object, may be carried by an implement of a second machine. The controller may obtain, from one or more second devices of the first machine, second information regarding an orientation of the first machine. The controller may determine, based on the first information and a threshold derived based on the second information, that a load drop condition is satisfied; perform a first action associated with dropping the load; and transmit, to the second machine, information regarding the first action to cause the second machine to perform a second action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Hoyt, Curtis John Caldwell, Aaron J. Gnagey
  • FUEL FILTER PASSAGE FOR DOWNWARD FUEL FLOW DIRECTION
    Publication number: 20230364533
    Abstract: A center tube and a central fluid supply tube combination includes a center tube body defining a longitudinal length, and a central reservoir. The center tube also includes an apertured annular wall extending axially the majority of the longitudinal length, and a first annular solid wall extending axially from the apertured annular wall. A central fluid supply tube is disposed in the central reservoir, and includes a second annular solid wall that is radially surrounded by the apertured annular wall of the center tube. The second annular solid wall defines a supply passage with a fully circular flow flux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon T. Immel, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Jeffrey R. Ries, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Brian J. Sutton, Quinton Marcus Burcar
  • IDLER ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20230365208
    Abstract: An idler adjustment assembly includes a support block; a first set of one or more adjustment components to move a first wear component between a first plurality of positions that are adjacent to an external surface of a first side of the support block; a second set of one or more adjustment components to move a second wear component between a second plurality of positions that are adjacent to an external surface of a second side of the support block; a first set of one or more alignment components to maintain a first alignment of the first wear component relative to the external surface of the first side of the support block; and a second set of one or more alignment components to maintain a second alignment of the second wear component relative to the external surface of the second side of the support block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. JOHANNSEN
  • HOUSE SWING SENSOR FOLLOWER PINION
    Publication number: 20230366172
    Abstract: A follower pinion apparatus can include a swing gear system comprised of a swing gear and a swing motor pinion. The follower pinion apparatus can also include a nonmetallic follower pinion positioned to mesh with the swing gear and a sensor configured to sense a position of the follower pinion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent A. Armstrong, Joshua David Callaway, Christopher E. Bright, Benjamin J. Terry
  • HYDRAULIC CYLINDER BUFFER SEAL BACKUP RING
    Publication number: 20230366415
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a hydraulic cylinder piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder includes an annular buffer seal and an annular backup ring. A first axial pressure side of the annular buffer ring faces a rod end chamber of the hydraulic cylinder and fits adjacent a first axial side surface of an annular groove defined in a rod end of the hydraulic cylinder through which the piston rod passes, and a second axial seal side opposite from the first axial pressure side includes a radially outer annular seal surface and a radially inner annular seal surface, wherein the radially outer annular seal surface is spaced farther from the first axial pressure side of the annular buffer seal than the radially inner annular seal surface of the buffer seal such that an annular notch is formed around an inner diameter of the annular buffer seal on the second axial seal side of the annular buffer seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Ananda Sudhakar Ponnusamy
  • BUSHING WEAR MONITORING
    Publication number: 20230366842
    Abstract: In some implementations, a monitoring system may include a sensor device located on an inner surface of a bushing of a track link. The sensor device may be configured to generate data indicating an amount of strain or wear experienced by a portion of the bushing. The monitoring system may include a wireless communication device communicatively coupled to the sensor device and configured to transmit information indicating the data. The monitoring system may include a controller configured to determine an amount of wear, of the portion of the bushing, based on the data, and generate wear information indicating the amount of wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. JOHANNSEN
  • SAFETY CONTROL UNIT FOR A LIFTING ARM MACHINE
    Publication number: 20230365388
    Abstract: A safety control unit for controlling a lifting arm of a lifting arm machine is provided. The safety control unit comprises a safety control unit housing, a sensor input, a first processor and a second processor. The sensor input is configured to receive a first signal indicative of a toppling moment of the lifting arm about the lifting arm machine and a second signal indicative of the toppling moment of the lifting arm about the lifting arm machine, wherein the first and second signals are independent of each other. The first processor is provided within the safety control unit housing and configured: to receive the first signal, to determine a first toppling moment based on the first signal, and to output the first toppling moment. The second processor is independent of the first processor and provided within the safety control unit housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mayur DAMANIA
  • POWERTRAIN ARCHITECTURE DESIGN TOOL
    Publication number: 20230367921
    Abstract: A computer implemented design tool configured to design a powertrain is provided. The design tool utilises and input file comprising architecture selection constraints and load requirements for the powertrain to be designed along with a generic powertrain component library. The generic powertrain component library comprises configurable models of powertrain components. The design tool generates candidate powertrain architectures based on the input file and the generic powertrain component library. The design tool also generated candidate parameters for each of the components in each candidate powertrain architecture. The design tool is configured to calculate optimised component parameters for each candidate powertrain architecture. The design tool then outputs an optimised powertrain architecture based on the candidate powertrain architectures evaluated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gavin WILLIAMS
  • SYSTEMS, DEVICES, AND METHODS FOR A BATTERY SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230369658
    Abstract: A battery system for a machine includes one or more battery module cell bus bars, one or more terminal bus bars, an interconnect system, and a battery module circuit. The one or more terminal bus bars include a coupling configured to couple the battery system to one or more components of the machine. The interconnect system couples the one or more battery module cells to the one or more terminal bus bars. The battery module circuit is coupled to one or more portions of the interconnect system. The battery module circuit includes one or more thermistors positioned at least partially overlapping with the one or more terminal bus bars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jared J. BRODBECK, Jason Lee MILLER
  • MANUAL TUBE WELDING DEVICE
    Publication number: 20230364722
    Abstract: A device for welding may include a track configured to surround a workpiece. The device for welding may also include a cart configured to contact the track such that the track guides the cart around the workpiece. The cart may include a frame and a welding torch receptacle. The welding torch receptacle can be attached to the frame. The welding torch receptacle may be configured to maintain a tip of the welding torch at a set distance away from the workpiece while the cart moves around the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Meredith Noble
  • HYDRAULIC CYLINDER SEALING ARRANGEMENT
    Publication number: 20230366466
    Abstract: A combination of seals and wear guides for use in a hydraulic cylinder provides a sealed engagement between a piston rod of the hydraulic cylinder and an inner circumferential surface of a rod end of a cylinder barrel of the hydraulic cylinder through which the piston rod is axially movable. The combination includes a cylindrical metallic wear guide for seating within a first annular groove formed around the inner circumferential surface, a buffer seal assembly including an annular buffer seal cooperatively mated with an annular backup ring for seating within a second annular groove, a U-cup seal for seating within a third annular groove, a cylindrical plastic wear guide for seating within a fourth annular groove, and a triple lip wiper seal including three ringed lip portions for seating within a fifth annular groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Ananda Sudhakar Ponnusamy, Rameshkrishnan Lakshminarayanan, Justin Douglas Speichinger, Cody Patrick Renshaw, Jaime E. Ruiz
  • MONITORING INTEGRITY OF CHARGING RAIL SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20230368359
    Abstract: Machines can operate based on electricity received from a charging rail system installed along a route at a worksite. Sensors on the machines capture image data indicating locations and/or orientations of components of the charging rail system. Machine controllers of the machine, and/or a worksite controller, can monitor the integrity of the charging rail system by detecting possible faults if the locations and/or orientations of one or more components vary by more than a threshold amount from target locations and/or orientations. The machine controllers and/or the worksite controller can also initiate one or more response actions when a possible fault in the charging rail system is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Dennis Braunstein