Patents by Inventor Drew A. Fehr
Drew A. Fehr 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: 9701312Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joshua D. Jensen, David E. Ault, Drew A. Fehr, Emily A. Morris, Jeremy T. Peterson, Kory K. Leesman, Richard D. Johnston, Layne E. Hook, Jeffrey A. Jones, II, Justin L. Steinlage
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Patent number: 9618338Abstract: A relative angle between a machine's direction of travel and the orientation of an inclination sensor on a work tool coupled to the machine is determined and/or calculated. In some examples, the present disclosure describes a method of determining a relative angle between a machine's direction of travel and an inclination sensor coupled to a work tool coupled to the machine. Such method may include determining the machine's direction of travel, and determining an orientation of the inclination sensor coupled to the work tool coupled to the machine. The relative angle between the machine's direction of travel and the orientation of the inclination sensor coupled to the work tool may then be calculated.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Drew Fehr
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Patent number: 9194791Abstract: A system for determining a hydraulic seal coefficient of friction of a hydraulic cylinder includes a force sensor to provide a force signal indicative of a force of the cylinder. A controller is configured to receive a plurality of first force signals at a first load and determine a first friction force and receive a plurality of second force signals at a second load and determine a second friction force. A hydraulic seal coefficient of friction is determined based at least in part upon the first friction force and the second friction force. A method is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joseph Faivre, Yongliang Zhu, Drew A. Fehr
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Publication number: 20150268042Abstract: A relative angle between a machine's direction of travel and the orientation of an inclination sensor on a work tool coupled to the machine is determined and/or calculated. In some examples, the present disclosure describes a method of determining a relative angle between a machine's direction of travel and an inclination sensor coupled to a work tool coupled to the machine. Such method may include determining the machine's direction of travel, and determining an orientation of the inclination sensor coupled to the work tool coupled to the machine. The relative angle between the machine's direction of travel and the orientation of the inclination sensor coupled to the work tool may then be calculated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: Drew Fehr
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Publication number: 20150159613Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joshua D. Jensen, David E. Ault, Drew A. Fehr, Emily A. Morris, Jeremy T. Peterson, Kory K. Leesman, Richard D. Johnston, Layne E. Hook, Jeffrey A. Jones, II, Justin L. Steinlage
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Patent number: 9043097Abstract: A system for the estimation of a pitch angle of machine includes a pitch rate sensor movable with the work implement and a position sensor mounted on the work implement. A controller is configured to determine a first estimate of the pitch angle of the machine based at least in part upon the pitch rate of the machine and determine a second estimate of the pitch angle of the machine based at least in part upon the position signals from the position sensor. The controller is configured to determine a combined estimate of the pitch angle of the machine based at least in part on the first estimate of the pitch angle and in part on the second estimate of the pitch angle.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Drew A. Fehr
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Publication number: 20150004574Abstract: A system and method for coaching an operator of an industrial machine improves operator skill levels by providing prioritized coaching to the operator. The system and method identify operations performed during the work session and compare each operation to a model of the operation to identify operations that differ substantially from the model. Each such operation is logged as a coaching opportunity, and the method and system prioritize the associated coaching sequences for presentation to the operator, e.g., based on (1) classification of the operation associated with each coaching opportunity; (2) significance of the operation associated with each coaching opportunity; (3) operator history; (4) manager preferences; and (5) error severity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventors: Bradley K. Bomer, Zhijun Cai, Carl Darukhanavala, Vardhaman Lakhani, Kevin Dluzen, Jeffrey Fletcher, Drew Fehr, Owen Kolstad
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Patent number: 8924094Abstract: A payload control system includes a tool position sensor, a boom lift sensor, and a boom swing sensor. A controller is configured to determine a segment of a work cycle based upon the tool position, the boom lift, and the boom swing signal, and determine a payload moved by the tool during the segment of the work cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joseph Faivre, Yongliang Zhu, Drew A. Fehr
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Patent number: 8924095Abstract: A blade control system for a track-type machine is disclosed. The blade control system has a blade, an input device configured to control movement of the blade, an actuator in connection with the blade, a first sensor configured to determine a track-speed of the machine, and a control module in communication with the input device, the actuator, and the first sensor. The control module is configured to receive a blade positioning signal from the input device, remove a component of the blade positioning signal based on a the track-speed of the machine, and transmit a modified blade positioning signal to the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Drew A. Fehr, Paul R. Friend, Winnie E. Wong
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Patent number: 8909437Abstract: A payload control system includes a sensor system and a force sensor system. A controller determines a calibration machine state, a calibration linkage force, and machine calibration parameters based at least in part upon the calibration machine state and the calibration linkage force. The controller also determines a loaded implement machine state, a loaded implement linkage force, and a mass of the payload based at least in part upon the machine calibration parameters, the loaded implement machine state, and the loaded implement linkage force.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2012Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Yongliang Zhu, Joseph Faivre, Drew A. Fehr
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Patent number: 8814038Abstract: A system for providing information associated with an identification code to an operator of a machine is provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate signals indicative of a parameter associated with an operation of the machine. The system also includes a display unit. The system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the plurality of sensors and the display unit. The controller is configured to receive the signals indicative of the parameter associated with the operation of the machine. The controller then determines an operation mode of the machine based on the received signals and identifies the identification code based on the determined operation mode. The controller further displays the identification code based on the determined operation mode on the display unit.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley K. Bomer, Drew A. Fehr, Zhijun Cai, Vardhaman M. Lakhani, Kevin R. Dluzen
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Publication number: 20140224888Abstract: A system for providing information associated with an identification code to an operator of a machine is provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors configured to generate signals indicative of a parameter associated with an operation of the machine. The system also includes a display unit. The system further includes a controller communicably coupled to the plurality of sensors and the display unit. The controller is configured to receive the signals indicative of the parameter associated with the operation of the machine. The controller then determines an operation mode of the machine based on the received signals and identifies the identification code based on the determined operation mode. The controller further displays the identification code based on the determined operation mode on the display unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bradley K. Bomer, Drew A. Fehr, Zhijun Cai, Vardhaman M. Lakhani, Kevin R. Dluzen
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Publication number: 20140121908Abstract: A blade control system for a track-type machine is disclosed. The blade control system has a blade, an input device configured to control movement of the blade, an actuator in connection with the blade, a first sensor configured to determine a track-speed of the machine, and a control module in communication with the input device, the actuator, and the first sensor. The control module is configured to receive a blade positioning signal from the input device, remove a component of the blade positioning signal based on a the track-speed of the machine, and transmit a modified blade positioning signal to the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Drew A. FEHR, Paul R. FRIEND, Winnie E. WONG
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Publication number: 20140109647Abstract: A system for determining a hydraulic seal coefficient of friction of a hydraulic cylinder includes a force sensor to provide a force signal indicative of a force of the cylinder. A controller is configured to receive a plurality of first force signals at a first load and determine a first friction force and receive a plurality of second force signals at a second load and determine a second friction force. A hydraulic seal coefficient of friction is determined based at least in part upon the first friction force and the second friction force. A method is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: April 24, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joseph Faivre, Yongliang Zhu, Drew A. Fehr
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Publication number: 20140107897Abstract: A payload control system includes a sensor system and a force sensor system. A controller determines a calibration machine state, a calibration linkage force, and machine calibration parameters based at least in part upon the calibration machine state and the calibration linkage force. The controller also determines a loaded implement machine state, a loaded implement linkage force, and a mass of the payload based at least in part upon the machine calibration parameters, the loaded implement machine state, and the loaded implement linkage force.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Yongliang Zhu, Joseph Faivre, Drew A. Fehr
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Publication number: 20140107896Abstract: A system for the estimation of a pitch angle of machine includes a pitch rate sensor movable with the work implement and a position sensor mounted on the work implement. A controller is configured to determine a first estimate of the pitch angle of the machine based at least in part upon the pitch rate of the machine and determine a second estimate of the pitch angle of the machine based at least in part upon the position signals from the position sensor. The controller is configured to determine a combined estimate of the pitch angle of the machine based at least in part on the first estimate of the pitch angle and in part on the second estimate of the pitch angle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: Drew A. Fehr
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Publication number: 20140107895Abstract: A payload control system includes a tool position sensor, a boom lift sensor, and a boom swing sensor. A controller is configured to determine a segment of a work cycle based upon the tool position, the boom lift, and the boom swing signal, and determine a payload moved by the tool during the segment of the work cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 17, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joseph Faivre, Yongliang Zhu, Drew A. Fehr