Patents by Inventor Robert S. Vail

Robert S. Vail 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).

  • System and method for estimating quantity of payload
    Patent number: 9841312
    Abstract: A method for estimating a quantity of a payload within a bed of a wagon coupled to a machine is provided. The method includes raising the bed of the wagon to a predetermined height. The method includes receiving a pressure signal indicative of a pressure in a hoist cylinder coupled to the bed of the wagon. The method also includes receiving a load signal indicative of a load at a hitch of the wagon. The method further includes estimating the quantity of the payload in the bed of the wagon based, at least in part, on a predetermined relationship between the pressure signal and the load signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Vail, Thomas N. Brooks, Jr.
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING QUANTITY OF PAYLOAD
    Publication number: 20160161323
    Abstract: A method for estimating a quantity of a payload within a bed of a wagon coupled to a machine is provided. The method includes raising the bed of the wagon to a predetermined height. The method includes receiving a pressure signal indicative of a pressure in a hoist cylinder coupled to the bed of the wagon. The method also includes receiving a load signal indicative of a load at a hitch of the wagon. The method further includes estimating the quantity of the payload in the bed of the wagon based, at least in part, on a predetermined relationship between the pressure signal and the load signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Vail, Thomas N. Brooks, JR.