Patents by Inventor John Michael Plouzek
John Michael 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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Publication number: 20230399820Abstract: A mounting system for a work machine includes a first member extending along a vertical axis of the mounting system, and a second member extending along the vertical axis and spaced apart from the first member along a lateral axis of the mounting system. The mounting system also includes a bracket assembly extending between the first member and the second member. The bracket assembly is disposable at a location along the vertical axis based on a removable coupling of the bracket assembly with each of the first member and the second member. The mounting system further includes an imaging device coupled with the bracket assembly. A position of the imaging device is adjustable with respect to the lateral axis of the mounting system and the vertical axis, such that a portion of a work implement of the work machine lies in a field of view of the imaging device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2022Publication date: December 14, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Shawn Nainan Mathew, Arthur Milkowski, John Michael Plouzek, Norman Keith Lay, Subhani Mahaboob Shaik
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Patent number: 11466984Abstract: An ECU includes a memory including computer executable instructions for monitoring the condition of a ground engaging tool, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to: acquire an image of the ground engaging tool, evaluate the image using an algorithm that compares the acquired image to a database of existing images to determine the damage, the amount of wear, or the absence of the ground engaging tool, and grade the quality of the acquired image.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John Michael Plouzek, Mitchell Chase Vlaminck, Nolan S. Finch
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Patent number: 11447931Abstract: The electronic control unit includes a memory including computer executable instructions for recognizing a ground engaging tool; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to: determine a dimension of a ground engaging tool installed on a work tool; compare the determined dimension of the ground engaging tool installed on a work tool to the theoretical dimension of a new ground engaging tool installed on the work tool; and calculate the difference between the determined dimension and the theoretical dimension.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John Michael Plouzek, Mitchell Chase Vlaminck, Nolan S. Finch
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Publication number: 20200362539Abstract: The electronic control unit includes a memory including computer executable instructions for recognizing a ground engaging tool; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to: determine a dimension of a ground engaging tool installed on a work tool; compare the determined dimension of the ground engaging tool installed on a work tool to the theoretical dimension of a new ground engaging tool installed on the work tool; and calculate the difference between the determined dimension and the theoretical dimension.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John Michael Plouzek, Mitchell Chase Vlaminck, Nolan S. Finch
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Publication number: 20200363203Abstract: An ECU includes a memory including computer executable instructions for monitoring the condition of a ground engaging tool, and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to execute the computer executable instructions, the computer executable instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to: acquire an image of the ground engaging tool, evaluate the image using an algorithm that compares the acquired image to a database of existing images to determine the damage, the amount of wear, or the absence of the ground engaging tool, and grade the quality of the acquired image.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2019Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John Michael Plouzek, Mitchell Chase Vlaminck, Nolan S. Finch
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Patent number: 10578590Abstract: A ground engaging member that engages a work material to dig into the work material includes a member body extending from a leading end to a trailing end, the member body having an internal surface defining a cavity therein, the cavity having a concavity that faces away from the leading end along a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction extending from the leading end to the trailing end; and a first wear sensing body embedded in the member body between the cavity and the leading end along the longitudinal direction. The member body is fabricated from a ground engaging tool (GET) body material having a GET body material density. The first wear sensing body is fabricated from a wear sensing body material having a wear sensing body material density that is not equal to the GET body material density.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John Michael Plouzek
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Publication number: 20190317052Abstract: A ground engaging member that engages a work material to dig into the work material includes a member body extending from a leading end to a trailing end, the member body having an internal surface defining a cavity therein, the cavity having a concavity that faces away from the leading end along a longitudinal direction, the longitudinal direction extending from the leading end to the trailing end; and a first wear sensing body embedded in the member body between the cavity and the leading end along the longitudinal direction. The member body is fabricated from a ground engaging tool (GET) body material having a GET body material density. The first wear sensing body is fabricated from a wear sensing body material having a wear sensing body material density that is not equal to the GET body material density.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: October 17, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John Michael Plouzek
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Patent number: 10371669Abstract: A wear life sensing system may use nondestructive testing techniques to determine when ground engaging tools (GETs) are worn down and reach the ends of their useful wear lives. The wear life sensing system may include a wear sensing body and a wear sensor assembly embedded within the body of the GET. The wear sensing body is positioned proximate a maximum wear point of the GET and is fabricated from a material having a different material density than the material of the GET body. The wear sensor assembly outputs distance sensor signals in the direction of the wear sensing body and determines the presence or absence of the wear sensing body based on the reflected distance sensor signals received at the wear sensor assembly. The wear sensor assembly may transmit a GET replacement message when it no longer detects the presence of the wear sensing body.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John Michael Plouzek
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Publication number: 20180217108Abstract: A wear life sensing system may use nondestructive testing techniques to determine when ground engaging tools (GETs) are worn down and reach the ends of their useful wear lives. The wear life sensing system may include a wear sensing body and a wear sensor assembly embedded within the body of the GET. The wear sensing body is positioned proximate a maximum wear point of the GET and is fabricated from a material having a different material density than the material of the GET body. The wear sensor assembly outputs distance sensor signals in the direction of the wear sensing body and determines the presence or absence of the wear sensing body based on the reflected distance sensor signals received at the wear sensor assembly. The wear sensor assembly may transmit a GET replacement message when it no longer detects the presence of the wear sensing body.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2017Publication date: August 2, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John Michael Plouzek
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Patent number: 9574330Abstract: A retention system for a wear member may have a flange having a mounting slot defined between a first inner wall and a second inner wall, which are parallel to an axis. The retention system may also have a first retention member having a first through hole, and a second retention member having a second through hole. The retention system may additionally have a fastener configured to be received in the first and second through holes. The fastener may be configured to move the first retention member and the second retention member in opposite directions along the axis. The retention system may be configured such that movement of the retention members along the axis exerts forces on the first and second inner walls perpendicular to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John Michael Plouzek
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Publication number: 20160040400Abstract: A retention system for a wear member may have a flange having a mounting slot defined between a first inner wall and a second inner wall, which are parallel to an axis. The retention system may also have a first retention member having a first through hole, and a second retention member having a second through hole. The retention system may additionally have a fastener configured to be received in the first and second through holes. The fastener may be configured to move the first retention member and the second retention member in opposite directions along the axis. The retention system may be configured such that movement of the retention members along the axis exerts forces on the first and second inner walls perpendicular to the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: John Michael Plouzek