Patents by Inventor Eric W. Cler

Eric W. Cler 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: 20260266026
    Abstract: An electric work machine comprises a boom and an electromechanical actuator. The boom comprises a bifurcated portion comprising two legs. The electromechanical actuator is connected between the boom and a mount in a plane normal to an axis of rotation of the boom about a mount-actuator pivot, wherein the plane extends between the two legs of the of the boom and wherein the electromechanical actuator is configured to extend and contract so as to effect rotation of the boom with respect a mount-boom pivot. The electric work machine further comprises a controller configured to control distribution of a quantity of energy recovered by the electromechanical actuator to one or more of: an electric storage assembly comprising the electric storage device; one or more subsidiary electromechanical actuators; and a load dissipator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2024
    Publication date: September 10, 2026
    Inventors: Andrew Richard CAWDERY, Corey Lee GORMAN, Eric W. CLER, Ryan P. MCENANEY
  • Patent number: 12602065
    Abstract: When a remotely controlled work machine loses a wireless connection on a work site, operation of the work machine should be terminated for safety purposes. However, if the work machine is moving when the wireless connection is lost, the work machine will continue moving for some time due to inertia. Accordingly, embodiments predict the signal quality of a wireless connection as a work machine approaches a new geographical location. When the predicted signal quality is low, the work machine may be proactively derated before it enters the geographical location. After entering the geographical location, if the actual signal quality is significantly better than the predicted signal quality, the work machine may be rerated. The predicted signal qualities may be determined based on a signal map that is independently maintained and updated by each work machine, so as to evolve over time with the work site and the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Patent number: 12529200
    Abstract: A work machine includes a load bucket and operator controls for controlling position of the load bucket. The work machine can include an actuator assembly coupled to hold the load bucket in a position based upon signals from the operator controls. The actuator assembly can include a motor and a brake assembly. The brake assembly can include a non-spring-coupled brake and a spring-coupled brake. The work machine can further include control circuitry coupled to the actuator assembly to activate the spring-coupled brake responsive to detection that the non-spring-coupled brake is holding the load bucket stationary. The control circuitry can further control the motor to apply additional braking force upon detecting that a magnitude of oscillation of the work machine exceeds a threshold magnitude based on a damping coefficient of the spring-coupled brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20250238040
    Abstract: When a remotely controlled work machine loses a wireless connection on a work site, operation of the work machine should be terminated for safety purposes. However, if the work machine is moving when the wireless connection is lost, the work machine will continue moving for some time due to inertia. Accordingly, embodiments predict the signal quality of a wireless connection as a work machine approaches a new geographical location. When the predicted signal quality is low, the work machine may be proactively derated before it enters the geographical location. After entering the geographical location, if the actual signal quality is significantly better than the predicted signal quality, the work machine may be rerated. The predicted signal qualities may be determined based on a signal map that is independently maintained and updated by each work machine, so as to evolve over time with the work site and the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Publication date: July 24, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. SHATTERS, Eric W. CLER
  • Patent number: 12353207
    Abstract: In a mobile equipment with an articulated front portion having a worktool, a fisheye camera with a wide field of view, containing the front portion, is often mounted in a fixed direction on a rear portion of the mobile equipment. Thus, when the front portion moves (e.g., rotates) relative to the rear portion, a view around the front portion may be compromised due to inherent cropping in fisheye-distortion correction. Digital panning of panoramic video is disclosed that rotates a projection surface, in accordance with movement of the front portion, and generates a projected video on the projection surface, utilizing information that may have otherwise been cropped, to expand the visible area around the worktool. The digital panning in the projected video may mimic an operator turning their head to look down the longitudinal axis of the front portion while using the worktool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler, Michael Anthony Spielman, Jeffrey K. Berry
  • Publication number: 20250043546
    Abstract: In some implementations, a controller of a machine may receive an indication of performance, by the machine, of a loading operation associated with a material. The controller may determine, based on the indication, a physical location associated with the loading operation. The controller may identify, based on the physical location, prior loading operation data. The controller may determine, based on the prior loading operation data, estimated identification information associated with the material. The controller may cause, based on the estimated identification information, one or more actions to be performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. CLER, Aaron R. SHATTERS
  • Publication number: 20250019924
    Abstract: A work machine includes a load bucket and operator controls for controlling position of the load bucket. The work machine can include an actuator assembly coupled to hold the load bucket in a position based upon signals from the operator controls. The actuator assembly can include a motor and a brake assembly. The brake assembly can include a non-spring-coupled brake and a spring-coupled brake. The work machine can further include control circuitry coupled to the actuator assembly to activate the spring-coupled brake responsive to detection that the non-spring-coupled brake is holding the load bucket stationary. The control circuitry can further control the motor to apply additional braking force upon detecting that a magnitude of oscillation of the work machine exceeds a threshold magnitude based on a damping coefficient of the spring-coupled brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2023
    Publication date: January 16, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric W. Cler
  • Patent number: 12141895
    Abstract: A system for communicating slippage experienced by at least one traction device of a work machine, to a remote operator interface for controlling the work machine through the remote operator interface is described. The system includes a controller configured to receive data associated with a speed of the at least one traction device of the work machine and determine a slippage condition of the at least one traction device based on the data. The controller is further configured to activate a visual overlay over a virtual image, of the at least one traction device, displayed in a video feed to represent the slippage condition on the remote operator interface. The video feed is a real-time video feed, indicating one or more operations of the work machine, displayed on the remote operator interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun David Currier, Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20240070934
    Abstract: A system for communicating slippage experienced by at least one traction device of a work machine, to a remote operator interface for controlling the work machine through the remote operator interface is described. The system includes a controller configured to receive data associated with a speed of the at least one traction device of the work machine and determine a slippage condition of the at least one traction device based on the data. The controller is further configured to activate a visual overlay over a virtual image, of the at least one traction device, displayed in a video feed to represent the slippage condition on the remote operator interface. The video feed is a real-time video feed, indicating one or more operations of the work machine, displayed on the remote operator interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun David Currier, Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20230359209
    Abstract: The real time state and stability of a machine are determined and the future stability of the machine is predicted based on different potential machine operations. Sensor inputs including machine speed and acceleration, lift height of a payload, an articulation angle of the machine, a position of the machine, a pitch angle and a roll angle of the machine are used to generate a model for estimating a time series of real time and future values for the degree of stability of the machine by solving a kinematic equation and inputting other machine operational parameters during a timestep of a series of timesteps based at least in part on an estimate of the location of the center of gravity of a first portion of the machine in combination with the payload carried by the machine relative to a predetermined point, and the location of the center of gravity of a second portion of the machine relative to the predetermined point in a subsequent timestep.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20230350412
    Abstract: In a mobile equipment with an articulated front portion having a worktool, a fisheye camera with a wide field of view, containing the front portion, is often mounted in a fixed direction on a rear portion of the mobile equipment. Thus, when the front portion moves (e.g., rotates) relative to the rear portion, a view around the front portion may be compromised due to inherent cropping in fisheye-distortion correction. Digital panning of panoramic video is disclosed that rotates a projection surface, in accordance with movement of the front portion, and generates a projected video on the projection surface, utilizing information that may have otherwise been cropped, to expand the visible area around the worktool. The digital panning in the projected video may mimic an operator turning their head to look down the longitudinal axis of the front portion while using the worktool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. SHATTERS, Eric W. CLER, Michael Anthony SPIELMAN, Jeffrey K. BERRY
  • Patent number: 11708681
    Abstract: A wheel loader machine includes a bucket configured to hold a predetermined load of a granular or powder material, a hydraulic system having an electro-hydraulic actuator to move the bucket over tilt angles and to shake the bucket, a hydraulic sensor configured to detect hydraulic pressure, an interface configured to receive input parameters and to output status information of the bucket, and a controller. The input parameters including a target weight of the granular or powder material. The status information including weight of the granular or powder material in the bucket determined using the detected hydraulic pressure. The controller configured to control the hydraulic system to tilt the bucket to a predetermined tilt angle and to shake the bucket in accordance with an agitation pattern until the weight of the granular or powder in the bucket is at or below the target weight of the granular or powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun D. Currier, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20230123877
    Abstract: A worksite controller can automatically track movement of material on a worksite, based on location information and work event information provided by vehicles on the worksite. The worksite controller can determine and/or use a location of a work tool of a vehicle, rather than coordinates determined by a location sensor mounted elsewhere on the vehicle, to determine when the work tool is located within defined boundaries of work zones associated with material. When the worksite controller determines that the vehicle performed a work event to interact with material while the work tool was within a particular work zone, the worksite controller can automatically update material tracking information associated with the work zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Hanauer, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20220325497
    Abstract: A wheel loader machine includes a bucket configured to hold a predetermined load of a granular or powder material, a hydraulic system having an electro-hydraulic actuator to move the bucket over tilt angles and to shake the bucket, a hydraulic sensor configured to detect hydraulic pressure, an interface configured to receive input parameters and to output status information of the bucket, and a controller. The input parameters including a target weight of the granular or powder material. The status information including weight of the granular or powder material in the bucket determined using the detected hydraulic pressure. The controller configured to control the hydraulic system to tilt the bucket to a predetermined tilt angle and to shake the bucket in accordance with an agitation pattern until the weight of the granular or powder in the bucket is at or below the target weight of the granular or powder material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun D. Currier, Eric W. Cler
  • Patent number: 9938692
    Abstract: A payload weight of a load of material carried by an implement of a machine may be estimated taking into account angular acceleration of the payload. A lift cylinder pressure differential and a lift arm angular acceleration may be determined as the implement is raised through a weigh range. An angular acceleration compensation factor may be determined from the lift arm angular acceleration, and a compensated differential pressure may be calculated by multiplying the lift cylinder pressure differential by the angular acceleration compensation factor. The estimated payload weight may then be determined based on the compensated pressure differential and a head end cross-sectional area of the lift cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Patent number: 9783959
    Abstract: A method of operating a ride control system of a machine having an accumulator is provided. The method includes detecting a pressure at the accumulator. The method includes generating a first set of input data associated with a drive system and a brake pedal. The method includes generating a second set of input data associated with a lift cylinder. The method also includes determining a working mode of the ride control system based on the first set of input data and the second set of input data. The working mode of the ride control system includes a normal mode and an exposed mode. The method includes operating a ride control activation solenoid valve, upon determining the pressure at the accumulator to be above a predefined threshold, and the working mode of the ride control system to be the exposed mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew N. Schifferer, Eric W. Cler, Eric C. Hughes
  • Publication number: 20170191245
    Abstract: A payload weight of a load of material carried by an implement of a machine may be estimated taking into account angular acceleration of the payload. A lift cylinder pressure differential and a lift arm angular acceleration may be determined as the implement is raised through a weigh range. An angular acceleration compensation factor may be determined from the lift arm angular acceleration, and a compensated differential pressure may be calculated by multiplying the lift cylinder pressure differential by the angular acceleration compensation factor. The estimated payload weight may then be determined based on the compensated pressure differential and a head end cross-sectional area of the lift cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler
  • Patent number: 9683498
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine includes monitoring engine parameters using an electronic controller, determining a surge speed limit for the engine based on a compressor map, determining an offset engine speed based on a margin between the surge speed limit and an engine speed, determining a minimum engine speed based on the margin, applying the offset engine speed to an engine speed signal to provide an adjusted engine speed, and applying the adjusted engine speed to a desired engine speed when a speed of the engine approaches the surge speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Urvish Joshi, Travis Barnes, Eric W. Cler, Anand KrishnamurthyGopalan, Eric A. Hutchison, Kirti Tamhane, Andrew N. Schifferer, Tyler Bowman, Kevin Sergott, Matthew Mowers, Daniel R. Puckett
  • Publication number: 20170113591
    Abstract: A system for controlling a movement of an implement during a dump operation is provided. The system includes a payload detection module associated with the implement. The payload detection module is configured to generate a signal indicative of a current weight of payload in the implement. The payload detection module determines the current weight of payload during a controlled lifting motion of the implement. The system also includes a control module communicably coupled to the payload detection module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spielman, JR., Eric W. Cler, Aaron R. Shatters
  • Publication number: 20170097881
    Abstract: A method for operating a machine using a mobile device is provided. The method includes connecting wirelessly, by a mobile device processor, a mobile device to an electronic controller unit of a machine; receiving, at the mobile device processor, machine data for machine parameters associated with the machine from the electronic controller unit, the machine data being in a machine data structure; applying, at the mobile device processor, a constraint to the machine data in response to a query received at the mobile device processor; generating, at the mobile device processor, result data in a mobile device data structure based upon the constraint applied to the machine data; and modifying, by the mobile device processor, an operation of the machine based upon the result data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: April 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler, Vishnu Suganth Prabhakaran