Patents by Inventor Nathaniel S. Doy

Nathaniel S. Doy 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: 11619013
    Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a milling drum attached to the frame. The milling machine may have ground engaging tracks that support the frame, and height-adjustable leg columns connecting the frame to the tracks. The milling machine may also have an engine for rotating the milling drum and propelling the ground engaging tracks. The milling machine may have a slope sensor to measure a roll angle of the frame, a speed sensor to measure a ground speed, and a configuration sensor to measure a machine configuration parameter. The milling machine may also have an alarm device and a controller. The controller may determine a threshold roll angle based on the machine configuration parameter, compare the roll angle with the threshold roll angle, and activate the alarm device when the roll angle is greater than or equal to the threshold roll angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan L. Mashek, Dario Sansone, Nathaniel S. Doy
  • Publication number: 20230094845
    Abstract: Non-line of sight (NLOS) remote control for machines is accomplished by a remote-control station with cellular connectivity to run multiple machines remotely. However, NLOS is expensive and may not work in areas with low cell tower coverage. Accordingly, the present disclosure pertains to providing on-machine remote control to operators of machines at a worksite. The on-machine remote control allows one machine to actively control another machine through connectivity between those two machines. For example, a tractor operator may use on-machine remote control to take control of a compactor, such that the compactor may be run using the tractor controls.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine, Nathaniel S Doy
  • Publication number: 20230097927
    Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame extending along a longitudinal axis and a milling drum attached to the frame. The milling machine may have ground engaging tracks that support the frame, and height-adjustable leg columns connecting the frame to the tracks. The milling machine may also have an engine for rotating the milling drum and propelling the ground engaging tracks. The milling machine may have a slope sensor to measure a roll angle of the frame, a speed sensor to measure a ground speed, and a configuration sensor to measure a machine configuration parameter. The milling machine may also have an alarm device and a controller. The controller may determine a threshold roll angle based on the machine configuration parameter, compare the roll angle with the threshold roll angle, and activate the alarm device when the roll angle is greater than or equal to the threshold roll angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Nathan L. MASHEK, Dario SANSONE, Nathaniel S. DOY
  • Publication number: 20230055131
    Abstract: A propelled milling machine includes a cutting rotor that receives power from an internal combustion engine via a rotor drivetrain. To adjust the speed of the cutting rotor, the rotor drivetrain includes a rotor drivetrain transmission operatively associated with a rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit. To regulate temperature of the lubricant, a heat exchanger circuit is associated with the rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit and includes a rotor drivetrain lubricant heat exchanger and a rotor drivetrain lubricant pump assembly. The quantity of lubricant directed to the heat exchanger is regulated based on one or more sensed operating parameters associated with the lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz
  • Publication number: 20230051433
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a rotor drive transmission having a plurality of gears disposed between a prime mover and a cutting rotor. The rotor drive transmission is associated with a rotor transmission hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic gearshift actuator to engage the plurality of gears in one or more gear ratios and a gearshift directional control valve to direct hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic gearshift actuator. In occurrence of a fault condition, the rotor transmission hydraulic circuit includes a gearshift trapping valve to maintain hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic gear actuator and the engaged gear ratio of the rotor drive transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Derek P. Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Brian J. Schlenker, Ryan A. Enot
  • Patent number: 11578737
    Abstract: A milling machine may have a frame, ground engaging tracks that support the frame, and an actuator that adjusts a height of the frame relative to the track. The milling machine may have a control valve that selectively controls a flow of fluid into or out of the actuator based on the current supplied to the control valve. The milling machine may have a controller that determines the amount of current required to operate the actuator at a nominal actuator velocity and supplies that current to the control valve. The controller determines a measured actuator velocity based on a time required to extend or retract the actuator by a predetermined length, and adjusts the amount of current based on the measured and nominal actuator velocities. The controller also supplies the adjusted amount of current to the control valve to adjust the height of the frame relative to the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Hyppolite Kuissi, Lee M. Hogan
  • Patent number: 11566387
    Abstract: A milling machine has a frame, ground engaging tracks that support the frame, a first actuator connecting the frame to a first track of the ground engaging tracks and a second actuator connecting the frame to a second track from the ground engaging tracks. The milling machine has an orientation sensor that determines an orientation of the frame. The milling machine has a controller that operates the first and second actuators to raise or lower the frame. The controller determines the frame orientation using the orientation sensor. The controller also determines a velocity error between actuator velocities of the first and second actuators based on the frame orientation and a target orientation of the frame. The controller determines a control parameter for the second actuator based on the velocity error and operates the second actuator using the determined control parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Hyppolite Kuissi, Lee M. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20220412020
    Abstract: A method for controlling a ground cutting implement includes receiving, by a first controller, an input to actuate the ground cutting implement and determining, by the first controller, primary parameters associated with an activation of a fluid regulation valve. The method includes receiving, by the first controller, data corresponding to secondary parameters associated with an activation of a flow control valve from the second controller. Further, the method includes activating, by the first controller, the fluid regulation valve and communicating a first instruction to the second controller to activate the flow control valve if each of the primary and the secondary parameters meet corresponding parameter threshold conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek Nieuwsma, Ryan Enot, Nathaniel S. Doy
  • Publication number: 20220412018
    Abstract: A system and method for marking a boundary while defining an autonomous worksite includes receiving first information indicative of a first maneuvering distance from a side of a machine and activating an indicator. The indicator, representative of the first maneuvering distance, is positioned at the side of the machine to be visible to an operator of the machine. The machine is positioned on a worksite surface along a path to be traversed when executing a work plan. After a control system receives a verification from the operator that the machine may operate outside the worksite area and within an outer boundary defined by the first maneuvering distance, a worksite perimeter is defined to include the path, and a geofence for the machine is determined to substantially overlay the outer boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel S Doy
  • Publication number: 20220334581
    Abstract: A method for control of a compacting machine including a ground-engaging implement and a compacting drum includes receiving a request to activate the compacting machine, receiving a command to propel the compacting machine, and automatically generating a command to move the implement to a raised position in which the implement does not engage the ground based on: the request to activate the compacting machine, the command to propel the compacting machine, or a determination that the implement is below a threshold height. The method also includes, once the implement is in the raised position, propelling the compacting machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel S. DOY
  • Patent number: 11453984
    Abstract: A reclaimer has a frame and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame. The reclaimer has a drum chamber connected to the frame and including movable door. The reclaimer has a milling drum positioned within the drum chamber. The milling drum engages with a ground surface. The reclaimer has an engine that rotates the milling drum and propels the wheels such that material exits the drum chamber from under the movable door. Further, the reclaimer has a controller that determines a position of the movable door based on at least one of a machine characteristic and a predetermined gradation for the material exiting from the drum chamber, and selectively adjusts an actuator associated with the movable door based on the determined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Nathaniel S. Doy, Matthew S. Frantz
  • Patent number: 11408136
    Abstract: A rotary mixer includes a frame. The rotary mixer also includes a milling enclosure supported by the frame. The milling enclosure includes a side plate. The rotary mixer further includes a rotor disposed within the milling enclosure. The rotary mixer includes at least one vibration device coupled to the milling enclosure. The at least one vibration device is arranged to induce vibrations in at least one component of the milling enclosure for resisting accumulation of debris on the at least one component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek Peter Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Dustin William Sondreal, Jason W. Muir
  • Patent number: 11401664
    Abstract: A milling machine having a height-adjustable machine body includes a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a plurality of traction elements, a milling rotor assembly; and a machine height sensor system. The machine height sensor system includes a plurality of laterally adjustable machine height sensors and a plurality of position sensors, each associated with a respective height sensor and measuring a lateral extent of the height sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Nathaniel S. Doy
  • Publication number: 20220186448
    Abstract: A milling machine having a height-adjustable machine body includes a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis, a plurality of traction elements, a milling rotor assembly; and a machine height sensor system. The machine height sensor system includes a plurality of laterally adjustable machine height sensors and a plurality of position sensors, each associated with a respective height sensor and measuring a lateral extent of the height sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. MUIR, Nathaniel S. DOY
  • Publication number: 20220186447
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor accommodated in a rotor enclosure having side plates that are vertically adjustable with respect to a machine frame. To adjust the vertical elevation of the side plates, a plurality of sensors is mounted on the machine frame and associated with an electronic controller that measures and processes the vertical distance between the side plates and work surface. The electronic controller operates a hydraulic system to adjust the vertical distance between the side plates and the work surface. To accommodate changes in work surface topography, the hydraulic system includes a float circuit with an accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Matthew-David S. Frantz
  • Patent number: 11353111
    Abstract: A rotary mixer can include a frame, a rotor attached to the frame, four wheels attached to the frame for moving the rotary mixer, and a drive system for driving the four wheels, the drive system can include four independent hydrostatic drive loops, each of the independent hydrostatic drive loops associated with one of the wheels such that each one of the independent hydrostatic drive loops independently drives one of the four wheels; wherein the drive system includes a pressure balance mode of operation for relatively good traction ground or road conditions, and a wheel speed synchronization mode of operation for relatively poor traction ground or road conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Olson, Corwin E. Storer, Ryan A. Enot, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Rustin G. Metzger, Nathaniel S. Doy
  • Publication number: 20220162815
    Abstract: A reclaimer has a frame and a plurality of wheels connected to the frame. The reclaimer has a drum chamber connected to the frame and including movable door. The reclaimer has a milling drum positioned within the drum chamber. The milling drum engages with a ground surface. The reclaimer has an engine that rotates the milling drum and propels the wheels such that material exits the drum chamber from under the movable door. Further, the reclaimer has a controller that determines a position of the movable door based on at least one of a machine characteristic and a predetermined gradation for the material exiting from the drum chamber, and selectively adjusts an actuator associated with the movable door based on the determined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Jason W. MUIR, Nathaniel S. DOY, Matthew S. FRANTZ
  • Publication number: 20220042255
    Abstract: A milling machine is provided comprising a frame including a plurality of height-adjustable legs; a rotor; a rotor chamber including a movable front wall, a movable rear wall, and a pair of movable side walls; and a controller. The controller is configured to enable a rotor chamber binding control during on a lowering of the rotor towards a ground surface; automatically raising at least one of the front wall or the rear wall during the lowering of the rotor; and disable the rotor chamber binding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. DOY, Lee M. HOGAN, Austin R. BIES
  • Patent number: 11168750
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary mixer is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir, Ryan A. Enot, Jacob M. Saari, Derek Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20210299807
    Abstract: A machine for milling pavement such as a rotary mixer or road planer includes a cutting rotor that is vertically adjustable with respect to the frame and that is accommodated in a rotor enclosure. The milling machine may be associated with a visual camera network having one or more cameras located about the milling machine with a field of view toward the rotor enclosure and work surface. An image augmentation system can generate a reference line augmentation to superimpose over one or more visual images obtained by the cameras and display the augmented images on a visual display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel S. Doy