Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
  • Autowidth input for paving operations
    Patent number: 11555278
    Abstract: A paving machine may include a frame, a screed, sensor devices, and a control unit. The screed may include a main section, a first extension, and a second extension. The sensor devices may output a first sensor signal corresponding to a position of the first extension and a second sensor signal corresponding to a position of the second extension. The control unit may receive the first and second sensor signals, determine a screed width based on the first and second sensor signals, receive location data corresponding to a location of the paving machine, determine locations of the first and second extensions based on the screed width and the location data, generate a boundary map based on the locations of the first and second extensions, and cause an action to be performed based on the boundary map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob Ellwein, Mark Tarvin
  • Machine with sensor units retained by breakaway couplers
    Patent number: 11554726
    Abstract: A paving machine includes an implement, an elongated structure, a sensor arrangement, and one or more breakaway couplers. The implement modifies a surface during a movement of the paving machine. The elongated structure is coupled to a side portion of the paving machine and extends along a direction of the movement. The sensor arrangement includes sensor units arranged sequentially along the elongated structure. The breakaway couplers correspondingly normally retain the sensor units to the elongated structure. Each breakaway coupler includes a mounting structure and a retainer unit. The mounting structure is secured to one of the elongated structure or a corresponding sensor unit, while the retainer unit retains the other of the elongated structure or the corresponding sensor unit to the mounting structure by a retention force, which is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Anthony Paul Steinhagen
  • Paver conveyor wear plates
    Patent number: 11549224
    Abstract: A wear plate for the conveyor of a paving machine has a bend at one axial end, an oblique flat surface at another axial end, a tab with an aperture extending from a side surface, or a tab extending from a side surface with a tapered configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Thiesse, Reece A. Berns, Dustin Wade Bryan
  • Perception system three lidar coverage
    Patent number: 11550058
    Abstract: An autonomous articulated 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; a first lidar sensor on a front of the machine; a second lidar sensor on a first side of the machine; and a third lidar sensor on a second side of the machine; wherein the first, second and the third lidar sensors are positioned such that 360 degree lidar coverage is provided around the articulated compactor machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine
  • Machine slope and pitch control based on dynamic center of gravity
    Patent number: 11549241
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed. The machine may include a control system that includes a controller configured to: determine a center of gravity of the machine based on a state of the machine; determine at least one of a slope limit or a pitch limit for the machine based on the center of gravity; receive a command to perform an operation that, if performed, would affect at least one of a slope or a pitch of the machine; determine whether the operation, if performed, would cause the machine to exceed the at least one of the slope limit or the pitch limit; and selectively perform the operation based on determining whether the operation, if performed, would cause the machine to exceed the at least one of the slope limit or the pitch limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Lee M. Hogan
  • STRESS CONCENTRATOR FOR AN ANGLED SCRAPER
    Publication number: 20230002980
    Abstract: A scraper used with a compactor wheel assembly includes an attachment portion, a scraping portion that forms a first oblique angle with the attachment portion, and a transition portion connecting the scraping portion to the attachment portion. The transition portion defines a stress concentrator for allowing the scraper to break before any structure to which the scraper is attached is damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Mark Daniel Behn
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING PAVING MACHINE PRODUCTIVITY
    Publication number: 20230002981
    Abstract: A paving machine includes a plurality of sensor(s) for generating sensor data associated with a paving operation. Criteria associated with paving mat defects are compared against the sensor data to determine whether the criteria is satisfied and whether paving mat defects are predicted. For example, criteria may include whether a hopper of the paving machine is activated, whether a screed assembly of the paving machine is floating, a speed of the paving machine, and whether heat is applied to the screed assembly. In instances where defects are predicted, notifications of such may be provided, or displayed, on a control interface of the paving machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Steffen, Toby A. Frelich, John L. Marsolek
  • Ultrasonic sensors for work machine obstacle detection
    Patent number: 11543522
    Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a sensor assembly, and an ultrasonic sensor. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion that includes a front bumper and is configured to pivot with respect to the first portion for steering the work machine. The sensor assembly is positioned on the first portion or the second portion of the frame and is configured to sense data for detection of obstacles within a first area around the work machine. The ultrasonic sensor is positioned on the front bumper of the second portion and is configured to sense data for detection of obstacles within a second area around the work machine, the second area outside the first area when the second portion is in an articulated position with respect to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • System, apparatus, and method for determining distance to a ground surface covered with vegetation for operation of a milling or reclamation machine
    Patent number: 11542670
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method can tune a sensor to filter unwanted reflections or echoes of sound waves from a vegetation layer covering a ground surface in favor of reflections or echoes of sound waves from the ground surface. Such tuning can include adjusting a width of the sound waves output by the sensor. A distance from the sensor to the ground surface underlying the vegetation layer can be determined using the reflections or echoes of the sound from the ground surface based on the sound waves output from the sensor at the adjusted width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew-D. S. Frantz, Garrett D. Reed
  • Systems and methods for identifying machine travel paths
    Patent number: 11543828
    Abstract: A method includes receiving project information indicating a location of a worksite. The method also includes providing a first travel path to an electronic device associated with a mobile machine, wherein providing the first travel path to the electronic device causes at least part of the first travel path to be displayed via a display. The method further includes receiving location information indicating an initial location of the machine and one or more additional locations of the machine. Additionally, the method includes determining that the machine reached the worksite, and identifying, based at least in part on the location information, a second travel path extending from the initial location to the worksite. The method further includes determining whether the second travel path matches the first travel path, and storing at least one of the travel paths in a memory associated with a controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob J. McAlpine, John L. Marsolek
  • AUTOMATED NULLING SCREED ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20220412019
    Abstract: A screed assembly is disclosed. The screed assembly has a screed frame that includes a main screed. Attached to the main screed is a drop arm that is used to attach the screed assembly to a work machine. An actuator device of the screed assembly adjust the main screed from a neutral position to a nulled position by rotating the main screed around an axis of the pivot pin. The screed assembly may further include a controller that determines whether the main screed is in the neutral position and adjust the main screed to the nulled position by sending a null adjustment signal to the actuator device, and the actuator device moving the main screed from the neutral position to the nulled position in response to the null adjustment signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. THIESSE, Anthony Paul Steinhagen, Ronald D. Wilson, Bryan J. Downing, Ricky Leon Mings, Mathew Hedrington
  • ASPHALT COMPACTOR BIRDS EYE CAMERA INTEGRATION
    Publication number: 20220410803
    Abstract: A 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; a plurality of cameras mounted to the machine frame so as to provide a 360° bird's eye view of an area around the machine; a display showing the 360° bird's eye view; and a controller; wherein, the controller is configured to determine certain conditions regarding a compacting operation of the compactor machine and the controller overlays a highlight symbol on the 360° bird's eye view on the display notifying a machine operator of the certain conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Matthew D. Chisholm, Kent A Hoisington
  • METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING GROUND CUTTING IMPLEMENT OF MACHINES
    Publication number: 20220412020
    Abstract: A method for controlling a ground cutting implement includes receiving, by a first controller, an input to actuate the ground cutting implement and determining, by the first controller, primary parameters associated with an activation of a fluid regulation valve. The method includes receiving, by the first controller, data corresponding to secondary parameters associated with an activation of a flow control valve from the second controller. Further, the method includes activating, by the first controller, the fluid regulation valve and communicating a first instruction to the second controller to activate the flow control valve if each of the primary and the secondary parameters meet corresponding parameter threshold conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek Nieuwsma, Ryan Enot, Nathaniel S. Doy
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MARKING A BOUNDARY WHILE DEFINING AN AUTONOMOUS WORKSITE
    Publication number: 20220412018
    Abstract: A system and method for marking a boundary while defining an autonomous worksite includes receiving first information indicative of a first maneuvering distance from a side of a machine and activating an indicator. The indicator, representative of the first maneuvering distance, is positioned at the side of the machine to be visible to an operator of the machine. The machine is positioned on a worksite surface along a path to be traversed when executing a work plan. After a control system receives a verification from the operator that the machine may operate outside the worksite area and within an outer boundary defined by the first maneuvering distance, a worksite perimeter is defined to include the path, and a geofence for the machine is determined to substantially overlay the outer boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel S Doy
  • System and Method For Automatic Lowering of a Paving Machine Screed Assembly
    Publication number: 20220403607
    Abstract: A paving machine includes a tractor portion, a screed assembly, a lifting assembly configured to move the screed assembly from a raised position to a lowered position, an operator interface configured to receive input from an operator, and a control module. The tractor portion includes a plurality of tractor sensors configured to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone. The screed assembly is configured to be towed behind the tractor portion, and includes a plurality of screed sensors configured to detect the presence of an object in a detection zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. Thiesse, Anthony Paul Steinhagen, Ricky Leon Mings, Ronald D. Wilson, Bryan J. Downing, Mathew Hedrington
  • BIRDS EYE VIEW CAMERA FOR AN ASPHALT PAVER
    Publication number: 20220405516
    Abstract: A display system for a paving machine can include a plurality of cameras configured to provide a 360° bird's-eye view of a paving machine and an area surrounding the paving machine; a display operatively coupled to the plurality of cameras showing the 360° bird's-eye view; and a controller coupled to the display, the controller further coupled to a sensor on the paving machine positioned to measure a height of a paving material at one or more locations on the paving machine, wherein when the material height falls below a pre-determined level, the controller sends a warning to the display such that the display shows the 360° bird's-eye view with the material height warning incorporated into the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Kent A. Hoisington
  • CONVEYOR SYSTEM FOR MATERIAL TRANSPORT ON COLD PLANER
    Publication number: 20220402701
    Abstract: A conveyor system for a working machines such as a cold planer is disclosed. The working machine that can optionally have a frame, a rotor moveable relative to the frame to remove material from a surface of a working area and the conveyor system. The conveyor system can optionally include a first belt and a second belt. The conveyor system can be positioned to receive loose material from the rotor and transport the loose material relative to the frame away from the rotor. Optionally, the second belt can be positioned adjacent to and extending along the first belt and moveable relative to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Dario Sansone
  • ELECTRIC VEHICLE FLUID HEATING SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20220407327
    Abstract: A fluid heating system for an electric work machine powered by a battery may include a fluid heater arranged and configured to heat fluid on the work machine and a control module configured to control fluid heating operations by controlling power to the fluid heater based on active operation of a battery charging unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • LINKAGE SYSTEM FOR SCREED EXTENSION
    Publication number: 20220403608
    Abstract: A linkage system for a screed extension includes a mounting plate that includes a mounting plate finger; an upper rail; a lower rail; a height adjustment shaft; a set of slide blocks that are disposed in a channel between the upper rail and the lower rail; a set of linkage arms; an angle of attack adjustment structure that holds the mounting plate finger at an angle; and a set of angle of attack adjustment screws. The height adjustment shaft is configured to adjust a position of the set of slide blocks within the channel and thereby adjust a height of a lower frame of the screed extension. The set of angle of attack adjustment screws are configured adjust the angle of the mounting plate finger and thereby adjust an angle of attack of the lower frame of the screed extension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy L WEHRENBERG, Toby FRELICH, Brad W GREEN, Ryan THIESSE
  • Automatic control mode system for heavy machinery
    Patent number: 11531338
    Abstract: An automatic control mode system for heavy machinery and a method for controlling heavy machinery for an automatic control mode is disclosed. The method may include: monitoring one or more conditions of one or more systems of the heavy machinery for the automatic control mode; determining whether at least one of the one or more conditions is met; and disabling the automatic control mode if at least one of the one or more conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Kyle D. Hendricks, Robert J. McGee, John L. Marsolek, Sangameshwar Sonth