Patents by Inventor Matthew M. TINKER

Matthew M. TINKER 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).

  • Systems and methods for implement position measurement
    Patent number: 10900778
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a plurality of position sensors on a machine includes installing the plurality of position sensors on the machine, wherein the position sensors include at least two inertial measurement units (IMUs). The method further includes calibrating orientation of the IMUs, obtaining measurements from the IMUs, determining relative differences between the measurements obtained from the IMUs, and processing the relative differences using a Kalman filter procedure to determine positional data of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Tinker, Jeffrey K. Berry, Austin J. Scott, Aaron R. Shatters
  • Automatic dig assistance system for a machine
    Patent number: 10669691
    Abstract: A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. Tinker, Michael A. Spielman, Eric Cler, Aaron R. Shatters, Austin J. Scott, Jeffrey K. Berry, Sairam G. Velamakanni
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENT POSITION MEASUREMENT
    Publication number: 20200064130
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a plurality of position sensors on a machine includes installing the plurality of position sensors on the machine, wherein the position sensors include at least two inertial measurement units (IMUs). The method further includes calibrating orientation of the IMUs, obtaining measurements from the IMUs, determining relative differences between the measurements obtained from the IMUs, and processing the relative differences using a Kalman filter procedure to determine positional data of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. TINKER, Jeffrey K. BERRY, Austin J. SCOTT, Aaron R. SHATTERS
  • AUTOMATIC DIG ASSISTANCE SYSTEM FOR A MACHINE
    Publication number: 20190360169
    Abstract: A system for controlling an earth moving machine may comprise: a speed sensor configured to communicate a speed signal indicative of a speed of the machine; an operator bucket lift command input configured to communicate an operator-input bucket lift command; and a controller configured to: receive the speed signal and the operator-input bucket lift command; determine a torque of the machine; using the speed signal and the determined torque, determine a controller-generated bucket lift command; and provide a bucket lift command which is the larger of the operator-input bucket lift command and the controller-generated bucket lift command.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew M. TINKER, Michael A. SPIELMAN, Eric CLER, Aaron R. SHATTERS, Austin J. SCOTT, Jeffrey K. BERRY, Sairam G. VELAMAKANNI