Patents by Inventor Bruce J. Wiewel

Bruce J. Wiewel 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).

  • Grading mode integration
    Patent number: 10995472
    Abstract: An earthmoving system includes a blade, a controller, and a blade control system configured to control the positioning of the blade. While grading, the earthmoving system is configured to simultaneously position the blade according to each of a fixed slope grading mode, a design driven control grading mode, and an fixed load grading mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignees: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC, Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce J. Wiewel, Tony R. Metzger, Robert L. Powers, Richard R. Evenson
  • GRADING MODE INTEGRATION
    Publication number: 20190234045
    Abstract: An earthmoving system is disclosed. The earthmoving system includes a blade, a controller, and a blade control system configured to control the positioning of the blade. While grading, the earthmoving system is configured to simultaneously position the blade according to each of a fixed slope grading mode, a design driven control grading mode, and an fixed load grading mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventors: Bruce J. Wiewel, Tony R. Metzger, Robert L. Powers, Richard R. Evenson
  • Blade control below design
    Patent number: 10151078
    Abstract: A method of controlling a blade of an earthmoving system is disclosed. The method includes enabling independent blade control so that the blade is controllable independent of the terrain contour design while a cutting edge of the blade is beneath the terrain contour design, and receiving first sensor signals from one or more first sensors of the earthmoving system, where the sensor signals indicate that the cutting edge of the blade is within a threshold distance from the terrain contour design. In response to receiving the first sensor signals, the method automatically controls the cutting edge of the blade to the terrain contour design, where the movement of the blade is dependent on the terrain contour design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignees: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC, Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tony R. Metzger, Bruce J. Wiewel, Robert L. Powers, Richard R. Evenson
  • BLADE CONTROL BELOW DESIGN
    Publication number: 20180340315
    Abstract: A method of controlling a blade of an earthmoving system is disclosed. The method includes enabling independent blade control so that the blade is controllable independent of the terrain contour design while a cutting edge of the blade is beneath the terrain contour design, and receiving first sensor signals from one or more first sensors of the earthmoving system, where the sensor signals indicate that the cutting edge of the blade is within a threshold distance from the terrain contour design. In response to receiving the first sensor signals, the method automatically controls the cutting edge of the blade to the terrain contour design, where the movement of the blade is dependent on the terrain contour design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Tony R. Metzger, Bruce J. Wiewel, Robert L. Powers, Richard R. Evenson