Patents by Inventor Luke E Graham
Luke E Graham 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: 20250100539Abstract: A hybrid powertrain system of a planer, the hybrid powertrain system comprising an internal combustion engine, a rotor/cutter mechanically coupled with the internal combustion engine, a generator mechanically coupled with the internal combustion engine, an energy storage system including an energy module having at least one energy storage cell, wherein the energy module is electrically coupled with the generator and configured to receive power from and be charged by the generator, an electric motor in electrical communication with the energy module, the electric motor mechanically coupled with the rotor/cutter, and a powertrain controller in electrical communication with the internal combustion engine and the energy storage system. The powertrain controller is configured for controlling delivery of electrical power from the energy storage system to the rotor/cutter while controlling delivery of mechanical power from the internal combustion engine to the rotor/cutter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2023Publication date: March 27, 2025Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Brian J. Schlenker, Toby A. Frelich
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Patent number: 10316476Abstract: A screed assembly for a paving machine is disclosed. The screed assembly includes a screed plate having a front edge, a first plate positioned in front of the front edge of the screed plate. The first plate defining having a first thickness. A temperature sensor is coupled to the first plate. The temperature sensor is configured to determine a temperature of a paving material, whereby the temperature of the paving material is measured before the paving material comes into contact with the screed plate.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2016Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Luke E. Graham
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Patent number: 9932714Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings, Ryan T. Thiesse
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Publication number: 20170314215Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving is provided. The paving machine includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. GRAHAM, Toby A. FRELICH, Rick L. MINGS, Ryan T. THIESSE
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Publication number: 20170292232Abstract: A screed assembly for a paving machine is disclosed. The screed assembly includes a screed plate having a front edge, a first plate positioned in front of the front edge of the screed plate. The first plate defining having a first thickness. A temperature sensor is coupled to the first plate. The temperature sensor is configured to determine a temperature of a paving material, whereby the temperature of the paving material is measured before the paving material comes into contact with the screed plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2016Publication date: October 12, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Luke E. Graham
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Publication number: 20170260702Abstract: A paving machine is disclosed. The paving machine includes a hopper to receive a paving material and an auger to distribute the paving material on a work surface. A screed assembly levels the paving material distributed by the auger. The paving machine further includes a roller to compact the paving material leveled by the screed assembly and a rear traction device positioned downstream of the roller.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2016Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Timothy L. Wehrenberg
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Patent number: 9683337Abstract: A screed assembly for a paving machine may comprise a main screed and an extension screed configured to extend from the main screed to a fully-extended position. The extension screed may include a deflector and a material bypass prevention plate affixed to the extension screed. The material bypass prevention plate may have a projection that extends into and fills a space between the material bypass prevention plate and the main screed when the extension screed is in the fully-extended position.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jacob Ellwein, Tobin D. Rasmusson, Luke E. Graham
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Publication number: 20160265173Abstract: A screed assembly for a paving machine may comprise a main screed and an extension screed configured to extend from the main screed to a fully-extended position. The extension screed may include a deflector and a material bypass prevention plate affixed to the extension screed. The material bypass prevention plate may have a projection that extends into and fills a space between the material bypass prevention plate and the main screed when the extension screed is in the fully-extended position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Jacob Ellwein, Tobin D. Rasmusson, Luke E. Graham
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Publication number: 20160186389Abstract: A method to warm a paving machine is disclosed. The method includes activation of a tamper speed control mode associated with a tamper bar in a screed section of the paving machine. A temperature of hydraulic oil of a tamper hydraulic circuit is detected. In addition, a temperature of the screed section is detected. A speed of operation of the tamper bar is set to a predetermined threshold if a temperature of the hydraulic oil is greater than a first oil temperature limit and a temperature of the screed section is greater than a screed temperature limit. The paving machine transitions to a paving mode, if the hydraulic oil temperature exceeds a second oil temperature limit and a minimum operational screed temperature is attained.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2016Publication date: June 30, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Jameson M. Smieja, Ricky L. Mings, Toby A. Frelich
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Patent number: 9200415Abstract: A method for preparing a screed assembly for starting a new paving operation is provided. The screed assembly is reset to a pre-stored screed position in response to a user command. A user defined paving depth associated with the new paving operation is received. The screed assembly is positioned to rest on a paving surface and to a float mode in response to a user command. An angle of attack of the screed assembly associated with the new paving operation is set in response to a user command. Further, a height of the screed assembly is adjusted based on the user defined paving depth. A confirmation message indicative of the screed assembly prepared for the new paving operation is provided to a user.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Jameson M. Smieja, Ricky L. Mings
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Publication number: 20150337504Abstract: A vibration system for a paving machine having a power source and an integrated generator is provided. The vibration system may include a power converter in electrical communication with the integrated generator, a motor drive in electrical communication with the power converter, an electric motor in electrical communication with the motor drive, and a vibratory mechanism operatively coupled to the electric motor and configured to engage at least one of a screed assembly and a tamper assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2014Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: John Eron Jorgensen, Stephen Kreis Phelps, Krishnakumar Dharapuram Ramamoorthy, Jason Kopacz, Luke E. Graham, Toby Andrew Frelich
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Patent number: 9045871Abstract: A paving machine including an adjustable screed assembly is provided. Actuators adjust the screed assembly into the plurality of different configurations. Sensors sense a respective configuration parameter indicative of the configuration of the screed assembly. A controller is configured to save a first set of parameters including the configuration parameters and save a second set of parameters including the configuration parameters in response. The controller is configured to recall one of the first set or second set of parameters, and adjust automatically the configuration of the screed assembly to correspond to the configuration parameters included in the recalled first set or second set of parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Rick L. Mings, Jameson M. Smieja, Toby A. Frelich, Igor S. Ramos, Anthony P. Steinhagen, Jason W. Kopacz, Chad M. Thiesse, Ryan T. Thiesse, Bradley D. Anderson, Daniel D. Podany, Kea V. Chin
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Publication number: 20150139729Abstract: A method for preparing a screed assembly for starting a new paving operation is provided. The screed assembly is reset to a pre-stored screed position in response to a user command. A user defined paving depth associated with the new paving operation is received. The screed assembly is positioned to rest on a paving surface and to a float mode in response to a user command. An angle of attack of the screed assembly associated with the new paving operation is set in response to a user command. Further, a height of the screed assembly is adjusted based on the user defined paving depth. A confirmation message indicative of the screed assembly prepared for the new paving operation is provided to a user.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Jameson M. Smieja, Ricky L. Mings
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Patent number: 8979425Abstract: A control system for an extendable screed includes a first input device configured to set a speed limit for the extendable screed, a second input device configured to vary a speed of the extendable screed within the speed limit. The controller further includes, a third input device configured to govern a relationship between a speed of the extendable screed and a relative position of the second input device. The control system further includes a controller configured to receive inputs from the first, the second, and the third input devices and output a command signal to move the extendable screed relative to the main screed.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Igor S. Ramos, Todd M. Jennings, Kea V. Chin, Daniel D. Podany, LaTanya G. Turner, Yasin H. Mohamed, Jameson M. Smieja
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Publication number: 20150063907Abstract: A method of operating a machine having at least one tool is provided. The method may store one or more job profiles or machine configurations and an auto-zero or default profile in a memory associated with the machine, where each of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile may include one or more control settings for operating one or more of the machine and the tool; recall a selected one of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile in response to user input received at a user interface associated with the machine; engage or machine reset operation of one or more of the machine and the tool according to the control settings associated with the selected one of the job profiles and the auto-zero profile; and disengage at least part of the operation based on positioning information provided by one or more feedback devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Jameson M. Smieja, Rick L. Mings
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Publication number: 20140260751Abstract: An operator interface having actuators associated therewith for controlling functions of a paving machine. The operator interface includes an interactive display and a configurable lockout control associated therewith. The interactive display is enabled to allow an operator to configure the configurable lockout control by selecting at least one function that is locked out of control by an associated actuator when the lockout control is activated.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Ricky L. Mings, Jameson Michael Smieja
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Publication number: 20140186115Abstract: A paving machine including an adjustable screed assembly is provided. Actuators adjust the screed assembly into the plurality of different configurations. Sensors sense a respective configuration parameter indicative of the configuration of the screed assembly. A controller is configured to save a first set of parameters including the configuration parameters and save a second set of parameters including the configuration parameters in response. The controller is configured to recall one of the first set or second set of parameters, and adjust automatically the configuration of the screed assembly to correspond to the configuration parameters included in the recalled first set or second set of parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: July 3, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Rick L. Mings, Jameson M. Smieja, Toby A. Frelich, Igor S. Ramos, Anthony P. Steinhagen, Jason W. Kopacz, Chad M. Thiesse, Ryan T. Thiesse, Bradley D. Anderson, Daniel D. Podany, Kea V. Chin
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Publication number: 20140119826Abstract: A control system for an extendable screed includes a first input device configured to set a speed limit for the extendable screed, a second input device configured to vary a speed of the extendable screed within the speed limit. The controller further includes, a third input device configured to govern a relationship between a speed of the extendable screed and a relative position of the second input device. The control system further includes a controller configured to receive inputs from the first, the second, and the third input devices and output a command signal to move the extendable screed relative to the main screed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Igor S. Ramos, Todd M. Jennings, Kea V. Chin, Daniel D. Podany, LaTanya G. Turner, Yasin H. Mohamed, Jameson M. Smieja
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Publication number: 20140037375Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a conveyor and a walking floor. The conveyor is configured to convey paving material from a hopper of a paving machine. The walking floor is immediately adjacent to the conveyor. The walking floor is configured to convey at least a portion of the paving material to the conveyor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Luke E. Graham
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Patent number: 8517630Abstract: Asphalt paving machine includes screed assembly, plurality of lower and upper plate fasteners, and upper and lower screed plates, each having openings, and an electric heater at least partially disposed between the plates. Upper and lower plate fasteners extend into openings of the respective upper and lower screed plates and bores of a frame portion of the screed assembly to couple the plates to the frame portion. The upper plate fasteners couple the upper screed plate to the frame portion independently of the lower screed plate, so the lower plate is displaceable from the upper plate and the frame portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Jason W. Kopacz, Tobin D. Rasmusson, Timothy L. Wehrenberg