Patents by Inventor Andrew G. Shull

Andrew G. Shull 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).

  • Patent number: 9050725
    Abstract: A tool control system for controlling a tool of a machine is disclosed. The tool control system includes a tool configured to shape a surface of a worksite. The tool control system also includes a positioning system configured to determine a worksite position of a machine supporting the tool. The tool control system also includes a controller configured to receive a site map containing a profile of the surface, receive the worksite position of the machine, and determine a contour of the surface not yet traversed by the machine. The controller also being configured to anticipate an effect on the contour caused by the tool when the machine traverses the contour, and to move the tool and accommodate the affect before the machine traverses the contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Shull
  • Patent number: 7749564
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for producing a coating. The method may include providing a substrate material and initiating a coating-deposition process to apply a coating material to the substrate material to produce a coating on the substrate material, wherein the coating includes a diamond-like carbon coating. The method may further include monitoring an intensity of hydrogen-alpha emission of a plasma produced during the coating-deposition process and adjusting at least one process variable of the coating-deposition process to facilitate production of the diamond-like carbon coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bao Feng, Mahmoud Taher, Andrew G. Shull, Eric P. Carlson, Conrad C. Klepper
  • Patent number: 7725234
    Abstract: A system for controlling implement position including a method for controlling movement of an implement is disclosed. The method includes determining a first parameter configured to affect control of the implement with respect to a first timing. The method also includes determining a second parameter configured to affect control of the implement with respect to a second timing. The second timing is shorter than the first timing. The method also includes selectively establishing a third parameter as a function of the first and second parameters when the second parameter is greater than a predetermined value. The method further includes controlling a position of the implement as a function of the third parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Shull
  • Patent number: 7658234
    Abstract: A method of increasing efficiency and avoiding or reducing potential stall conditions is accomplished by configuring a ripper of a track type tractor responsive to a net force vector acting on the ripper. The net force vector is indicative of the various forces and pressures acting on the ripper, and the values indicative of these forces can be sensed. For instance, the force and value indicative of the force magnitude can be sensed by monitoring driveline torque, whereas the force vector angle can be derived from ripper tilt and lift actuator pressures. The ripper is configured responsive to the force vector magnitude and direction either via a control algorithm, or by inputs generated by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Everett G. Brandt, Andrew G. Shull
  • Publication number: 20090112410
    Abstract: A tool control system for controlling a tool of a machine is disclosed. The tool control system includes a tool configured to shape a surface of a worksite. The tool control system also includes a positioning system configured to determine a worksite position of a machine supporting the tool. The tool control system also includes a controller configured to receive a site map containing a profile of the surface, receive the worksite position of the machine, and determine a contour of the surface not yet traversed by the machine. The controller also being configured to anticipate an effect on the contour caused by the tool when the machine traverses the contour, and to move the tool and accommodate the affect before the machine traverses the contour.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Andrew G. Shull
  • Publication number: 20080027610
    Abstract: A system for controlling implement position including a method for controlling movement of an implement is disclosed. The method includes determining a first parameter configured to affect control of the implement with respect to a first timing. The method also includes determining a second parameter configured to affect control of the implement with respect to a second timing. The second timing is shorter than the first timing. The method also includes selectively establishing a third parameter as a function of the first and second parameters when the second parameter is greater than a predetermined value. The method further includes controlling a position of the implement as a function of the third parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew G. Shull
  • Patent number: 6502498
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting a work implement attached to a work machine. The method and apparatus includes delivering a lift command to a hydraulic lift circuit, diverting a portion of the lift command to a hydraulic tilt circuit, and responsively tilting the work implement to a rack-back position in cooperation with lifting the work implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Andrew G. Shull, Everett G. Brandt, Robert J. McGee
  • Publication number: 20020152885
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for lifting a work implement attached to a work machine. The method and apparatus includes delivering a lift command to a hydraulic lift circuit, diverting a portion of the lift command to a hydraulic tilt circuit, and responsively tilting the work implement to a rack-back position in cooperation with lifting the work implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Inventors: Andrew G. Shull, Everett G. Brandt, Robert J. Mcgee
  • Patent number: 6321153
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a process for automated bucket loading of a work machine having an engine and a work implement. The work implement includes a bucket. The method includes the steps of determining when the bucket engages a pile of material, initiating the automated bucket loading process in response to the bucket engaging the pile of material, determining an actual engine speed relative to a full engine speed, and adjusting a lift velocity command to the work implement, the lift velocity command adjustment being made as a function of a comparison of the actual engine speed to full engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Rocke, Andrew G. Shull
  • Patent number: 6125561
    Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method of automatic control for a scraper bowl by measuring a first force as applied to the scraper bowl during forward movement of the scraper. Preferably, the first force is derived by measuring the hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic actuator that controls the scraper bowl. A target force value is then subtracted from the first force to obtain a force error signal which is converted into a position command signal. The position command signal is preferably used to automatically adjust the depth of cut performed by the scraper blade without diversion of the operator's attention. Additionally, the scraper blade can be further controlled by constraining the vertical adjustment speed signal of the cutting blade to prevent the cutting blade from digging to deep or breaking through the ground by providing an upper constraint limit and a lower constraint limit which can be set according to tractive effort and the material condition acting upon the scraper blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Shull
  • Patent number: 5974352
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic control system for loading a bucket of a work machine includes sensors for producing signals representative of bucket position and forces. A command signal generator receives the signals and calculates a target angle on the basis of accumulated energy, and a force vector angle representing actual forces produced at an reference point on the bucket. Lift and tilt command signals are modified in response to differences between the target and actual angles, and used to controllably extend the lift cylinder to raise the bucket through the material, while racking the bucket at rates calculated to efficiently capture the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew G. Shull