Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
  • Publication number: 20220042253
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed towards a system for compacting a work area. The system includes a compactor, a first compaction sensor positioned on a forward end of the compactor, a second compaction sensor positioned on a rearward end of the compactor, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive a first compaction data associated with the work area from the first compaction sensor. The controller is further configured to determine a first compaction effort based on the first compaction data and control the compactor to perform compaction with the determined first compaction effort. The controller is configured to receive a second compaction data associated with a compacted first portion from the second compaction sensor and determine a variance between the first and the second compaction data. Furthermore, the controller is configured to determine a correlation between the variance and the first compaction effort to determine a second compaction effort.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Nagel
  • Patent number: 11243531
    Abstract: A paving system includes a paving machine, a plurality of locational or positional sensor units coupled to or in communication with the paving machine, and a controller in communication with the plurality of sensor units. The controller is configured to select locational or positional information from one or more active sensor units of the plurality of sensor units and automatically navigate the paving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20220035364
    Abstract: A system includes one or more processors configured to generate recommended machine settings associated with machine operating parameters. The system receives sensor data associated with an environment of a machine. Based on the sensor data, the system determines one or more settings associated with operating parameters for the machine, to optimize the efficiency thereof. The system causes a recommendation to apply the setting to be presented on a display associated with the machine, such as for an operator to accept. In some examples, the operator manually applies the setting(s). In some examples, the system causes a computing device of the machine to apply the setting(s). The system may continuously and/or periodically provide recommendations as conditions in the environment change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Robert Laclef, Eric Steven Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20220025589
    Abstract: A compactor vibration system, apparatus, and method that selectively provide access to vibration control settings. The control can include receiving a setting for a first set of selectable amplitudes of vibration force at which to operate a vibratory system for a first predetermined amount of time, operating the vibratory system during the first predetermined amount of time by inducing the vibration force at amplitudes by the vibratory system, wherein the amplitudes of the vibration force are selected from among the first set of selectable amplitudes, and after the first predetermined amount of time, changing the setting to a second set of selectable amplitudes of the vibration force that is different from the first set of selectable amplitudes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, John Lee Marsolek, Michael William Ries, Bryan J. Downing
  • Patent number: 11232712
    Abstract: A method of establishing a desired flow of haul trucks with respect to a jobsite can include receiving, from a paver locating device, a paver location signal indicative of a location of a paver. A central computer can establish a desired location range of the first haul truck based on the paver location signal and a first haul truck location signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob J. McAlpine, John L. Marsolek
  • Patent number: 11225761
    Abstract: A milling machine, system, and method for adjusting a rotor cutting height adjusts the rotor cutting height to a target cutting height responsive to a control input received at an operator control interface. One or more legs of the milling machine and/or a height of the rotor can be adjusted to adjust the rotor cutting height to the target cutting height. The rotor cutting height can be adjusted based on data from one or more sensors. Each sensor may be a sonic sensor or an image capturing sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel Doy, Jason W. Muir, Lee M. Hogan
  • Patent number: 11225760
    Abstract: A construction vehicle includes a frame, at least one drum, and a vibratory system. The vibratory system includes a first eccentric weight, a second eccentric weight, and a shift assembly adapted to vary an amplitude of the vibratory system. The shift assembly includes a shaft member adapted to move along a first axis for changing a position of the first eccentric weight relative to the second eccentric weight. The shift assembly also includes an actuator and a fork assembly adapted to move the shaft member along the first axis. The fork assembly includes a fork fixedly coupled to the actuator. The fork assembly also includes a housing member concentrically disposed around the shaft member, wherein the fork is pivotally coupled to the housing member at a pair of pivot points defined proximate to the second end of the fork. The fork assembly further includes a bearing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Alex Impola, Nicholas Alan Oetken, Eric Arden Hansen, John Lee Marsolek
  • Publication number: 20220010507
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor, a foldable conveyor, a sensor, and a controller. The cutting rotor is configured to mill material beneath the milling machine. The foldable conveyor is configured to receive and dispose the milled material and includes a first section and a second section foldable with respect to the first section at a fold structure. The sensor is positioned on the milling machine and configured to sense a value indicative of a force acting on the second section. The controller is configured to determine an amount of the milled material within the second section of the foldable conveyor using the value indicative of the force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11220796
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a milling rotor, at least one leg, a grade sensor, and a control circuit. The milling rotor is configured to engage a surface beneath the milling machine. The at least one leg is controllable to raise and lower the milling machine. The grade sensor is configured to sense a position indicative of a cut depth of the milling rotor, and the control circuit is configured to receive data from the grade sensor. The control circuit is also configured to: identify a distance from the milling rotor to the surface based on a selected position of the at least one leg; identify a value associated with a detected condition using the grade sensor while the at least one leg is at the selected position; and calibrate the grade sensor by associating the identified distance from the milling rotor to the surface and the identified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Timothy J. Lindholm, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20220005175
    Abstract: A method includes receiving sensor data indicative of a paved surface, and identifying a defect associated with the paved surface based at least in part on the sensor data. The method also includes determining that the defect is of a defect type based on determining that a value associated with the defect is within a value range associated with the defect type. The method further includes generating a command associated with the defect that, when executed by a machine, at least partially remedies the defect. The method also includes providing the command to an electronic device via a network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Todd Mansell
  • Publication number: 20210404135
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first information indicative of a location of a perimeter of a worksite surface, and receiving second information indicative of compaction requirements specific to the worksite surface. The method also includes generating a compaction plan based at least partly on the first and second information. Such a compaction plan includes a travel path for a compaction machine. In such a method, the travel path is substantially within the perimeter of the worksite surface. The method also includes causing at least part of the travel path to be displayed via a control interface of the compaction machine. The method further includes receiving an input indicative of approval of the travel path, and controlling operation of the compaction machine on the worksite surface, in accordance with the compaction plan, based at least partly on receiving the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine, Robert J. McGee, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11208771
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a cutting rotor coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor configured to be lowered a selected distance into a surface; and a controller, the controller being configured to control a plunge rate of the cutting rotor into the surface based on a measured density of the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: James A. DeLong, Jacob R. Ellwein
  • Patent number: 11208887
    Abstract: A tool holder insertion device includes a frame extending from a proximal end to a distal end, the frame including first and second longitudinal arms extending between the distal end and the proximal end. The frame also includes a distal transverse arm connected to respective distal ends of the first and second longitudinal arms, a proximal transverse arm opposite the distal transverse arm, and an internal space extending from the distal transverse arm, the internal space forming an insertion opening. The tool holder insertion device also includes a drive assembly fixed to the frame, the drive assembly including a pushing surface that is movable within the internal space toward the distal end of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Johnson, Kevin J. Magee
  • Patent number: 11208768
    Abstract: A soil compactor machine can include a machine frame; at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine; and a radar sensor mounted to a front portion of the machine frame and positioned forward of the roller drum, wherein the radar sensor is mounted to the machine frame by a sensor bracket configured to directly mount to the machine frame for both a blade and a non-blade soil compactor machine configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, John L. Marsolek, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Jacob J. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 11209812
    Abstract: A method for determining part wear, such as using a wear model, includes receiving, from a sensor, sensor data representing a surface of a wear part. The method further includes determining an estimated time until the part should be replaced. The method further includes batching together multiple wear parts that need replacing to enable a user to replace multiple parts in one maintenance period. The method may also include providing information to the user during replacement of a worn part to indicate the part location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Dustin W. Sondreal, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11208769
    Abstract: A system for attaching a mounting wall of a screed extension to a screed assembly including a first mounting component configured to be engaged within a first receptacle provided on the mounting wall. The first mounting component includes a first fastening member. The system further includes a second mounting component configured to be received within a second receptacle provided on the mounting wall. The second mounting component includes a second fastening member to engage with the first mounting member on the mounting wall and a mounting catch to engage with a mating wall of the screed assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Cameron Eitel Graves, John Eron Jorgensen, Toby Andrew Frelich, Tim Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 11207995
    Abstract: A method includes causing, with a controller, operation of a first compaction machine at a worksite based at least in part on a worksite plan. The method also includes determining, with the controller, a return path extending from a current location of the first machine to a charging zone located at the worksite, and determining, with the controller, a return power required for the first machine to traverse the return path. The method further includes causing, with the controller, the first machine to traverse the return path, from the current location to the charging zone, based on at least one of the return power and an amount of available power stored in an energy storage device of the first machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Marsolek
  • Publication number: 20210394785
    Abstract: A work machine remote control console includes at least one wireless communication module, a first machine user interface, and a second machine user interface. The at least one wireless communication module is configured for wireless communication with a work machine. The first machine user interface includes one or more input devices configured to receive input from an operator related to autonomous tasks of the work machine and one or more output devices configured to output information related to the autonomous tasks to the operator. The second machine user interface includes one or more input devices usable by the operator to manually control operation of the work machine. The first and second user interfaces are configured to receive information from and transmit information to the work machine via the at least one communication module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: D941354
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. McGee, Kristen Ann Gerstner, Timothy Michael O'Donnell, John Lee Marsolek
  • Patent number: D941367
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Mark D. Behn, Brian Nagel, Terril Johnson, Robert Iverson, Andrew Torkelson