Patents by Inventor Mo Wei

Mo Wei 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: 12553211
    Abstract: An apparatus can include sensor circuitry to detect a machine movement of a work machine along a surface. The apparatus can also include processing circuitry to receive machine movement information or force-related information and to determine probability that unwanted movement will occur. The processing circuitry can also provide a mitigation control signal to mitigate unwanted movement responsive to determining that the probability that unwanted movement will occur is above a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Benjamin J. Hodel
  • Publication number: 20260015819
    Abstract: A work machine may include a machine frame supported on a traction system, an implement supported by the machine frame and operable to perform work, an electrical power supply system configured for powering the traction system and the implement, and an electronic controller configured for controlling operation of the work machine and for calculating an accumulated damage score for a plurality of work cycles. The electronic controller may include a human-machine interface comprising a push level selector allowing an operator to select a push level to be used to perform the plurality of work cycles. The electronic controller may be configured to select a factor based on the selected push level to be used to calculate the accumulated damage score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2024
    Publication date: January 15, 2026
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Xinyu Ge
  • Patent number: 12480277
    Abstract: A control system for a machine includes a machine body, a linkage assembly, a bucket coupled to the machine body via the linkage assembly, a user interface remote from the machine body, and a controller in communication with the user interface. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals defining a dump region. The dump region includes a front-most end point and a rear-most end point. The controller is also configured to receive one or more signals defining a dump order or dump specification and initiate an autonomous digging and dumping procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Adam M. Nackers, Justin Lee Steinlage, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20250347090
    Abstract: A work machine can include a frame; a work tool coupled to the frame wherein the work tool includes a boom, a stick, and a bucket combination; a hydraulic system to provide power to operate the work tool; one or more sensors coupled to the work tool to detect a velocity of the stick and the bucket or a force applied by the stick and the bucket; and a controller coupled to the sensors and configured to detect, during a dig process, a stall or an impending stall of one or more of the stick and the bucket from information from the sensors, and configured to operate the work tool in a dig stall recovery mode when the stall or the impending stall is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2024
    Publication date: November 13, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. Hodel, Jeffrey K. Berry, Mo Wei, Adam Martin Nackers, Justin Lee Steinlage
  • Patent number: 12410586
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system and method for a mobile machine includes determining a boundary zone and providing a notification and/or control command to prevent a collision with another object. A first safety zone associated with a first and second portion of the mobile machine is determined. A second safety zone associated with the second portion of the mobile machine is determined. A boundary zone is determined as a function of a combination of the first and second safety zone. A notification and/or a control command is provided based on a relationship of an object to the boundary zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Jun Zuo, Jacob C. Maley, Manoj Pothugunti
  • Publication number: 20250270791
    Abstract: An earthmoving machine includes a primary power source for supplying electrical power to one or more electrical motors during a work cycle and an auxiliary power source to supply supplemental power during a high load condition of the work cycle. To recharge the auxiliary power source, the total required recharging power can be determined and can be converted to a recharging power control setting to be applied during the low load condition of the work cycle. Recharging power can be directed from the primary electrical power source to the auxiliary power source in accordance with the recharging power control setting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2024
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Xinyu Ge, Jia J. Li
  • Patent number: 12385227
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a work area of a work machine includes a sensor system. The sensor system generates one or more input signals corresponding to a position of at least one object present in at least one of the work area and a predetermined area. The input signals are indicative of the position of the object at different instances of time. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor system. The controller includes one or more memories and one or more processors. The one or more processors receive the one or more input signals, determine a moving route of the object based on the receipt of the one or more input signals, and generate a response signal if a start point of the object is located in the predetermined area and an end point of the object is located at the work area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20250137222
    Abstract: An excavating machine can conduct an excavation cycle that can be distinguished in a plurality of work cycle segments. To maneuver an excavation tool with respect the work surface during the excavation cycle, the excavation machine includes an excavation linkage powered by a primary electrical power source. The excavation machine can be operatively associated with a battery management system that can identify a high load condition associated with the excavation cycle and can responsively connect an auxiliary electrical power source to the hydraulic system to delivery supplemental power during the high load condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Xinyu Ge, Jia J. Li
  • Publication number: 20250116093
    Abstract: A system for identifying an improper implement on a machine includes a machine configured for performing one or more tasks, the machine including: a movable link configured to change a position of an implement installed on the machine; a hydraulic system for moving the link, the hydraulic system including a hydraulic valve and a hydraulic pump; and a pressure sensor configured to detect a pressure of hydraulic fluid for the hydraulic system and output a signal according to the detected pressure. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the signal from the pressure sensor, determine that the implement is improper due to being oversized, overweight, undersized or underweight, based on the signal from the pressure sensor, and generate a notification in response to determining that the implement is improper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mo WEI
  • Patent number: 12223837
    Abstract: A collision detection system including a proximity sensor, positioning sensor, and controller. The controller includes a memory storing instructions, and a model of the machine that includes dimension information of the machine, location information of the proximity sensor, and pose information of movable portions of the machine. A processor is connected to the proximity sensor, positioning sensor, and memory, and is configured to update pose information of the model based on the pose of the movable portions determined using the positioning sensor. The processor may receive a detection of the object from the proximity sensor. The processor may determine an expected detection result of the proximity sensor using the model, and based on the location information of the proximity sensor and the updated pose information. The processor may compare the detection with the expected detection result to determine whether the detection results from the movable portion or a foreign object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Jun Zuo
  • Publication number: 20240384501
    Abstract: A control system for a machine includes a machine body, a linkage assembly, a bucket coupled to the machine body via the linkage assembly, a user interface remote from the machine body, and a controller in communication with the user interface. The controller is configured to receive one or more signals defining a dump region. The dump region includes a front-most end point and a rear-most end point. The controller is also configured to receive one or more signals defining a dump order or dump specification and initiate an autonomous digging and dumping procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: November 21, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. HODEL, Adam M. NACKERS, Justin Lee STEINLAGE, Mo WEI
  • Publication number: 20240328125
    Abstract: Autonomous systems enable a machine, such as an excavator, to dig in a specified area with little to no human intervention. However, conventional autonomous systems require costly exteroceptive systems to monitor the terrain surface during the autonomous dig operation. Accordingly, embodiments are disclosed for estimating a terrain surface using only proprioceptive sensors, such as the linkage sensors on the work implement of an excavator. The terrain surface may be estimated by fitting a surface to one or more touchpoints collected using the work implement. The estimated terrain surface may be updated during a dig operation using a model of material flow and/or by collecting additional touchpoints. Embodiments enable a remote operator to visualize this terrain surface in a camera view by projecting the estimated terrain surface onto an image plane with a representation that depicts one or more terrain parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin J. HODEL, Adam Martin NACKERS, Justin Lee STEINLAGE, Mo WEI, Benjamin FLOYD
  • Publication number: 20240240435
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a work area of a work machine includes a sensor system. The sensor system generates one or more input signals corresponding to a position of at least one object present in at least one of the work area and a predetermined area. The input signals are indicative of the position of the object at different instances of time. The system also includes a controller communicably coupled to the sensor system. The controller includes one or more memories and one or more processors. The one or more processors receive the one or more input signals, determine a moving route of the object based on the receipt of the one or more input signals, and generate a response signal if a start point of the object is located in the predetermined area and an end point of the object is located at the work area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2023
    Publication date: July 18, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20240185719
    Abstract: A collision detection system including a proximity sensor, positioning sensor, and controller. The controller includes a memory storing instructions, and a model of the machine that includes dimension information of the machine, location information of the proximity sensor, and pose information of movable portions of the machine. A processor is connected to the proximity sensor, positioning sensor, and memory, and is configured to update pose information of the model based on the pose of the movable portions determined using the positioning sensor. The processor may receive a detection of the object from the proximity sensor. The processor may determine an expected detection result of the proximity sensor using the model, and based on the location information of the proximity sensor and the updated pose information. The processor may compare the detection with the expected detection result to determine whether the detection results from the movable portion or a foreign object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo WEI, Jun ZUO
  • Publication number: 20240011244
    Abstract: A collision avoidance system and method for a mobile machine includes determining a boundary zone and providing a notification and/or control command to prevent a collision with another object. A first safety zone associated with a first and second portion of the mobile machine is determined. A second safety zone associated with the second portion of the mobile machine is determined. A boundary zone is determined as a function of a combination of the first and second safety zone. A notification and/or a control command is provided based on a relationship of an object to the boundary zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Publication date: January 11, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo WEI, Jun ZUO, Jacob C. MALEY, Manoj POTHUGUNTI
  • Publication number: 20230392346
    Abstract: An apparatus can include sensor circuitry to detect a machine movement of a work machine along a surface. The apparatus can also include processing circuitry to receive machine movement information or force-related information and to determine probability that unwanted movement will occur. The processing circuitry can also provide a mitigation control signal to mitigate unwanted movement responsive to determining that the probability that unwanted movement will occur is above a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Benjamin J. Hodel
  • Patent number: 11549235
    Abstract: A system to control operation of a machine having a ground-engaging work implement for moving material about a worksite include a controller configured to determine a feasible target profile for the work implement to engage material. The feasible target profile may include a preload segment, a cut segment, and a loading segment. The controller determines a feasible prospective cut segment from a plurality of prospective cut segments. The controller generates a prospective preloading segment and a prospective loading segment associated with the feasible prospective cut profile. Position points associated with the loading segment are extracted and the controller determines if the ground-engaging work implement will align with the plurality of position points. The controller may also determine whether the load volume for the prospective cut segment is efficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 11378964
    Abstract: A method includes sensing, with a sensor, an outer surface of a pile of material, with a controller located on an at least partially autonomously-controlled machine, a midpoint of the pile of material based on the sensed outer surface; determining, with the controller, a plurality of potential loading paths around the midpoint for loading the machine; selecting, with the controller, a primary loading path of the potential loading paths based on a cost function analysis, and causing, with the controller, the machine to perform a loading instance as defined by the primary loading path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 11118453
    Abstract: A system for moving material from a first work area to a second work includes a material moving machine, a machine position sensor and a controller system. The controller system performs first material moving operations including determining a premature termination of a material stacking operation. The controller system performs additional material moving operations including instructing a material moving machine in response to the premature termination of a material stacking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20210222406
    Abstract: A guide system for planning missions of autonomous or semi-autonomous material displacement machines includes an operator interface and at least one computer coupled with the operator interface. The at least one computer is structured to receive working elevation information associated with missions executed by machines and indicative of working elevation parameters dependent upon disposition of a material displaced by the machines. The guide system is further structured to receive surrounding terrain information and compare the working elevation parameters to a surrounding elevation parameter. The guide system produces elevation variance alerts based on the comparison, and displays the elevation variance alerts in an operator-perceptible form such as graphically on a display in an operator interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Gerard Funke, Paul D. Lenzen, Mo Wei, Arvind Muthukumar