Patents by Inventor Sage Smith

Sage Smith 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: 10865542
    Abstract: A grading control system may have a lift actuator to raise or lower a work implement, and a tilt actuator to tilt the work implement. The grading control system may also have a first sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the work implement, and a second sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the machine frame. The grading control system may have a controller to determine a track plane of the machine and a desired grade relative to the track plane. Further, the controller may determine an orientation of the work implement relative to the track plane to maintain the desired grade based on the sensor signals. The controller may also be configured to actuate one or both of the lift and the tilt actuators to orient the work implement according to the determined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sage Smith, Christopher Mark Elliott, Jeremy A. Kushner
  • Publication number: 20190226176
    Abstract: A grading control system is disclosed. The grading control system may have a lift actuator to raise or lower a work implement, and a tilt actuator to tilt the work implement. The grading control system may also have a first sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the work implement, and a second sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the machine frame. The grading control system may have a controller to determine a track plane of the machine and a desired grade relative to the track plane. Further, the controller may determine an orientation of the work implement relative to the track plane to maintain the desired grade based on the sensor signals. The controller may also be configured to actuate one or both of the lift and the tilt actuators to orient the work implement according to the determined orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sage Smith, Christopher Mark ELLIOTT, Jeremy A. KUSHNER
  • Publication number: 20160138247
    Abstract: A system using radar apparatus for assisting a user of a machine of a kind including a body and an implement is disclosed. The system may provide a user with information regarding a current position of a part or parts of the implement that may not otherwise be visible to a user situated in a cab of the machine. The system may provide a user with information regarding a future trajectory of a part or parts of the implement on the basis of sensed data relating to current machine position and movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Simon Conway, R. Neil Britten-Austin, Elie Abi-Karam, Sage Smith
  • Publication number: 20160138248
    Abstract: A system for providing guidance to a user of a machine of a kind including a body and an implement movable relative to the body is disclosed. The system may provide a user with information regarding a current position of a part or parts of the implement that may not otherwise be visible to a user situated in a cab of the machine. The system may provide a user with information regarding a future trajectory of a part or parts of the implement on the basis of sensed data relating to current machine position and movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Simon Conway, R. Neil Britten-Austin, Elie Abi-Karam, Sage Smith
  • Publication number: 20160138249
    Abstract: A system for improving safety in use of a machine of a kind including a body and an implement movable relative to the body is disclosed. The system may use sensed data to define a safety zone around an implement to assist a user in avoiding an object of interest. The system may provide functionality to change control of the machine or implement in the event that an object of interest is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Simon Conway, R. Neil Britten-Austin, Elie Abi-Karam, Sage Smith
  • Publication number: 20140096419
    Abstract: An electrically actuated coupling device for a machine and an implement is disclosed. The device includes a frame and an electric motor coupled to a drive shaft that extends between right and left ends of the frame. The motor causes the shaft to extend or retract from each end of the frame simultaneously. Each end of the frame includes a guide for receiving a latch. Each latch is pivotally coupled to a spring and each spring is pivotally coupled to a specially shaped lever which is pivotally coupled to the frame as well as an end of the shaft. The electric motor may be activated by the operator from within the cab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR SARL
    Inventors: George Pinther, Sage Smith, John Salay, Florin Neamtu, Leigh Reeves