Patents by Inventor Paul T. Corcoran
Paul T. Corcoran 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).
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Patent number: 10364548Abstract: A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Liqun Chi, Sanat A. Talmaki, Paul T. Corcoran, Scott A. Leman, Brad L. Holsapple, Mark W. Whiting, Allen J. DeClerk
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Publication number: 20180044888Abstract: A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2017Publication date: February 15, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Liqun Chi, Sanat A. Talmaki, Paul T. Corcoran, Scott A. Leman, Brad L. Holsapple, Mark W. Whiting, Allen J. DeClerk
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Patent number: 9822509Abstract: A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Liqun Chi, Sanat A. Talmaki, Paul T. Corcoran, Scott A. Leman, Brad L. Holsapple, Mark W. Whiting, Allen J. DeClerk
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Publication number: 20170314232Abstract: A method of controlling machines for performing operations at a worksite is disclosed. The method includes receiving pre-construction terrain data, design terrain data, and resource data and then defining a plurality of constraints based on the data. Operations of the machines are simulated based on the data. The method includes estimating process variables associated with the operations and defining and scheduling tasks to be performed by the machines. The method includes collecting real time data from the worksite and updating the estimated process variables and the scheduled tasks of the machines based on the collected real time data. Instructions are then provided to the machines for executing the tasks.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2016Publication date: November 2, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Liqun Chi, Sanat A. Talmaki, Paul T. Corcoran, Scott A. Leman, Brad L. Holsapple, Mark W. Whiting, Allen J. DeClerk
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Patent number: 9423332Abstract: A system for validating compaction of work material at a work site including a compaction machine. A sensor and a location sensor are associated with the compaction machine. A controller is configured to receive compaction data from the sensor and position data from the location sensor and to determine a structural parameter of the work material based on the compaction data and physical properties of the compaction machine. The controller associates the structural parameter of the work material with the position data. The controller saves structural parameters and associated position data for different locations in the work site and for different layers of work material in the work site and compares the saved structural parameters and associated position data with predetermined structural design criteria for corresponding locations and layers in the work site.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Corcoran, Liqun Chi, Brad L. Holsapple
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Publication number: 20160168806Abstract: A compactor is disclosed that has at least one roller drum configured to compact a work material. The compactor also has a memory storing a calibration system. The calibration system has a plurality of reference propelling power values, a plurality of reference ground stiffness values, and correlation information between the plurality of reference propelling power values and the plurality of reference ground stiffness values. The compactor further has a processor. The processor is configured to determine a propelling power of the compactor. The processor is also configured to compare the propelling power of the compactor with at least one of a plurality of reference propelling power values in the calibration system. The processor is further configured to determine a stiffness value of the work material based on a relationship between the propelling power of the compactor and the at least one of the plurality of reference propelling power values.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Paul T. Corcoran, Liqun Chi
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Publication number: 20160103051Abstract: A system for validating compaction of work material at a work site is provided including a compaction machine. A sensor and a location sensor are associated with the compaction machine. A controller is configured to receive compaction data from the sensor and position data from the location sensor and to determine a structural parameter of the work material based on the compaction data and physical properties of the compaction machine. The controller associates the structural parameter of the work material with the position data. The controller saves structural parameters and associated position data for different locations in the work site and for different layers of work material in the work site and compares the saved structural parameters and associated position data with predetermined structural design criteria for corresponding locations and layers in the work site.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Corcoran, Liqun Chi, Brad L. Holsapple
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Publication number: 20160076205Abstract: This disclosure provides a system and method for compacting materials, and more specifically, a system and method for proactively varying compaction effort over a mat of materials located at a worksite area responsive to previously mapped data relating to the compaction makeup of that specific worksite area.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Corcoran, Nicholas Oetken, Allen DeClerk
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Patent number: 9169605Abstract: A system for determining a state of compaction of a work material includes a compactor and a compaction sensor system. A controller is configured to determine an empirical state of compaction of the work material based upon signals from the compaction sensor system and the characteristics of a machine associated with the compaction sensor system.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2013Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Corcoran, Allen J. DeClerk
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Publication number: 20140348587Abstract: A system for determining a state of compaction of a work material includes a compactor and a compaction sensor system. A controller is configured to determine an empirical state of compaction of the work material based upon signals from the compaction sensor system and the characteristics of a machine associated with the compaction sensor system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2013Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Paul T. Corcoran, Allen J. DeClerk
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Publication number: 20120107045Abstract: A compactor system includes a tipped drum having a plurality of tips, and a drum axle rotatably coupling the tipped drum to a frame. The compactor system further includes a sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of a height of the drum axle above a surface of a material substrate, and an electronic control unit configured to output a compaction progress signal responsive to inputs from the sensor. Related methods of preparing a work area with a compactor system, and determining a compaction state of a material substrate, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventors: Allen J. DeClerk, Paul T. Corcoran
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Patent number: 8099218Abstract: A method of operating a paving system includes establishing a plan for paving a work area which is based on a positional temperature model. The method further includes receiving temperature data for paving material and comparing the temperature data with data predicted by the positional temperature model. Operation of the paving system is adjusted where actual data differs from model predicted data. A paving system and control system are provided having an electronic control unit configured to compare electronic temperature data with a positional temperature model for paving material. The electronic control unit can control machines of the paving system based on comparing actual data with model predicted data, and can further update either or both of a plan for paving a work area and the positional temperature model itself based on differences between actual data and model predicted data.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Katherine C. Glee, Dean R. Potts, Paul T. Corcoran, Terry L. Rasmussen
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Patent number: 7908062Abstract: A soil moisture mapping based method for transferring soil for an earthworks construction project includes outputting signals based on soil moisture data and position data indicative of a location within a cut area or a fill area of the soil. The method further includes selecting a location within a cut area for obtaining fill soil or a location within a fill area for depositing fill soil based on the signals. A system for supplying soil for an earthworks construction project includes at least one machine having a sensor configured to sense soil moisture, and a receiver configured to receive position data corresponding with a location of the soil, and a signaling device configured to output signals based on the position data and soil moisture data. A transfer machine is included in the system and configured to selectively transfer fill soil between the cut area and the fill area based on the signals.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul T. Corcoran
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Patent number: 7731450Abstract: A method of operating a compactor machine includes moving the compacting machine within a work area and determining a compaction response disconformity exists between at least two regions of the work area. The method includes generating a compactor navigation signal responsive to the compaction response disconformity. A method of compacting a work area may include determining a work material compaction response associated with at least one region of the work area is aberrant, and maneuvering the compactor machine within the work area responsive to a signal associated with the aberrant compaction response. A system for compacting a work area includes a compactor machine and an electronic controller configured via a compactor maneuvering control algorithm to detect an aberrant work material compaction response in a region of the work area and responsively generate a compactor navigation signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 2006Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Congdon, Paul T. Corcoran
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Patent number: 7623951Abstract: A method of operating a compactor includes determining a value indicative of a compaction state of a region of work material after each of a plurality of compactor passes, and triggering a compaction fault condition if an incipient compaction response satisfies aberrant compaction criteria. A machine includes an electronic controller configured to trigger a compaction fault condition responsively to sensor input signals indicative that aberrant compaction criteria are satisfied by an incipient compaction response of a work material.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Congdon, Paul T. Corcoran
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Publication number: 20090142133Abstract: A method of operating a paving system includes establishing a plan for paving a work area which is based on a positional temperature model. The method further includes receiving temperature data for paving material and comparing the temperature data with data predicted by the positional temperature model. Operation of the paving system is adjusted where actual data differs from model predicted data. A paving system and control system are provided having an electronic control unit configured to compare electronic temperature data with a positional temperature model for paving material. The electronic control unit can control machines of the paving system based on comparing actual data with model predicted data, and can further update either or both of a plan for paving a work area and the positional temperature model itself based on differences between actual data and model predicted data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2007Publication date: June 4, 2009Inventors: Katherine C. Glee, Dean R. Potts, Paul T. Corcoran, Terry L. Rasmussen
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Patent number: 7428455Abstract: Accurately determining the compaction state of a base material during the compaction process is a recognized problem in the construction industry. The present invention recognizes that the compaction state of the base material can be determined by ascertaining the effective roller radius of the compactor. In other words, in the case of powered compactors, the effective roller radius will asymptotically approach the actual roller radius as the base material changes from a soft un-compacted condition to a hard compacted state. Monitoring compaction state via indicative of an effective roller radius can be used alone as a means of determining compaction state in real time, or can be leveraged and combined with other independent means of monitoring the compaction state to a symbiotic affect in more accurately determining compaction state.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2004Date of Patent: September 23, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Paul T. Corcoran
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Publication number: 20080202777Abstract: A soil moisture mapping based method for transferring soil for an earthworks construction project includes outputting signals based on soil moisture data and position data indicative of a location within a cut area or a fill area of the soil. The method further includes selecting a location within a cut area for obtaining fill soil or a location within a fill area for depositing fill soil based on the signals. A system for supplying soil for an earthworks construction project includes at least one machine having a sensor configured to sense soil moisture, and a receiver configured to receive position data corresponding with a location of the soil, and a signaling device configured to output signals based on the position data and soil moisture data. A transfer machine is included in the system and configured to selectively transfer fill soil between the cut area and the fill area based on the signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2007Publication date: August 28, 2008Inventor: Paul T. Corcoran
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Publication number: 20080063473Abstract: A method of operating a compactor machine includes moving the compacting machine within a work area and determining a compaction response disconformity exists between at least two regions of the work area. The method includes generating a compactor navigation signal responsive to the compaction response disconformity. A method of compacting a work area may include determining a work material compaction response associated with at least one region of the work area is aberrant, and maneuvering the compactor machine within the work area responsive to a signal associated with the aberrant compaction response. A system for compacting a work area includes a compactor machine and an electronic controller configured via a compactor maneuvering control algorithm to detect an aberrant work material compaction response in a region of the work area and responsively generate a compactor navigation signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventors: Thomas M. Congdon, Paul T. Corcoran
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Publication number: 20070239338Abstract: A worksite preparation method includes moving a compactor machine across at least one region of a worksite, and sensing values indicative of a compaction response of work material in a compacted region. The method also includes generating a machine traffic plan in real time responsive to the sensed values, outputting control signals corresponding to the machine traffic plan and taking a worksite fill action responsive to the control signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2006Publication date: October 11, 2007Inventors: Dean Potts, Paul T. Corcoran, Everett G. Brandt, Thomas M. Congdon