Patents by Inventor Benjamin J. Hodel
Benjamin J. Hodel 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).
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Patent number: 11597369Abstract: A method includes obtaining first fluidic pressure information indicative of fluidic pressure in a hydraulic cylinder of a machine as a function of time, and generating a first training set including second fluidic pressure information associated with impeller clutch engagement values. A training system associated with the machine computes a first plurality of test system response values based on the first training set, compares first plurality of test system response values with a plurality of observed response values, and determines a first response error. The training system determines whether the first response error is less than or equal to a threshold error value, generates a time-step predictive analytical model associated with the first training set, and provides the time-step predictive analytical model to an electronic control module of the machine. The time-step predictive analytical model is usable to control machine torque and/or an impeller clutch of the machine.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
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Patent number: 11521397Abstract: A system and method for monitoring objects in the vicinity of a work machine that is in motion includes obtaining, using a camera associated with the work machine, first image data of a field-of-view of the camera at a first position; identifying an object-of-interest within the first image data; associating an alarm with the object-of-interest, the alarm configured to indicate the presence of the object-of-interest; presenting the alarm through an output device; receiving an input to snooze the alarm for the object-of-interest; generating a mask for the object-of-interest using image coordinates of the object-of-interest within the first image data; obtaining, using the camera, second image data of the field-of-view of the camera at a second position during motion of the work machine; identifying an object within the second image data; and selectively aborting the alarm presentation through the output device in response to determining, using the mask, that the object is the object-of-interest.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2020Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Peter Petrany, Benjamin J. Hodel, Vamsi Krishna Pannala, Nicholas Payne
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Publication number: 20220382251Abstract: A controller may receive, from one or more sensor devices of the work machine, sensor data of an environment that includes a ground surface on which the work machine is located. The controller may determine whether a wireless connection is viable. The controller may selectively transmit the sensor data to one or more remote computing devices for processing or processing the sensor data locally by the work machine based on whether the wireless connection is viable. When the wireless connection is viable, the sensor data is transmitted to the one or more remote computing devices to cause the one or more remote computing devices to process the sensor data to provide first processed data. When the wireless connection is not viable, the sensor data is processed locally by the work machine to generate second processed data.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. HODEL, Matthew James BESCHORNER
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Publication number: 20220381007Abstract: A machine may include an implement; one or more sensor devices; and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive, from the one or more sensor devices, data regarding a ground surface on which the machine is to perform a digging operation; transmit the data to one or more remote computing devices to cause the one or more remote computing devices to generate digging information based on the data; and receive the digging information from the one or more remote computing devices. The digging information may include information identifying a sequence of digging locations in an area of the ground surface and information identifying corresponding dumping locations. Based on the digging information, the controller may be configured to cause the machine to navigate to a digging location of the digging locations, and cause the implement to initiate the digging operation at the digging location.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. HODEL, Matthew James BESCHORNER
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Patent number: 11384508Abstract: A system for controlling a machine impeller clutch includes a power source, a transmission unit, an impeller clutch operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit, and an input device configured to generate a force data signal indicative of a working fluid pressure. An electronic control module in communication with the input device is configured to execute a time-step predictive analytical model for impeller clutch engagement. The electronic control module configured to receive the force data from the input device, determine an impeller clutch engagement value based at least in part on the force data signal and utilizing the time-step predictive analytical model, and cause engagement of the machine impeller clutch according to the impeller clutch engagement value.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2019Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
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Publication number: 20220076033Abstract: A system and method for monitoring objects in the vicinity of a work machine that is in motion includes obtaining, using a camera associated with the work machine, first image data of a field-of-view of the camera at a first position; identifying an object-of-interest within the first image data; associating an alarm with the object-of-interest, the alarm configured to indicate the presence of the object-of-interest; presenting the alarm through an output device; receiving an input to snooze the alarm for the object-of-interest; generating a mask for the object-of-interest using image coordinates of the object-of-interest within the first image data; obtaining, using the camera, second image data of the field-of-view of the camera at a second position during motion of the work machine; identifying an object within the second image data; and selectively aborting the alarm presentation through the output device in response to determining, using the mask, that the object is the object-of-interest.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2020Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Peter Petrany, Benjamin J. Hodel, Vamsi Krishna Pannala, Nicholas Payne
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Patent number: 10870219Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin J. Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
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Publication number: 20200256036Abstract: A system for controlling a machine impeller clutch includes a power source, a transmission unit, an impeller clutch operatively coupling the power source to the transmission unit, and an input device configured to generate a force data signal indicative of a working fluid pressure. An electronic control module in communication with the input device is configured to execute a time-step predictive analytical model for impeller clutch engagement. The electronic control module configured to receive the force data from the input device, determine an impeller clutch engagement value based at least in part on the force data signal and utilizing the time-step predictive analytical model, and cause engagement of the machine impeller clutch according to the impeller clutch engagement value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
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Publication number: 20200257607Abstract: A method includes obtaining first fluidic pressure information indicative of fluidic pressure in a hydraulic cylinder of a machine as a function of time, and generating a first training set including second fluidic pressure information associated with impeller clutch engagement values. A training system associated with the machine computes a first plurality of test system response values based on the first training set, compares first plurality of test system response values with a plurality of observed response values, and determines a first response error. The training system determines whether the first response error is less than or equal to a threshold error value, generates a time-step predictive analytical model associated with the first training set, and provides the time-step predictive analytical model to an electronic control module of the machine. The time-step predictive analytical model is usable to control machine torque and/or an impeller clutch of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
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Patent number: 10325037Abstract: A system for analyzing one or more operations associated with a component of a machine is disclosed. The system includes a data warehouse for storing data associated with the machine. The system includes a data extraction module, which extracts the data from the data warehouse and receives a customer input. The data extraction module generates an input parameter based on the data from the data warehouse and the customer input. The system includes a failure injection module for storing information of the one or more failures associated with the component of the machine. The system also includes a machine model, which is in communication with the data extraction module and the failure injection module. The machine model derives an output parameter associated with the one or more operations of the component of the machine, based on the input parameter and the information of the one or more failures.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Evan E. Jacobson, Qiang Chen, Michael D. Anderson, Nathan S. Pauli, Benjamin J. Hodel
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Publication number: 20190105801Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin J. Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
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Publication number: 20170316125Abstract: A system for analyzing one or more operations associated with a component of a machine is disclosed. The system includes a data warehouse for storing data associated with the machine. The system includes a data extraction module, which extracts the data from the data warehouse and receives a customer input. The data extraction module generates an input parameter based on the data from the data warehouse and the customer input. The system includes a failure injection module for storing information of the one or more failures associated with the component of the machine. The system also includes a machine model, which is in communication with the data extraction module and the failure injection module. The machine model derives an output parameter associated with the one or more operations of the component of the machine, based on the input parameter and the information of the one or more failures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Evan E. Jacobson, Qiang Chen, Michael D. Anderson, Nathan S. Pauli, Benjamin J. Hodel
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Publication number: 20170097881Abstract: A method for operating a machine using a mobile device is provided. The method includes connecting wirelessly, by a mobile device processor, a mobile device to an electronic controller unit of a machine; receiving, at the mobile device processor, machine data for machine parameters associated with the machine from the electronic controller unit, the machine data being in a machine data structure; applying, at the mobile device processor, a constraint to the machine data in response to a query received at the mobile device processor; generating, at the mobile device processor, result data in a mobile device data structure based upon the constraint applied to the machine data; and modifying, by the mobile device processor, an operation of the machine based upon the result data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: CaterpillarInventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler, Vishnu Suganth Prabhakaran
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Publication number: 20160333902Abstract: A system for measuring hydraulic cylinder displacement may include a sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a hydraulic fluid flow velocity into or out of the hydraulic cylinder. The system may further include a hydraulic fluid flow model configured to scale the hydraulic fluid flow velocity to a predicted rate of change of cylinder displacement for the hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2015Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: Benjamin J. HODEL
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Publication number: 20160104391Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathan J. Wieland, Benjamin J. Hodel, Eric W. Cler, Aaron R. Shatters, Jeffrey K. Berry
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Publication number: 20150371454Abstract: A method for severity characterization of machine events is provided. The method includes receiving, at a processor, a plurality of inputs corresponding to measurements from a plurality of accelerometers placed on a machine component based upon a geometry of the machine component. The method includes determining a displacement time series based upon the plurality of inputs. The method includes comparing the displacement time series with coordinate locations of a plurality of corners of the machine component. The method includes characterizing severity of a machine event for the machine component, based upon said comparing.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Michael JC Smith
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Patent number: 8364405Abstract: A surface mapping system including a controller configured with a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions to receive position data from each machine in a plurality of machines located on a worksite and to generate, utilizing the received position data, a display signal for providing a visual depiction of a surface of the worksite.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: January 29, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Sprock, Benjamin J. Hodel
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Publication number: 20110153214Abstract: A surface mapping system including a controller configured with a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions to receive position data from each machine in a plurality of machines located on a worksite and to generate, utilizing the received position data, a display signal for providing a visual depiction of a surface of the worksite.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Sprock, Benjamin J. Hodel
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Publication number: 20110148856Abstract: A parameter visualization system is disclosed that includes a controller configured to receive three-dimensional position data indicating a location of an earthmoving machine on a worksite, and to receive parameter information comprising values of a plurality of parameters. The plurality of parameters includes parameters of at least one of the earthmoving machine and the worksite. The controller is further configured to generate a first display signal configured to provide a value of a first parameter in the plurality of parameters, to receive a modification of the value of the first parameter, to calculate a value of a second parameter based on the modification of the value of the first parameter, and to generate a second display signal configured to provide a visual depiction of a value of at least one of the first parameter or the second parameter along a three-dimensional visual depiction of the worksite.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Sprock, Benjamin J. Hodel