Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Stratton

Kenneth L. Stratton 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: 9097520
    Abstract: A system includes a position sensing system for determining a position of a machine and a work implement configured to engage material to form a raised contour. A controller determines a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves about the work site and the work implement forms the raised contour, determines a plurality of reference positions along an edge of the raised contour as the work implement forms the raised contour, and generates a map of the edge of the raised contour based upon the plurality of reference positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen
  • Patent number: 9046895
    Abstract: A systems and methods for delivering fluid to a site using a mobile fluid delivery machine are disclosed. The method includes determining a location of the mobile fluid delivery machine on the site, and determining a fluid delivery rate based on the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine using information related to the site. The method further includes delivering the fluid to a surface of the site at the location of the mobile fluid delivery machine, at the determined fluid delivery rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Orr, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9033062
    Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The system includes a ripper sensor associated with a ripper of the machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the ripper. The system includes a steering command sensor associated with a steering control module of the machine. The steering command sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a steering command of the machine. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signals indicative of the position of the ripper and the steering command of the machine. The controller is configured to execute an action based on the engaged state of the ripper and the steering command of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Kimberly N. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
  • Patent number: 9014924
    Abstract: A system for determining material characteristics of a material of a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a first estimate of the material characteristics and utilizes a planning system to determine an expected profile. The expected profile is based at least in part upon the first estimate of the material characteristics. The controller determines an actual profile of the work surface, compares the expected profile to the actual profile, and determines a second estimate of the material characteristics based at least in part upon the difference between the expected profile and the actual profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20150032292
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicle sensor cleaning system is provided. The control system includes: a microcontroller configured to: receive inputs including at least one input from any one of the following sources: sensors, other controllers, and an operator; determine whether a signal to actuate a cleaning system for a sensor should be generated; analyze whether the signal should be delayed; sending an actuating signal to a sensor cleaning system if the controller determines that predetermined cleaning criteria are met and delays sending the actuating signal if the controller determines delay criteria are met. A method of controlling a sensor washing system may also be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20150014003
    Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The system includes a ripper sensor associated with a ripper of the machine configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of the ripper. The system includes a steering command sensor associated with a steering control module of the machine. The steering command sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a steering command of the machine. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signals indicative of the position of the ripper and the steering command of the machine. The controller is configured to execute an action based on the engaged state of the ripper and the steering command of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Kimberly N. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20140371947
    Abstract: A system includes a position sensing system for determining a position of a machine and a work implement configured to engage material to form a raised contour. A controller determines a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves about the work site and the work implement forms the raised contour, determines a plurality of reference positions along an edge of the raised contour as the work implement forms the raised contour, and generates a map of the edge of the raised contour based upon the plurality of reference positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Andrew J. Vitale, Craig L. Koehrsen
  • Publication number: 20140236424
    Abstract: A system for a machine operating on a worksite is provided. The system includes an image capturing device configured to provide an image feed associated with a fluid dispensing arrangement of the machine. The system includes a position detection module configured to generate a position signal indicative of a current position of the machine on the worksite. A controller is communicably coupled to the image capturing device and the position detection module. The controller is configured to receive the image feed and the position signal. The controller is configured to detect a discharge of a fluid from the machine based on the image feed. Further, the controller is configured to determine an area of the worksite in which the fluid is discharged based on the detection and the position signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Mark M. Sheehan
  • Publication number: 20140229079
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20140180444
    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: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Publication number: 20140180547
    Abstract: A system for determining material characteristics of a material of a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a first estimate of the material characteristics and utilizes a planning system to determine an expected profile. The expected profile is based at least in part upon the first estimate of the material characteristics. The controller determines an actual profile of the work surface, compares the expected profile to the actual profile, and determines a second estimate of the material characteristics based at least in part upon the difference between the expected profile and the actual profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20140176303
    Abstract: A remote lock-out/tag-out system and method allow a remote service technician to remotely lock-out a machine via a remote wireless control device. In one aspect, the lock-out initiation request is sent from the remote wireless control device to the machine. The remote wireless control device then receives from the machine an indication that the machine location and state are suitable for lock-out. In response, the remote wireless control device sends a lock-out command to the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Gary Cook, Steve McDonald
  • Publication number: 20140163885
    Abstract: A terrain mapping system is disclosed. The system has at least one sensor configured to gather a plurality of current points defining a current surface of a site and a database containing a plurality of previously-gathered points defining a previous surface of the site. The system also has a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to compare a height of at least one of the plurality of the current points to a height of a corresponding at least one of the plurality of previously-gathered points and to determine if an update to the database is warranted based on the comparison. The controller is further configured to update the database if it is determined that an update is warranted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques CLAR, Yifeng Lin, Adam J. Gudat, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 8706363
    Abstract: A system for modifying a boundary of operation of a machine has a change in terrain sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in terrain signal. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller modifies the boundary of operation of the machine. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 8700272
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 8688332
    Abstract: A management system for use at a worksite is disclosed. The management system may have at least one object detection sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a feature of a roadway traversed by the mobile machine, a positioning device configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of the mobile machine, and at least one performance sensor configured to generate a third signal indicative of a performance parameter of the mobile machine as the mobile machine traverses the feature. The management system may also have a controller configured to determine a surface condition of the roadway based on the first signal, index the surface condition to a particular location on the roadway based on the second signal, and generate a map of the roadway providing a representation of the surface condition and the performance parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20140032030
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine having a ground engaging work implement includes an implement load sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in the load on the ground engaging work implement. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20140032132
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine within a work area having a crest includes a first data map and a second data map. At least one sensor system generates operating data indicative of a change in terrain and a controller compares the operating data to the first data map while the machine is within a zone adjacent the crest. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller generates an alert command signal. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20140032058
    Abstract: A system for modifying a boundary of operation of a machine has a change in terrain sensor system. A controller determines a change in terrain based at least in part upon a change in terrain signal. If the change in terrain exceeds a threshold, the controller modifies the boundary of operation of the machine. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy Becicka, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 8360343
    Abstract: A mobile fluid delivery machine for delivering fluid to a site has a tank storing fluid, and at least one spray head configured to spray the stored fluid onto the site. In addition, the machine has a communication device configured to receive fluid delivery mission instructions from a site computing system, the mission instructions identifying a sequence of path segments on the site and corresponding fluid delivery amounts allocated to the path segments, and a location device configured to determine the location of the machine on the site. Th machine may also have a fluid delivery system configured to determine whether the location of the fluid delivery machine corresponds to a path segment of the sequence, and when it is determined that the location of the machine corresponds to a path segment in the sequence, to identify the fluid delivery amount allocated to that path segment based on the mission instructions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Gudat, James D. Humphrey, Peter W. Anderton, David C. Orr, Kenneth L. Stratton, Craig L. Koehrsen, Claude W. Keefer, Michael D. Braunstein