Patents by Inventor Michael C. Gentle

Michael C. Gentle 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).

  • Patent number: 11486113
    Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade, and at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade. The grading machine also includes a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, at least one drawbar sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the drawbar, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and perform an automatic turnaround operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Gentle, Ethan M. Tevis
  • Patent number: 11466427
    Abstract: A grading machine include a machine body, a grading blade, at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a drawbar centershift cylinder, a user interface, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive an input from the user interface and position and orient the grading blade and the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined maintenance positions based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Gentle, Ethan M. Tevis
  • Patent number: 11459725
    Abstract: A grading machine may include a machine body, a grading blade, at least one grading blade sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, at least one drawbar sensor configured to sense a position and orientation of the drawbar, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and position and orient the grading blade and the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined ditching positions based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Gentle, Ethan M. Tevis
  • Patent number: 11459726
    Abstract: A grading machine may include a machine body, a grading blade, a drawbar connecting the grading blade to the machine body, a drawbar centershift cylinder, a user interface, and a control system. The control system may be configured to receive an input from the user interface and extend or retract the drawbar centershift cylinder to adjust a centershift of the drawbar to one of a plurality of predetermined centershift positions based on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Gentle, Ethan M. Tevis
  • Publication number: 20220259824
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may include a first input component to control a lean angle of at least one set of wheels of a machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the lean angle. The control system may include a second input component to control an articulation angle of an articulated joint of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the articulation angle. The control system may include a third input component to control a rotation angle of an implement of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the rotation angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Tevis, Michael C. Gentle
  • Patent number: 11396736
    Abstract: A control system is disclosed. The control system may include a first input component to control a lean angle of at least one set of wheels of a machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the lean angle. The control system may include a second input component to control an articulation angle of an articulated joint of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the articulation angle. The control system may include a third input component to control a rotation angle of an implement of the machine and to provide a visual and/or tactile indication of the rotation angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Tevis, Michael C. Gentle
  • Publication number: 20220127821
    Abstract: An automated system for a machine can include a controller and a plurality of position sensors to deliver information regarding a position of a work tool of the machine to the controller; wherein the controller receives information regarding a location of a machine structure of the machine, and wherein the controller is configured to establish a first virtual boundary proximate to the machine structure in view of the information regarding the location of the machine structure; wherein the controller is configured to receive operator commands regarding one or more functions of the work tool of the machine; and wherein, when the work tool reaches the first virtual boundary, the controller inhibits one or more functions of the work tool while at the same time allowing other functions of the work tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Vincent D. Jones, Michael C. Gentle, Michael S. Hill
  • Patent number: 10030366
    Abstract: In a motor grader, a total drawbar position may be determined based on signals from various sensors on a drawbar-circle-moldboard (DCM) assembly. The sensors can include rotational sensors for one or both lift arm angles, and one or both yoke primary angles in combination with sensors detecting lengths of the lift cylinders. The sensor information may be used to calculate roll, pitch and yaw angles of the drawbar relative to a frame of the motor grader.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan M. Tevis, Karl Kirsch, Michael C. Gentle
  • Publication number: 20170284067
    Abstract: In a motor grader, a total drawbar position may be determined based on signals from various sensors on a drawbar-circle-moldboard (DCM) assembly. The sensors can include rotational sensors for one or both lift arm angles, and one or both yoke primary angles in combination with sensors detecting lengths of the lift cylinders. The sensor information may be used to calculate roll, pitch and yaw angles of the drawbar relative to a frame of the motor grader.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan M. Tevis, Karl Kirsch, Michael C. Gentle
  • Publication number: 20160237642
    Abstract: A method of controlling a position of an implement of a machine relative to a frame of the machine is provided. The method includes receiving a target position value for the implement and determining if the target position value falls within a set of whole numbers. The method also includes receiving, via a control element of a user interface, an instruction to reset the target position value to a nearest whole number. The method further includes moving the implement to a position corresponding to the target position value that is reset to the nearest whole number based on the instruction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Gentle, Josh T. Hayes
  • Publication number: 20150165970
    Abstract: A method of notifying an operator that a reductant tank associated with a machine is in a full state during filling of the reductant tank. The method includes receiving a signal indicative of a current level of the reductant within the reductant tank from an electronic control module of the machine. The method also includes comparing the current level of the reductant with a predetermined threshold. The method further includes determining if a full tank status of the reductant tank exists corresponding to the current level of the reductant being greater than the predetermined threshold. The method further includes triggering a notification based on the determination of the full tank status condition of the reductant tank. The notification is provided in such a manner to alert an operator positioned outside of the machine of the full tank status of the reductant tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Tevis, Matthew A. Hartman, Michael C. Gentle
  • Publication number: 20150149054
    Abstract: A method of controlling a differential assembly of a machine is disclosed herein. The differential assembly may be locked by use of a differential lock. The differential lock is adapted to operate in at least one of an automatic mode and a manual override mode. The differential lock is activated and/or deactivated by an automatic differential control system with a manual override mode. The method initiates with activation of the automatic differential control system. Thereafter, the automatic differential control system may be overridden by activation of the manual override mode, while the automatic differential control system continues to be activated. Thereafter, the manual override mode may be deactivated by use of the automatic differential control system based on one or more of a plurality of operational parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Gentle, Dustin Funk, Kevin M. Moloney, Brad R. Van de Veer