Patents by Inventor Rodney L. Menold

Rodney L. Menold 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: 11668255
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes engine braking actuators for adjusting exhaust valve timings to engine braking timings in a cylinder-number braking mode. The system further includes an engine braking controller coupled to a control switch that produces a request indicating a requested cylinder-number braking mode. The engine braking controller is structured to transition exhaust valves to the engine braking timings, determine a control term to adjust intake air pressure for varying a braking power of the engine, and to adjust geometry of an exhaust turbine based on the control term. An adjusted speed of a compressor rotated by the exhaust turbine provides a change to intake air pressure that adjusts the braking power of the engine. Different levels of braking power are provided within different cylinder-number braking modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Narayanan Nair, Samuel Were, James Harris Mutti, Behnaz Ensan, James Vernon Dornberger, II, Rodney L. Menold, Timothy David Schwartz, Kevin Walsh
  • Publication number: 20220178315
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes engine braking actuators for adjusting exhaust valve timings to engine braking timings in a cylinder-number braking mode. The system further includes an engine braking controller coupled to a control switch that produces a request indicating a requested cylinder-number braking mode. The engine braking controller is structured to transition exhaust valves to the engine braking timings, determine a control term to adjust intake air pressure for varying a braking power of the engine, and to adjust geometry of an exhaust turbine based on the control term. An adjusted speed of a compressor rotated by the exhaust turbine provides a change to intake air pressure that adjusts the braking power of the engine. Different levels of braking power are provided within different cylinder-number braking modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rajesh Narayanan Nair, Samuel Were, James Harris Mutti, Behnaz Ensan, James Vernon Dornberger, II, Rodney L. Menold, Timothy David Schwartz, Kevin Walsh
  • Patent number: 11208097
    Abstract: Methods include electronically monitoring sensor or transceiver location information to detect a location of a machine. Responsive to detection of the machine, determining if the machine is located within a first geographic region, and if the machine is located within a first geographic region, electronically sending a command to an actuator that is coupled to the machine to initiate a first response. The first response includes limiting a height of an implement that is coupled to a chassis of the machine. The implement being height-adjustable relative to the chassis by action of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schwartz, Andrew C. Jensen, Rodney L. Menold, Anthony J. Weltzer
  • Patent number: 11105653
    Abstract: A system for generating a map based upon a plurality of operations each including at least one quantitatively measurable task. The system includes a ground engaging drive mechanism, an operating sensor, a position sensor, a visual image display device, and a controller. The controller compares a first operating characteristic to a first operating range, and stores a first failed task and current machine position upon the first operating characteristic of the machine being outside of the first operating range. The controller also compares a second operating characteristic to a second operating range, and stores a second failed task and the current machine position upon the second operating characteristic of the machine being outside of the second operating range. A map of the machine path is displayed including each failed task and its associated machine position while performing the failed task.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Schott, Rodney L. Menold, David C. Janik, Andrew J. de Haseth
  • Patent number: 11052906
    Abstract: A dynamic roll over control system generates ground speed signals indicative of a current speed and compares the current speed to a desired speed. The desired speed is determined based upon the machine characteristics, the payload of the bed, the yaw rate of the bed, the pitch rate of the bed, and the roll angle of the bed. When the current speed of the machine exceeds the desired speed, the controller generates prime mover control signals to control operation of the prime mover to slow the machine so the current speed does not exceed the desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Schueth, Joel L. Skalet, Rodney L. Menold, Anthony J. Weltzer
  • Publication number: 20200353916
    Abstract: Methods include electronically monitoring sensor or transceiver location information to detect a location of a machine. Responsive to detection of the machine, determining if the machine is located within a first geographic region, and if the machine is located within a first geographic region, electronically sending a command to an actuator that is coupled to the machine to initiate a first response. The first response includes limiting a height of an implement that is coupled to a chassis of the machine. The implement being height-adjustable relative to the chassis by action of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schwartz, Andrew C. Jensen, Rodney L. Menold, Anthony J. Weltzer
  • Publication number: 20200339106
    Abstract: A dynamic roll over control system generates ground speed signals indicative of a current speed and compares the current speed to a desired speed. The desired speed is determined based upon the machine characteristics, the payload of the bed, the yaw rate of the bed, the pitch rate of the bed, and the roll angle of the bed. When the current speed of the machine exceeds the desired speed, the controller generates prime mover control signals to control operation of the prime mover to slow the machine so the current speed does not exceed the desired speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Schueth, Joel L. Skalet, Rodney L. Menold, Anthony J. Weltzer
  • Publication number: 20200249045
    Abstract: A system for generating a map based upon a plurality of operations each including at least one quantitatively measurable task. The system includes a ground engaging drive mechanism, an operating sensor, a position sensor, a visual image display device, and a controller. The controller compares a first operating characteristic to a first operating range, and stores a first failed task and current machine position upon the first operating characteristic of the machine being outside of the first operating range. The controller also compares a second operating characteristic to a second operating range, and stores a second failed task and the current machine position upon the second operating characteristic of the machine being outside of the second operating range. A map of the machine path is displayed including each failed task and its associated machine position while performing the failed task.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Megan Schott, Rodney L. Menold, David C. Janik, Andrew J. de Haseth
  • Publication number: 20140249729
    Abstract: A hill brake system in a vehicle uses a controller to determine when a number of conditions, such as being stopped on an incline, are met and then automatically applies a braking force at least equal to a calculated grade load, that is, gravitational force. Using drive train measurements and known drivetrain characteristics, a rimpull force is calculated after release of an operator-controlled brake and the automatically applied braking force is reduced corresponding to the rimpull force generated by the drivetrain. The automatically applied braking force is released when any of several conditions are met including uphill motion of the vehicle or expiration of a timeout timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schwartz, James Landes, David R. Wisley, Rodney L. Menold