Patents Examined by Michael A. Goodwin
  • Patent number: 11015303
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for removing road material. In an embodiment, the system may include a milling drum and at least one pick mounted on the milling drum. Furthermore, the pick may include polycrystalline diamond at least partially forming one or more working surfaces of the pick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: US SYNTHETIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Regan Leland Burton, Andrew E. Dadson, Mohammad N. Sani
  • Patent number: 11015306
    Abstract: In an automotive milling machine, comprising a machine frame, comprising a controller for the travelling and milling operation, comprising a working drum, comprising a transport conveyor, where the transport conveyor is slewable, relative to the machine frame, about a first axis extending essentially horizontally under an elevation angle, and sideways about a second axis extending orthogonally to the first axis under a slewing angle, where the transport conveyor discharges the milled material onto a loading surface of a transport vehicle at a specified conveying speed, and where the controller continuously controls positioning of the milled material automatically via, as a minimum, the slewing angle of the transport conveyor, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the controller specifies and monitors limit values for a maximum permissible slewing angle range for slewing the transport conveyor variable in accordance with the current operating situation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Sebastian Winkels, Harald Kroell, Tobias Krista
  • Patent number: 11002134
    Abstract: Apparatus for splitting rock, the apparatus comprising: a housing; a drill assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the drill assembly comprising a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a drive element for selectively rotating the shaft and a drill bit mounted to the distal end of the shaft for drilling a hole into rock; a splitter assembly mounted to the housing and configured to move longitudinally relative to the housing, the splitter assembly comprising a tether and a wedge, the tether and the wedge being configured to be moved independently relative to one another; wherein the wedge comprises a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the wedge being wider than the distal end of the wedge; wherein the tether comprises a radially-reduced profile when the wedge is disposed proximal to the tether, and wherein the tether comprises a radially-expanded profile after the wedge is moved distally relative to the tether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Inventor: L. Curtis Beaton
  • Patent number: 10995615
    Abstract: A system for mining site production planning includes a control system configured to specify a problem-solving technique and associated optimization problem for a mining site by setting production goals and priorities for each of loading tools, processors, production arcs, and materials of the mining site, sorting the production arcs in an order based on travel distances, modifying the order based on the production goals for each of the loading tools, processors, production arcs, and/or materials, and further modifying the order based on set priorities for the loading tools, processors, production arcs, and/or materials. In addition, target values are set for each of the loading tools, processors, and production arcs according to their order of the sorted production arcs. The control system is further configured to solve the optimization problem to produce production values for each of the loading tools, processors, and production arcs based on the target values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin E. Gates
  • Patent number: 10982541
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the heading of a mining machine while the mining machine performs a cutting operation. One system includes a cutting system and a set of left and right tracks of the mining machine. The system also includes a lidar sensor mounted to the mining machine. The system also includes an electronic processor configured to receive the data from the lidar sensor. The electronic processor is also configured to determine a current heading of the mining machine based on the data received from the lidar sensor and compare the current heading to a target heading of the mining machine. In response to the current heading not being different from the target heading of the mining machine by a predetermined amount, the electronic processor is configured to control the mining machine to adjust the current heading of the mining machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: JOY GLOBAL UNDERGROUND MINING LLC
    Inventors: Lee Davis, Daniel C. Ferguson, Eric Humenay, Rick Rogers
  • Patent number: 10982397
    Abstract: A milling rotor includes a drum having a cylindrical wall disposed about a central axis of the drum. The milling rotor also includes a series of milling bit assemblies arranged in a spiral pattern on an outer surface of the cylindrical wall. The series of milling bit assemblies is configured to commence from a lateral plane that is transverse to the central axis of the drum and located partway along a length of the cylindrical wall. The series of milling bit assemblies is also configured to terminate proximate an end of the cylindrical wall. Each milling bit assembly is positioned such that an angle subtended by the series of milling bit assemblies with the lateral plane increases with increasing distance from the end of the cylindrical wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton John Hirman, Jeffrey Wayne Hoyle
  • Patent number: 10968577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool combination consisting of a chisel holder, which can be fastened to a milling drum of a soil tillage machine, and at least one leading and one trailing chisel, which are retained on the chisel holder, wherein the trailing chisel is arranged after the leading chisel, based on a working movement of the tool combination in use in the soil tillage machine, and wherein each chisel has a chisel tip having a cutter. According to the invention the trailing chisel tip of the trailing chisel has, at least in some areas, a greater hardness than the leading chisel tip of the leading chisel. Thus stoppage times of the soil tillage machine for maintenance can be reduced and the loss of chisels can at least be decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Karsten Buhr, Andreas Jost, Thomas Lehnert, Sebastian Hofrath, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 10968740
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interchangeable chisel holder (40) which can be fixed to a milling drum (15) of a ground-working machine (10), having a forward chisel holder (42) for the interchangeable holding of a forward chisel (20), preferably a round-shaft chisel, and having a rearward chisel (30, 31), which is held on the interchangeable chisel holder (40), wherein, as based on a working movement (76) of the interchangeable chisel holder (40) when used in the ground-working machine (10), the rearward chisel (30, 31) is arranged behind the forward chisel holder (42). In such an interchangeable candleholder (40) provision can be made, according to the invention, for the rearward chisel (30, 31) to be held on the interchangeable chisel holder (40) axially and fixed in the circumferential direction of the chisel holder. Maintenance-induced stoppages of the ground-working machine can thus be reduced and the loss of chisels can at least be lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Karsten Buhr, Andreas Jost, Thomas Lehnert, Sebastian Hofrath, Martin Lenz
  • Patent number: 10968575
    Abstract: An earth working machine (10), for example a road milling machine (10), recycler, stabilizer, or surface miner, having a propelling unit (22) and a machine frame (12) carried by the propelling unit (22), comprises a working apparatus (32) for earth working; an operator's platform (24), having an operating console (26) for controlling at least one functional device (32, 39) of the earth working machine (10), being provided on the machine frame (12). Provision is made according to the present invention that the earth working machine (10) comprises, in the region of the operator's platform (24), a seat mount arrangement (66) that is embodied to be brought into releasable mounting engagement with a counterpart mount arrangement (76) of an operating seat (62, 64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Inventors: Cyrus Barimani, Stephan Drumm, Alexander Körtgen
  • Patent number: 10947677
    Abstract: In an automotive milling machine, with a height-adjustable machine frame, with a controller for the travelling and milling operation, with a working drum, with a slewable transport conveyor device arranged in front of or behind the working drum as seen in the direction of travel of the milling machine, where the last or single transport conveyor of the transport conveyor device as seen in the direction of transport is slewable sideways, relative to the machine frame, about an essentially vertical axis under a slewing angle, and about an axis orthogonal to the axis under an elevation angle, and where the transport conveyor discharges the milled material at a specified conveying speed onto a point of impingement on a loading surface of a transport vehicle, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: the controller comprises a detection and control system which continuously locates the alterable position of the loading surface of the transport vehicle and of the transport conveyor relative to the m
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Dirk Franzmann, Armin Montermann, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 10927515
    Abstract: A self-propelled milling machine includes a controller which continuously locates an alterable position of a loading surface and of a slewable transport conveyor relative to a machine frame, or the position of the loading surface relative to the transport conveyor, and automatically controls one or more of the slewing angle, the elevation angle and the conveying speed of the transport conveyor, wherein discharged milling material impinges on pre-calculated points of impingement within the loading surface. The controller determines correction factors for the control parameter(s) as a function of a transverse inclination about the longitudinal central axis of the loading surface, a position angle between the longitudinal central axis of the loading surface and the longitudinal central axis of the transport conveyor or that of the machine frame, and/or the position of the pre-calculated point of impingement relative to an end of the loading surface lying on the longitudinal central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventors: Cyrus Barimani, Christian Berning, Tobias Krista, Bernd Walterscheid
  • Patent number: 10920588
    Abstract: Methods and systems of controlling a pitch angle of a shearer. A controller receives a sensor signal indicative of the pitch angle of the shearer, and receives a target pitch profile defining a plurality of target pitch angles for different sections of a mineral face. The controller determines a pitch difference between the pitch angle and a target pitch angle of the shearer, determines a pitch correction height corresponding to a new height for a floor cutter of the shearer based on the pitch difference, and changes a height of the floor cutter based on the pitch correction height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Joy Global Underground Mining LLC
    Inventors: Jeff Ley, Matthew Beilstein, Colten LeViere
  • Patent number: 10920524
    Abstract: A composite cone assembly for use with a frac or bridge plug system is discussed herein having shaped outer contours and the strength needed for high pressure applications but with reduced machining requirements by forming part of the cone assembly from a high strength fiber material and the contoured surface from molding, such as from injection molding or compression molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: CCDI Composites, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Sherlin
  • Patent number: 10900356
    Abstract: Mineral bits (10, 100) and associated mounts (30, 116, 200) for use during excavation and mining operations are disclosed. An exemplary bit (10) has a front region (12) and an opposite rear region (14) and comprises a head portion (16) and a mounting portion (18) secured to the head portion (16). The mounting portion (18) can be configured to be releasably retained by a mount (30). A rounded transition (22) disposed in the front region (12) of the bit between the head portion (16) and the mounting portion (18) provides a clearance (C) between the head portion (16) and the mount (16). Mineral bits (10, 100) disclosed can be inserted into and withdrawn from mounts (30, 1 16, 200) by linear and/or rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: CARRIERE INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY LIMITED
    Inventor: Oswald D. Zaayman
  • Patent number: 10895152
    Abstract: Breaking rock and concrete, based upon a Controlled-Foam Injection or PCF (Penetrating Cone Fracture) uses a high-pressure fluid to pressurize a pre-drilled hole. A high pressure seal is formed between the injection barrel and walls of the pre-drilled hole in the material to be broken. A leak-free poppet valve holds a fluid in a pressure vessel before rapid discharge. Variable charges of foam/water are generated and delivered to the breaker. The injection barrel is prefilled with a low viscosity fluid. An annular reverse acting poppet valve allows concurrent injection of chemical additives and/or micro particles to modify foam viscosity during its high pressure release into the material to be broken. A high pressure foam generator is compact and reliable. Removal and wash-out of the seal frees the injection barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: CFI Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chapman Young, III, J. Roberto Frias
  • Patent number: 10876402
    Abstract: An improved diamond coated bit tip insert for a unitary bit/holder, tool, and/or pick for road milling operations that includes a body including a tip and a base subjacent to the tip. The tip of the bit tip insert includes a substrate and an overlay on an outer surface of the substrate. The base of the bit tip insert includes a tapered sidewall or a cylindrical sidewall, the tapered sidewall providing a greater concentration of force applied at an interface of the overlay and the substrate of the tip during a high pressure high temperature (HPHT) process than when using the cylindrical sidewall and the high pressure, high temperature process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 10876403
    Abstract: A method for mining an ultra-thick coal seam by utilizing a goaf solid backfilling technique is suitable for mining an ultra-thick coal seam having a thickness of 25 m-45 m. According to the method, the ultra-thick coal seam is sliced into three slices, i.e. an upper slice, a middle slice and a lower slice. First, the middle slice is subjected to solid backfilling and mining. Metal meshes are paved along a working face of the floor. The backfilling layer serves as an artificial floor for mining the upper slice and an artificial roof for mining the lower slice. Then, the upper slice is mined by the top coal caving mining based on the artificial floor formed by backfilling the goaf of the middle slice. Finally, the lower slice is mined by the top coal caving mining along the coal seam floor with the shield of the artificial roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Inventor: Xiexing Miao
  • Patent number: 10876401
    Abstract: A bit assembly includes a base block and a bit holder having a forward body portion and a generally cylindrical shank. The forward body portion includes a plurality of vanes that define a plurality of cavities or flutes configured to carry removable size pieces from a trenched area to the adjacent surface alongside a trenching machine. The spaced cavities are supported by the vertical vanes that also aid in removing the loosened material. The shank of the bit holder includes an annular groove configured to receive a bit retainer once the bit holder is inserted into a bore of a base block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventors: Ronnie R. Taitt, Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 10876404
    Abstract: A roller cutter unit is mountable at a cutting head of undercutting mining machines. The cutter unit includes an elongate mount shaft to position and support a cutter ring. The cutter ring is secured to the mount shaft via a bracket having a wedge segment configured to be wedged axially and radially between the cutter ring and the shaft. Accordingly, a mounting mechanism is provided to achieve a desired force transmission pathway from the cutter ring into the shaft so as to maximize the locking action of the cutter ring at the cutter unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Martin Gimpel, Guenther Staber, Wolfgang Richter, Hubert Kargl, Gerald Kribitz, Thomas Bumberger
  • Patent number: 10865529
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a primary drum drive assembly for its milling drum, and a ground-engaging drive assembly for driving the milling machine along a roadway. A lifting column is attached between the frame and the ground-engaging drive assembly. The lifting column includes a linear actuator which can raise and lower the frame of the machine with respect to the roadway. A sensor mounted to the lifting column is adapted to determine if the lifting column is not supporting at least a predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. A controller is operatively attached to the drive assemblies and to the sensor, and is adapted to receive from the sensor a signal indicating that the lifting column is not supporting the predetermined portion of the weight of the milling machine. Upon receipt of such signal, the controller will automatically control certain machine functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Roadtec, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Avans, James H. Bevill, David Swearingen