Patents by Inventor Christopher M. Sketch
Christopher M. Sketch 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: 11498619Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: determining whether an autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; determining a steering wheel angle bias in response to determining that the autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; and controlling, via a steering controller of the autonomous vehicle, an electronic power steering system of the autonomous vehicle using the steering wheel angle bias.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2020Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kevin A. O'Dea, Sami Ahmed, Christopher M. Sketch
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Publication number: 20210214005Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle includes: determining whether an autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; determining a steering wheel angle bias in response to determining that the autonomous control mode of the autonomous vehicle is active; and controlling, via a steering controller of the autonomous vehicle, an electronic power steering system of the autonomous vehicle using the steering wheel angle bias.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2020Publication date: July 15, 2021Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Kevin A. O'Dea, Sami Ahmed, Christopher M. Sketch
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Patent number: 10384438Abstract: A construction system is provided. The construction system includes at least one machine. The construction system also includes a gantry system having a beam member. The construction system further includes a reference member provided proximal to a predetermined path of the at least one machine. The construction system includes a sensing unit associated with the at least one machine. The sensing unit is configured to determine distance of a portion of the at least one machine from the reference member. The construction system also includes a control unit in communication with the at least one machine and the sensing unit. The control unit is configured to receive inputs indicative of distance of the portion of the at least one machine from the reference member. The control unit is also configured to move the at least one machine to move the gantry system along the reference member for a predetermined distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Tazio S. Grivetti, Kevin A. O'Neil, Joseph M. Spanier, Christopher M. Sketch, John Sherman, James Babin
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Patent number: 9777491Abstract: Machines and system for 3D printing are disclosed. One machine includes a machine frame having a plurality of ground engaging elements to facilitate movement of the machine frame, a telescoping boom pivotably coupled to the machine frame and configured to pivot along at least a horizontal plane, a material line coupled to the boom and configured to convey a material therethrough, a printhead coupled to the boom and in fluid communication with the material line to receive the material and to dispense the material, and a controller configured to receive 3D printing information and to convert the 3D printing information into positional coordinates of the printhead, wherein the controller is to cause movement of the boom to position the printhead based at least on the position coordinates.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2015Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Tazio S. Grivetti, Christopher M. Sketch, Peter Lauterslager, Edward van Amelsfoort
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Publication number: 20170255202Abstract: A construction system is provided. The construction system includes at least one machine. The construction system also includes a gantry system having a beam member. The construction system further includes a reference member provided proximal to a predetermined path of the at least one machine. The construction system includes a sensing unit associated with the at least one machine. The sensing unit is configured to determine distance of a portion of the at least one machine from the reference member. The construction system also includes a control unit in communication with the at least one machine and the sensing unit. The control unit is configured to receive inputs indicative of distance of the portion of the at least one machine from the reference member. The control unit is also configured to move the at least one machine to move the gantry system along the reference member for a predetermined distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2016Publication date: September 7, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Tazio S. Grivetti, Kevin A. O'Neil, Joseph M. Spanier, Christopher M. Sketch, John Sherman, James Babin
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Publication number: 20170058509Abstract: A structure is provided. The structure includes a first component disposed in the first plane. The structure also includes a second component extending from the first component and disposed in a second plane. The second plane is inclined at an angle with respect to the first plane. Each of the first component and the second component are constructed by forming layers parallel to each other using an additive manufacturing process.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James L. Babin, John Sherman, Stephen J. Pierz, Christopher M. Sketch, Joseph M. Spanier, Andrew D. Meinert, Todd D. Crawford, Matthew T. West
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Publication number: 20170021527Abstract: Machines and system for 3D printing are disclosed. One machine includes a machine frame having a plurality of ground engaging elements to facilitate movement of the machine frame, a telescoping boom pivotably coupled to the machine frame and configured to pivot along at least a horizontal plane, a material line coupled to the boom and configured to convey a material therethrough, a printhead coupled to the boom and in fluid communication with the material line to receive the material and to dispense the material, and a controller configured to receive 3D printing information and to convert the 3D printing information into positional coordinates of the printhead, wherein the controller is to cause movement of the boom to position the printhead based at least on the position coordinates.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2015Publication date: January 26, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Tazio S. Grivetti, Christopher M. Sketch, Peter Lauterslager, Edward van Amelsfoort
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Patent number: 9510157Abstract: A system for tracking a mobile resource in a manufacturing site is described. The system includes a transmitter mounted on the mobile resource to transmit a first signal indicative of a location of the mobile resource at the manufacturing site. The system also includes a transceiver disposed at the manufacturing site to receive the first signal via a wireless network and transmit a second signal indicative of a location of the mobile resource and a duration for which the mobile resource is located at the manufacturing site. The system also includes a controller to communicate with the transceiver and a database. The controller is configured to receive the second signal, identify the location of the mobile resource based on the second signal and information in a database, determine location of the mobile resource with respect to a fixed resource, and determine operational characteristics of the mobile resource.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew M. Robinson, Christopher M. Sketch
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Publication number: 20160311159Abstract: A method for forming an object using additive manufacturing process includes obtaining a Three Dimensional (3-D) digital model of the object to be formed; segmenting a work area into a plurality of distinct zones based on the 3-D digital model of the object to be formed; assigning a plurality of print heads to the plurality of zones such that at least one print head is configured to print in at least one of the plurality of zones; printing each of the plurality of zones by the assigned plurality of print heads; and assigning at least one print head from the plurality of print heads to print an intermediate zone lying between a pair of adjacently located zones.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2015Publication date: October 27, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar IncInventors: Joseph M. Spanier, John A. Sherman, Christopher M. Sketch, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav
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Publication number: 20160259324Abstract: A method of guiding deposition of a material to form a Three Dimensional (3D) structure is disclosed. The method includes generating a tool path based on a digital model of the 3D structure via a controller and communicating the tool path to a guiding device. The method further includes generating a guiding path on a work surface via the guiding device based on the tool path and depositing the material along the guiding path via a tool member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Sketch, Joseph M. Spanier, Todd D. Crawford, Andrew D. Meinert, Stephen J. Pierz, James L. Babin, John A. Sherman
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Publication number: 20160119760Abstract: A system for tracking a mobile resource in a manufacturing site is described. The system includes a transmitter mounted on the mobile resource to transmit a first signal indicative of a location of the mobile resource at the manufacturing site. The system also includes a transceiver disposed at the manufacturing site to receive the first signal via a wireless network and transmit a second signal indicative of a location of the mobile resource and a duration for which the mobile resource is located at the manufacturing site. The system also includes a controller to communicate with the transceiver and a database. The controller is configured to receive the second signal, identify the location of the mobile resource based on the second signal and information in a database, determine location of the mobile resource with respect to a fixed resource, and determine operational characteristics of the mobile resource.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2015Publication date: April 28, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew M. Robinson, Christopher M. Sketch
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Publication number: 20150192919Abstract: A method for three dimensional printing of a large sized object is provided. The method includes creating a three dimensional model associated with the object to be printed and analyzing a geometry of the three dimensional model. The method also includes placing seams on a deflated support member to form pathways on the support member such that the pathways are formed based on the analyzed geometry of the three dimensional model. The method further includes introducing a pressurized fluid into the pathways and further inflating the support member to conform to the analyzed geometry. The inflation is done to a predetermined pressurized geometry associated with the support member. The method also includes supporting the three dimensional printing of the object by the inflated support member. The inflated support member is configured to prevent at least one of an overhanging or a collapse of materials of the object prior to solidification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: July 9, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Christopher M. Sketch, Andrew D. Meinert, Joshua D. Webb, John Sherman, James L. Babin, Todd D. Crawford, Stephen J. Pierz, Joseph Spanier