Patents by Inventor Alexander Eli DOWLING

Alexander Eli DOWLING 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: 20240067038
    Abstract: An underground mine energy management system includes wireless nodes located at different 3D coordinate positions along travel paths throughout an underground mine, and energy zones are defined between respective pairs of the wireless nodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Underground Mining Ply. Ltd.
    Inventor: Alexander Eli DOWLING
  • Publication number: 20230324215
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a process by which a weight of a material in a dump body of a machine is computed. The method includes acquiring first values correspondingly from one or more strain sensors in an unladen state of the dump body; activating an actuator to push the dump body against the strain sensors to simulate one or more forces exertable by one or more payloads in a laden state of the dump body; and acquiring second values correspondingly from the strain sensors when the actuator is activated to simulate the forces. Further, the method includes using the first values and the second values to calibrate the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty, Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Eli Dowling, Steven Edward Johnson
  • Patent number: 11686609
    Abstract: A system for detecting distribution of a weight of a payload in a dump body of a vehicle includes first sensors, second sensors, and a controller. The dump body is pivotable about pins to be selectively seated and titled to a frame of the vehicle. The first sensors are arranged between the dump body and the frame, and detect components of the weight of the payload exerted through the dump body when the dump body is seated relative to the frame. The second sensors are arranged correspondingly within the pins, and detect components of the weight of the payload exerted through the dump body. The controller determines a status of payload distribution in the dump body based on the component of the weight of the payload detected by the first sensors and second sensors, and generate a notification to indicate the status of payload distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Eli Dowling, Brodie Lee Thompson
  • Patent number: 11584374
    Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission in a machine. The method includes detecting a request for a directional shift of the transmission and determining a ground speed of the machine in response to the request. The method further includes overriding the request if the ground speed is above a ground speed threshold. Further, the method includes preparing the machine for the directional shift by limiting an output speed of a power source of the machine and by issuing a command to a brake unit of the machine to reduce the ground speed of the machine. Furthermore, the method includes validating and raising the request to the transmission to execute the directional shift if the ground speed is below the ground speed threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Brodie Lee Thompson, Sai Praveen Gundlapalli, Robert Anthony Herold, Alexander Eli Dowling, Scott Glenn Jackson
  • Publication number: 20210380084
    Abstract: A method for controlling a machine during a transition from a service brake state to a parking brake includes receiving, by a control module, a request for activating a parking brake assembly. The method also includes transmitting, by the control module, control signals for activating a set of first brakes associated with a service brake assembly, a set of second brakes associated with the service brake assembly, and a clutch assembly. The method further includes controlling, by the control module, the set of first brakes for deactivating the set of first brakes. The method includes controlling, by the control module, the parking brake assembly for activating the parking brake assembly. The method also includes controlling, by the control module, the set of second brakes for deactivating the set of second brakes. The method further includes controlling, by the control module, the clutch assembly for deactivating the clutch assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Eli DOWLING, Jason Prakash WIGG, Brodie Lee THOMPSON, Suneel Venkata KANDULA, Sai Praveen GUNDLAPALLI, Martyn James CRAWFORD
  • Publication number: 20210370942
    Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission in a machine. The method includes detecting a request for a directional shift of the transmission and determining a ground speed of the machine in response to the request. The method further includes overriding the request if the ground speed is above a ground speed threshold. Further, the method includes preparing the machine for the directional shift by limiting an output speed of a power source of the machine and by issuing a command to a brake unit of the machine to reduce the ground speed of the machine. Furthermore, the method includes validating and raising the request to the transmission to execute the directional shift if the ground speed is below the ground speed threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Brodie Lee Thompson, Sai Praveen Gundlapalli, Robert Anthony Herold, Alexander Eli Dowling, Scott Glenn Jackson
  • Publication number: 20210123793
    Abstract: A system for detecting distribution of a weight of a payload in a dump body of a vehicle includes first sensors, second sensors, and a controller. The dump body is pivotable about pins to be selectively seated and titled to a frame of the vehicle. The first sensors are arranged between the dump body and the frame, and detect components of the weight of the payload exerted through the dump body when the dump body is seated relative to the frame. The second sensors are arranged correspondingly within the pins, and detect components of the weight of the payload exerted through the dump body. The controller determines a status of payload distribution in the dump body based on the component of the weight of the payload detected by the first sensors and second sensors, and generate a notification to indicate the status of payload distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty. Ltd.
    Inventors: Alexander Eli DOWLING, Brodie Lee THOMPSON