Patents by Inventor Matthew-David S. Frantz
Matthew-David S. Frantz 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: 20240051101Abstract: A tool, for removing a cutting bit from a rotor of a rotor assembly of a machine, includes one or more input interfaces and one or more lighting units. The one or more input interfaces are configured to be actuated to perform one or more functions associated with removing the cutting bit from the rotor. The one or more lighting units are configured to be activated upon the actuation of the one or more input interfaces to illuminate at least a portion of the rotor assembly when performing the one or more functions associated with removing the cutting bit from the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2022Publication date: February 15, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Bernard Johnson, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Patent number: 11897097Abstract: A tool, for removing a cutting bit from a rotor of a rotor assembly of a machine, includes one or more input interfaces and one or more lighting units. The one or more input interfaces are configured to be actuated to perform one or more functions associated with removing the cutting bit from the rotor. The one or more lighting units are configured to be activated upon the actuation of the one or more input interfaces to illuminate at least a portion of the rotor assembly when performing the one or more functions associated with removing the cutting bit from the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2022Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nicholas Bernard Johnson, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Publication number: 20230382305Abstract: A method and system for generating an augmented machine view. The augmented machine view may include a dynamic virtual machine model representing an actual working machine, overlayed with camera footage from around the working machine. The dynamic virtual machine model may be synched in time with the camera footage. The system for generating the augmented machine view may include cameras mounted on the actual machine and machine sensors monitoring the position and movements of individual components of the machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: November 30, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew-David S. FRANTZ, Eric ENGELMANN, Dario SANSONE, Gianfranco PERRI, Elizabeth R. K. BROCKMAN
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Patent number: 11821153Abstract: A propelled milling machine includes a cutting rotor that receives power from an internal combustion engine via a rotor drivetrain. To adjust the speed of the cutting rotor, the rotor drivetrain includes a rotor drivetrain transmission operatively associated with a rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit. To regulate temperature of the lubricant, a heat exchanger circuit is associated with the rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit and includes a rotor drivetrain lubricant heat exchanger and a rotor drivetrain lubricant pump assembly. The quantity of lubricant directed to the heat exchanger is regulated based on one or more sensed operating parameters associated with the lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Patent number: 11613856Abstract: A milling machine, system, and method for implementing a return to cut operation and/or an exit cut operation controls legs of the milling machine, a rotor of the milling machine, and front and rear doors of a mixing chamber of the milling machine according to settings for each of the return to cut operation and the exit cut operation. Such control can be based on signals from one or more sensors of the milling machine configured to sense various position-related characteristics of the milling machine, and can be performed responsive to a control input at an operator control interface of the milling machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Jason W. Muir, Hyppolite Kuissi, Timothy Michael O'Donnell, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Jacob M. Saari
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Publication number: 20230055131Abstract: A propelled milling machine includes a cutting rotor that receives power from an internal combustion engine via a rotor drivetrain. To adjust the speed of the cutting rotor, the rotor drivetrain includes a rotor drivetrain transmission operatively associated with a rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit. To regulate temperature of the lubricant, a heat exchanger circuit is associated with the rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit and includes a rotor drivetrain lubricant heat exchanger and a rotor drivetrain lubricant pump assembly. The quantity of lubricant directed to the heat exchanger is regulated based on one or more sensed operating parameters associated with the lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Publication number: 20220412020Abstract: A method for controlling a ground cutting implement includes receiving, by a first controller, an input to actuate the ground cutting implement and determining, by the first controller, primary parameters associated with an activation of a fluid regulation valve. The method includes receiving, by the first controller, data corresponding to secondary parameters associated with an activation of a flow control valve from the second controller. Further, the method includes activating, by the first controller, the fluid regulation valve and communicating a first instruction to the second controller to activate the flow control valve if each of the primary and the secondary parameters meet corresponding parameter threshold conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2021Publication date: December 29, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek Nieuwsma, Ryan Enot, Nathaniel S. Doy
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Publication number: 20220325482Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a rotor attached to the frame; vertically adjustable legs to raise and lower the rotor, each of the vertically adjustable legs with a track or wheel at a lower end to propel the milling machine; and a mechanism associated with at least one of the vertically adjustable legs to mechanically store and recall a leg height selected by an operator of the milling machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Patent number: 11453985Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; a rotor attached to the frame; vertically adjustable legs to raise and lower the rotor, each of the vertically adjustable legs with a track or wheel at a lower end to propel the milling machine; and a mechanism associated with at least one of the vertically adjustable legs to mechanically store and recall a leg height selected by an operator of the milling machine.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Patent number: 11408136Abstract: A rotary mixer includes a frame. The rotary mixer also includes a milling enclosure supported by the frame. The milling enclosure includes a side plate. The rotary mixer further includes a rotor disposed within the milling enclosure. The rotary mixer includes at least one vibration device coupled to the milling enclosure. The at least one vibration device is arranged to induce vibrations in at least one component of the milling enclosure for resisting accumulation of debris on the at least one component.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek Peter Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Dustin William Sondreal, Jason W. Muir
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Publication number: 20220186447Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor accommodated in a rotor enclosure having side plates that are vertically adjustable with respect to a machine frame. To adjust the vertical elevation of the side plates, a plurality of sensors is mounted on the machine frame and associated with an electronic controller that measures and processes the vertical distance between the side plates and work surface. The electronic controller operates a hydraulic system to adjust the vertical distance between the side plates and the work surface. To accommodate changes in work surface topography, the hydraulic system includes a float circuit with an accumulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2020Publication date: June 16, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Patent number: 11353111Abstract: A rotary mixer can include a frame, a rotor attached to the frame, four wheels attached to the frame for moving the rotary mixer, and a drive system for driving the four wheels, the drive system can include four independent hydrostatic drive loops, each of the independent hydrostatic drive loops associated with one of the wheels such that each one of the independent hydrostatic drive loops independently drives one of the four wheels; wherein the drive system includes a pressure balance mode of operation for relatively good traction ground or road conditions, and a wheel speed synchronization mode of operation for relatively poor traction ground or road conditions.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Olson, Corwin E. Storer, Ryan A. Enot, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Rustin G. Metzger, Nathaniel S. Doy
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Publication number: 20210317621Abstract: A milling machine, system, and method for implementing a return to cut operation and/or an exit cut operation controls legs of the milling machine, a rotor of the milling machine, and front and rear doors of a mixing chamber of the milling machine according to settings for each of the return to cut operation and the exit cut operation. Such control can be based on signals from one or more sensors of the milling machine configured to sense various position-related characteristics of the milling machine, and can be performed responsive to a control input at an operator control interface of the milling machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2020Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel DOY, Lee M. Hogan, Jason W. Muir, Hyppolite Kuissi, Timothy Michael O'Donnell, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Jacob M. Saari
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Patent number: 10876260Abstract: An implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a frame supported above a surface of a ground by a ground-engaging portion and a suspension and a tool supported by and adjustable relative to the frame and configured for working the ground. The implement may also include a plurality of ground sensors configured for capturing distance measurements to determine the position of the frame relative to the surface and a control and monitor system configured for establishing a nominal scratch position of the tool relative to the surface based on the distance measurements. A method of controlling a rotor tool depth of a milling machine and a method of operating a milling machine are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma
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Patent number: 10844558Abstract: A method for operating a milling machine is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input identifying a leg of a plurality of legs of the milling machine. Further, the method includes determining a height of the leg based on the receiving of the input identifying the leg. The height of the leg being determined based on position data of the leg. The position data being obtained by a first sensor. Further, the method includes determining, by the controller and based on the determining the height of the leg, that a height of other legs of the plurality of legs is to be adjusted. Thereafter, the method includes adjusting the height of the other legs of the plurality of legs to the height of the leg. The height of the other legs being adjusted based on the determined height of the leg.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Lee M. Hogan, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Jason William Muir, Kristen Ann Gerstner, Timothy Michael O'Donnell, Hyppolite Kuissi
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Patent number: 10844557Abstract: An implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a frame, a ground-engaging portion for supporting the frame on a surface of ground, and a suspension system coupling the ground-engaging portion to the frame and for adjusting the frame relative to the ground-engaging portion. The implement may also include a tool supported by and adjustable relative to the frame and configured for working the ground. The implement may also include a control and monitor system configured for establishing a nominal position of the tool relative to the surface and for establishing an actual position of the tool relative to the surface based on an offset adjustment. A method of determining a rotor tool depth of a milling machine and a method of operating a milling machine may also be provided.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Jason W. Muir, Hyppolite Kuissi, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Publication number: 20200308783Abstract: An implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a frame supported above a surface of a ground by a ground-engaging portion and a suspension and a tool supported by and adjustable relative to the frame and configured for working the ground. The implement may also include a plurality of ground sensors configured for capturing distance measurements to determine the position of the frame relative to the surface and a control and monitor system configured for establishing a nominal scratch position of the tool relative to the surface based on the distance measurements. A method of controlling a rotor tool depth of a milling machine and a method of operating a milling machine are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma
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Publication number: 20200308781Abstract: An implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a frame, a ground-engaging portion for supporting the frame on a surface of ground, and a suspension system coupling the ground-engaging portion to the frame and for adjusting the frame relative to the ground-engaging portion. The implement may also include a tool supported by and adjustable relative to the frame and configured for working the ground. The implement may also include a control and monitor system configured for establishing a nominal position of the tool relative to the surface and for establishing an actual position of the tool relative to the surface based on an offset adjustment. A method of determining a rotor tool depth of a milling machine and a method of operating a milling machine may also be provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2019Publication date: October 1, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Jason W. Muir, Hyppolite Kuissi, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Publication number: 20200256462Abstract: A rotary mixer can include a frame, a rotor attached to the frame, four wheels attached to the frame for moving the rotary mixer, and a drive system for driving the four wheels, the drive system can include four independent hydrostatic drive loops, each of the independent hydrostatic drive loops associated with one of the wheels such that each one of the independent hydrostatic drive loops independently drives one of the four wheels; wherein the drive system includes a pressure balance mode of operation for relatively good traction ground or road conditions, and a wheel speed synchronization mode of operation for relatively poor traction ground or road conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2019Publication date: August 13, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Olson, Corwin E. Storer, Ryan A. Enot, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Rustin G. Metzger, Nathaniel S. Doy
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Publication number: 20190203431Abstract: A method for operating a milling machine is disclosed. The method includes receiving an input identifying a leg of a plurality of legs of the milling machine. Further, the method includes determining a height of the leg based on the receiving of the input identifying the leg. The height of the leg being determined based on position data of the leg. The position data being obtained by a first sensor. Further, the method includes determining, by the controller and based on the determining the height of the leg, that a height of other legs of the plurality of legs is to be adjusted. Thereafter, the method includes adjusting the height of the other legs of the plurality of legs to the height of the leg. The height of the other legs being adjusted based on the determined height of the leg.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2019Publication date: July 4, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Lee M. Hogan, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Jason William Muir, Kristen Ann Gerstner, Timothy Michael O'Donnell, Hyppolite Kuissi