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).

  • Patent number: 11597369
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
  • Patent number: 11521397
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Petrany, Benjamin J. Hodel, Vamsi Krishna Pannala, Nicholas Payne
  • Publication number: 20220382251
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. HODEL, Matthew James BESCHORNER
  • Publication number: 20220381007
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Publication date: December 1, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. HODEL, Matthew James BESCHORNER
  • Patent number: 11384508
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
  • Publication number: 20220076033
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Petrany, Benjamin J. Hodel, Vamsi Krishna Pannala, Nicholas Payne
  • Patent number: 10870219
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin J. Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
  • Publication number: 20200256036
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
  • Publication number: 20200257607
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry
  • Patent number: 10325037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Evan E. Jacobson, Qiang Chen, Michael D. Anderson, Nathan S. Pauli, Benjamin J. Hodel
  • Publication number: 20190105801
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin J. Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
  • Publication number: 20170316125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Evan E. Jacobson, Qiang Chen, Michael D. Anderson, Nathan S. Pauli, Benjamin J. Hodel
  • Publication number: 20170097881
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler, Vishnu Suganth Prabhakaran
  • Publication number: 20160333902
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Benjamin J. HODEL
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150371454
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Michael JC Smith
  • Patent number: 8364405
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sprock, Benjamin J. Hodel
  • Publication number: 20110153214
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sprock, Benjamin J. Hodel
  • Publication number: 20110148856
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Sprock, Benjamin J. Hodel