Patents by Inventor Mark A. Robinson

Mark A. Robinson 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).

  • Publication number: 20230339539
    Abstract: A method for steering alignment calibration of an articulated machine having front and rear frames pivotally connected by an articulation joint to steer the machine may include displaying a steering alignment calibration screen with a target steering angle between the frames and a calculated steering angle. The calculated steering angle may be determined based on a sensed steering angle and a calibration steering angle. The machine is steered until the displayed calculated steering angle is equal to the target steering angle. If an actual steering angle of the machine is not equal to the target steering angle, further steering is performed until the actual steering angle is equal to the target steering angle. The calibration steering angle may be recalculated and stored for future use when the actual steering angle is equal to the target steering angle but the calculated steering angle is not equal to the target steering angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Beau James Berning, Robert Joseph Madera, Robert A. Scherbinske, Mark A. Robinson, Jed Brooker, Dustin Dale Denning, Robert E. Shockency, JR.
  • Patent number: 11155166
    Abstract: A work machine may include a steering system, a user interface, a detection device, and a control device. The user interface may generate an input signal corresponding to operator input. The detection device may generate a detection signal corresponding to a presence of an operator relative to the user interface. The control device may determine that the operator is unavailable based on the detection signal and the input signal, and enable a lockout mode based on determining that the operator is unavailable. The control device may determine, while the lockout mode is enabled, a readiness indicator. The readiness indicator may confirm a readiness of the operator based on determining that the detection signal satisfies a readiness criterion. The control device may disable the lockout mode based on determining that the readiness criterion is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cobo, Mark A. Robinson, Justin Ayers, Scott Marks, Joshua Mason, Beau Berning
  • Publication number: 20210094417
    Abstract: A work machine may include a steering system, a user interface, a detection device, and a control device. The user interface may generate an input signal corresponding to operator input. The detection device may generate a detection signal corresponding to a presence of an operator relative to the user interface. The control device may determine that the operator is unavailable based on the detection signal and the input signal, and enable a lockout mode based on determining that the operator is unavailable. The control device may determine, while the lockout mode is enabled, a readiness indicator. The readiness indicator may confirm a readiness of the operator based on determining that the detection signal satisfies a readiness criterion. The control device may disable the lockout mode based on determining that the readiness criterion is satisfied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. COBO, Mark A. ROBINSON, Justin AYERS, Scott MARKS, Joshua MASON, Beau BERNING
  • Patent number: 10928227
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a sensor assembly to a pair of rotatable members coupled by an articulation joint includes a sensor mounting plate. The sensor mounting plate is coupled to a first rotatable member and supports at least one sensor element thereon such that the at least one sensor element is in alignment with an axis of the articulation joint. The mounting system also includes a target mounting plate that is disposed in a spaced-apart manner from the sensor mounting plate. The target mounting plate has a target mounting portion for supporting the target element thereon, and a support arm extending from the target mounting portion. Further, the mounting system also includes a post having a first end configured to couple with the second rotatable member and a second end that is configured to adjustably support the support arm of the target mounting plate via an adjustment block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A Robinson, Brian Ulrich, Jeffrey Kent Berry, Shaun Randall Melchiori, Beau James Berning, Scott Allen Pozzie, Travis Parker
  • Publication number: 20200326213
    Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a sensor assembly to a pair of rotatable members coupled by an articulation joint includes a sensor mounting plate. The sensor mounting plate is coupled to a first rotatable member and supports at least one sensor element thereon such that the at least one sensor element is in alignment with an axis of the articulation joint. The mounting system also includes a target mounting plate that is disposed in a spaced-apart manner from the sensor mounting plate. The target mounting plate has a target mounting portion for supporting the target element thereon, and a support arm extending from the target mounting portion. Further, the mounting system also includes a post having a first end configured to couple with the second rotatable member and a second end that is configured to adjustably support the support arm of the target mounting plate via an adjustment block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Robinson, Brian Ulrich, Jeffrey Kent Berry, Shaun Randall Melchiori, Beau James Berning, Scott Allen Pozzie, Travis Parker
  • Patent number: 10246087
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating collisions for an articulated work vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to determine a safe-zone around the articulated work vehicle based on signals corresponding to sensed objects around the articulated work vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine a position and velocity of one or more peripheral points on the articulated work vehicle based on signals from a set of sensor systems operatively coupled to the articulated work vehicle. The controller is further configured to receive a driver control input. The controller is further configured to apply a limit to the driver control input when a peripheral point on the articulated work vehicle is expected to be within a predetermined distance to a nearest edge of the safe-zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Adam M. Plecker, Mark A. Robinson, Shaun R. Melchiori
  • Patent number: 10087603
    Abstract: A system may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to transmit sensor information regarding a speed of a machine, a position of an implement of the machine, a payload of the machine, a grade of a surface on which the machine is traveling. The system may further comprise an electronic control module configured to receive steering command information regarding a steering command of the machine; determine, based on the steering command information, one or more articulation parameters associated with the steering command, determine the speed, the position of the implement, the payload, and the grade based on the sensor information. The electronic control module may be configured to determine one or more articulation parameters thresholds based on the speed, the position of the implement, and the payload of the machine; and modify the steering command when the one or more articulation parameters exceeds the one or more articulation parameters thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Mark A. Robinson, Adam M. Plecker
  • Publication number: 20180179732
    Abstract: A payload optimization system is disclosed and may include one or more visual sensors operably coupled to a hauling machine and configured to scan and produce a payload body data set. The system may further include a loading machine including a payload bucket configured to load a payload into the payload body. Moreover, a loading system controller may be communicably coupled to each of the hauling machine and the loading machine and configured to identify the hauling machine and the loading machine using a set of machine identifiers. Moreover, the controller may receive the payload body data set from the one or more visual sensors, generate a payload body map, and program a loading sequence of the payload body based on the payload body map. The loading system controller may transmit and display the loading sequence configured to guide a loading cycle between the hauling machine and the loading machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Bartsch, Mark A. Robinson, Jeffrey C. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20180170369
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating collisions for an articulated work vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to determine a safe-zone around the articulated work vehicle based on signals corresponding to sensed objects around the articulated work vehicle. The controller is further configured to determine a position and velocity of one or more peripheral points on the articulated work vehicle based on signals from a set of sensor systems operatively coupled to the articulated work vehicle. The controller is further configured to receive a driver control input. The controller is further configured to apply a limit to the driver control input when a peripheral point on the articulated work vehicle is expected to be within a predetermined distance to a nearest edge of the safe-zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. MITCHELL, Adam M. PLECKER, Mark A. ROBINSON, Shaun R. MELCHIORI
  • Publication number: 20180087242
    Abstract: A system may comprise a plurality of sensors configured to transmit sensor information regarding a speed of a machine, a position of an implement of the machine, a payload of the machine, a grade of a surface on which the machine is traveling. The system may further comprise an electronic control module configured to receive steering command information regarding a steering command of the machine; determine, based on the steering command information, one or more articulation parameters associated with the steering command, determine the speed, the position of the implement, the payload, and the grade based on the sensor information. The electronic control module may be configured to determine one or more articulation parameters thresholds based on the speed, the position of the implement, and the payload of the machine; and modify the steering command when the one or more articulation parameters exceeds the one or more articulation parameters thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Mark A. Robinson, Adam M. Plecker
  • Patent number: 9925983
    Abstract: A system and method for limiting articulation between a front frame and a rear frame of an articulated machine are disclosed. The system and method receive steering signals and determine impending contact between the front frame and the rear frame based on the received steering signals. Additionally, an amount by which to reduce torque at a hitch coupled between the front and rear frames so as to limit an articulation characteristic of the front frame relative to the rear frame to a predetermined value is determined, responsive to determination of impending contact. Prior to contact, rimpull of the articulated machine is reduced based on the determined amount of torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Sameer S. Marathe, Mark A. Robinson, Wesley T. Payne
  • Publication number: 20180015927
    Abstract: A system and method for limiting articulation between a front frame and a rear frame of an articulated machine are disclosed. The system and method receive steering signals and determine impending contact between the front frame and the rear frame based on the received steering signals. Additionally, an amount by which to reduce torque at a hitch coupled between the front and rear frames so as to limit an articulation characteristic of the front frame relative to the rear frame to a predetermined value is determined, responsive to determination of impending contact. Prior to contact, rimpull of the articulated machine is reduced based on the determined amount of torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2016
    Publication date: January 18, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. MITCHELL, Sameer S. MARATHE, Mark A. ROBINSON, Wesley T. PAYNE
  • Patent number: 9139981
    Abstract: A system for derating rimpull on a machine, and a related method and computer program product are disclosed. The system may comprise a one or more front wheels, one or more rear wheels, one or more front powertrains, one or more rear powertrains, a hydraulic system, an engine, and a controller. The controller configured to determine a Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, determine a Final Rear Derate Amount, derate rear wheel rimpull by the Final Rear Derate Amount, and, if the Final Rear Derate Amount is less than the Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, derate front wheel rimpull by the Shortfall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Mark A. Robinson, Sameer S. Marathe
  • Publication number: 20150218779
    Abstract: A system for derating rimpull on a machine, and a related method and computer program product are disclosed. The system may comprise a one or more front wheels, one or more rear wheels, one or more front powertrains, one or more rear powertrains, a hydraulic system, an engine, and a controller. The controller configured to determine a Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, determine a Final Rear Derate Amount, derate rear wheel rimpull by the Final Rear Derate Amount, and, if the Final Rear Derate Amount is less than the Total Rimpull Derate for the machine, derate front wheel rimpull by the Shortfall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Mitchell, Mark A. Robinson, Sameer S. Marathe
  • Patent number: 6439574
    Abstract: A method of playing a poker type card game includes combining and randomizing a composite playing deck including selected portions of a standard fifty-two card deck and selected portions of a pinochle deck to change the probability of occurrences of specific hand types from a standard deck. The method is applicable to live poker, electronic video poker games and casino table poker games.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Mark A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5316203
    Abstract: An improved method for superplastic forming diffusion bonding includes application of a protective encapsulating coating over the stop-off coating to prevent migration of yttria into regions to be diffusion bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raymond G. Rowe, Gary T. Martini, Lawrence J. Galaske, Jr., Douglas J. White, Mark A. Robinson
  • Patent number: 5171602
    Abstract: The non-fat frozen dairy dessert product of the present invention comprises on a non-flavored basis, from about 8% to about 18% of milk solids not fat, from about 6% to about 15% of a natural sweetener, such as sucrose, from about 6% to about 15% of low dextrose equivalent corn syrup solids having a dextrose equivalent (DE) of from about 25 to about 36, from 0% to about 6% of high DE corn syrup solids having a DE of from about 36 to about 95, from 0% to 6% of dextrin having a DE of less than about 20, from about 0.5% to about 3% unmodified starch and from about 0% to about 0.5% stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Kraft General Foods, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Martin, Dennis C. Brooks, Mark A. Robinson