Patents by Inventor Bradley P. Krone

Bradley P. Krone 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: 12208834
    Abstract: A method for steering correction in a mobile machine having at least one ground-engaging device including one or more tracks or one or more wheels includes detecting a steering request with an electronic control unit, the steering request being generated by an input device configured to control steering of the mobile machine. The method also includes determining that the steering request is a request to propel the mobile machine in a straight path and determining, during travel of the machine, an amount of deviation of the mobile machine from the straight path. The method further includes generating an adjusted steering command based on the amount of deviation from the straight path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley P. Krone
  • Publication number: 20240410129
    Abstract: A machine can include a frame, a blade coupled to the frame and configured to push a load, an inertial measurement unit (IMU) associated with the blade and configured to indicate a tilt of the blade relative to an absolute global frame of reference, and a controller configured to: receive steering commands; determine, based on the steering commands and the load, a desired blade tilt steering angle relative to the absolute global frame of reference; cause the blade to be tilted to the desired blade tilt steering angle; determine, based on information from the IMU, that an actual blade tilt angle is different from the desired blade tilt steering angle; cause, based on determining that the actual blade tilt angle is different from the desired blade tilt steering angle, the blade to be tilted according to a corrected blade tilt angle, wherein, when the actual blade tilt angle is offset, in a first direction, from the desired blade tilt steering angle, the corrected blade tilt angle is to tilt the blade in a secon
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2023
    Publication date: December 12, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Krone, Christopher M. Gerth
  • Publication number: 20230383496
    Abstract: A method of identifying blade penetration that is ineffectual by a blade-based machine at a work site, including: attempting to cut an area of ground by the blade-based machine at the work site; determining that the cut is ineffectual based on a determination of a threshold cut volume achieved by the blade-based machine, the threshold cut volume being based on input from one or more position sensors on the blade-based machine; and initiating one or more remedial actions based on the determination of ineffectual cutting by the blade-based machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. FAIVRE, Bradley P. KRONE, Sangameshwar SONTH
  • Publication number: 20230358019
    Abstract: A control system for a machine includes a chassis, an implement attached to the chassis, at least one sensor coupled to the chassis or the implement, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals from the at least one sensor, determine a stabilization factor based on the one or more signals from the at least one sensor, and signal one or more actuators to control a movement and/or a position of the implement based at least in part on the stabilization factor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David B. MASON, Christopher M. GERTH, Bradley P. KRONE, Richard Ryan EVENSON, Kade S. LUSK
  • Publication number: 20230313490
    Abstract: A method for steering a mobile machine includes automatically steering the mobile machine in a track steering mode, determining a load condition of the mobile machine, and automatically steering the mobile machine in the track steering mode and a blade steering mode, simultaneously, based on the load condition of the mobile machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. ANDERSON, Bradley P. KRONE
  • Publication number: 20230311988
    Abstract: A method for steering correction in a mobile machine having at least one ground-engaging device including one or more tracks or one or more wheels includes detecting a steering request with an electronic control unit, the steering request being generated by an input device configured to control steering of the mobile machine. The method also includes determining that the steering request is a request to propel the mobile machine in a straight path and determining, during travel of the machine, an amount of deviation of the mobile machine from the straight path. The method further includes generating an adjusted steering command based on the amount of deviation from the straight path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley P. KRONE
  • Patent number: 11595618
    Abstract: An enhanced visibility system for a work machine includes an image capture device, a sensor, one or more control circuits, and a display. The image capture device is configured to obtain image data of an area surrounding the work machine. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding physical properties of the area surrounding the work machine. The control circuits are configured to receive the image data and the data regarding the physical properties, and augment the image data with the data regarding the physical properties to generate augmented image data. The display is configured to display the augmented image data to provide an enhanced view of the area surrounding the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Krone, Joseph L. Faivre, Michael W. Bridenbaugh, Brad R. Van De Veer, Shastri Ram
  • Patent number: 11530920
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of a machine may include receiving, from a plurality of IMU modules mounted on a corresponding plurality of components of the machine, a plurality of signals indicative of orientation measurements and motion measurements for the components of the machine on which the plurality of IMU modules are mounted. The IMU modules include a corresponding number of state estimators, and form a mesh network communicatively coupled to a communication bus. The method may also include fusing the signals, determining estimates of output orientation data and output motion data for the components of the machine based on the fused signals, determining a real time value for at least one of position, velocity, or acceleration of the components of the machine based on a kinematic evaluation, and applying the determined real time value in an implementation of a controlled operational movement of the components of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Krone, Joseph L Faivre
  • Patent number: 11486115
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for shared access of a machine for operator training, the machine including a traction device and an implement, includes receiving an authorization from an access device to share access to the machine, and entering a shared control state based on at least the authorization received from the access device. The method also includes receiving commands from a remote operation device during the shared control state and operating at least one of the traction device or the implement of the machine based on at least the commands from the remote operation device while an operator is present in the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Krone, Joseph Faivre, Steven D. Ott, Michael W. Bridenbaugh, Tony R. Metzger
  • Publication number: 20210314528
    Abstract: An enhanced visibility system for a work machine includes an image capture device, a sensor, one or more control circuits, and a display. The image capture device is configured to obtain image data of an area surrounding the work machine. The sensor is configured to obtain data regarding physical properties of the area surrounding the work machine. The control circuits are configured to receive the image data and the data regarding the physical properties, and augment the image data with the data regarding the physical properties to generate augmented image data. The display is configured to display the augmented image data to provide an enhanced view of the area surrounding the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2020
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Krone, Joseph L. Faivre, Michael W. Bridenbaugh, Brad R. Van De Veer, Shastri Ram
  • Publication number: 20210254306
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method for shared access of a machine for operator training, the machine including a traction device and an implement, includes receiving an authorization from an access device to share access to the machine, and entering a shared control state based on at least the authorization received from the access device. The method also includes receiving commands from a remote operation device during the shared control state and operating at least one of the traction device or the implement of the machine based on at least the commands from the remote operation device while an operator is present in the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: August 19, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. KRONE, Joseph FAIVRE, Steven D. OTT, Michael W. BRIDENBAUGH, Tony R. METZGER
  • Publication number: 20210215483
    Abstract: A method of controlling movement of a machine may include receiving, from a plurality of IMU modules mounted on a corresponding plurality of components of the machine, a plurality of signals indicative of orientation measurements and motion measurements for the components of the machine on which the plurality of IMU modules are mounted. The IMU modules include a corresponding number of state estimators, and form a mesh network communicatively coupled to a communication bus. The method may also include fusing the signals, determining estimates of output orientation data and output motion data for the components of the machine based on the fused signals, determining a real time value for at least one of position, velocity, or acceleration of the components of the machine based on a kinematic evaluation, and applying the determined real time value in an implementation of a controlled operational movement of the components of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley P. Krone, Joseph L Faivre
  • Patent number: 10876272
    Abstract: A control system for a machine may include a chassis an implement attached to the chassis, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The first sensor may be configured to generate a first signal indicative of an angle of the implement with respect to the chassis. The second sensor may be configured to generate a second signal indicative of an angle of the chassis with respect to gravity. The controller may be configured to determine an implement mainfall angle based on the first signal and the second signal; process the second signal using a low pass filter to determine a filtered chassis pitch angle; determine a target mainfall angle based on the first signal and the filtered chassis pitch angle; and generate a command signal based the target mainfall angle and the implement mainfall angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Faivre, Bradley P. Krone
  • Publication number: 20200048863
    Abstract: A control system for a machine may include a chassis an implement attached to the chassis, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The first sensor may be configured to generate a first signal indicative of an angle of the implement with respect to the chassis. The second sensor may be configured to generate a second signal indicative of an angle of the chassis with respect to gravity. The controller may be configured to determine an implement mainfall angle based on the first signal and the second signal; process the second signal using a low pass filter to determine a filtered chassis pitch angle; determine a target mainfall angle based on the first signal and the filtered chassis pitch angle; and generate a command signal based the target mainfall angle and the implement mainfall angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joe Faivre, Bradley P. Krone
  • Patent number: 10066370
    Abstract: A controller uses a Kalman filter to develop an estimated position of an implement based on a previous implement position, an implement pitch, an implement pitch rate and an estimated implement linkage velocity. The controller moves the implement to a desired position based on the estimated position of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Faivre, Bradley P. Krone, Steven R. Krause
  • Publication number: 20170107700
    Abstract: A controller uses a Kalman filter to develop an estimated position of an implement based on a previous implement position, an implement pitch, an implement pitch rate and an estimated implement linkage velocity. The controller moves the implement to a desired position based on the estimated position of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: April 20, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Faivre, Bradley P. Krone, Steven R. Krause
  • Publication number: 20150204901
    Abstract: A method for determining ground speed of a machine includes receiving an inertial navigation data at a first time and calculating a lateral acceleration of the machine at the first time using a first Kalman filter. A time delayed measurement of the ground speed information is received at a second time, wherein the time delayed measurement is delayed by predetermined time interval with respect to the measurement of the inertial navigation data. A ground speed of the machine is calculated at second time based on the time delayed measurement of the ground speed information and the inertial navigation data using a second Kalman filter, wherein the inertial navigation data is provided at the second time. Thereafter the ground speed is then determined based on a change in ground speed of the machine over the predetermined time interval and the calculated ground speed associated with the machine at the second time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 23, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph L. Faivre, Bradley P. Krone