Patents by Inventor Michael H. Noble

Michael H. Noble 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: 11879734
    Abstract: A system for positioning a tool or a component on a workpiece may include a laser configured to project a laser point on the workpiece. The laser may include a field of view and the laser may project the laser point upon objects within the field of view of the laser. The system for positioning a tool on a workpiece may also include a fixture configured to position the tool on the workpiece. The fixture may include a laser indicator configured to be aligned with the laser point projected on the workpiece. The fixture may also include a first tool receptacle configure to receive the tool and locate the tool on a portion of the workpiece outside the field of view of the laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Brewer, Josh E. Huang, Michael H. Noble, Keith Maynard Egland
  • Publication number: 20230384093
    Abstract: A system for positioning a tool or a component on a workpiece may include a laser configured to project a laser point on the workpiece. The laser may include a field of view and the laser may project the laser point upon objects within the field of view of the laser. The system for positioning a tool on a workpiece may also include a fixture configured to position the tool on the workpiece. The fixture may include a laser indicator configured to be aligned with the laser point projected on the workpiece. The fixture may also include a first tool receptacle configure to receive the tool and locate the tool on a portion of the workpiece outside the field of view of the laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Alan Brewer, Josh E. Huang, Michael H. Noble, Keith Maynard Egland
  • Publication number: 20230041636
    Abstract: A robotic welder includes one or more motors, one or more articulating arms connected to the one or more motors, one or more sensors configured to image a wear plate for determining welding locations for welding the wear plate to a blade of a machine, and an orbital welder to rotate a torch head for welding the wear plate to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Leon Adcock, Michael Alan Brewer, Michael H. Noble, Kevin Joustra
  • Patent number: 10569810
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Patent number: 10053930
    Abstract: A drilling drive system is provided. The drilling drive system has a mast having a longitudinal axis and a surface extending along the longitudinal axis. A bar is fixed to the surface of the mast and extends along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of rungs is disposed along the length of the bar, and a floating chain is disposed around the mast. A drive sprocket has a plurality of teeth that engage the plurality of rungs and the floating chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Griffith Marsh, Gabriel John Ellicott, Michael H. Noble
  • Publication number: 20180021890
    Abstract: A method and system for forming a weld joint using additive manufacturing is disclosed. The method and system involve providing a non-additive manufactured metal structure that includes a first end portion, a second end portion opposite the first end portion, and a middle portion between the first end portion and the second end portion. The method and system further involve increasing an effective sectional area of the first end portion by additive manufacturing a metallic geometric structure substantially permanently on the first end portion of the non-additive manufactured metal structure, without creating any fatigue-sensitive notches. One or more free edges of the additive manufactured metallic geometric structure form a weld interface at which to form the weld joint to fix the non-additive manufactured metal structure to another metal or metallic structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. GRIFFITH, Nathan J. Parsons, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Julian LOWERSON, Leon R. ADCOCK, Michael H. NOBLE
  • Publication number: 20170305471
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Patent number: 9731773
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. Gami, Ajay Dnyandeo Yadav, Richard K. Huff, Jarrod Delane Neal, Matthew M. Robinson, Tad W. Miller, Brandon C. Brenner, David William Holthaus, Jacob Warner Bell, Michael H. Noble, Edward Patrick Ormiston, Hemant Prasad Mallampalli, Thierry A. Marchione, Michael R. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20170051566
    Abstract: A drilling drive system is provided. The drilling drive system has a mast having a longitudinal axis and a surface extending along the longitudinal axis. A bar is fixed to the surface of the mast and extends along the longitudinal axis. A plurality of rungs is disposed along the length of the bar, and a floating chain is disposed around the mast. A drive sprocket has a plurality of teeth that engage the plurality of rungs and the floating chain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Richard Griffith MARSH, Gabriel John ELLICOTT, Michael H. NOBLE
  • Publication number: 20160353527
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus for heat-treating a joint disposed between two work pieces. The apparatus may include a retainer that has an inner surface. The inner surface of the retainer has a profile that corresponds to a profile of the joint and portions of the work pieces. The inner surface of the retainer may further include a groove for accommodating an inductor. The inductor has a first end connected to a first terminal of a radio frequency electric current source. The inductor extends from the first terminal and along the groove before terminating at the second end that connects to a second terminal of the radio frequency electric current source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Michael H. Noble, Donald Stickel, Howard W. Ludewig
  • Publication number: 20160264189
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a first structural member. The node may also have a second structural member disposed at an angle relative to the first structural member. Further, the node may have a first end plate attached to a first end of the first structural member. The node may also have a second end plate attached to a second end of the second structural member. In addition the node may have a connector plate attached to the first end plate and the second end plate. The connector plate may be disposed generally orthogonal to the first end plate and the second end plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rahul N. GAMI, Ajay Dnyandeo YADAV, Richard K. HUFF, Jarrod Delane NEAL, Matthew M. ROBINSON, Tad W. MILLER, Brandon C. BRENNER, David William HOLTHAUS, Jacob Warner BELL, Michael H. NOBLE, Edward Patrick ORMISTON, Hemant Prasad MALLAMPALLI, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Michael R. SPENGLER
  • Publication number: 20160264187
    Abstract: A node is disclosed. The node may have a core. The node may also have a projection extending from the core. Further the node may have a structural member attached to the projection. The node may also have a top cover having a top recess. The top recess may be configured to receive the structural member. Additionally, the node may have a bottom cover having a bottom recess. The bottom recess may be configured to receive the structural member. In addition the node may have a fastener to connect the top cover and the bottom cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Rahul N. GAMI, Ajay Dnyandeo YADAV, Richard K. HUFF, Jarrod Delane NEAL, Matthew M. ROBINSON, Tad W. MILLER, Brandon C. BRENNER, David William HOLTHAUS, Jacob Warner BELL, Michael H. NOBLE, Edward Patrick ORMISTON, Hemant Prasad MALLAMPALLI, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Michael R. SPENGLER
  • Publication number: 20150328737
    Abstract: A support system to support a work piece is disclosed. The work piece has at least one machineable plate and at least one fixture-stabilizing portion. The support system includes a support device for insertion between the machineable plate and the fixture-stabilizing portion. The support device includes a first support member with a first end and a second end. A channel extends from the first end along a first direction. Further, a second support member is adjustably coupled to the first support member to adjust a length between the first end and an end of the second support member, distal to the first support member. A strain gauge unit is configured to indicate a force induced in the support device upon linear manipulation of the support device and when the support device is positioned and tightened against the machineable plate and the fixture-stabilizing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yujie Chen, Thimmaiah K Ganapathi, Michael H Noble, Rohit A Bhapkar
  • Publication number: 20150321306
    Abstract: A support system to support a work piece is disclosed. The work piece has at least one machineable plate and at least one fixture-stabilizing portion. The support system includes a support device for insertion between the machineable plate and the fixture-stabilizing portion. The support device includes a first support member with a first end and a second end. A channel extends from the first end along a first direction. Further, a second support member is adjustably coupled to the first support member to adjust a length between the first end and an end of the second support member, distal to the first support member. A strain gauge unit is configured to indicate a force induced in the support device upon linear manipulation of the support device and when the support device is positioned and tightened against the machineable plate and the fixture-stabilizing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yujie Chen, Thimmaiah K. Ganapathi, Michael H. Noble, Rohit A. Bhapkar
  • Publication number: 20150321307
    Abstract: A support system to support a work piece is disclosed. The work piece has at least one machineable plate and at least one fixture-stabilizing portion. The support system includes a support device for insertion between the machineable plate and the fixture-stabilizing portion. The support device includes a first support member with a first end and a second end. A channel extends from the first end along a first direction. Further, a second support member is adjustably coupled to the first support member to adjust a length between the first end and an end of the second support member, distal to the first support member. A strain gauge unit is configured to indicate a force induced in the support device upon linear manipulation of the support device and when the support device is positioned and tightened against the machineable plate and the fixture-stabilizing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yujie Chen, Thimmaiah K. Ganapathi, Michael H. Noble, Rohit A. Bhapkar
  • Publication number: 20150129726
    Abstract: A modular retainer assembly for electrical cables is disclosed. The modular retainer assembly includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface. The upper and lower surfaces of the base define a thickness of the base therebetween. The modular retainer assembly also includes a plurality of divider walls projected outwardly from the upper surface of the base. Each divider wall of the plurality of divider walls define a channel disposed between the divider wall and an adjacent divider wall. Also, each divider wall has a curved profile along a length of each divider wall. Further, a cross section of each divider wall defines a top portion thickness and a bottom portion thickness, the bottom portion thickness of the divider wall being less than the top portion thickness of the divider wall measured at the cross section of the divider wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Sherman, Joseph M. Spanier, Michael H. Noble, Lori Lents
  • Publication number: 20120050688
    Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed. The fabrication system may have a work surface configured to support a base component, and an image projector. The image projector may be configured to project onto the base component a first image corresponding to an existing feature of the base component, and to project onto the base component a second image corresponding to a feature to be fabricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventors: TayChang Wu, Michael H. Noble, Eric R. Larsen, Keith A. Herman, Keith M. Egland, Chee K. Ng