Patents by Inventor Eric S. Engelmann

Eric S. Engelmann 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: 20240102254
    Abstract: A method for directing transport vehicles based on real-time operating parameters of a paving train machine comprises estimating a material productivity value at a current location of the paving train machine, comparing the material productivity value to a threshold productivity value, generating a predicted location for the paving train machine when the threshold will be reached, and communicating the generated predicted location to a transport vehicle. A system for coordinating location of an empty transport vehicle in a paving train comprises a sensor to generate material productivity data for a paving train machine, a controller configured to determine an output rate of the paving train machine, a time when an in-use transport vehicle will be at capacity, and a location for where the in-use transport vehicle will be at capacity, and a communication device for the paving train machine configured to transmit the location to the empty transport vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2022
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Elizabeth R.K. Brockman, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11845622
    Abstract: A milling machine may include a frame supported by a traction device, a milling drum for milling a surface and supported on the frame, and a conveyor for receiving milled material from the milling drum and conveying the milled material upward to a release point. The milling machine may include a sensor configured for monitoring loading of a truck by the milling machine and a controller in communication with the sensor to coordinate with the sensor and recognize when the truck is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Edwin Carr, Eric S. Engelmann, Keng Yew Anthony Low, Jacob Simmer, Conwell K. Rife, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20230349110
    Abstract: A system for predicting maintenance of an endless flexible member of a road construction machine. The system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor detects a distance between a frame portion and a roller portion. The roller portion is movable with respect to the frame portion to tension the endless flexible member, which is configured to convey materials or power in the road construction machine. The controller is communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to compute a change in the distance over time between the frame portion and the roller portion that is required to maintain proper working tension on the endless flexible member; and generate alerts when a value associated with the change in the distance exceeds one or more predetermined threshold values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Brian J. Schlenker
  • Patent number: 11795664
    Abstract: A machine comprises a first ground engaging unit connected to a first leg, a second ground engaging unit connected to a second leg, and a hydraulic system to control heights of the legs, the hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to allow fluid into the fluid circuit, a control valve system to let fluid into the load holding valve, the control valve connected to a hydraulic fluid source and a reservoir, a first lock valve to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in a first direction, a second lock valve to control flow of fluid between the second and first legs in a second direction, and first and float valves configured to connect the first and second legs to the control valve system, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11746482
    Abstract: A system may include a first transportation device of a milling machine, 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 a first sensor coupled to the first transportation device to sense an orientation of the first transportation device relative to the frame of the milling machine. The controller controls the milling machine based on inclination information received from the inclination control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Mark A. Tarvin, Conwell K. Rife, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11692563
    Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, a milling drum attached to the frame, and ground engaging tracks that support the frame and propel the milling machine in a forward or rearward direction. The milling machine may have height adjustable actuators connecting the frame to the tracks. Each actuator may have a cylinder attached to the frame, a piston slidably disposed within the cylinder, and a rod connected at a first end to the piston and connected to a track at a second end. The milling machine may have a tank storing hydraulic fluid and a fluid conduit connecting the tank to the cylinder. The milling machine may have a control valve selectively controlling a flow rate of the hydraulic fluid in the fluid conduit. The milling machine may also have a controller that determines a height of the frame relative to the ground surface based on the flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Conwell K. Rife, Jr., Mark Holub
  • Patent number: 11679639
    Abstract: A machine for road work can comprise a frame, a plurality of ground engaging units, a plurality of vertically moveable legs, each leg connecting one of the plurality of ground engaging units to the frame, a pair of spatial sensors, such as global navigation satellite system (GNSS) sensors, and a controller configured to, in response to a three-dimensional signal received from each of the spatial sensors, activate at least some of the plurality of vertically moveable legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Conwell K. Rife, Jr., Eric S. Engelmann, Mark A. Tarvin
  • Patent number: 11674273
    Abstract: A milling rotor of a milling machine can include a drum, cutting teeth, and a centering ring. The drum can extend along a longitudinal axis and can define an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. The drum can be securable to a drive assembly of the milling machine to allow the drum to rotate therewith. The cutting teeth can be connected to the outer surface of the drum and can be configured to engage pavement. The centering ring can be connected to the inner surface of the drum and can include a centering interface and an alignment interface. The centering interface can extend radially inward and can be engageable with a centering flange of the drive assembly to center the milling rotor with respect to the drive assembly. The alignment interface can be adjacent the centering interface and can extend radially inward of the centering interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hutar, Craig T. Hedstrom, Nicholas B. Johnson, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20230135083
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a plurality of wheels or track members coupled to the frame, a moldboard movably coupled to the frame, a first rotor, and a second rotor. The first rotor is rotatably coupled to the frame. The second rotor is positioned to the rear of the first rotor and rotatably coupled to the moldboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. ENGELMANN, Dario SANSONE, Nathan L. MASHEK, Timothy J. STUROS, Jameson M. SMIEJA, Anthony Keng Yew LOW, Nicholas B. JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 11629735
    Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, a milling drum attached to the frame, and ground engaging tracks that support the frame and propel the milling machine in a forward or rearward direction. The milling machine may have a tank that stores hydraulic fluid. The milling machine may also have at least one actuator connecting the frame to the tracks. The actuator may adjust a height of the frame relative to a ground surface. A fluid conduit may connect the tank to the actuator. The milling machine may have a flow sensor in the fluid conduit. The flow sensor may determine a flow parameter associated with a flow of the hydraulic fluid into or out of the actuator. The milling machine may also have a controller that determines a height of the frame relative to the ground surface based on the flow parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Conwell K. Rife, Jr., Mark Holub, Clayton Padgett, Matthew J. Sirovatka, Paul Friend
  • Publication number: 20230116589
    Abstract: A work machine including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging mechanisms, a conveyor assembly and a mill chamber. The conveyor assembly including a conveyor belt. The mill chamber including an auger and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products lnc.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Johnson, Conwell Keefer Rife, JR., Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20230105821
    Abstract: A milling rotor of a milling machine can include a drum, cutting teeth, and a centering ring. The drum can extend along a longitudinal axis and can define an inner surface and an opposing outer surface. The drum can be securable to a drive assembly of the milling machine to allow the drum to rotate therewith. The cutting teeth can be connected to the outer surface of the drum and can be configured to engage pavement. The centering ring can be connected to the inner surface of the drum and can include a centering interface and an alignment interface. The centering interface can extend radially inward and can be engageable with a centering flange of the drive assembly to center the milling rotor with respect to the drive assembly. The alignment interface can be adjacent the centering interface and can extend radially inward of the centering interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Ryan Hutar, Craig T. Hedstrom, Nicholas B. Johnson, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11619012
    Abstract: A cold planer can include a frame; an operator station coupled to the frame and including a monitor; a cutting rotor coupled to the frame, the cutting rotor configured to be lowered a selected distance into a surface to define a depth of cut; a conveyor to receive material from the cutting rotor; and a cutting rotor location indication system including: a camera coupled to the frame and oriented to show an area on a side of the frame; and a visual indicator system configured to receive a first image from the camera and display on the monitor a visual image of a location of a leading edge and a trailing edge of the cutting rotor relative to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason R. Bjorge, Sean Robert Laclef, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11613855
    Abstract: A work machine including a frame, a plurality of ground engaging mechanisms, a conveyor assembly and a mill chamber. The conveyor assembly including a conveyor belt. The mill chamber including an auger and a rotor, the rotor having a plurality of teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas B. Johnson, Conwell Keefer Rife, Jr., Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20220372716
    Abstract: A method for determining and monitoring output of a milling machine comprises sensing an operating parameter of a milling machine with a sensor, transmitting data from the sensor of the milling machine to an off-board location, determining a performance parameter of the milling machine from the data at the off-board location, transmitting the performance parameter to the milling machine, and displaying the performance parameter on a display screen of the milling machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan L. Mashek, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11453436
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; at least two tracks coupled to the frame for propelling the milling machine; first and second hydraulic cylinders configured to steer each of the at least two tracks, respectively; an adjustable hydraulic tie rod extending between the at least two tracks; first and second steering collars coupled to the each of the tracks to move the tracks, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the first steering collar and the second hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the second steering collar, and wherein the adjustable hydraulic tie rod is coupled to both of the steering collars; one or more sensors to determine the positions of the at least two tracks; and a hydraulic steering control system coupled to the first and second hydraulic cylinders and the adjustable hydraulic tie rod and configured to vary a steering mode of the at least two tracks between a parallel steering mode and an Ackerman steering mode, wherein if one of the one or more sensors fails, the hydraulic st
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11441884
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a milling assembly coupled to the frame and including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing; a plurality of load detection sensors extending along a width of the cutting rotor; and a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of load detector sensors and configured to determine an active cut width of the cutting rotor based on load information received from the plurality of load detector sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Sean Robert Laclef
  • Publication number: 20220259827
    Abstract: A machine comprises a first ground engaging unit connected to a first leg, a second ground engaging unit connected to a second leg, and a hydraulic system to control heights of the legs, the hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to allow fluid into the fluid circuit, a control valve system to let fluid into the load holding valve, the control valve connected to a hydraulic fluid source and a reservoir, a first lock valve to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in a first direction, a second lock valve to control flow of fluid between the second and first legs in a second direction, and first and float valves configured to connect the first and second legs to the control valve system, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20220186446
    Abstract: A milling machine may include a frame supported by a traction device, a milling drum for milling a surface and supported on the frame, and a conveyor for receiving milled material from the milling drum and conveying the milled material upward to a release point. The milling machine may include a truck sensor configured for monitoring loading of a truck by the milling machine and a controller in communication with the truck sensor to coordinate with the truck sensor and recognize when the truck is full.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Edwin Carr, Eric S. Engelmann, Keng Yew Anthony Low, Jacob Simmer, Conwell K. Rife, JR.
  • Publication number: 20220187052
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a milling assembly coupled to the frame and including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing; a plurality of load detection sensors extending along a width of the cutting rotor; and a controller operatively coupled to each of the plurality of load detector sensors and configured to determine an active cut width of the cutting rotor based on load information received from the plurality of load detector sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Sean Robert Laclef