Patents by Inventor John M. Plouzek
John M. Plouzek 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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Patent number: 12020419Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a plurality of images from a plurality of sensors associated with a work machine. Individual sensors of the plurality of sensors have respective fields-of-view different from other sensors of the plurality of sensors. The wear detection system identifies a first region of interest and second region of interest associated with the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines a first set of image points and a second set of images points for the at least one GET based on geometric parameters associated with the GET. The wear detection system determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the GET measurement.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, John M Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Daniel Paul Adler
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Patent number: 11869331Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first image data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of a work machine from one or more sensors at a first time instance in a dig-dump cycle of the work machine. The wear detection system processes the first image data to determine a first wear measurement and first wear level for the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines whether the first wear level is indicative of a GET replacement condition. The wear detection system generates an alert when the first wear level is indicative of the GET replacement condition. The wear detection system receives second image data related to the at least one GET a second time instance different from the first time instance when the first wear level is not indicative of the GET replacement condition and determines a second wear measurement and second wear level for the at least one GET.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, Shawn Nainan Mathew, John M Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Daniel Paul Adler
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Patent number: 11821177Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a left image and a right image of a bucket of a work machine having at least one ground engaging tool (GET). The example system identifies a first region of interest from the left image corresponding to the GET and a second region of interest from the right image corresponding to the GET. The example system also generates a left-edge digital image corresponding to the first region of interest and a right-edge digital image corresponding to the second region of interest. Further, the example system determines a sparse stereo disparity between the left-edge digital image and the right-edge digital image, and also determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the sparse stereo disparity.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, John M Plouzek, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Raymond Alan Wise
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Publication number: 20230370572Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for operating a machine. The method includes (1) receiving image data of a component of the machine by a camera module of the machine, the camera module having multiple camera components; (2) detecting an incident associated with the camera module; (3) in response to the incident, instructing the camera module to collect image data from a subset of the multiple camera components; and (4) generating a status image of the component based on the collected image data from the subset of the multiple camera components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Shawn N. Mathew, Arthur Milkowski, John M. Plouzek, Norman Keith Lay, Subhani M. Shaik
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Patent number: 11669956Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first imaging data from one or more sensors associated with a work machine. The first imaging data comprises data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of the work machine. The example system identifies a region of interest including data of the at least one GET within the first imaging data. Based on the identified region of interest, the example system controls a LiDAR sensor to capture second imaging data capturing the at least one GET that is of higher resolution than the first imaging data. The example system generates a three-dimensional point cloud of the at least one GET based on the second imaging data and determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the three-dimensional point cloud.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A Mianzo, Tod A Oblak, John M Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew
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Publication number: 20230051843Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first image data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of a work machine from one or more sensors at a first time instance in a dig-dump cycle of the work machine. The wear detection system processes the first image data to determine a first wear measurement and first wear level for the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines whether the first wear level is indicative of a GET replacement condition. The wear detection system generates an alert when the first wear level is indicative of the GET replacement condition. The wear detection system receives second image data related to the at least one GET a second time instance different from the first time instance when the first wear level is not indicative of the GET replacement condition and determines a second wear measurement and second wear level for the at least one GET.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, Shawn Nainan Mathew, John M. Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Daniel Paul Adler
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Publication number: 20230053154Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a plurality of images from a plurality of sensors associated with a work machine. Individual sensors of the plurality of sensors have respective fields-of-view different from other sensors of the plurality of sensors. The wear detection system identifies a first region of interest and second region of interest associated with the at least one GET. The wear detection system determines a first set of image points and a second set of images points for the at least one GET based on geometric parameters associated with the GET. The wear detection system determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the GET measurement.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, John M. Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Daniel Paul Adler
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Publication number: 20220383469Abstract: An example wear detection system receives first imaging data from one or more sensors associated with a work machine. The first imaging data comprises data related to at least one ground engaging tool (GET) of the work machine. The example system identifies a region of interest including data of the at least one GET within the first imaging data. Based on the identified region of interest, the example system controls a LiDAR sensor to capture second imaging data capturing the at least one GET that is of higher resolution than the first imaging data. The example system generates a three-dimensional point cloud of the at least one GET based on the second imaging data and determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the three-dimensional point cloud.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, John M. Plouzek, Raymond Alan Wise, Shawn Nainan Mathew
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Publication number: 20220251807Abstract: An example wear detection system receives a left image and a right image of a bucket of a work machine having at least one ground engaging tool (GET). The example system identifies a first region of interest from the left image corresponding to the GET and a second region of interest from the right image corresponding to the GET. The example system also generates a left-edge digital image corresponding to the first region of interest and a right-edge digital image corresponding to the second region of interest. Further, the example system determines a sparse stereo disparity between the left-edge digital image and the right-edge digital image, and also determines a wear level or loss for the at least one GET based on the sparse stereo disparity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2021Publication date: August 11, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Lawrence A. Mianzo, Tod A. Oblak, John M. Plouzek, Shawn Nainan Mathew, Raymond Alan Wise
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Patent number: 10249060Abstract: A tool erosion detecting system for a machine having a ground engaging tool is disclosed. The tool erosion detecting system may include a camera configured to generate a first image of the ground engaging tool on a display device, an input device configured to receive a user input, and a controller in communication with the camera and the input device. The controller may be configured to generate an augmented reality view of the ground engaging tool. The augmented reality view may include the first image of the ground engaging tool generated by the camera and a second image of a ground engaging tool superimposed on the first image and being associated with a selected wear level, wherein the selected wear level is based on the user input.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James Edward Wagner, Patrick Simon Campomanes, Brian Charles Brown, Drew Steven Solorio, John M. Plouzek, David Jason Mcintyre, Paul Davis Jackson, Jr., Phillip John Kunz, Thomas Marshall Congdon, Shadi Naji Kfouf
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Publication number: 20180274203Abstract: A bucket comprises a first attachment region, a second attachment region, and a third attachment region configured to connect to flexible members, each attachment region including a plurality of attachment points.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John M. Plouzek
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Publication number: 20180274202Abstract: A method for moving material efficiently using a machine with a bucket comprises determining at least one of the following variables: location of the material to be moved relative to the machine, type of material to be moved, orientation of the surface of the material to be moved, and the desired direction for moving the bucket to move the material, and changing the orientation of the bucket relative to the machine based on any one of these variables.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John M. Plouzek
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Publication number: 20180165884Abstract: A tool erosion detecting system for a machine having a ground engaging tool is disclosed. The tool erosion detecting system may include a camera configured to generate a first image of the ground engaging tool on a display device, an input device configured to receive a user input, and a controller in communication with the camera and the input device. The controller may be configured to generate an augmented reality view of the ground engaging tool. The augmented reality view may include the first image of the ground engaging tool generated by the camera and a second image of a ground engaging tool superimposed on the first image and being associated with a selected wear level, wherein the selected wear level is based on the user input.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: James Edward WAGNER, Patrick Simon CAMPOMANES, Brian Charles BROWN, Drew Steven SOLORIO, John M. PLOUZEK, David Jason MCINTYRE, Paul Davis JACKSON, JR., Phillip John KUNZ, Thomas Marshall CONGDON, Shadi Naji KFOUF
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Patent number: 9926024Abstract: A master link joint for a drive chain is disclosed. The disclosed master link joint includes two master links. Each master link includes a first half link and a second half link that engage each other along mating abutment surfaces. The two master links are disposed on opposite sides of the chain. The first half links are coupled by a pin that traverses the chain and the second half links are coupled by a bushing that traverses the chain. The mating abutment surfaces include a first ramp that meets a second offset ramp at a junction or root. An angle ? defined by the second ramps of the mating abutment surfaces and a line parallel to the rail or bottom pad of the half links ranges from about 45 to about 53°.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2011Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Donovan S. Clarke, John M. Plouzek, Laurence J. Cobb, Matthew W. Trone
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Patent number: 8905640Abstract: A thrust ring for an undercarriage in a track-type machine includes an annular body having an outer circular edge and an inner circular edge defining a common center axis. A first set of oil grooves and a first set of thrust faces are positioned in an alternating arrangement on each of a first axial side and a second axial side of the annular body. Each of the oil grooves includes a cross sectional contour shaped to balance an oil flow property of the thrust ring with a strength property of the thrust ring, and defining a non-uniform curve which includes a plurality of curve segments each having a different radial attribute. The thrust ring defines a Plouzek value equal to 1.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventors: Anthony R. Snyder, John M. Plouzek
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Publication number: 20140325881Abstract: A wear assembly for an excavating bucket having a sidewall is provided. The wear assembly includes a first boss, a second boss and a wear member. The first boss extends from an inner lateral surface of the sidewall. Further, the first boss has a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the inner lateral surface. The second boss extends from an outer lateral surface of the sidewall. Further, the second boss has a rectangular shape along a direction normal to the outer lateral surface. The wear member includes a working portion, a first leg and a second leg. Each of the first leg and the second leg extends from the working portion. Further, each of the first leg and the second leg define a recess configured to slidingly receive one of the first boss and the second boss therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Inventor: John M. Plouzek
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Publication number: 20140091615Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a track-type machine includes a circular body. The circular body includes a central hub portion, an annular flange portion integral with the central hub portion, and a circumferential rim portion to define an annular cavity along with the central hub portion and the annular flange portion. A sound dampening coating provided on the circular body.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2012Publication date: April 3, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Daniel I. Knobloch, John M. Plouzek, Jay H. Cline, Aaron K. Amstutz, David W. McKeever, Peter M. Zuehls
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Publication number: 20130082846Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting information related to a machine component of a mobile machine that is configured to perform work on a worksite. The sensor system may be installed on or within the machine component, and the machine component may be installed with the sensor system on the mobile machine. The information may be collected with the sensor system while the machine is performing work on the worksite, the information relating to a characteristic experienced by the machine component. The information may be transmitted with the sensor system. The sensor system may collect information related to a tracked undercarriage of the mobile machine, or the cutting head of a tunnel boring machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2012Publication date: April 4, 2013Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Mark Steven Diekevers, John M. Plouzek, Mathew William Trone, Robert L. Meyer, Gregory W. Tomlins, Andrew Caruana
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Publication number: 20120002910Abstract: A thrust ring for an undercarriage in a track-type machine includes an annular body having an outer circular edge and an inner circular edge defining a common center axis. A first set of oil grooves and a first set of thrust faces are positioned in an alternating arrangement on each of a first axial side and a second axial side of the annular body. Each of the oil grooves includes a cross sectional contour shaped to balance an oil flow property of the thrust ring with a strength property of the thrust ring, and defining a non-uniform curve which includes a plurality of curve segments each having a different radial attribute. The thrust ring defines a Plouzek value equal to 1.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2011Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Anthony R. Snyder, John M. Plouzek
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Patent number: D665826Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2010Date of Patent: August 21, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Donovan S. Clarke, John M. Plouzek, Laurence J. Cobb, Matthew W. Trone