Patents by Inventor Robert A. Hamann

Robert A. Hamann 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: 12539870
    Abstract: A fatigue detection and operator alert system is disclosed for detecting operator fatigue in a machine having a cab, a seat, and a joystick. The fatigue detection and operator alert system comprises an optic sensor positioned non-obstructively facing an operator and configured to output a first signal consisting of images captured of an operator; a pressure sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of a pressure of an operator hand on the joystick; a thermal sensor configured to provide a third signal indicative of a temperature of the operator; a load sensor configured to provide a fourth signal indicative of a load of an operator foot; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor signals; detect instances of operator fatigue based on the received sensor signals during non-hauling operation; and actuate an alert device to alert the operator when instances of operator fatigue are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Luvkush Kumar, Tarashankar Mukherjee, Robert A. Hamann, Jeffrey P. Labre
  • Publication number: 20250198848
    Abstract: A fault detection device includes a thermal camera that takes thermal images of an electrical system. The fault detection device includes a processor that receives thermal images of the electrical system from the thermal camera and processes a temperature of an electrical component of the electrical system from the thermal images. The processor also processes a predicted temperature of the electrical component from the current passing through the component and the ambient temperature. The health of the electrical component and faults in the electrical system can be determined from the temperature difference between the measured temperature of the electrical component and the predicted temperature of the electrical component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Luvkush Govind Kumar, Siddartha Saikia, Robert A. Hamann, Jeffrey P. Labre, Mahendra Kumar Angamuthu Ganesan
  • Publication number: 20240416940
    Abstract: A fatigue detection and operator alert system is disclosed for detecting operator fatigue in a machine having a cab, a seat, and a joystick. The fatigue detection and operator alert system comprises an optic sensor positioned non-obstructively facing an operator and configured to output a first signal consisting of images captured of an operator; a pressure sensor configured to provide a second signal indicative of a pressure of an operator hand on the joystick; a thermal sensor configured to provide a third signal indicative of a temperature of the operator; a load sensor configured to provide a fourth signal indicative of a load of an operator foot; and a controller configured to: receive the sensor signals; detect instances of operator fatigue based on the received sensor signals during non-hauling operation; and actuate an alert device to alert the operator when instances of operator fatigue are detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Luvkush Kumar, Tarashankar Mukherjee, Robert A. Hamann, Jeffrey P. Labre
  • Patent number: 9190852
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Publication number: 20140084685
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain