Patents by Inventor Jean-Jacques Clar

Jean-Jacques Clar 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: 11801616
    Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin John Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
  • Publication number: 20210069932
    Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin John Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
  • Patent number: 10870219
    Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin J. Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
  • Patent number: 10377125
    Abstract: A control system for a machine, operating on a worksite is associated with an implement, which perform additive construction operations in accordance with a pre-determined implement control plan. The system includes a positioning system, one or more implement control actuators, and a controller. The positioning system is configured to determine positioning signals associated with, at least, a terrain of the worksite and any worksite objects existing thereon. The controller determine an available zone, in which the machine and implement are capable of executing the additive construction operations within the available zone, based on the positioning signals and the pre-determined implement control plan, and determine an operation zone, relative to a desired additive construction site on the worksite, within the available zone, wherein parameters of the operation zone are based, at least in part, on the available zone, the machine configuration, and the pre-determined implement control plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Qi Chen, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Publication number: 20190105801
    Abstract: An inference system for monitoring a cementitious mixture for three-dimensional printing is provided. The inference system includes an ambient condition sensor, a temperature sensor, a moisture sensor and an image capturing device. The inference system also includes a controller coupled to the ambient condition sensor, the temperature sensor, the moisture sensor, and the image capturing device. The controller receives sensed ambient conditions, a temperature signal, and a moisture content signal. The controller receives an image feed of a portion of a cementitious mixture. The controller also receives signals indicative of a motor speed and a motor torque associated with a mixing container. The controller builds a model and determines a material suitability of the cementitious mixture using the model based on the received ambient conditions, the temperature signal, the moisture content signal, the image feed, the motor speed, and the motor torque and determines one or more corrective actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Martinez, Daniel Peter Sergison, Zhijun Cai, Jean-Jacques Clar, Eric Alan Reiners, Benjamin J. Hodel, Benjamin L. Naasz
  • Publication number: 20180162065
    Abstract: A control system for a machine, operating on a worksite is associated with an implement, which perform additive construction operations in accordance with a pre-determined implement control plan. The system includes a positioning system, one or more implement control actuators, and a controller. The positioning system is configured to determine positioning signals associated with, at least, a terrain of the worksite and any worksite objects existing thereon. The controller determine an available zone, in which the machine and implement are capable of executing the additive construction operations within the available zone, based on the positioning signals and the pre-determined implement control plan, and determine an operation zone, relative to a desired additive construction site on the worksite, within the available zone, wherein parameters of the operation zone are based, at least in part, on the available zone, the machine configuration, and the pre-determined implement control plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Qi Chen, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Patent number: 9790695
    Abstract: A control system for controlling operation of an implement based, at least, on a pre-determined implement control plan, includes a relative positioning system, a controller, and one or more actuators. The relative positioning system is configured for determining positioning of the and utilize input from perception sensors to determine relative positioning signals. The controller is configured to determine a resume position for a next operation of the implement based on the predetermined implement control plan and at least one of the relative positioning signals and an end position of a previous operation of the implement. The controller may further be configured to determine implement control signals based on, at least, the resume position. The one or more actuators are each operatively associated with one or both of the implement and machine and configured to receive the implement control signals and position the implement based on the implement control signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Qi Chen, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Patent number: 9783955
    Abstract: A system for moving material from a first work area to a second work area includes a change in terrain sensor, a machine position sensor, and a controller. The controller performs first material moving operations including tip head operations until the void at the second work area is filled to a predetermined extent. The controller performs second material moving operation including backstacking operations until a predetermined amount of material has been moved from the first work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Ross McAree, Kyle Edwards, Peter Beasley
  • Patent number: 9651381
    Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for a machine having at least one traction device. The system may have a sensor associated with the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the machine. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the sensor. The at least one controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, and divide an area between the at least one traction device and a work surface into a plurality of virtual tracking features based on the signal and known geometry of the machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to track movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features, and update an electronic terrain map of a worksite based on the movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Michael Allen Taylor, Robert Jason McGee
  • Patent number: 9560692
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Jason McGee, Jean-Jacques Clar, Craig L. Koehrsen, Brian Gerard Funke, Brett Andrew Eisenmenger, Deepa Jeyamani, Kent James Chesko, Clarence Matthew Glover, Shahul Hameed Mohammed
  • Patent number: 9481977
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine during an autonomous material moving operation includes a terrain sensing system, a position sensing system, and a ground engaging work implement. A controller is configured to determine the topography of the work surface, generate a first target profile, generate signals to autonomously operate the machine along a work surface, receive a plurality of signals associated with a plurality of necessary input conditions, and generate a pause command based upon an absence of one of the plurality of necessary input conditions to define a pause condition. The controller may determine the position of the machine, determine an estimate of an amount of material being moved, generate a second target profile, and generate signals to re-start autonomous operation of the machine based upon the second target profile after elimination of the pause condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Kyle Edwards, Michael Taylor, Robert J. McGee
  • Patent number: 9483863
    Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine at a worksite. The terrain mapping system may have a locating device mountable onboard the excavation machine and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the excavation machine at the worksite, and a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a load on the excavation machine. The terrain mapping system may also have a controller in communication with the locating device and the sensor. The controller may be configured to update a surface contour of the worksite contained in an electronic map based on the first signal as the excavation machine traverses the worksite, and to determine an amount of material moved by the excavation machine based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to generate a representation of the material moved by the excavation machine in the electronic map when the excavation machine ceases to move the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Michael Allen Taylor, Robert Jason McGee, Kyle Adam Edwards
  • Patent number: 9469967
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface along a first slot and along a second slot. The work surface along the first slot and the second slot define at least a portion of a berm. The controller is further configured to determine a physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot and generate a berm reduction command if the physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot is less than the characteristic threshold of the first slot and the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kyle Edwards, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20160163088
    Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for use with an excavation machine at a worksite. The terrain mapping system may have a locating device mountable onboard the excavation machine and configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the excavation machine at the worksite, and a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a load on the excavation machine. The terrain mapping system may also have a controller in communication with the locating device and the sensor. The controller may be configured to update a surface contour of the worksite contained in an electronic map based on the first signal as the excavation machine traverses the worksite, and to determine an amount of material moved by the excavation machine based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to generate a representation of the material moved by the excavation machine in the electronic map when the excavation machine ceases to move the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques CLAR, Michael Allen TAYLOR, Robert Jason MCGEE, Kyle Adam EDWARDS
  • Publication number: 20160076224
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface along a first slot and along a second slot. The work surface along the first slot and the second slot define at least a portion of a berm. The controller is further configured to determine a physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot and generate a berm reduction command if the physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot is less than the characteristic threshold of the first slot and the second slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kyle Edwards, Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 9228315
    Abstract: A system for modifying a path of operation of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores the path of operation, receives a plurality of position signals as the work implement moves material along the path of operation, and determines the position of the work surface. The controller further determines an amount of material moved based at least in part upon the position of the work surface and modifies parameters used to determine a subsequent path of operation if the amount of material moved exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Patent number: 9098087
    Abstract: A system for controlling movement of a machine includes a drive system, a position sensor, and a communications system. A controller is configured to determine the position of the machine and determine a signal transmission threshold based at least in part upon the position of the machine. The controller may stop movement of the machine upon an interruption in signal transmission from a remote system exceeding the signal transmission threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Friend, Jean-Jacques Clar, Brian G. Funke, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20150198936
    Abstract: A system for controlling a machine may include a remote control (RC) input device configured to remotely initiate a RC enabled mode on the machine. The RC input device may subsequently establish a communication link with the machine when no other RC input device currently has a communication link with the machine. The RC input device may transition the machine to a RC reserved mode in which the machine is reserved for control by the RC input device, and transition a mode of control for the machine to a RC active mode from the RC reserved mode. The RC input device may selectively control the machine when in the RC active mode. The RC input device may also transition the mode of control for the machine to an autonomous mode from the RC active mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Robert Jason McGEE, Jean-Jacques CLAR, Craig L. KOEHRSEN, Brian Gerard FUNKE, Brett Andrew EISENMENGER, Deepa JEYAMANI, Kent James CHESKO, Clarence Matthew GLOVER, Shahul Hameed MOHAMMED
  • Publication number: 20150198736
    Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed for a machine having at least one traction device. The system may have a sensor associated with the machine and configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the machine. The system may also have at least one controller in communication with the sensor. The at least one controller may be configured to receive the signal from the sensor, and divide an area between the at least one traction device and a work surface into a plurality of virtual tracking features based on the signal and known geometry of the machine. The at least one controller may also be configured to track movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features, and update an electronic terrain map of a worksite based on the movement of the plurality of virtual tracking features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Troy Kenneth Becicka, Michael Allen Taylor, Robert Jason McGee
  • Patent number: 9014925
    Abstract: A system for determining a ripping path includes a position sensing system, a work implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves along an operating path and the work implement moves a volume of material and sense the material characteristics of at each of the plurality of positions along the operating path. The controller is further configured to determine the ripping path based upon the material characteristics sensed at the plurality of positions and store the ripping path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Seth J. Redenbo, Brian G. Funke