Patents by Inventor Shaun D. Currier

Shaun D. Currier 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: 20230359203
    Abstract: The state and stability of a machine and a threshold value for an acceptable level of the stability of the machine are determined based on different potential machine states or operations. Sensor inputs including machine speed and whether the machine is in a coasting mode, lift height of a payload, an articulation angle of the machine, a pitch angle, and a roll angle of the machine are used to generate a model for estimating a time series of values for the degree of stability of the machine by solving a physics-based equation or retrieving data from a database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron R. Shatters, Jeffrey K. Berry, Shaun D. Currier
  • Patent number: 11788258
    Abstract: A method for determining implement load characteristics of a load carrying mobile machine includes receiving at least pressure data and position data associated with a payload received by the implement. The method also includes determining a locational value associated with the payload within the implement. The method further includes updating the locational value based on movement of the payload in the implement, the updated locational value being based at least on the pressure data, the position data, and predetermined physical parameters of the machine. The method further includes using the updated locational value to determine operational parameters of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. Currier
  • Patent number: 11708681
    Abstract: A wheel loader machine includes a bucket configured to hold a predetermined load of a granular or powder material, a hydraulic system having an electro-hydraulic actuator to move the bucket over tilt angles and to shake the bucket, a hydraulic sensor configured to detect hydraulic pressure, an interface configured to receive input parameters and to output status information of the bucket, and a controller. The input parameters including a target weight of the granular or powder material. The status information including weight of the granular or powder material in the bucket determined using the detected hydraulic pressure. The controller configured to control the hydraulic system to tilt the bucket to a predetermined tilt angle and to shake the bucket in accordance with an agitation pattern until the weight of the granular or powder in the bucket is at or below the target weight of the granular or powder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun D. Currier, Eric W. Cler
  • Patent number: 11619921
    Abstract: A controller may obtain initial sensing data to determine an estimated weight associated with each initial load of one or more initial loads of material carried by an implement. The controller may identify an estimated weigh accuracy metric associated with each initial load and an estimated weight accuracy metric associated with a final load to be carried by the implement. The controller may determine a target weight for the final load based on the estimated weights of the one or more initial loads, the estimated weight accuracy metrics of the one or more initial loads, or the estimated weight accuracy metric associated with the final load. The controller may obtain final sensing data to determine an estimated weight associated with the final load and may cause the implement to perform one or more actions based on the estimated weight of the final load and the target weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. Currier
  • Patent number: 11473270
    Abstract: A system for assisting remote operation of a work machine may include a work machine and remote operations equipment arranged on the work machine. The remote operations equipment may be configured to capture information about the environment of the work machine and transmit the information to a remote control station. The system may also include a remote control station configured to display images of the environment of the work machine. The system may also include an operator assist module configured for augmenting the information with a feature delineator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. Currier
  • Publication number: 20220325497
    Abstract: A wheel loader machine includes a bucket configured to hold a predetermined load of a granular or powder material, a hydraulic system having an electro-hydraulic actuator to move the bucket over tilt angles and to shake the bucket, a hydraulic sensor configured to detect hydraulic pressure, an interface configured to receive input parameters and to output status information of the bucket, and a controller. The input parameters including a target weight of the granular or powder material. The status information including weight of the granular or powder material in the bucket determined using the detected hydraulic pressure. The controller configured to control the hydraulic system to tilt the bucket to a predetermined tilt angle and to shake the bucket in accordance with an agitation pattern until the weight of the granular or powder in the bucket is at or below the target weight of the granular or powder material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Shaun D. Currier, Eric W. Cler
  • Publication number: 20220050437
    Abstract: A controller may obtain initial sensing data to determine an estimated weight associated with each initial load of one or more initial loads of material carried by an implement. The controller may identify an estimated weigh accuracy metric associated with each initial load and an estimated weight accuracy metric associated with a final load to be carried by the implement. The controller may determine a target weight for the final load based on the estimated weights of the one or more initial loads, the estimated weight accuracy metrics of the one or more initial loads, or the estimated weight accuracy metric associated with the final load. The controller may obtain final sensing data to determine an estimated weight associated with the final load and may cause the implement to perform one or more actions based on the estimated weight of the final load and the target weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2020
    Publication date: February 17, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. CURRIER
  • Publication number: 20220042278
    Abstract: A system for assisting remote operation of a work machine may include a work machine and remote operations equipment arranged on the work machine. The remote operations equipment may be configured to capture information about the environment of the work machine and transmit the information to a remote control station. The system may also include a remote control station configured to display images of the environment of the work machine. The system may also include an operator assist module configured for augmenting the information with a feature delineator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. Currier
  • Publication number: 20210293000
    Abstract: A method for determining implement load characteristics of a load carrying mobile machine includes receiving at least pressure data and position data associated with a payload received by the implement. The method also includes determining a locational value associated with the payload within the implement. The method further includes updating the locational value based on movement of the payload in the implement, the updated locational value being based at least on the pressure data, the position data, and predetermined physical parameters of the machine. The method further includes using the updated locational value to determine operational parameters of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. CURRIER
  • Patent number: 11009522
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an acceleration sensor coupled to a machine may comprise: at a first position of a linkage of the machine, obtaining a first acceleration measurement from the acceleration sensor and obtaining from an input a first force value indicative of a first force on the linkage; at a second position of the linkage of the machine, obtaining a second acceleration measurement from the acceleration sensor and obtaining from the input a second force value indicative of a second force on the linkage; determining a rotational offset calibration value of the acceleration sensor as a function of the first acceleration measurement, the first force value, the second acceleration measurement, and the second force value; and using the rotational offset calibration value to calibrate the acceleration sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. Currier
  • Publication number: 20200081030
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an acceleration sensor coupled to a machine may comprise: at a first position of a linkage of the machine, obtaining a first acceleration measurement from the acceleration sensor and obtaining from an input a first force value indicative of a first force on the linkage; at a second position of the linkage of the machine, obtaining a second acceleration measurement from the acceleration sensor and obtaining from the input a second force value indicative of a second force on the linkage; determining a rotational offset calibration value of the acceleration sensor as a function of the first acceleration measurement, the first force value, the second acceleration measurement, and the second force value; and using the rotational offset calibration value to calibrate the acceleration sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Publication date: March 12, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Shaun D. Currier