Patents by Inventor Aaron R. Shatters

Aaron R. Shatters has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20160104391
    Abstract: A method for generating a training plan for an operator of a machine to perform an operation is provided. The method includes receiving data associated with one or more functional parameters of the machine. The functional parameters include at least one of an operation parameter, an operator attribute parameter, and an environmental parameter. The method includes identifying a value of each of the functional parameters based on the data. Further, the method includes determining, in real-time, the training plan based on the identification of the functional parameters. The method includes communicating the instruction to the operator for performing the operation on the machine based on the training plan. The method includes monitoring the operation for being in conformance with the training plan. The method includes generating an alarm, when the operation performed by the operator deviates from the instructions of the training plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan J. Wieland, Benjamin J. Hodel, Eric W. Cler, Aaron R. Shatters, Jeffrey K. Berry
  • Patent number: 8886415
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a lift actuator, a lift valve arrangement, a tilt actuator, a tilt valve arrangement, and a tilt angle sensor configured to generate a first signal. The hydraulic system may further have at least one operator interface device movable to generate a second signal indicative of a desired lift velocity and a third signal indicative of desired tilt velocity, and a controller. The controller may be configured to command the lift valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the second signal, command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the third signal and, when the first signal indicates that the actual tilt angle has entered a specified range of tilt angles during lifting, command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the second signal as the actual tilt angle remains within the specified range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Steven C. Budde, John T. Reedy, Robert E. Stone
  • Patent number: 8836323
    Abstract: A slue position sensing system and method of modifying a machine to include such a slue position sensing system are disclosed. The slue position sensing system may include a swing sensor housing disposed between a swing motor and a swing drive. The swing sensor housing may be coupled to a rotary position sensor that indirectly detects rotation of the target gear or a speed sensor that directly detects rotation of the target gear. For embodiments with no target gear, but with upper and lower frames rotatably coupled together by a ring gear and a swing gear, the sensor may be a rotary position sensor mounted to a slip ring assembly and magnet that are connected to a hydraulic swivel between the upper and lower frames or the sensor may be a speed sensor that detects rotation of the swing gear. The sensors generate a signal that is communicated to a controller or an ECM that accurately reflects the angular movement imparted to the work implement by the swing drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Most, Aaron R. Shatters
  • Patent number: 8820509
    Abstract: A conveyor system for a use with mining machine is provided. The conveyor system may have a plurality of conveyor segments operatively connected end-to-end, a first of the plurality of conveyor segments also being configured to connect to the mining machine. The conveyor system may also have a plurality of mobile base supports each being configured to support one of the plurality of conveyor segments, and at least one controller for communication with the mining machine and the plurality of mobile base supports. The at least one controller may be configured to determine a desired location of the mining machine different from a current location of the mining machine, and to determine a required trajectory of the plurality of conveyor segments based on the desired location of the mining machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to communicate the required trajectory to each of the plurality of mobile base supports to move the mobile base supports into alignment with the required trajectory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron R. Shatters
  • Patent number: 8340875
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for lifting a work tool of a mobile machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a lift actuator, a lift valve arrangement, and a lift sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an actual lift velocity. The hydraulic system may also have a tilt actuator, a tilt valve arrangement, and at least one operator interface device movable to generate a second signal indicative of a desired lift velocity and a third signal indicative of desired tilt velocity. The hydraulic system may further have a controller configured to command the lift valve arrangement to meter pressurized based on the second signal, command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the third signal, and command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid and maintain a desired tilt angle of the work tool during lifting based selectively on the first and second signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Steven C. Budde, John T. Reedy, Robert E. Stone
  • Publication number: 20120146628
    Abstract: A slue position sensing system and method of modifying a machine to include such a slue position sensing system are disclosed. The slue position sensing system may include a swing sensor housing disposed between a swing motor and a swing drive. The swing sensor housing may be coupled to a rotary position sensor that indirectly detects rotation of the target gear or a speed sensor that directly detects rotation of the target gear. For embodiments with no target gear, but with upper and lower frames rotatably coupled together by a ring gear and a swing gear, the sensor may be a rotary position sensor mounted to a slip ring assembly and magnet that are connected to a hydraulic swivel between the upper and lower frames or the sensor may be a speed sensor that detects rotation of the swing gear. The sensors generate a signal that is communicated to a controller or an ECM that accurately reflects the angular movement imparted to the work implement by the swing drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: William R. Most, Aaron R. Shatters