Patents by Inventor Biagio Ciarla

Biagio Ciarla 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: 10174479
    Abstract: An implement system for a machine includes a primary blade and a secondary blade coupled to the primary blade through a linkage mechanism such that the secondary blade is trailing the primary blade. The implement system includes an actuator which controls a movement of the secondary blade. The implement system includes at least one position sensor which generates signals indicative of a position of the primary blade and a position of the secondary blade. The implement system further includes a controller which is in communication with the primary blade, the secondary blade and the position sensor. The controller receives the signals indicative of the position of the primary blade and the position of the secondary blade. The controller operates the actuator to control the movement of the secondary blade based on the position of the primary blade and secondary blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Biagio Ciarla
  • Publication number: 20180163367
    Abstract: An implement system for a machine includes a primary blade and a secondary blade coupled to the primary blade through a linkage mechanism such that the secondary blade is trailing the primary blade. The implement system includes an actuator which controls a movement of the secondary blade. The implement system includes at least one position sensor which generates signals indicative of a position of the primary blade and a position of the secondary blade. The implement system further includes a controller which is in communication with the primary blade, the secondary blade and the position sensor. The controller receives the signals indicative of the position of the primary blade and the position of the secondary blade. The controller operates the actuator to control the movement of the secondary blade based on the position of the primary blade and secondary blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Biagio Ciarla
  • Publication number: 20170190325
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a braking system and, more particularly, to a braking system for engaging a brake mechanism as a waiting brake for a load carrying vehicle. The braking system comprises first and second brake mechanisms. A controller is configured to control the operation of the second brake mechanism such that, if a predetermined fault condition is determined whilst the first brake mechanism is engaged, the controller automatically engages the second brake mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Adam Adeeb, David Richard Wisley, Samue Alec Roberts, Andrew Colin Ellis, John D. Gates, Joel Lee Skalet, Biagio Ciarla
  • Patent number: 9358966
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting a pre-charge pressure of a hydraulic braking system are disclosed. A controller receives pressure readings from a pressure sensor indicative of the pressure of a hydraulic brake accumulator or the lower pressure of more than one accumulator. In response to fluid being provided to the hydraulic accumulator, the controller determines a first rate of pressure change, a second rate of pressure change different than the first rate, and a transition pressure between the first and second rates. The controller determines an approximate pre-charge pressure of the hydraulic brake accumulator based on the transition pressure. A warning can be provided to the operator or another when the determined pre-charge pressure is lower than a reference pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Stephen Thompson, Peter O'Brien, Biagio Ciarla, Adam J. Adeeb
  • Patent number: 9266513
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for enhancing the slope-holding capability of an earth-moving machine. The machine includes a plurality of ground-engaging elements and a first parking brake configured to brake a first subset of the plurality of ground-engaging elements. A second parking brake is mounted and is configured to brake a second subset of the plurality of ground-engaging elements. A brake controller is configured to sense engagement of the first parking brake and to engage the second parking brake when the first parking brake is engaged only if one or more machine state criteria are also met. In an embodiment, the one or more machine state criteria include zero machine speed, neutral transmission state, and a machine slope that exceeds a predetermined threshold slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Gates, Biagio Ciarla, Josh Nolke, Nasim Suterwala, Andrew Ellis, Neil Taylor, Ian R A Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20150323069
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of disengaging a brake mechanism used as a waiting brake for a load carrying vehicle. In a vehicle comprising an automatic transmission system having at least one drive mode and a neutral mode, changing the mode of the transmission system from neutral mode to a drive mode automatically disengages the brake mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Neil Taylor, Adam Adeeb, David Richard Wisley, Jonathan Trawford, Samuel Alec Roberts, Andrew Colin Ellis, John D. Gates, Joel Lee Skalet, Biagio Ciarla
  • Publication number: 20150321648
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a braking system and, more particularly, to a braking system for engaging a brake mechanism as a waiting brake for a load carrying vehicle. The braking system comprises first and second brake mechanisms. A controller is configured to control the operation of the second brake mechanism such that, if a predetermined fault condition is determined whilst the first brake mechanism is engaged, the controller automatically engages the second brake mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Adam Adeeb, David Richard Wisley, Samuel Alec Roberts, Andrew Colin Ellis, John D. Gates, Joel Lee Skallet, Biagio Ciarla
  • Publication number: 20150266459
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for enhancing the slope-holding capability of an earth-moving machine. The machine includes a plurality of ground-engaging elements and a first parking brake configured to brake a first subset of the plurality of ground-engaging elements. A second parking brake is mounted and is configured to brake a second subset of the plurality of ground-engaging elements. A brake controller is configured to sense engagement of the first parking brake and to engage the second parking brake when the first parking brake is engaged only if one or more machine state criteria are also met. In an embodiment, the one or more machine state criteria include zero machine speed, neutral transmission state, and a machine slope that exceeds a predetermined threshold slope.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Gates, Biagio Ciarla, Josh Nolke, Nasim Suterwala, Andrew Ellis, Neil Taylor, Ian R.A Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20150198507
    Abstract: A method of determining readiness of an emergency steering pump system is provided. The method may include the steps of detecting a startup condition; determining a standby pressure provided by a primary pump and a margin pressure to be provided by a secondary pump; engaging the secondary pump for a predefined duration based on the standby pressure and the margin pressure; and determining readiness based on a cumulative pressure of the standby pressure and the margin pressure as compared to a predefined threshold corresponding to load demand.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: David Arthur Mork, Biagio Ciarla, Wendell Dean Stahl, Daniel Todd Mather
  • Publication number: 20150097417
    Abstract: A system and method for detecting a pre-charge pressure of a hydraulic braking system are disclosed. A controller receives pressure readings from a pressure sensor indicative of the pressure of a hydraulic brake accumulator or the lower pressure of more than one accumulator. In response to fluid being provided to the hydraulic accumulator, the controller determines a first rate of pressure change, a second rate of pressure change different than the first rate, and a transition pressure between the first and second rates. The controller determines an approximate pre-charge pressure of the hydraulic brake accumulator based on the transition pressure. A warning can be provided to the operator or another when the determined pre-charge pressure is lower than a reference pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Stephen Thompson, Peter O'Brien, Biagio Ciarla, Adam J. Adeeb
  • Publication number: 20130173190
    Abstract: A method of operating a power system with an electrical energy-storage device is disclosed. The method may include estimating with at least one information-processing device a present charge capacity of the electrical energy-storage device. This may include determining an estimated fatigue-adjusted discharge value by determining an estimated amount of electrical energy discharged from the electrical energy-storage device and applying a fatigue factor to the estimated amount of electrical energy discharged. The fatigue factor may be determined based on a magnitude of electricity discharged from the electrical energy-storage device. The method may also include estimating the present charge capacity of the electrical energy-storage device based on the estimated fatigue-adjusted discharge value and an estimated full capacity of the electrical energy-storage device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Inventors: Dachuan Yu, Biagio Ciarla, Justin Dale Middleton
  • Publication number: 20090192682
    Abstract: A machine includes an operator enclosure mounted on a machine frame. The operator enclosure includes at least first and second sides, a top, and a front access door. An operator floor space of the machine is located between the front access door and an operator seat of the machine. The top is movable between a closed position where the operator floor space is covered and an open position where the operator floor space is uncovered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Biagio Ciarla, Eddie Janszen