Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Inc
  • Publication number: 20240070934
    Abstract: A system for communicating slippage experienced by at least one traction device of a work machine, to a remote operator interface for controlling the work machine through the remote operator interface is described. The system includes a controller configured to receive data associated with a speed of the at least one traction device of the work machine and determine a slippage condition of the at least one traction device based on the data. The controller is further configured to activate a visual overlay over a virtual image, of the at least one traction device, displayed in a video feed to represent the slippage condition on the remote operator interface. The video feed is a real-time video feed, indicating one or more operations of the work machine, displayed on the remote operator interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun David Currier, Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20240068418
    Abstract: Operating a gaseous fuel engine system includes conveying hydrogen fuel and hydrocarbon fuel into a cylinder in a gaseous fuel engine for combustion. Operating a gaseous fuel engine system further includes receiving an increased engine power output request, boosting a power output of the gaseous fuel engine by varying a ratio of the hydrogen fuel and the hydrocarbon fuel combusted in the cylinder, and varying an in-cylinder combustion parameter based on the varying a ratio. Perturbation to a performance profile of the gaseous fuel engine is thereby limited. Related apparatus and control logic is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Loetz, Jaswinder Singh, David Todd Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20240067506
    Abstract: A lifting machine includes a machine chassis, a boom extending from the machine chassis, a connector extending from the boom for coupling to a load, a control system that determines a rated lifting capacity of the machine, based on an orientation of the machine chassis and a lifting load, and a display. The display indicates the rated lifting capacity relative to a total lifting capacity, and the display also indicates the lifting load relative to the rated lifting capacity and the total lifting capacity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron J. GNAGEY, Daniel W. HOYT
  • Publication number: 20240073393
    Abstract: During operation of a machine, an understanding of terrain features is critical. Accordingly, disclosed embodiments augment a video stream, captured by a camera mounted on the machine, with terrain information. In particular, an overlay is generated on at least one image frame. The overlay, which may comprise one or more semi-transparent bands, may cyclically recede from a foreground to a background of the image frame(s), cyclically advance from a background to a foreground of the image frame(s), or cyclically move horizontally across the image frame(s). The overlay may be colorized to illustrate the height of the terrain underneath the overlay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Allan LEHOCKY, Michael William BRIDENBAUGH, Brad Robert VAN DE VEER, Jeffrey K. BERRY, Jeffrey J. BAKER
  • Patent number: 11916382
    Abstract: A system may determine configuration information associated with a power system for a work site that includes one or more power sources. The system may determine respective operation parameters of the one or more power sources and one or more performance criteria associated with the power system. The system may determine a baseline operation plan for the power system. The system may identify an optimization analysis technique and may process, using the optimization analysis technique, the configuration information associated with the power system, the respective operation parameters of the one or more power sources, and the one or more performance criteria associated with the power system to generate the optimized operation plan for the power system. The system may cause, based on the baseline operation plan for the power system and the optimized operation plan for the power system, one or more actions to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yanchai Zhang, Syed Ameenuddin Hussain, Baoyang Deng, Zhijun Cai, Shiferaw D. Beyene, Casey Alan Otten, Perry Converse, Theodore E. Wiersema, Michael A. Snopko
  • Patent number: 11913855
    Abstract: A system may include a hose assembly; a sensor device; and a controller. The hose assembly may be configured to be connected to a hydraulic circuit of a machine. A first layer, of a hose of the hose assembly, may be configured to transport a hydraulic fluid. A second layer, of the hose, may comprise a tracer material that is configured to be released into the hydraulic fluid when the first layer is experiencing a failure. The sensor device may be configured to detect the tracer material in the hydraulic fluid, and generate sensor data indicating that the tracer material has been detected. The controller may be configured to determine that the hose assembly is experiencing the failure based on the sensor data and cause an action to be performed based on determining that the hose assembly is experiencing the failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Stefano Morone
  • Patent number: 11912354
    Abstract: Track pad includes a first link member that extends upwardly from the shoe member including a first lug member extending from the first link member in a first direction, as well as a second lug member and a third lug member both extending from the first link member in a second direction opposite of the first direction. The track pad also defines a first side cavity that extends from the first lateral end toward the second lateral end, jogging from the front end toward the rear end along the track chain traveling direction, and downwardly toward the ground engaging surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Benjamin Isaac Jones
  • Publication number: 20240060276
    Abstract: A controller may monitor a plurality of operations performed using one or more implements of the work machine. The controller may determine that the work machine is performing a particular operation based on monitoring the plurality of operations. The controller may obtain, based on information regarding the particular operation, camera view information, from a data structure, indicating that the particular operation is associated with a particular camera of a plurality of cameras of the work machine. Each camera, of the plurality of cameras, may capture a respective view of a plurality of views of the work machine. The controller may determine, based on the camera view information, that a bandwidth associated with a video stream, of a particular view of the work machine captured by the particular camera, is to be increased. The controller may increase the bandwidth associated with the video stream provided by the particular camera based on determining that the bandwidth is to be increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael William BRIDENBAUGH, Matthew Daniel FIKE, Micheal D. VALERIO, Brad Robert VAN DE VEER
  • Publication number: 20240062774
    Abstract: A system comprises error microphones disposed in a predetermined pattern to capture audio signals including speech and one or more reference sensors to capture a reference noise signal from a noise source. A portion of the reference noise signal is removed from the captured audio signals to generate partially processed audio signals, which are paired to form signal pairs. For each signal pair, a modified cross-correlation vector, with effects of low frequency contents removed, is generated, then converted to a rotated angular domain cross-correlation vector based in part on a physical angle associated with locations of an associated pair of error microphones. The rotated angular domain cross-correlation vectors are summed, and a weighting vector is applied to the sum to identify direction information of a desired audio signal associated with the speech. The directional information is utilized to beamform the partially processed audio signals and output the desired audio signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicants: Caterpillar Inc., Brigham Young University
    Inventors: Scott Sommerfeldt, Curtis Lynn Garner, Jonathan Daren Blotter, David Charles Copley
  • Publication number: 20240060269
    Abstract: A work machine having a powertrain, an engine, a torque converter operably connected to the engine, a transmission, a selector interface, and a control system. The control system is configured to: receive a machine activation signal from the selector interface indicative of operation of the work machine; receive machine conditions to determine an optimal gear for next pass; and send a gear pass signal to command execution of a directional shift and a speed shift simultaneously when a gear ratio setting of the transmission is indicative of a second gear ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Y. Ho, John J. Krone, Jordan A. Mangels, Jeremy D. Folkerts, Mehul Yadav
  • Publication number: 20240060601
    Abstract: In some implementations, a screen assembly may include at least one plate member having at least one opening; a screen, that is fluid permeable, disposed on the at least one plate member to expose the screen via the at least one opening; an aperture through the at least one plate member and the screen to receive an axle shaft; a notch extending inwardly from an outer edge of the screen assembly to provide a passage for a fluid conduit; and at least one magnet disposed on the at least one plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. GREGG, Sanjeev KUMAR, Bryan Warren RICKARDS, Keith A. KABRICK, Michael SLOVAK, Nirmal PAVANGAT, Naveen DEIVASIGAMANI
  • Patent number: 11904768
    Abstract: A cabin light includes a panel coupled with a light source. The panel includes a pair of longitudinal portions extending along a longitudinal axis of the cabin light, a first lateral portion extending between the longitudinal portions along a lateral axis of the cabin light, and a second lateral portion extending between the longitudinal portions along the lateral axis. Each longitudinal portion includes a first surface and a second surface disposed at an offset from the first surface. The first lateral portion defines a first length and includes a first raised surface. The second lateral portion defines a second length, and includes a second raised surface. The cabin light also includes cover in alignment with the light source. The cabin light further includes a switch disposed between the cover and the second lateral portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Terril James Johnson
  • Patent number: 11905686
    Abstract: A wear member includes a body defining an exterior with an outside perimeter, an interior aperture with an at least partially interior polygonal perimeter, and at least one fastener receiving hole extending from the exterior to the interior aperture. The exterior lacks any large openings to limit the risk of material packing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas C. Serrurier, Andrew William Young, Graham Ray Hartoonian-Parizek
  • Patent number: 11905873
    Abstract: An engine exhaust aftertreatment system is disclosed. The system may comprise: an internal combustion engine having an intake passage and an exhaust passage; a turbocharger fluidly connected to the internal combustion engine, the turbocharger including a compressor and a turbine, the compressor being in fluid communication with the intake passage, and the turbine being in fluid communication with the exhaust passage; a reductant injector situated downstream of the turbocharger, wherein the reductant injector is closely coupled to the turbocharger such that a reductant is injected into an exhaust flow of the turbocharger; a first container downstream of the reductant injector, the first container including a multi-functional catalyst (MFC); and a second container downstream of the first container, the second container including a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) component and an Ammonia catalyst (AMOx) component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Yi, Ryan Kominkiewicz
  • Patent number: 11906981
    Abstract: A system for updating a virtual worksite includes a plurality of simulated construction machine controllers associated with a corresponding construction machine. Each simulated construction machine controller collects data indicative of an updated height map of one or more portions of the virtual worksite on which the corresponding construction machine is operating. A central controller receives the data indicative of the updated height map of the one or more portions of the virtual worksite from the plurality of simulated construction machine controllers and compares the received data with an initial data model of the virtual worksite. The central controller generates an updated data model of the virtual worksite based on the comparison and transmits the updated data model of the virtual worksite to each of the plurality of simulated construction machine controllers and/or a user interface. The user interface displays a real time streaming of data of the virtual worksite thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lokanath Radha Krishnan, Sivakumar ShanmugaSundaram, Sarvika Raghu
  • Publication number: 20240051814
    Abstract: A system for autonomously controlling a fluid refill station (FRS) includes a sensor that generates an input signal indicative of an amount of fluid in a tank of an autonomous truck and a central controller. The central controller monitors the amount of fluid in the tank and assigns the autonomous truck to the FRS if the amount of fluid has reached a minimum threshold value. The central controller determines an alignment of the tank of the autonomous truck with a fluid outlet of the FRS, directs the FRS to refill the tank with fluid if the tank is in alignment with the fluid outlet of the FRS, and directs the FRS to stop refilling the tank when the amount of fluid in the tank has reached a maximum threshold value. The central controller marks the FRS as non-functional based on a determination of an anomaly with the FRS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ruchi Bhatia, Mark Banham
  • Publication number: 20240052601
    Abstract: A monitoring system for a work machine includes at least one imaging device disposed on the work machine and at least one mounting device that support the at least one imaging device. The at least one mounting device includes at least one sensor that generates an input signal indicative of a current orientation of the mounting device. The monitoring system further includes a controller including one or more memories and one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive the input signal from the sensor, determine a location of the imaging device on the work machine and a field of view of the imaging device, determine a presence of blind spots around the work machine, and generate a pictorial view depicting the blind spots around the work machine. The monitoring system further includes a user interface that displays the pictorial view thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Micheal David Valerio
  • Publication number: 20240052958
    Abstract: In some implementations, a hydraulic coupling connection includes a coupling disposed at an end of a hose and defining a flange having: a lower surface configured to engage a body of a valve; an upper surface; and an outer diameter surface connecting the lower surface and the upper surface, the outer diameter surface defining a first plurality of straight sides; and a split flange engaged with the coupling, the split flange having: a first lower surface configured to engage the body of the valve; a second lower surface configured to engage the upper surface of the flange; and an inner diameter surface connecting the first lower surface and the second lower surface, the inner diameter surface defining a second plurality of straight sides, wherein engagement between the first plurality of straight sides and the second plurality of straight sides is configured to secure the connection at a first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Andrew Scheirer
  • Publication number: 20240052826
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may monitor, in connection with a fluid pump driven by a motor that is controlled by a variable frequency drive and over a time period, a torque of the motor to obtain torque data, a speed of the motor to obtain speed data, and a pressure of the fluid pump to obtain pressure data. The controller may determine that the fluid pump is associated with a leak of a particular severity level based on the torque data indicating a deviation that satisfies a first threshold, the speed data indicating a deviation that satisfies a second threshold, and the pressure data indicating a deviation that satisfies a third threshold. The controller may perform at least one operation based on the particular severity level of the leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2022
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yuesheng HE, Andy PUBLES, Mark C. PAUL, Mark Francis GRIMES
  • Patent number: D1015391
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel S. Kumar