Patents by Inventor Eric A. Reiners

Eric A. Reiners 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: 11389953
    Abstract: A construction system includes an excavator having a hydraulically controlled linkage and a hydraulic robot. The hydraulic robot includes a plurality of arms extending from a base, each arm having a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic robot further includes a robot control system directing movement of the plurality of arms and an end effector platform movable by rotation of the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zhijun Cai, Daniel P. Sergison, Daniel J. Martinez, Corey L. Gorman, Rustin G. Metzger, Eric A. Reiners
  • Publication number: 20150276936
    Abstract: A cascaded coupled positioning system is provided for acquiring a position of a vehicle. In the current disclosure, a global navigation satellite system is coupled with a first inertial measurement unit. The global navigation satellite system is coupled with the first inertial measurement unit by using a first signal processing unit configured to provide a tightly coupled positioning solution. The tightly coupled positioning solution of the first signal processing unit is integrated with a second inertial measurement unit. The integration is performed using a second signal processing unit configured to provide a loosely coupled positioning solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Eric A Reiners
  • Patent number: 9131119
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assisted positioning of a haul machine at a destination position for receiving materials from a loading machine are provided. The method includes obtaining from at least one perception device information reflecting a location or orientation of a first fiducial attached to the loading machine; determining a location or position of the first fiducial based on the information provided by the at least one perception device; determining the destination position based on the location or position of the first fiducial; and issuing guidance to an operator of the haul machine indicating an adjustment in steering angle based on the determined destination position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Qi Chen, Eric A. Reiners
  • Publication number: 20150020605
    Abstract: A system for locating a cable tethered from a mobile machine along a worksite is disclosed. The cable transmits electric power to the mobile machine from a power source. A fiber optic cable is disposed between the power source and the mobile machine along with the cable to detect a position of the electric cable along the worksite. The system includes a shape sensing device to communicate with the fiber optic cable and generate a position data set. A positioning device determines a position of one of the mobile machine and the power source. A controller communicates with the shape sensing device and the positioning device and determines an avoidance region based on the position data set and the position of one of the mobile machine and the power source. The avoidance region corresponds to a region for avoidance by equipment or personnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Braunstein, Eric A. Reiners
  • Publication number: 20140146167
    Abstract: Systems and methods for assisted positioning of a haul machine at a destination position for receiving materials from a loading machine are provided. The method includes obtaining from at least one perception device information reflecting a location or orientation of a first fiducial attached to the loading machine; determining a location or position of the first fiducial based on the information provided by the at least one perception device; determining the destination position based on the location or position of the first fiducial; and issuing guidance to an operator of the haul machine indicating an adjustment in steering angle based on the determined destination position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul R. Friend, Qi Chen, Eric A. Reiners
  • Patent number: 8688332
    Abstract: A management system for use at a worksite is disclosed. The management system may have at least one object detection sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a feature of a roadway traversed by the mobile machine, a positioning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of the mobile machine, and at least one performance sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of a performance parameter of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the feature. The management system may also have a controller configured to determine a surface condition of the roadway based on the first signal, index the surface condition to a particular location on the roadway based on the second signal, and generate a map of the roadway providing a representation of the surface condition and the performance parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20120271504
    Abstract: A management system for use at a worksite is disclosed. The management system may have at least one object detection sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a feature of a roadway traversed by the mobile machine, a positioning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of the mobile machine, and at least one performance sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of a performance parameter of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the feature. The management system may also have a controller configured to determine a surface condition of the roadway based on the first signal, index the surface condition to a particular location on the roadway based on the second signal, and generate a map of the roadway providing a representation of the surface condition and the performance parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20090139207
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit disclosed. The auxiliary power unit includes an exhaust passage configured to direct a flow of exhaust from a primary mover, a catalyst substrate disposed within the exhaust passage, and a heater configured to heat the catalyst substrate. The auxiliary power unit also includes a cooling jacket associated with the exhaust passage. The auxiliary power unit further includes a thermo-electric device disposed between the cooling jacket and the exhaust passage. The thermo-electric device is configured to generate electrical power from a temperature gradient created by the heater and the cooling jacket when the primary mover is non-operational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kris W. Johnson, Mahmoud A. Taher
  • Patent number: 7287506
    Abstract: In one particular embodiment, an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine comprises a block, a head, a piston, a combustion chamber defined by the block, the piston, and the head, and at least one thermoelectric device positioned between the combustion chamber and the head. In this particular embodiment, the thermoelectric device is in direct contact with the combustion chamber. In another particular embodiment, a cylinder head configured to sit atop a cylinder bank of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cylinder head comprises a cooling channel configured to receive cooling fluid, valve seats configured for receiving intake and exhaust valves, and thermoelectric devices positioned around the valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Mahmoud A. Taher, Dong Fei, Andrew N. McGilvray
  • Patent number: 6918248
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a hydraulic pressure source. A first hydraulic load is associated with a first load function. A second hydraulic load is associated with a second load function. An independent metering valve assembly includes a plurality of independently and electronically controllable valves. The independent metering valve assembly includes an inlet fluidly coupled with the pressure source, a first outlet fluidly coupled with the first hydraulic load, and a second outlet fluidly coupled with the second hydraulic load. The hydraulic system is configured such that the independent metering valve assembly may operate and drive multiple hydraulic load functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Steven T. Ufheil
  • Patent number: 6560549
    Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for determining the torque of a driveshaft. In the preferred embodiment a drivetrain includes a front and a rear drivetrain. The drivetrain is also connected to an engine, torque converter, front and rear axle and a transmission. In one embodiment, the ability to determine the transmission output torque for an earth moving machine includes determining an output torque of the converter and a gear reduction of the engine, and then responsively determining the front and rear driveshaft torque in response to the converter output torque and the engine gear reduction. The driveshaft torque calculations may be performed while the earth moving machine is operating. The resulting front and rear driveshaft torque calculations may be used to determine an axle damage index, or axle life calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Andrew O. Fonkalsrud, Bradford A. Kough, Eric A. Reiners
  • Publication number: 20020148223
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a hydraulic pressure source. A first hydraulic load is associated with a first load function. A second hydraulic load is associated with a second load function. An independent metering valve assembly includes a plurality of independently and electronically controllable valves. The independent metering valve assembly includes an inlet fluidly coupled with the pressure source, a first outlet fluidly coupled with the first hydraulic load, and a second outlet fluidly coupled with the second hydraulic load. The hydraulic system is configured such that the independent metering valve assembly may operate and drive multiple hydraulic load functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Steven T. Ufheil
  • Patent number: 6234254
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the torque associated with a power train of a machine having a work implement is disclosed. A plurality of position sensors sense the position associated with the work implement and responsively produce respective position signals. A controller modifies the desired engine speed in response to the angular position of the work implement and regulates the speed of the engine at the modified desired engine speed to control the power train torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hans P. Dietz, Eric A. Reiners, Thomas G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6052925
    Abstract: A method for determining the front and rear axle weights of an earth moving machine. The method includes determining the weight of a portion of the earth moving machine, and the forces acting on the lift cylinder pin, lift arm pin, and the tilt cylinder pin. The axle weights are determined in response to the above mentioned weights and forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Reiners
  • Patent number: 5955706
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the work cycle of an earth moving machine is disclosed. The machine has a transmission, a work implement, and a lift cylinder and a tilt cylinder connected to the work implement. The method includes the steps of determining a lift cylinder head end pressure, a displacement of the lift cylinder, a displacement of the tilt cylinder, and a direction of travel of the machine. The method further includes determining the work cycle of the machine in response to the displacement of the tilt and lift cylinders, and the lift cylinder head end pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Fonkalsrud, Doyle G. Heyveld, Eric A. Reiners
  • Patent number: 5873244
    Abstract: A positive flow control system is provided that uses open-centered control valves in a series connection to provide priority between different fluid circuits and to provide requested flow regardless of the load pressure while minimizing unused or wasted flow. This is accomplished by providing a restriction in the last open-centered control valve to controllably restrict the flow therethrough when the valve is in its neutral position and having the source of pressurized fluid at a minimum displacement position that substantially matches the rate of flow across the restriction. A controller controls the displacement of the source of pressurized fluid and the displacement of the respective open-centered control valves in proportional to the respective input commands. Initial movement of the last open-centered control valve closes off the restricted flow thereacross to the reservoir prior to the source of pressurized fluid being communicated to the associated actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cobo, Richard G. Ingram, Eric A. Reiners, Matthew F. Vande Wiele