Patents by Inventor Kyle Edwards

Kyle Edwards 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: 10640952
    Abstract: A system for moving material with a work implement includes an image display device, an operator input device, and a position sensor. A controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface at a work site, display a portion of the work site on the image display device including an operational location at the work area, modify a position of the operational location on the image display device with the operator input device to define a modified operational location, generate a material movement plan based upon the position of the work surface and modified operational location, and generate command instructions to move the machine according to the material movement plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Seth J. Redenbo, Troy K. Becicka, Mo Wei, Kyle Edwards, Michael Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180163376
    Abstract: A system for moving material with a work implement includes an image display device, an operator input device, and a position sensor. A controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface at a work site, display a portion of the work site on the image display device including an operational location at the work area, modify a position of the operational location on the image display device with the operator input device to define a modified operational location, generate a material movement plan based upon the position of the work surface and modified operational location, and generate command instructions to move the machine according to the material movement plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Seth J. Redenbo, Troy K. Becicka, Mo Wei, Kyle Edwards, Michael Taylor
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 9360334
    Abstract: A system for setting an end location of a path of operation of a machine at a work site includes a position sensor configured to determine a position of a path at the work site and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a first path and a position of a second path, the first path and the second path defining a pair of paths on opposite sides of the path of operation and determine a physical characteristic of the pair of paths based upon the position of the first path and the position of the second path. The controller is further configured to determine whether the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than a threshold characteristic and set the end location of the path of operation if the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than the threshold characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Troy K. Becicka, Kyle 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
  • Publication number: 20160076893
    Abstract: A system for setting an end location of a path of operation of a machine at a work site includes a position sensor configured to determine a position of a path at the work site and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a first path and a position of a second path, the first path and the second path defining a pair of paths on opposite sides of the path of operation and determine a physical characteristic of the pair of paths based upon the position of the first path and the position of the second path. The controller is further configured to determine whether the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than a threshold characteristic and set the end location of the path of operation if the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than the threshold characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Troy K. Becicka, Kyle Edwards
  • Patent number: 9002593
    Abstract: A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Lance Cowper, Troy K. Becicka, Brian G. Funke, Thandava K. Edara, Kyle Edwards
  • Publication number: 20140336881
    Abstract: A system for re-orienting a machine during a ripping operation includes a position sensing system, a ripper, and a controller. The system stores a ripping path, determines the position of the machine, and compares the position of the machine to the ripping path. A drawbar pull of the machine is determined, compared to a maximum steering drawbar pull, and the ripper is raised if the machine is positioned greater than a predetermined distance from the ripping path and the drawbar pull exceeds the maximum steering drawbar pull. The machine is re-oriented and the ripper lowered relative to the work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Daniel Stanek, Lance Cowper, Troy K. Becicka, Brian G. Funke, Thandava K. Edara, Kyle Edwards