Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Inc
  • Publication number: 20230365206
    Abstract: An idler wheel includes a hub, an outer rim, and a pair of side plates that form an interior cavity extending radially between the outer rim (110) and the hub, and axially between the pair of side plates. The first side plate defines a maximum side plate axial thickness disposed radially next to the hub in a cross-sectional plane containing a radial direction, and an axis of rotation, as well as a minimum side plate thickness disposed radially next to the outer rim. A ratio of the maximum thickness to the minimum thickness ranges from 1.325 to 1.900.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier, Brian B. Umbach, Chetan Vilas Dahiwal
  • Patent number: 11814286
    Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system can store a fuel reagent such as methanol for conversion into hydrogen to power one or more facility systems via a backup power system. A reactor controller can monitor a power demand of the one or more facility systems and determine whether the power demand is met by a primary power system. The fuel reagent can be provided to a fuel reactor in response to the reactor controller determining that the one or more facility systems are operating at a power deficit to generate an amount of hydrogen that, when provided to the backup power system, causes the backup power system to generate an amount of power that meets or exceeds the power deficit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bardell, David T. Montgomery
  • Patent number: 11814269
    Abstract: A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Jackson, Benjamin Barbier, Curtis J. Caldwell, Michael T. Jackson
  • Patent number: 11816719
    Abstract: A system for replacing an original hose assembly of a work machine with a replacement hose assembly includes at least a computing device, a database, and a server. The server is associated with the database and includes a processor configured via computer-executable instructions to perform a method of identifying the replacement hose assembly. The method includes prompting a user to select hose attributes associated with a hose of the original hose assembly. Based on the selected hose attributes, a replacement hose may be identified. The method further includes prompting the user to select coupling attributes associated with a coupling of the original hose assembly. Based on compatibility with the identified replacement hose and the selected coupling attributes, a replacement coupling may be identified. The method further includes generating a bill of materials for the replacement hose assembly and displaying the bill of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Amy C. Chastain, James J. Billimack, Jody A. Ingram, Robert P. Shilts, William T. Reimers, Kristina M. Hicks, Deidre Smallwood, Santosh Paudel
  • Patent number: 11815055
    Abstract: A fuel injector capable of injecting a plurality of different fuels in a single fuel injection event includes a body including a primary fuel path and a pilot fuel path and a first plunger in fluid communication with the pilot fuel path. The fuel injector also includes a second plunger in fluid communication with the primary fuel path and with the pilot fuel path, a hydraulic control chamber within the pilot fuel path, and an injection valve at which the primary fuel path and the pilot fuel path connect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dana R. Coldren, Lifeng Wang, Eric L. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11815113
    Abstract: A wing nut includes a body having a sidewall that surrounds a central opening. The central opening is threaded along a threaded portion having a threaded length extending from the back end towards the front end of the body. At least two wings are integrated with the sidewall and extend away from the sidewall in a radial direction relative to the centerline. A rib extend peripherally around the sidewall in a radially outward direction such that a wall thickness of the sidewall increases to a maximum value moving along the centerline away from the rear end, and decreases along the centerline moving towards the front end from the maximum value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary A Schramm, Brian G. Tyler
  • Patent number: 11815054
    Abstract: A dual fuel system for an internal combustion engine includes a first fuel supply of a liquid pilot fuel, a primary fuel supply of a liquid primary fuel, and a dual fuel injector. The dual fuel injector includes a spill valve fluidly connected with a plunger cavity and movable to control a start of injection and an end of injection, and an admission valve. The admission valve is movable to admit a pilot fuel into the fuel injector, such that the pilot fuel is conveyed through an outlet check to form, within a primary fuel passage fluidly connected to the plunger cavity, a segmented fuel charge of leading pilot fuel and trailing primary fuel by displacing some of the primary fuel. The liquid pilot fuel may be a higher cetane/lower octane liquid fuel, and the primary fuel may be a lower cetane/higher octane liquid fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, David Todd Montgomery, Dana Ray Coldren, Chad Koci
  • Publication number: 20230359209
    Abstract: The real time state and stability of a machine are determined and the future stability of the machine is predicted based on different potential machine operations. Sensor inputs including machine speed and acceleration, lift height of a payload, an articulation angle of the machine, a position of the machine, a pitch angle and a roll angle of the machine are used to generate a model for estimating a time series of real time and future values for the degree of stability of the machine by solving a kinematic equation and inputting other machine operational parameters during a timestep of a series of timesteps based at least in part on an estimate of the location of the center of gravity of a first portion of the machine in combination with the payload carried by the machine relative to a predetermined point, and the location of the center of gravity of a second portion of the machine relative to the predetermined point in a subsequent timestep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20230358220
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing connectable to a transmission of a machine adjacent a front end of the pump. The pump may also have a flange attached to the housing adjacent a rear end of the pump. The flange may have a longitudinal axis extending along a length of the flange, and a transverse axis extending along a width of the flange. The flange may also have a first mounting hole configured to connect an auxiliary pump to the flange. Further, the flange may have a second mounting hole configured to connect a bracket to the flange. The first mounting hole may be positioned on a first axis inclined at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Romas J. POVILONIS, David A. Mork
  • Publication number: 20230358016
    Abstract: A controller includes one or more memories and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive an input image. The input image contains a first pictorial view that includes a work implement of a work machine. The one or more processors are also configured to generate an output image containing a second pictorial view and an indication element superimposed on the second pictorial view. The second pictorial view is at least in part derived from the first pictorial view and includes the work implement. The indication element includes at least one reference line. An alignment of one or more portions of the work implement with the at least one reference line indicates that the one or more portions of the work implement are positioned at a desired height from a ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley Krone
  • Publication number: 20230359203
    Abstract: The state and stability of a machine and a threshold value for an acceptable level of the stability of the machine are determined based on different potential machine states or operations. Sensor inputs including machine speed and whether the machine is in a coasting mode, lift height of a payload, an articulation angle of the machine, a pitch angle, and a roll angle of the machine are used to generate a model for estimating a time series of values for the degree of stability of the machine by solving a physics-based equation or retrieving data from a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Jeffrey K. Berry, Shaun D. Currier
  • Publication number: 20230358012
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for depressurizing a work tool auxiliary circuit of a work machine. The system comprises: a power source; a reservoir of hydraulic fluid, a plurality of hydraulic lines, a pressure source, a control valve, a depressurize line connected to at least one of the plurality of hydraulic lines and the reservoir, the depressurize line includes an electromechanical valve for regulating the flow of hydraulic fluid in the depressurize line; a controller and a coupler switch comprising at least two throws and having three positions where one of the three positions actuates the electromechanical valve to depressurize the work tool auxiliary circuit. The hydraulic system can be provided as a kit to existing work machines for depressurizing the work tool hydraulic auxiliary circuit of a work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark W. Thompson, Jeffrey R. Peterson, Trent R. Stefek
  • Publication number: 20230356122
    Abstract: An anti-prefill device may be disposed at a radially central portion of an endcap mounted on one axial end of an annular filter medium in a filter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Jon Tyler Immel
  • Publication number: 20230358194
    Abstract: A filter module for filtering fuel in an engine system includes a primary filter, a secondary filter, and a module housing. A drain valve is movable between a closed position blocking a drain port in the module housing, and an open position. A service valve assembly is positioned at least partially within a cross passage in the module housing and adjustable from a closed configuration blocking a primary-side fuel passage from a secondary-side fuel passage in the module housing, to an open configuration, to drain fluids from the filter module by way of the single drain port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor McKinley, Jon Tyler Immel, Brian J Sutton, Stephen Ellis Oedewaaldt, Iulian Gabriele Ghiorghias
  • Publication number: 20230360558
    Abstract: A heavy-duty interactive (HDi) system may include a heavy-duty vehicle; a work tool installed on the heavy-duty vehicle; a memory that stores a plurality of patterns representing operation events for the heavy-duty vehicle; a first sensor affixed to the heavy-duty vehicle that collects first sensor data as the heavy-duty vehicle is operated; a second sensor affixed to the work tool that collects second sensor data as the work tool is operated; and a controller operatively coupled to the first sensor, the second sensor, and the memory. The controller may be configured to identify a heavy-duty vehicle operation event by comparing at least one of the first sensor data and the second sensor data with the plurality of patterns in the memory, and associate the work tool with the heavy-duty vehicle based on a comparison of the first sensor data and the second sensor data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian B. Steketee, David W. Baarman, Mark Strayer, Thad Senti
  • Publication number: 20230358186
    Abstract: Operating an engine system includes combusting a gaseous hydrogen fuel (H2) and a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel (HC) at a first substitution ratio in a cylinder in an engine, determining at least one of an H2 fueling command or an HC fueling command based on an H2 availability input and an H2 cost, and outputting the H2 fueling command and the HC fueling command to an H2 injector and an HC admission valve, respectively. Operating the engine system further includes combusting H2 and HC at a varied substitution ratio based on the H2 fueling command and the HC fueling command. At least one of the H2 fueling command or the HC fueling command may be based on a monitored CO2 exhaust level which may be used to populate a stored history of CO2 output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Lee Schroeder, Michael Todd Graziano, JR., Jaswinder Singh, David Todd Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20230358019
    Abstract: A control system for a machine includes a chassis, an implement attached to the chassis, at least one sensor coupled to the chassis or the implement, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals from the at least one sensor, determine a stabilization factor based on the one or more signals from the at least one sensor, and signal one or more actuators to control a movement and/or a position of the implement based at least in part on the stabilization factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David B. MASON, Christopher M. GERTH, Bradley P. KRONE, Richard Ryan EVENSON, Kade S. LUSK
  • Patent number: 11808225
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may determine, in connection with a constant speed operation of an engine operable by spark ignition of a gaseous fuel, that a transient event associated with the engine is to occur, the transient event to cause a shift from a first gear to a second gear of a transmission coupled to the engine, where the shift from the first gear to the second gear is to increase a primary load associated with the engine. The controller may cause, prior to the shift from the first gear to the second gear, increasing of an auxiliary load associated with the engine. The controller may cause, during the shift from the first gear to the second gear, decreasing of the auxiliary load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng He, Todd Ryan Kabrich
  • Patent number: 11808017
    Abstract: An adapter cover includes a front face portion that defines a thru-hole configured to allow a nose portion of an adapter to pass horizontally through the thru-hole past the interior surface and then past the exterior surface, and a top single leg extends horizontally from the front face portion. The thru-hole defines a perimeter with a right side edge, a left side edge, a top edge, an upper right corner and an upper left corner, and further defines a bottom open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric T. Sinn, Douglas C. Serrurier, Rammagy Yoeu
  • Patent number: 11808139
    Abstract: A method may include monitoring, by a controller, operation of a pump of at least one hydraulic fracturing rig during ramp-up of the pump. Each of the at least one hydraulic fracturing rig may further include an engine and a transmission. The method may further include detecting, by the controller, an issue in the operation of the pump based on the monitoring of the operation and performing an action based on the detecting of the issue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Casey A. Otten, Yuesheng He