Patents by Inventor Randall T. Anderson

Randall T. Anderson 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).

  • Publication number: 20230313495
    Abstract: A method of steering a mobile machine includes automatically steering the mobile machine in a forward direction to follow a grade line, and automatically steering the mobile machine in a reverse direction, based on a reverse mode selector setting of the mobile machine, to follow one of the grade line or a straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Randall T. ANDERSON
  • Publication number: 20230313490
    Abstract: A method for steering a mobile machine includes automatically steering the mobile machine in a track steering mode, determining a load condition of the mobile machine, and automatically steering the mobile machine in the track steering mode and a blade steering mode, simultaneously, based on the load condition of the mobile machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. ANDERSON, Bradley P. KRONE
  • Patent number: 11148714
    Abstract: A method for steering a machine while commanded to be in neutral, including: sensing that a transmission is in a neutral setting; applying one or more service brakes into a braking mode; ramping off a steering pump on a hydraulic steering system; sensing a steering command; releasing the one or more service brakes from the braking mode in response to sensing the steering command; and ramping on the steering pump on the hydraulic steering system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Benjamin D. Miller, Luke R. Sheley, Michael Anthony Berry
  • Patent number: 11117582
    Abstract: A vehicle controller may determine a decelerator input associated with controlling an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle. The vehicle controller may determine, while the vehicle is moving and based on the decelerator input satisfying a braking threshold, that an engine decelerator, associated with the decelerator input, is to be enabled for use in stopping the vehicle. The vehicle controller may determine, based on determining that the engine decelerator is to be used to cause the vehicle to be stopped, an amount of braking to be applied by a braking device of the vehicle to stop the vehicle. The vehicle controller may automatically cause the braking device to apply the amount of braking to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Randall T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 11046180
    Abstract: A method, system, and machine for controlling the output of an engine of a machine includes calculating the difference between a measured track slip based on track speed and ground speed and a calculated target track slip depending on track speed and chassis pitch, inputting the difference into a controller to determine a propulsion engine torque limit, and limiting the engine toque to the propulsion engine torque limit plus a steering system input torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Timothy A. Evans
  • Publication number: 20200377099
    Abstract: A vehicle controller may determine a decelerator input associated with controlling an engine speed of an engine of the vehicle. The vehicle controller may determine, while the vehicle is moving and based on the decelerator input satisfying a braking threshold, that an engine decelerator, associated with the decelerator input, is to be enabled for use in stopping the vehicle. The vehicle controller may determine, based on determining that the engine decelerator is to be used to cause the vehicle to be stopped, an amount of braking to be applied by a braking device of the vehicle to stop the vehicle. The vehicle controller may automatically cause the braking device to apply the amount of braking to stop the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Randall T. ANDERSON
  • Patent number: 10850736
    Abstract: An example, described herein, involves monitoring an operating input of a vehicle; determining a turning maneuver is to be performed by the vehicle with a decreased turn radius based on the operating input; determining that a transmission of the vehicle is to be downshifted to a low gear to enable the vehicle to perform the turning maneuver; and downshifting the transmission to the low gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Luke R. Sheley, Michael A. Berry, Manuel Gomes, Guillaume Raffin
  • Publication number: 20200247468
    Abstract: A method for steering a machine while commanded to be in neutral, including: sensing that a transmission is in a neutral setting; applying one or more service brakes into a braking mode; ramping off a steering pump on a hydraulic steering system; sensing a steering command; releasing the one or more service brakes from the braking mode in response to sensing the steering command; and ramping on the steering pump on the hydraulic steering system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Benjamin D. Miller, Luke R. Sheley, Michael Anthony Berry
  • Publication number: 20190351904
    Abstract: An example described herein may involve monitoring a transmission speed associated with a transmission of a vehicle; determining a threshold transmission speed for the transmission; determining an amount of braking to be applied by a braking device of the vehicle based on the transmission speed and the threshold transmission speed; and/or automatically causing the braking device to apply the amount of braking to cause the vehicle to travel at a vehicle speed that corresponds to the threshold transmission speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Luke R. Sheley, Michael A. Berry
  • Publication number: 20190337386
    Abstract: A method, system, and machine for controlling the output of an engine of a machine includes calculating the difference between a measured track slip based on track speed and ground speed and a calculated target track slip depending on track speed and chassis pitch, inputting the difference into a controller to determine a propulsion engine torque limit, and limiting the engine toque to the propulsion engine torque limit plus a steering system input torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Timothy A. Evans
  • Publication number: 20190337517
    Abstract: An example, described herein, involves monitoring an operating input of a vehicle; determining a turning maneuver is to be performed by the vehicle with a decreased turn radius based on the operating input; determining that a transmission of the vehicle is to be downshifted to a low gear to enable the vehicle to perform the turning maneuver; and downshifting the transmission to the low gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Luke R. Sheley, Michael A. Berry, Manuel Gomes, Guillaume Raffin
  • Patent number: 10400879
    Abstract: A control system for monitoring a torque converter in a machine is disclosed. The control system includes a first speed sensor associated with a driving shaft of the torque converter. The first sensor is configured to measure an input speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a second speed sensor associated with an output shaft of the torque converter. The second sensor is configured to measure an output speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a processing module adapted to calculate a speed ratio based on the signals received from the first speed sensor and the second speed sensor. The control system further includes an output module adapted to provide indication for a seized condition of a one way clutch in the torque converter based on the speed ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Cashatt, Chintankumar G. Kothari, Randall T. Anderson, Bradley J. Will
  • Publication number: 20170234420
    Abstract: A control system for monitoring a torque converter in a machine is disclosed. The control system includes a first speed sensor associated with a driving shaft of the torque converter. The first sensor is configured to measure an input speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a second speed sensor associated with an output shaft of the torque converter. The second sensor is configured to measure an output speed of the torque converter. The control system further includes a processing module adapted to calculate a speed ratio based on the signals received from the first speed sensor and the second speed sensor. The control system further includes an output module adapted to provide indication for a seized condition of a one way clutch in the torque converter based on the speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul D. Cashatt, Chintankumar G. Kothari, Randall T. Anderson, Bradley J. Will
  • Publication number: 20170175867
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission assembly includes a hydrostatic pump-motor assembly having a variable displacement hydrostatic pump. The pump has a primary input shaft configured to be operatively driven by a prime mover. The hydrostatic pump-motor assembly also includes a hydraulic motor fluidly coupled to and operatively driven by the hydrostatic pump. The motor has a primary output shaft that is bi-directionally rotatable with change in displacement of the pump. The primary output shaft is coupled to a secondary input shaft of a multi-speed transmission, wherein the multi-speed transmission includes one of: a counter-shaft transmission system, a multi-stage planetary gear set, and a power-shift transmission system that includes a combination of the counter-shaft transmission system and the multi-stage planetary gear set. This way, a secondary output shaft of the multi-speed transmission is configured to operate with discrete speed ratios in relation to the primary output shaft of the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Gross, Randall T Anderson, Rustin G Metzger, Matthew T Bober, Amogh A Deo, Guillaume Raffin, Robert A Jackson
  • Patent number: 9005081
    Abstract: An on-board system for providing traction control for a variable-load bearing vehicle having tracks subject to slippage is disclosed. The system includes a member(s) configured to be activated by an operator of the vehicle with an operator-to-vehicle interface or alternatively, automatic control without operator intervention, based only on measured actual vehicle tread speed, without obtaining actual vehicle speed. Member activation serves to control engine power level sufficient to reduce the slippage. Automatic control, after operator activation, is linked to at least one look-up table having predetermined power level values to provide the engine power level control, required to reduce the slippage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Randall T. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20140297062
    Abstract: A machine may include a torque producing system, and a torque consuming device including load controls operable to generate a request for torque. The machine may also include a control system coupled to the torque producing system and the load controls. The control system may be operable to receive the request for torque, determine a torque limit based on the requested torque, and communicate the torque limit to the load controls, the load controls being operable to adjust operation of the torque consuming device based on the torque limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Randall T. ANDERSON, Corey L. GORMAN
  • Patent number: 8844280
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a hydraulic actuator, a valve arrangement, and an operator input device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desired hydraulic actuator velocity. The hydraulic control system may also have a sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of an actual flow rate of fluid entering the hydraulic actuator, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine a desired flow rate of fluid into the hydraulic actuator based on the first signal; to estimate the actual flow rate based on the desired flow rate, a correction flow rate, and a system response model; and to determine the actual flow rate based on the second signal. The controller may also be configured to make a comparison of the estimated and determined actual flow rates of fluid, and to determine the correction flow rate based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Grant S. Peterson, Randall T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8813486
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a hydraulic circuit, and a pump configured to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic control system may also have a first fluid actuator fluidly connected to receive pressurized fluid from the hydraulic circuit, a first valve arrangement movable to control a flow of fluid to the first fluid actuator, a second fluid actuator fluidly connected to receive pressurized fluid from the hydraulic circuit, and a second valve arrangement movable to control a flow of fluid to the second fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system may additionally have a controller in communication with the first and second valve arrangements. the controller may be configured to make a determination of a stall condition of the first fluid actuator, and to selectively change a flow command directed to the second valve arrangement based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Grant S. Peterson, Randall T. Anderson, Rustu Cesur, Jason L. Brinkman
  • Patent number: D927531
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tony R. Metzger, Steven D. Ott, Michael William Bridenbaugh, Randall T. Anderson, Qi Xing
  • Patent number: D944284
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Tony R. Metzger, Steven D. Ott, Michael William Bridenbaugh, Randall T. Anderson, Qi Xing