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).
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Publication number: 20240070934Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Shaun David Currier, Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
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Publication number: 20230359209Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2022Publication date: November 9, 2023Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Aaron Robert Shatters, Eric W. Cler
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Publication number: 20230350412Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron R. SHATTERS, Eric W. CLER, Michael Anthony SPIELMAN, Jeffrey K. BERRY
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Patent number: 11708681Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Shaun D. Currier, Eric W. Cler
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Publication number: 20230123877Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2021Publication date: April 20, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Hanauer, Eric W. Cler
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Publication number: 20230061370Abstract: A method for assisting an operator in operating a machine. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a selection of a task of a plurality of tasks, each task associated with a corresponding movement pattern of the machine; sensing, by a sensor unit, at least one condition of at least one component of the machine associated with the selected task; and determining, by the controller, whether the condition is within a predetermined set of parameters associated with the selected task. In response to determining that the condition is not within the predetermined set of parameters, the method further includes generating, by the controller, an audible or a haptic signal associated with at least one of the condition or the at least one component.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2022Publication date: March 2, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael Adam Weber, David Charles Copley, Norval P Thomson, Michael Lynn Johnson, Eric W Cler, Brad Robert Van De Veer
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Publication number: 20220325497Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Shaun D. Currier, Eric W. Cler
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Patent number: 9938692Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 4, 2016Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler
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Patent number: 9783959Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 21, 2016Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Schifferer, Eric W. Cler, Eric C. Hughes
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Publication number: 20170191245Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2016Publication date: July 6, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler
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Patent number: 9683498Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 19, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20170113591Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2015Publication date: April 27, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Spielman, JR., Eric W. Cler, Aaron R. Shatters
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Publication number: 20170097881Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2016Publication date: April 6, 2017Applicant: CaterpillarInventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Aaron R. Shatters, Eric W. Cler, Vishnu Suganth Prabhakaran
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Patent number: 9551131Abstract: A power system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a work tool. The power system may have an engine, a first input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of an operator-desired output of the engine, a second input device configured to generate a second signal indicative of an operator-desired movement of the work tool, and a controller in communication with the engine, the first input device, and the second input device. The controller may be configured to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and based on a desired speed of the engine during a first mode of operation, and to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and a desired torque of the mobile machine during a second mode of operation. The controller may be further configured to selectively switch operation of the machine between the first and second modes based on the second signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2015Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sairam Gopalan Velamakanni, Eric W. Cler, Aaron Josiah Meyer
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Publication number: 20160341136Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2015Publication date: November 24, 2016Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20160298314Abstract: A system for controlling operations of a machine is provided. A first sensor module generates a signal indicative of an operator command and a second sensor module is configured to generate a signal indicative of a current loading ratio associated with a load arm assembly of the machine. A control module is communicably coupled to the first sensor module and the second sensor module to receive a signal indicative of a current operating mode of the machine, and further to receive the signal indicative of the operator command and the signal indicative of the current loading ratio associated with the load arm assembly of the machine. Further, the control module compares the current loading ratio with a pre-determined load rating of the machine, and selectively limits an action associated with the operator command based on the comparison and the current operating mode of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathan R. Fogg, Darren M. Schambach, Andrew N. Schifferer, Eric W. Cler, Aaron R. Shatters, Scott A. McGregor
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Publication number: 20160237652Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2016Publication date: August 18, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew N. Schifferer, Eric W. Cler, Eric C. Hughes
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Publication number: 20160168825Abstract: A power system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a work tool. The power system may have an engine, a first input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of an operator-desired output of the engine, a second input device configured to generate a second signal indicative of an operator-desired movement of the work tool, and a controller in communication with the engine, the first input device, and the second input device. The controller may be configured to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and based on a desired speed of the engine during a first mode of operation, and to adjust fueling of the engine based on the first signal and a desired torque of the mobile machine during a second mode of operation. The controller may be further configured to selectively switch operation of the machine between the first and second modes based on the second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2015Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Sairam Gopalan VELAMAKANNI, Eric W. CLER, Aaron Josiah MEYER
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Publication number: 20160104391Abstract: A method for generating a training plan for an operator of a machine to perform an operation is provided. The method includes receiving data associated with one or more functional parameters of the machine. The functional parameters include at least one of an operation parameter, an operator attribute parameter, and an environmental parameter. The method includes identifying a value of each of the functional parameters based on the data. Further, the method includes determining, in real-time, the training plan based on the identification of the functional parameters. The method includes communicating the instruction to the operator for performing the operation on the machine based on the training plan. The method includes monitoring the operation for being in conformance with the training plan. The method includes generating an alarm, when the operation performed by the operator deviates from the instructions of the training plan.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2015Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathan J. Wieland, Benjamin J. Hodel, Eric W. Cler, Aaron R. Shatters, Jeffrey K. Berry
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Patent number: 8011474Abstract: A device for accessing an elevated entry position on a machine including an operator position includes a platform, which includes a step surface, configured to ascend and descend between a base position and the elevated entry position, wherein the platform remains within an existing envelope of the machine throughout ascent, descent, and storage of the platform, and wherein the ascending and descending proceeds along an axis substantially orthogonal to the step surface. The device may further include a lifting mechanism operatively connected to the machine and the platform.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Robin M. Boroski, Miguel A. Palacios, Eric R. O'Brien, Todd R. Okimoto, Christopher P. Cherwin, Marius G. Enescu, Byron D. Collis, Eric W. Cler, Kevin L. Duel