Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products
  • Patent number: 11881203
    Abstract: A noise control system detects, identifies, and cancels specific, preselected sounds that an operator does not want to hear during operation of a machine. One or more of a microphone or another sensor detects sound vibrations or other operational parameters that result in the generation of sound vibrations during operation of the machine. A controller identifies, and selectively cancels only the specific, preselected sounds the operator does not want to hear while operating the machine by generating an anti-noise signal to interfere with the specific, preselected sounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Clinton A. Metzger, Elizabeth R. K. Brockman, Bryce David Uitermarkt
  • Patent number: 11879217
    Abstract: A retention system for retaining a milling drum to a driveshaft of a milling assembly. The driveshaft is powered to drive the milling drum about an axis. The retention system includes a retention member coupled to the driveshaft between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the retention member restricts a disengagement between an engagement surface of the driveshaft and a mating surface of the milling drum, inhibiting a release of the milling drum from the driveshaft along the axis. In the second position, the retention member provides clearance for the disengagement of the engagement surface and the mating surface, facilitating the release of the milling drum from the driveshaft along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Thomas Hedstrom, Nicholas Bernard Johnson, Ryan Steve Hutar
  • Publication number: 20240013117
    Abstract: A worksite controller can manage machines, including a first machine configured to perform a first task and a second machine configured to perform a second task that follows the first task. The worksite controller can predict a time that the first machine will complete the first task at a work area. The worksite controller can also predict a time the second machine would arrive at the work area to perform the second task. Based on a comparison of the time the second machine would arrive at the work area and the predicted first task completion time, the worksite controller can instruct the second machine to enter or exit a low-power state. For example, if the second machine would arrive at the work area earlier than the predicted first task completion time, the worksite controller can instruct the second machine to avoid idling while waiting by entering the low-power state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S Doy, Gautham Subramanian
  • Patent number: 11868114
    Abstract: A controller may configure the machine to operate in a plurality of modes including a manned control mode, a remote control mode, and an autonomous control mode. The controller may receive a request to cause the machine to perform an action; and determine a requested mode of operation of the machine associated with the request. The requested mode of operation may be one of the plurality of modes. The controller may selectively deny the request or enable the machine to perform the action based on a priority assigned to a current mode of operation of the machine and a priority assigned to the requested mode of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jason McGee, Craig L. Koehrsen, Paul D Lenzen, Clarence Matthew Glover, Kyle Hendricks, Joshua Struble, Justin Peters, Sangameshwar Sonth
  • Patent number: 11866892
    Abstract: A cold planer can include a frame; a milling assembly including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing, the drum housing including a discharge port; a primary conveyor coupled to the frame, wherein the primary conveyor is positioned near the discharge port so as to receive material through the discharge port; a secondary conveyor positioned to receive material off an end of the primary conveyor; a sensor associated with the secondary conveyor to sense a load on the secondary conveyor; and a controller configured to receive information from the sensor regarding the load and to control a speed of the secondary conveyor based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11866891
    Abstract: An adjustable pitch rotor for a milling machine includes an inner drum and an outer shell formed by first and second outer shell portions. Drum cutting assemblies with cutting bits extend outward from outer surfaces of the outer shell portions, with each of the cutting bits being longitudinally spaced from longitudinally adjacent cutting bits on their respective outer shell portions by a pitch distance. In a first pitch configuration, each cutting bit may be longitudinally aligned with a corresponding cutting bit on the other outer shell portion so that grooves milled in a work surface by the rotor are spaced by the pitch distance. In a second pitch configuration, each of the cutting bits may be longitudinally spaced from longitudinally adjacent cutting bits of the other outer shell portion by one-half the pitch distance to mill grooves in the work surface that are spaced by one-half the pitch distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas B. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20240001845
    Abstract: A system for warning that a slope is too steep for securely parking a machine includes: at least one inclinometer configured to be disposed on the machine, the machine being disposed on the slope and to measure a pitch of the machine; a controller that includes a processor and is configured to be operatively connected to the at least one inclinometer and to determine, using the pitch, if the machine cannot park securely; and a warning generator configured to be operatively connected to the controller and to alert at least an operator of the machine that the machine cannot park securely when the controller so determines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Nagel, John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Greene, Caleb L. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11859353
    Abstract: According to one example, a screed assembly for a paver is disclosed. The screed assembly can include an end gate, a screed extender and a stowage apparatus. The screed extender can be selectively connected to the end gate via a first one or more quick attachment mechanisms. When connected, the screed extender can be configured to operably position the end gate relative to a main screed. The stowage apparatus can have a second one or more quick attachment mechanisms for selectively coupling the stowage apparatus to the end gate. The stowage apparatus can be movable from a first position for transportation of the paver where the end gate is coupled to the stowage apparatus and the end gate is positioned behind the main screed to a second position during operation of the paver where the end gate is decoupled from the stowage apparatus and the stowage apparatus is positioned adjacent the main screed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby A Frelich, Bee Vang
  • Patent number: 11851832
    Abstract: A machine service set position control system is used on a machine that includes a frame, traction devices connected to the frame, a power source connected to the traction devices and configured to rotate the traction devices, a drum chamber connected to the frame, a milling drum rotatably supported within the drum chamber and configured to engage with a ground surface, and a rotor drive train connected to the milling drum and configured to rotate the milling drum to mill the ground surface, the rotor drive train including a gearbox. The service set position control system is programmed to determine a position of at least the rotor drive train and selectively operate a rotor drive train actuator connected to the rotor drive train based on the determined position to move the machine into a machine service set position allowing easy access for a technician to perform service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Garrett Daniel Reed, Brian Joe Schlenker, Paul J Koenen
  • Patent number: 11845622
    Abstract: A milling machine may include a frame supported by a traction device, a milling drum for milling a surface and supported on the frame, and a conveyor for receiving milled material from the milling drum and conveying the milled material upward to a release point. The milling machine may include a sensor configured for monitoring loading of a truck by the milling machine and a controller in communication with the sensor to coordinate with the sensor and recognize when the truck is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Edwin Carr, Eric S. Engelmann, Keng Yew Anthony Low, Jacob Simmer, Conwell K. Rife, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11840810
    Abstract: When removing portions of a work surface at a worksite with a machine (e.g., such as a cold planer), is useful to know the actual cut depths on each edge of the cold planer and/or the volume of material that has been removed from a work surface. However, determining actual cut depths and/or volume removed is difficult, costly, and can be inaccurate, resulting in increased costs and inefficiencies at the worksite. Accordingly, the present disclosure describes systems and methods for enabling automatic control of cut depth of a machine via a machine-controlled feedback loop and improved determinations of actual volume of material removed by the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Conwell K Rife, Eric Steven Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11834797
    Abstract: A paving machine can include a frame; a screed coupled to the frame; a plurality of sensors to scan a surface of an asphalt mat behind the screed; and a controller coupled to the plurality of sensors, the controller configured to determine a smoothness of the asphalt mat and to make changes to one or more paving characteristics of the paving machine to improve the smoothness of the asphalt mat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Nelson, Ryan T. Thiesse
  • Patent number: 11834798
    Abstract: A system for transferring torque from a driveshaft to a milling drum mountable on the driveshaft. The system includes a first coupler removably coupled to the driveshaft to co-rotate with the driveshaft. The first coupler defines an engagement surface. Also, the system includes a second coupler removably coupled to the milling drum. The second coupler defines a mating surface engageable with the engagement surface of the first coupler to engage the second coupler to the first coupler and transfer torque from the driveshaft to the milling drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas Bernard Johnson, Craig Thomas Hedstrom, Ryan Steve Hutar
  • Publication number: 20230382305
    Abstract: A method and system for generating an augmented machine view. The augmented machine view may include a dynamic virtual machine model representing an actual working machine, overlayed with camera footage from around the working machine. The dynamic virtual machine model may be synched in time with the camera footage. The system for generating the augmented machine view may include cameras mounted on the actual machine and machine sensors monitoring the position and movements of individual components of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew-David S. FRANTZ, Eric ENGELMANN, Dario SANSONE, Gianfranco PERRI, Elizabeth R. K. BROCKMAN
  • Patent number: 11821152
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first information indicative of a first selection of a machine disposed at a worksite, wherein the first information is received from an electronic device disposed remote from the worksite. The method also includes receiving second information from the electronic device, wherein the second information is indicative of a second selection of a component of the machine. The method further includes determining, using at least one sensor, that an area surrounding the machine is free from unknown objects, and receiving third information indicative of a request to activate the component. The method also includes causing activation of the component based at least in part on the third information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Monica Repiscak, Terry Ray Stoe, Steven Paul Goutermont, Tobin Dale Rasmusson
  • Patent number: 11821153
    Abstract: A propelled milling machine includes a cutting rotor that receives power from an internal combustion engine via a rotor drivetrain. To adjust the speed of the cutting rotor, the rotor drivetrain includes a rotor drivetrain transmission operatively associated with a rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit. To regulate temperature of the lubricant, a heat exchanger circuit is associated with the rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit and includes a rotor drivetrain lubricant heat exchanger and a rotor drivetrain lubricant pump assembly. The quantity of lubricant directed to the heat exchanger is regulated based on one or more sensed operating parameters associated with the lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz
  • Patent number: 11815059
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller may determine whether a machine is operating in an autonomous mode or a manual mode. The controller may cause, based on a determination that the machine has been in an idle state for a first timer period, shutdown of an engine of the machine. The controller may monitor, based on a determination that the machine is operating in the autonomous mode, whether a condition for starting the engine is satisfied. The controller may cause, based on a determination that the engine has been shut down for a second timer period and that the condition is not satisfied, the machine to transition to a low power mode. The controller may cause, when the condition is satisfied, starting of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Doy
  • Publication number: 20230357997
    Abstract: A method may include determining, by a controller of a paving machine, to start a test of one or more heaters associated with a screed assembly of the paving machine. The method may further include sending, by the controller and to a tester device associated with the paving machine, one or more signals configured to cause a test voltage to be generated while the one or more heaters are sequentially turned off and then on during the test. The method may further include receiving, by the controller, a measurement of an insulation resistance of each of the one or more heaters during the test. The method may further include performing, by the controller, one or more actions based on a result of processing the measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan T. THIESSE, Matthew E. BUSCH
  • Publication number: 20230360628
    Abstract: A noise control system detects, identifies, and cancels specific, preselected sounds that an operator does not want to hear during operation of a machine. One or more of a microphone or another sensor detects sound vibrations or other operational parameters that result in the generation of sound vibrations during operation of the machine. A controller identifies, and selectively cancels only the specific, preselected sounds the operator does not want to hear while operating the machine by generating an anti-noise signal to interfere with the specific, preselected sounds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Clinton A. Metzger, Elizabeth R.K. Brockman, Bryce David Uitermarkt
  • Publication number: 20230357999
    Abstract: An apparatus of a work machine can include a sensor to provide information regarding a surface worked by a work machine. The apparatus can also include processing circuitry coupled to the sensor. The processing circuitry can generate a cut depth curve that represents cut depth subsequent to performing work on the surface, based on measurements provided by the set of sensors. The processing circuitry can perform an integration operation based on the cut depth curve to generate a measure of area worked by the work machine. The processing circuitry can determine at least one physical operational parameter of the work machine based on the measure of area worked by the work machine. Other systems and methods are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Conwell K. Rife, JR., Nathaniel S. Doy