Patents by Inventor Michael A. Taylor

Michael A. Taylor 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: 20220325560
    Abstract: A latch system that attaches to a retractable load bearing pool cover. The latch system interconnects deployable and retractable load-bearing floor panels or pool cover panels that may be separable into individual sections for compact vertical stacking and storage when the panels are retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Wutpool, Inc
    Inventors: Scott Uram, Michael A. Taylor, Andy Schlenker
  • Patent number: 10407872
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an earthmoving machine operating at a worksite is disclosed. The control system includes a receiving unit to receive a first input indicative of a terrain profile of the worksite, a second input indicative of a target terrain profile for the worksite, and a third input indicative of machine characteristics. The control system also includes a mission planning controller to generate an excavation plan based on the first input, the second input, and the third input. The controller controls operation of the machine, based on the generated excavation plan, to obtain an excavated terrain profile. Further, the controller determines whether the excavated terrain profile matches with the target terrain profile, and operates the machine based on inputs indicative of the excavated terrain profile, the second input, the third input, and an extent of match between the excavated terrain profile and the target terrain profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Mikael Holmqvist, Michael A. Taylor, Kyle A. Edwards, Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
  • Patent number: 10248127
    Abstract: A method for depositing piles of material, by a machine, in a work zone of a worksite. The method comprising detecting, by a controller, a first area occupied by a first pile deposited in the work zone, determining, by the controller, an available area in the work zone based on a comparison of the first area with an area of the work zone, determining, by the controller, a remaining number of piles to be deposited in the available area based on the determination of the available area, determining, by the controller, a location for each pile of the remaining number of piles to be deposited in the available area such that each pile of the remaining number of piles are evenly spaced from each other; and generating, by the controller, a machine signal to operate the machine to form the remaining number of piles at the respective determined location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Steven E. Empson, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20190055715
    Abstract: A control system for controlling an earthmoving machine operating at a worksite is disclosed. The control system includes a receiving unit to receive a first input indicative of a terrain profile of the worksite, a second input indicative of a target terrain profile for the worksite, and a third input indicative of machine characteristics. The control system also includes a mission planning controller to generate an excavation plan based on the first input, the second input, and the third input. The controller controls operation of the machine, based on the generated excavation plan, to obtain an excavated terrain profile. Further, the controller determines whether the excavated terrain profile matches with the target terrain profile, and operates the machine based on inputs indicative of the excavated terrain profile, the second input, the third input, and an extent of match between the excavated terrain profile and the target terrain profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Mikael Holmqvist, Michael A. Taylor, Kyle A. Edwards, Brian G. Funke, Seth J. Redenbo
  • Patent number: 10208453
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a work zone in a worksite is disclosed. The work zone includes an overburden region, a dump region having an incline of positive slope, and an initial pivot point at a junction of the overburden region and the incline. The method includes monitoring, by a controller, an elevation of the work zone based on an elevation data received from one or more sensors. Further, the method comprises detecting, by the controller, a location in the work zone having an elevation lower than an elevation of the initial pivot point based on the elevation data. Furthermore, the method comprises updating, by the controller, the detected location as a new pivot point if the detected location is within a predetermined distance from the initial pivot point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Steven E. Empson, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20180341268
    Abstract: A method for depositing piles of material, by a machine, in a work zone of a worksite. The method comprising detecting, by a controller, a first area occupied by a first pile deposited in the work zone, determining, by the controller, an available area in the work zone based on a comparison of the first area with an area of the work zone, determining, by the controller, a remaining number of piles to be deposited in the available area based on the determination of the available area, determining, by the controller, a location for each pile of the remaining number of piles to be deposited in the available area such that each pile of the remaining number of piles are evenly spaced from each other; and generating, by the controller, a machine signal to operate the machine to form the remaining number of piles at the respective determined location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Steven E. Empson, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20180334783
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a work zone in a worksite is disclosed. The work zone includes an overburden region, a dump region having an incline of positive slope, and an initial pivot point at a junction of the overburden region and the incline. The method includes monitoring, by a controller, an elevation of the work zone based on an elevation data received from one or more sensors. Further, the method comprises detecting, by the controller, a location in the work zone having an elevation lower than an elevation of the initial pivot point based on the elevation data. Furthermore, the method comprises updating, by the controller, the detected location as a new pivot point if the detected location is within a predetermined distance from the initial pivot point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Steven E. Empson, Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 9909284
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9663921
    Abstract: A system for controlling an operation of a machine is provided. The system includes a controller to communicate with a positioning module disposed on the machine and a sensor module associated with the implement. The controller determines a start location and an end location of the operation, and determines an operating path therebetween. Further, the controller engages the implement with a work surface and moves the machine from the start location. The controller further determines an interrupted location of the machine based on the positioning module and a load acting on the implement. The controller further resumes the operation of the machine from the interrupted location if a first distance between the interrupted location and the start location is greater than a first threshold distance and a second distance between the interrupted location and the end location is greater than a second threshold distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20170009426
    Abstract: A system for controlling an operation of a machine is provided. The system includes a controller to communicate with a positioning module disposed on the machine and a sensor module associated with the implement. The controller determines a start location and an end location of the operation, and determines an operating path therebetween. Further, the controller engages the implement with a work surface and moves the machine from the start location. The controller further determines an interrupted location of the machine based on the positioning module and a load acting on the implement. The controller further resumes the operation of the machine from the interrupted location if a first distance between the interrupted location and the start location is greater than a first threshold distance and a second distance between the interrupted location and the end location is greater than a second threshold distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor
  • Publication number: 20160299037
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of scoring an automated pass performed by a machine having an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include calculating a normalized power value based on one or more machine parameters, determining an average normalized power value based on the normalized power value calculated during the pass, and generating a status indicator based on the average normalized power value and one or more predefined thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Michael A. Taylor, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20160282857
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Publication number: 20160201298
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining an implement path for a machine implement at a worksite is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying a work surface and a pass target of the worksite, defining a loading profile based on one or more curves constrained to the work surface and the pass target, defining a carry profile based on the loading profile and the pass target, and designating the loading profile and the carry profile as the implement path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Thandara K. Edara, Mo Wei, Timothy J. Felty
  • Publication number: 20160040388
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining a cleanup pass profile for a machine implement is provided. The method may include identifying a pass target extending from a first end to a second end along a work surface, determining a plurality of primitives of a cleanup pass profile extending between the first end and the second end where each primitive may be defined based at least partially on volume constraints, determining a cost value associated with moving the machine implement along the cleanup pass profile based on an optimization cost function, and adjusting the volume constraints associated with one or more of the primitives to minimize the cost value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9039675
    Abstract: An I.V. infusion or blood collection apparatus comprises an I.V. infusion set (100) and a safety shield (200). The I.V. infusion set has a wing body (105) from which a pair of wings (140) extend outward there from and a grip (145) extending upward there from. One end of the wing body mounts a needle (120) or catheter and medical tubing (130) is connected to the opposite end. The wing body includes a bore so that fluid flows between the needle and the medical tubing. A safety shield has a top, a bottom and opposing side walls and defines a cavity (227) that is adapted to receive the I.V. infusion set. The safety shield has slots (250) in each of the side walls and a slot (255) in the top. The respective wings and grip are adapted to be positioned in the slots and to slidably move therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: MDDP, LLC
    Inventors: Julie C. Howell, Michael A. Taylor, John F. Higdon, Robert G. Rosenthal, Sanjiv Kumar
  • Publication number: 20140377509
    Abstract: The present invention relates to plastic corrugated board. The board is made with a plurality of multi-layered sheets, each having three or more films all containing a common resin. The outer films are a blend of the common resin and one or more additional resins that soften the outer films relative to the core film, resulting in a soft/stiff/soft cross-sectional arrangement for each sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Michael A. Taylor
  • Patent number: 8639393
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a mobile excavation machine operating at a worksite. The control system may have a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the mobile excavation machine, and a position sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of a work tool. The control system may also have an offboard planner configured to receive a first input indicative of a characteristic of an intended work area, a second input indicative of a characteristic of the mobile excavation machine, and a third input indicative of a desired change in the intended work area. The offboard planner may also be configured to generate an excavation plan based on the first, second, and third inputs. The control system may further have a controller configured to autonomously control the mobile excavation machine based on the first and second signals and based on the excavation plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Jean-Jacques Clar, Thandava K. Edara, Timothy J. Felty, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20130116598
    Abstract: An I.V. infusion or blood collection apparatus comprises an I.V. infusion set (100) and a safety shield (200). The I.V. infusion set has a wing body (105) from which a pair of wings (140) extend outward there from and a grip (145) extending upward there from. One end of the wing body mounts a needle (120) or catheter and medical tubing (130) is connected to the opposite end. The wing body includes a bore so that fluid flows between the needle and the medical tubing. A safety shield has a top, a bottom and opposing side walls and defines a cavity (227) that is adapted to receive the I.V. infusion set. The safety shield has slots (250) in each of the side walls and a slot (255) in the top. The respective wings and grip are adapted to be positioned in the slots and to slidably move therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: MDDP, LLC
    Inventors: Julie C. Howell, Michael A. Taylor, John F. Higdon, Robert G. Rosenthal, Sanjiv Kumar
  • Publication number: 20120136508
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a mobile excavation machine operating at a worksite. The control system may have a locating device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the mobile excavation machine, and a position sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a position of a work tool. The control system may also have an offboard planner configured to receive a first input indicative of a characteristic of an intended work area, a second input indicative of a characteristic of the mobile excavation machine, and a third input indicative of a desired change in the intended work area. The offboard planner may also be configured to generate an excavation plan based on the first, second, and third inputs. The control system may further have a controller configured to autonomously control the mobile excavation machine based on the first and second signals and based on the excavation plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Inventors: Michael A. Taylor, Jean-Jacques Clar, Thandava K. Edara, Timothy J. Felty, Troy K. Becicka
  • Patent number: D817482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: MDDP, LLC
    Inventors: Julie C. Howell, Michael A. Taylor, John F. Higdon, Robert G. Rosenthal, Sanjiv Kumar