Patents by Inventor Conwell K. Rife, Jr.

Conwell K. Rife, Jr. 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).

  • Publication number: 20200123716
    Abstract: A system may include a first transportation device, a controller, and an inclination control system. The controller can control a construction machine including the first transportation device, which can move the construction machine over an operating surface. The inclination control system includes first and second slope sensors. The first slope sensor is coupled to the first transportation device and the second slope sensor is coupled to the construction machine. The controller controls the construction machine based on inclination information received from the inclination control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Applicants: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Mark A. Tarvin, Conwell K. Rife, JR.
  • Patent number: 9938674
    Abstract: A control system for a cold planer having a milling is disclosed. The control system may include a depth sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a milling depth below a work surface, a speed sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a ground speed of the cold planer, and a profile detection device mountable to the cold planer at a location forward of the milling drum. The profile detection device may be configured to generate a third signal indicative of a width profile of the surface. The control system may further include a controller in communication with the profile detection device, the depth sensor, and the speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a volume of a milled material based on the first, second, and third signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Conwell K. Rife, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20160348324
    Abstract: A control system for a cold planer having a milling is disclosed. The control system may include a depth sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a milling depth below a work surface, a speed sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a ground speed of the cold planer, and a profile detection device mountable to the cold planer at a location forward of the milling drum. The profile detection device may be configured to generate a third signal indicative of a width profile of the surface. The control system may further include a controller in communication with the profile detection device, the depth sensor, and the speed sensor. The controller may be configured to determine a volume of a milled material based on the first, second, and third signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Conwell K. Rife, JR.
  • Publication number: 20160265174
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for use with a cold planer having a milling drum. The control system may have an obstacle detection sensor mountable to the cold planer at a location forward of the milling drum. The obstacle detection sensor may be configured to generate a first signal indicative of an object detected within a work surface. The control system may also have a locating device mountable to the cold planer and configured to generate a second signal indicative of a location of the cold planer at a time of first signal generation, and a controller in communication with the obstacle detection sensor and the locating device. The cold planer may be configured to generate an electronic map of a work area based on the first and second signals, and to selectively adjust operation of the cold planer based on the electronic map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Eric S. ENGELMANN, Mario J. SOURATY, Conwell K. RIFE, JR.
  • Patent number: 4938537
    Abstract: An end closure for the cutter housing of a road planer in which a pair of self-opening and self-closing cover plates provide a protective cover over a shaft clearance opening in the end wall of the housing. The cover plates, pivotally mounted on an external wall surface of the housing, move between a closed position at which the cover plates cooperatively overlay the shaft clearance opening, and an open position at which clearance is provided for a rotatable shaft extending through the housing end wall, in response to moving the end wall vertically with respect to the frame on which the cutter is rotatably mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1990
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Conwell K. Rife, Jr., William A. Schmieg
  • Patent number: 4929121
    Abstract: A control system for a road planer in which the mechanical drive components are selectively and sequentially controlled in response to operator inputs and to sensed operating conditions. The control also responds to the occurrence of predefined fault events and internal system failures by controlling the operation of one or more of the mechanical drive line components in a preselected order. Suitable time delays are provided between the execution of selected commands to prevent undesirable wear or loads on components of the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin C. Lent, Conwell K. Rife, Jr., Gerald P. Simmons, Albert J. Speck