Patents by Inventor Carl J. Moberg
Carl J. Moberg 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: 11591897Abstract: An anti-jam control system for mobile drilling machines is disclosed. The anti-jam control system may include a method for automatically clearing a jam during an automatic drilling mode of a mobile drilling machine including a drill bit mounted on a drill string. The method may include: monitoring a feed rate of the drill bit during the automatic drilling mode; and automatically initiating an anti-jam operation when the feed rate is below a predetermined feed rate threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2020Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult, Cary Gist, Rajesh R. Gunda
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Patent number: 11480014Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic force adjustment control system for mobile drilling machines and methods for automatically adjusting a force on a down-the-hole drill bit of a drill string of a mobile drilling machine. A method may include: monitoring bit air pressure of the down-the-hole drill bit during an automatic down-the-hole drilling operation; and automatically adjusting a force provided to the drill string based on the monitored bit air pressure so that the bit air pressure approaches a target air pressure value.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Rajesh R. Gunda, Carl J. Moberg, Ross L. Hoult
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Patent number: 11428057Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, an interlock system for a mobile drilling machine. The interlock system has a sensor assembly used to determine a drill string status, an operator interface for receiving a deck wrench disengagement input, and a control module. The control module may be used to receive the deck wrench disengagement input from the operator interface, receive the drill string status from the sensor assembly, determine from the drill string status that a drill string component engaged by the deck wrench is connected to a drill string or a drill head, and disengage the deck wrench from the drill string component engaged by the deck wrench.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Ross L. Hoult
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Patent number: 11401754Abstract: Systems and methods for drill head position determination are disclosed. A method for determining a position of a drill head of a drilling machine may include: retrieving a stored rotational position of at least one sheave and a stored position of the drill head; measuring the rotational position of the at least one sheave using a sheave sensor; initially calibrating the rotational position of the at least one sheave before the drill head moves; dynamically determining the position of the drill head based on the rotational position of the at least one sheave while the drill head is moved; and storing the rotational position of the at least one sheave and the position of the drill head during a shutdown event of the drilling machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Rex A. Glover
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Patent number: 11401795Abstract: A collar control system and methods for mobile drilling machines are disclosed. One method may include: automatically initiating rotation of a drill bit based on collar settings; automatically feeding the drill bit at a feed rate to form an initial hole at a predetermined reaming increment; and automatically retracting the drill bit from the initial hole when the predetermined reaming increment is achieved, but prior to reaching a collar depth. Another method may include: measuring values of multiple drill bit inputs at a predetermined sample depth region during the collar operation; storing average values for each of the drill bit inputs over the predetermined sample depth region; monitoring values of the drill bit inputs when the drill bit moves beyond the predetermined sample depth region; and ending the collar operation prior to a desired collar depth when any of the monitored values change by a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2020Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Rajesh R. Gunda, Carl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult
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Patent number: 11293274Abstract: A drilling machine includes a pipe life monitoring system. The drilling machine includes a drill string with at least a rotary drill head assembly and a pipe segment. A sensor is configured to monitor and transmit sensor data, including at least one of a pressure and a torque. A controller, including a processor and being operatively associated with the sensor, is configured to calculate a weight of the pipe segment using the sensor data.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventor: Carl J. Moberg
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Patent number: 11274498Abstract: A method includes receiving a user input to conduct a coarse pivot movement of a drill mast. A locking-pin withdraw signal is sent to a locking pin actuator for a first period of time. Responsive to determining that a locking pin is engaged with a locking hole after the first period of time, the drill mast is repositioned from a current angle to an initial angle. A second locking-pin withdraw signal is sent to the locking pin actuator for a second period of time. Responsive to determining that the locking pin is engaged with the locking hole after the second period of time, the drill mast is repositioned between a minimum drill mast angle and a maximum drill mast angle and sending a third locking-pin withdraw signal to the locking pin actuator for a third period of time.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Rex Aaron Glover
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Publication number: 20220049551Abstract: A method includes receiving a user input to conduct a coarse pivot movement of a drill mast. A locking-pin withdraw signal is sent to a locking pin actuator for a first period of time. Responsive to determining that a locking pin is engaged with a locking hole after the first period of time, the drill mast is repositioned from a current angle to an initial angle. A second locking-pin withdraw signal is sent to the locking pin actuator for a second period of time. Responsive to determining that the locking pin is engaged with the locking hole after the second period of time, the drill mast is repositioned between a minimum drill mast angle and a maximum drill mast angle and sending a third locking-pin withdraw signal to the locking pin actuator for a third period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2020Publication date: February 17, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Rex Aaron Glover
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Patent number: 11230912Abstract: A drill string rotation angle sensor diagnostic system includes a first rotation angle sensor assembly, a second rotation angle sensor assembly, an operator interface; and a control module. The control module is configured to receive a first signal from the first rotation angle sensor assembly, receive a second signal from the second rotation angle sensor assembly, determine if a valid state exists based on the first signal and the second signal, and indicate a fault on the operator interface if a valid state does not exist.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann
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Patent number: 11225862Abstract: A virtual hoist stop system for a mobile drilling machine may include a sensor assembly configured to monitor a full/empty status of a plurality of pipe storage slots, a drill string status, and a height of a rotary head, an operator interface configured to receive hoisting input, and a control module. The control module may be configured to receive signals from the sensor assembly, determine a target height based on the signals, receive hoisting input from the operator interface, and automatically stop the rotary head from hoisting beyond the target height.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2020Date of Patent: January 18, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Gobal Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Stephen M. Hancock
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Patent number: 11220872Abstract: A drilling machine includes a mast, a rotary head movably coupled to the mast, a drill string component having a pair of opposed flat surfaces, and a securing structure including engagement surfaces shaped to engage the opposed flat surfaces and secure the drill string component from rotating. The drilling machine also includes a controller configured to track a rotational location of the flat surfaces of the drill string component during rotation of the drill string component. The controller is further configured to receive tracking information from a sensor associated with the rotary head and control the rotary head to align the opposed flat surfaces for engagement by the securing structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 11, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult, Carl J. Moberg, Rex Glover, Hyppolite Kuissi, Samuel C. Taylor, Ahsan Shahid
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Publication number: 20210293131Abstract: A drilling machine includes a pipe life monitoring system. The drilling machine includes a drill string with at least a rotary drill head assembly and a pipe segment. A sensor is configured to monitor and transmit sensor data, including at least one of a pressure and a torque. A controller, including a processor and being operatively associated with the sensor, is configured to calculate a weight of the pipe segment using the sensor data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventor: Carl J. Moberg
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Publication number: 20210277731Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, an interlock system for a mobile drilling machine. The interlock system has a sensor assembly used to determine a drill string status, an operator interface for receiving a deck wrench disengagement input, and a control module. The control module may be used to receive the deck wrench disengagement input from the operator interface, receive the drill string status from the sensor assembly, determine from the drill string status that a drill string component engaged by the deck wrench is connected to a drill string or a drill head, and disengage the deck wrench from the drill string component engaged by the deck wrench.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Ross L. Hoult
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Publication number: 20210262334Abstract: A drill string rotation angle sensor diagnostic system includes a first rotation angle sensor assembly, a second rotation angle sensor assembly, an operator interface; and a control module. The control module is configured to receive a first signal from the first rotation angle sensor assembly, receive a second signal from the second rotation angle sensor assembly, determine if a valid state exists based on the first signal and the second signal, and indicate a fault on the operator interface if a valid state does not exist.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2020Publication date: August 26, 2021Applicants: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbHInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann
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Publication number: 20210230994Abstract: A virtual hoist stop system for a mobile drilling machine may include a sensor assembly configured to monitor a full/empty status of a plurality of pipe storage slots, a drill string status, and a height of a rotary head, an operator interface configured to receive hoisting input, and a control module. The control module may be configured to receive signals from the sensor assembly, determine a target height based on the signals, receive hoisting input from the operator interface, and automatically stop the rotary head from hoisting beyond the target height.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. Moberg, Stephen M. Hancock
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Publication number: 20210222542Abstract: Systems and methods for drill head position determination are disclosed. A method for determining a position of a drill head of a drilling machine may include: retrieving a stored rotational position of at least one sheave and a stored position of the drill head; measuring the rotational position of the at least one sheave using a sheave sensor; initially calibrating the rotational position of the at least one sheave before the drill head moves; dynamically determining the position of the drill head based on the rotational position of the at least one sheave while the drill head is moved; and storing the rotational position of the at least one sheave and the position of the drill head during a shutdown event of the drilling machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Carl J. MOBERG, Rex A. GLOVER
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Publication number: 20210180405Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic force adjustment control system for mobile drilling machines and methods for automatically adjusting a force on a down-the-hole drill bit of a drill string of a mobile drilling machine. A method may include: monitoring bit air pressure of the down-the-hole drill bit during an automatic down-the-hole drilling operation; and automatically adjusting a force provided to the drill string based on the monitored bit air pressure so that the bit air pressure approaches a target air pressure value.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Rajesh R. GUNDA, Carl J. MOBERG, Ross L. HOULT
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Publication number: 20210017848Abstract: A collar control system and methods for mobile drilling machines are disclosed. One method may include: automatically initiating rotation of a drill bit based on collar settings; automatically feeding the drill bit at a feed rate to form an initial hole at a predetermined reaming increment; and automatically retracting the drill bit from the initial hole when the predetermined reaming increment is achieved, but prior to reaching a collar depth. Another method may include: measuring values of multiple drill bit inputs at a predetermined sample depth region during the collar operation; storing average values for each of the drill bit inputs over the predetermined sample depth region; monitoring values of the drill bit inputs when the drill bit moves beyond the predetermined sample depth region; and ending the collar operation prior to a desired collar depth when any of the monitored values change by a predetermined threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicants: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbHInventors: Rajesh R. Gunda, Carl J. Moberg, Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult
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Publication number: 20210017849Abstract: An anti jam control system for mobile drilling machines is disclosed. The anti jam control system may include a method for automatically clearing a jam during an automatic drilling mode of a mobile drilling machine including a drill bit mounted on a drill string. The method may include: monitoring a feed rate of the drill bit during the automatic drilling mode; and automatically initiating an anti jam operation when the feed rate is below a predetermined feed rate threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicants: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC, Caterpillar Global Mining HMS GmbHInventors: Carl J. MOBERG, Timo Diekmann, Ross L. Hoult, Cary Gist, Rajesh R. Gunda
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Patent number: 10837233Abstract: A control system for a drilling machine includes a vertically movable and rotatable drill string having a drill bit at a distal end, a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the drill string to provide a motive force for the vertical movement of the drill string, the hydraulic cylinder having an extend chamber and a retract chamber, a counterbalance valve selectively opening to fluidly couple the retract chamber to a drain, and a holdback valve selectively controlled to adjust the opening of the counterbalance valve based on a weight of the drill string.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathan A. Ruetten, Carl J. Moberg