Patents Assigned to Caterpillar Paving Products
  • Patent number: 11774959
    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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Sean Robert Laclef, Eric Steven Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11768289
    Abstract: A work machine, light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system, and method of reducing false object detections are disclosed. The work machine may include a frame, a power unit, a locomotive device, and the LiDAR system. The LiDAR system may include at least one laser, at least one sensor, a bracket, and a control unit configured to execute an object detection program. The LiDAR system is configured to exclude from its object detection program a plurality of beams emitted toward the work machine through a design of the bracket and/or software methods of the control unit. The method may include storing a database of exclude coordinates and using the database to filter out undesirable data samples from the object detection program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Siddarth Desikan, Nathaniel Doy, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Mark E. Hartman, Shanmukha Bhumireddy, Sri Sekharan
  • Publication number: 20230297117
    Abstract: A system for controlling a compactor machine can include a first GPS receiver on one side of a screed of a paver machine and a second GPS receiver on a second side of the screed, the first and second GPS receivers configured to communicate location information of the first and second sides of the screed, respectively, to a compactor machine; and a controller configured to receive the location information from screed and define a pass pattern for the compactor machine in view of the location information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd W. Mansell, Jonathan A. Anderson, Toby A. Frelich, John L. Marsolek
  • Publication number: 20230294602
    Abstract: A compactor can include a frame; one or more drums coupled to the frame; an operator's seat rotatable relative to the compactor machine; and an indicator to indicate to the operator a direction of propulsion of the compactor machine before the compactor machine begins moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Timothy J. Lindholm, Jeremy W. Lee, Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Publication number: 20230295885
    Abstract: A paving machine includes a frame, a drive assembly including a steering mechanism, a hopper, a screed assembly, a material delivery system disposed on the frame and configured to transport a volume of paving material to the screed assembly, and a material feed adjustment system. The material delivery system includes a left conveyor having a left conveyor speed, a right conveyor having a right conveyor speed, a left auger having a left auger speed, and a right auger having a right auger speed. The material feed adjustment system includes a steering input sensor configured to transmit a steering angle of the steering mechanism, and a controller in electronic communication with the steering input sensor. The controller is configured to automatically control the left conveyor speed, the right conveyor speed, the left auger speed and the right auger speed based on the steering angle to maintain the target pile size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob A. Simmer, Mathew J. Hedrington
  • Patent number: 11764598
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
  • Publication number: 20230287635
    Abstract: A method for operating a compaction machine is disclosed. The method includes monitoring, by a traction sensing device, a front traction associated with a front driving member. The method further includes monitoring, by the traction sensing device, a rear traction associated with a rear driving member, the front driving member and the rear driving member being propelled through at least one motor. The method further includes comparing, by a controller coupled to the traction sensing device, the front traction with the rear traction to obtain a compared traction. The method further includes identifying, by the controller, a condition in which one of the front driving member or the rear driving member spins higher than the other when the compared traction exceeds a predefined threshold traction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Nagel
  • Publication number: 20230287634
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses can determine weight of a machine using rolling resistance. The machine may be electrified, either all-electrically powered or partially electrically powered. The rolling resistance can be determined based on motor signaling from one or more motor sensors that sense motor characteristics (e.g., drawn current) from one or more electric motors that drive the machine. The weight of the machine can be determined using the determined rolling resistance. Weight information can be output for display on a display and/or for storing in computer-readable storage onboard and/or offboard the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. NAGEL
  • Publication number: 20230287636
    Abstract: An autonomous stability control system may include a sensing system configured to collect position and orientation data about a work machine on a construction site and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive or generate a work path plan, operate the work machine according to the work path plan, continually or periodically monitor the orientation data from the sensing system, compare the orientation data to a vibration slope threshold, and, when the orientation data exceeds the vibration slope threshold, deactivate a vibration system of the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Derek K. Huhn, Nicholas A. Oetken, David Edwin Gerding
  • Publication number: 20230289028
    Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein provide an operator training system that can train an operator about basic machine movements, operations, and applications, such as asphalt compactor rolling patterns, paving-by-numbers, milling-by-numbers, etc. with the use of a virtual reality headset at any point or time on a work site. The operator training system uses data received from the virtual reality headset and associated hand controls to guide the operator via training scenarios. The operator training system also includes providing immediate feedback on the outcome of the training scenario and may also identify one or more areas of improvement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: David A. KING, Todd Willis MANSELL, Eric REMBOLDT, Matt PEASLEY
  • Publication number: 20230290263
    Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein provide a learning management system associated with a learning environment. The learning management system may be accessed via a credentialed sign-in procedure. Once the credentials are verified, a user may be provided a tailored experience based on their account. The learning management system may provide offerings of different training scenarios and also for tracking and reviewing of assessments associated with completed training scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: David A. King, Eric Remboldt, Matt Peasley, Todd Willis Mansell, James A. Delong
  • Publication number: 20230286022
    Abstract: A cold planer, a method of programming a cleaning program, and a method of cleaning a cold planer are disclosed. The cold planer includes a drum housing, a milling drum, an intermediate stage conveyor, a final stage conveyor, a spray assembly having a plurality of spray banks, and an electronic controller configured to control each spray bank. The method of programming includes selecting one or more spray banks for activation, selecting an intensity for each activated spray bank, and selecting a mode. The method of cleaning includes selecting a cleaning program, activating one or more spray banks, and controlling a duration and a pressure and/or flowrate through each activated spray bank. The disclosed cold planer may be cleaned before and/or after a milling operation to improve operating efficiency and component life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Gianfranco Perri, Nathan Louis Mashek
  • Publication number: 20230286487
    Abstract: A work machine can include a frame; a plurality of transportation devices attached to the frame; an engine to provide a propel pressure to the plurality of transportation devices; a brake pack associated with one or more of the plurality of transportation devices; and a controller configured to perform a brake pack test by receiving the propel pressure and a machine speed and wherein the controller determines a brake pack life remaining based on the propel pressure of the machine when the machine speed rises above zero.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Nagel
  • Publication number: 20230287637
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes various methods systems and apparatuses for carbon dioxide capture and utilization such as for encapsulation in asphalt. For example, a method can include combusting fuel to generate a flow of exhaust from a working machine operating to perform one or more asphalt related tasks, capturing CO2 from the exhaust, storing the CO2 in a storage unit onboard the working machine, forming asphalt that includes an amount of the CO2 from the storage unit by selectively mixing the amount of the CO2 from the storage unit with calcium, and using the asphalt that is formed that includes the amount of the CO2 from the storage unit encapsulated therein at a jobsite.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Nagel
  • Patent number: 11746483
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a milling assembly coupled to the frame and including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing, the cutting rotor including a plurality of cutting bits configured to cut into a surface to define a cut surface; and a secondary edge cutter separate from the plurality of cutting bits and located to cut an edge of the cut surface such that the edge of the cut surface cut by the secondary edge cutter defines a sharper edge than the edge of the cut surface cut by the plurality of cutting bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jameson Michael Smieja, Nicholas B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11746482
    Abstract: A system may include a first transportation device of a milling machine, a controller, and an inclination control system. The controller can control a construction machine including the first transportation device, which can move the construction machine over an operating surface. The inclination control system includes a first sensor coupled to the first transportation device to sense an orientation of the first transportation device relative to the frame of the milling machine. The controller controls the milling machine based on inclination information received from the inclination control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Mark A. Tarvin, Conwell K. Rife, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11746480
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method can control one or more screed extensions or extenders of a paving machine. Such control can include identifying a location of an undesirable surface condition of a mat paved on a base by the paving machine using data from one or more sensors associated with a screed extension; characterizing the undesirable surface condition of the mat; and adjusting a height and/or an angle of attack of an extension plate of the screed extension to prevent future occurrences of the undesirable surface condition responsive to the identification and characterization of the undesirable surface condition. The location of the undesirable surface condition can represent a start of the undesirable surface condition in a transverse direction of the paving machine and can be associated with either an interface between the screed extension and a main screed or outward of the interface, along a length of the extension plate of the screed extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Jacob R. Ellwein
  • Publication number: 20230266754
    Abstract: A work machine can include an image capturing device configured to capture an image of at least a portion of an environment adjacent to the work machine. The work machine can also include processing circuitry to receive the image from the image capturing device, generate an overlay that depicts a work area for the work machine, superimpose the overlay over the image to generate an enhanced image of the work area, and provide the enhanced image to a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Joel Case Miller
  • Publication number: 20230265621
    Abstract: A machine for roadwork can include a frame, a power source, and a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame. The machine can also include means for detecting obstacles around an exterior of the machine; and means for activating an obstacle-detection response. The obstacle-detection response can adjust at least one milling parameter, change at least one sensor that the machine uses to control at least one mil ling parameter, or override at least one system on the machine to prevent the machine from automatically, adjusting any milling parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Heath Daryl Wilson
  • Patent number: 11732426
    Abstract: A method of removing cutting bits from a milling work machine includes engaging a cutting bit connected to a rotary drum of the machine with a bit removal tool, actuating the bit removal tool to disconnect the bit from the machine, sensing a plurality of characteristics of removing the bit from the machine, and determining that the bit has been disconnected from the machine based on the sensed characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Johnson, Jameson Michael Smieja