Patents by Inventor Colton J. HIRMAN

Colton J. HIRMAN 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: 11885080
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor, a foldable conveyor, a sensor, and a controller. The cutting rotor is configured to mill material beneath the milling machine. The foldable conveyor is configured to receive and dispose the milled material and includes a first section and a second section foldable with respect to the first section at a fold structure. The sensor is positioned on the milling machine and configured to sense a value indicative of a force acting on the second section. The controller is configured to determine an amount of the milled material within the second section of the foldable conveyor using the value indicative of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11866892
    Abstract: A cold planer can include a frame; a milling assembly including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing, the drum housing including a discharge port; a primary conveyor coupled to the frame, wherein the primary conveyor is positioned near the discharge port so as to receive material through the discharge port; a secondary conveyor positioned to receive material off an end of the primary conveyor; a sensor associated with the secondary conveyor to sense a load on the secondary conveyor; and a controller configured to receive information from the sensor regarding the load and to control a speed of the secondary conveyor based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Publication number: 20230135154
    Abstract: A cold planer can include a frame; a milling assembly including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing, the drum housing including a discharge port; a primary conveyor coupled to the frame, wherein the primary conveyor is positioned near the discharge port so as to receive material through the discharge port; a secondary conveyor positioned to receive material off an end of the primary conveyor; a sensor associated with the secondary conveyor to sense a load on the secondary conveyor; and a controller configured to receive information from the sensor regarding the load and to control a speed of the secondary conveyor based on the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Publication number: 20220010507
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor, a foldable conveyor, a sensor, and a controller. The cutting rotor is configured to mill material beneath the milling machine. The foldable conveyor is configured to receive and dispose the milled material and includes a first section and a second section foldable with respect to the first section at a fold structure. The sensor is positioned on the milling machine and configured to sense a value indicative of a force acting on the second section. The controller is configured to determine an amount of the milled material within the second section of the foldable conveyor using the value indicative of the force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11220796
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a milling rotor, at least one leg, a grade sensor, and a control circuit. The milling rotor is configured to engage a surface beneath the milling machine. The at least one leg is controllable to raise and lower the milling machine. The grade sensor is configured to sense a position indicative of a cut depth of the milling rotor, and the control circuit is configured to receive data from the grade sensor. The control circuit is also configured to: identify a distance from the milling rotor to the surface based on a selected position of the at least one leg; identify a value associated with a detected condition using the grade sensor while the at least one leg is at the selected position; and calibrate the grade sensor by associating the identified distance from the milling rotor to the surface and the identified value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Timothy J. Lindholm, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11209812
    Abstract: A method for determining part wear, such as using a wear model, includes receiving, from a sensor, sensor data representing a surface of a wear part. The method further includes determining an estimated time until the part should be replaced. The method further includes batching together multiple wear parts that need replacing to enable a user to replace multiple parts in one maintenance period. The method may also include providing information to the user during replacement of a worn part to indicate the part location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Dustin W. Sondreal, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20210388564
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a milling rotor, at least one leg, a grade sensor, and a control circuit. The milling rotor is configured to engage a surface beneath the milling machine. The at least one leg is controllable to raise and lower the milling machine. The grade sensor is configured to sense a position indicative of a cut depth of the milling rotor, and the control circuit is configured to receive data from the grade sensor. The control circuit is also configured to: identify a distance from the milling rotor to the surface based on a selected position of the at least one leg; identify a value associated with a detected condition using the grade sensor while the at least one leg is at the selected position; and calibrate the grade sensor by associating the identified distance from the milling rotor to the surface and the identified value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Timothy J. Lindholm, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11142876
    Abstract: A conveyor articulation joint for a planer machine is disclosed. The conveyor articulation joint includes a support member affixed to a machine attachment point, a pivot member having a conveyor attachment point, a joint connecting the support member and the pivot member, and an actuator configured to rotate the pivot member about the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Publication number: 20210247756
    Abstract: A method for determining part wear, such as using a wear model, includes receiving, from a sensor, sensor data representing a surface of a wear part. The method further includes determining an estimated time until the part should be replaced. The method further includes batching together multiple wear parts that need replacing to enable a user to replace multiple parts in one maintenance period. The method may also include providing information to the user during replacement of a worn part to indicate the part location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Dustin W. Sondreal, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11072894
    Abstract: A milling assembly includes a drum housing including a discharge port; a cutting rotor located within the drum housing; and a flow director positioned within the drum housing proximate the discharge port and configured to direct a flow of material removed by the cutting rotor towards a first stage conveyor positioned near the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Jeffrey W. Hoyle, Dustin W. Sondreal
  • Patent number: 11014753
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, a conveyor system for a cold planer is provided. The convey system may have a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a folding mechanism, and a belt tensioner. The second conveyor may have a first and a second conveyor sections, and the second conveyor section is vertically movable relative to the first conveyor section by the folding mechanism from a folded to an unfolded position, and while in the unfolded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Publication number: 20210139245
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present disclose, a conveyor system for a cold planer is provided. The convey system may have a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a folding mechanism, and a belt tensioner. The second conveyor may have a first and a second conveyor sections, and the second conveyor section is vertically movable relative to the first conveyor section by the folding mechanism from a folded to an unfolded position, and while in the unfolded position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Publication number: 20210131047
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a dust mitigation system for a cold planer. The dust mitigation system may include the following components: a cutting drum; a conveyor system proximate to the cutting drum and adapted to collect cut paving material from the cutting drum and convey the cut paving material to a conveyor system exit; a fan proximate the conveyor system and directing dust from the cutting drum to the conveyor system; a conduit having a first end positioned in the cutting chamber and a second end proximate the fan; a water source; and a conveyor spray nozzle located between the fan and the conveyor system exit and adapted to communicate water from the water source on to the conveyor system such that the dust directed from the fan to the conveyor system is blown through the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20210131046
    Abstract: A conveyor articulation joint for a planer machine is disclosed. The conveyor articulation joint includes a support member affixed to a machine attachment point, a pivot member having a conveyor attachment point, a joint connecting the support member and the pivot member, and an actuator configured to rotate the pivot member about the joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: COLTON J. HIRMAN
  • Patent number: 10995460
    Abstract: The present disclosure is a dust mitigation system for a cold planer. The dust mitigation system may include the following components: a cutting drum; a conveyor system proximate to the cutting drum and adapted to collect cut paving material from the cutting drum and convey the cut paving material to a conveyor system exit; a fan proximate the conveyor system and directing dust from the cutting drum to the conveyor system; a conduit having a first end positioned in the cutting chamber and a second end proximate the fan; a water source; and a conveyor spray nozzle located between the fan and the conveyor system exit and adapted to communicate water from the water source on to the conveyor system such that the dust directed from the fan to the conveyor system is blown through the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20210071373
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a milling assembly including a drum housing; and a connecting assembly for mounting the drum housing to the frame, the connecting assembly including: a mounting member on one of the frame or the drum housing; and a locking mechanism fixed to the other one of the frame or the drum housing, the locking mechanism including a rotatable angled-plane pin configured to connect to the mounting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Nathan L. Mashek
  • Patent number: 10934670
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a milling assembly including a drum housing; and a connecting assembly for mounting the drum housing to the frame, the connecting assembly including: a mounting member on one of the frame or the drum housing; and a locking mechanism fixed to the other one of the frame or the drum housing, the locking mechanism including a rotatable angled-plane pin configured to connect to the mounting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Nathan L. Mashek
  • Publication number: 20210017720
    Abstract: A milling assembly includes a drum housing including a discharge port; a cutting rotor located within the drum housing; and a flow director positioned within the drum housing proximate the discharge port and configured to direct a flow of material removed by the cutting rotor towards a first stage conveyor positioned near the discharge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Jeffrey W. Hoyle, Dustin W. Sondreal
  • Patent number: 10611577
    Abstract: A cold planer including a conveyor system coupled to a frame. The conveyor system includes a conveyor with a conveyor belt that rotates about a conveyor roller. A belt tensioning system is coupled to the conveyor roller and includes an actuator for moving the conveyor roller to place tension on the conveyor belt. One or more processors are configured to receive information related to the conveyor belt and adjust the actuator on the conveyor belt based on the information related to the conveyor belt to provide a constant operating tension on the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Colton J. Hirman, Nicholas J. Argenziano
  • Patent number: 10544551
    Abstract: A ventilation system and method for a cold planer are provided. The ventilation system includes a settling box inside a water tank. The settling box includes a body. The body includes at least one sidewall defining an air inlet having a first cross-section to accept dust and fumes generated by a milling drum operation of the cold planer but to reject particles from the milling drum operation at or above a predetermined size. The settling box further includes an air outlet having a second cross-section less than the first cross-section of the air inlet. The ventilation system further includes an outlet pipe connected to the air outlet, a fan and a cleaning system. The fan is configured to pull air from below the air inlet into the settling box, through the air outlet and to the outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton J. Hirman, Jason R. Bjorge