Patents by Inventor Thandava K. Edara

Thandava K. Edara 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: 10186004
    Abstract: A system for evaluating a target profile for moving material with a work implement along a path includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to utilize a planning system to determine the target profile, receive position signals from the position sensor, and determine from the position signals an actual profile indicative of the work surface after the work implement is moved along the path to move a volume of material. The controller is further configured to compare the target profile to the actual profile, determine at least two performance factor scores based upon a difference between the target profile and the actual profile, and generate a quantitative evaluation of the target profile based upon the at least two performance factor scores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 10101723
    Abstract: A system for determining an optimized cut location for a work implement includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of a work surface and determine a plurality of potential cut locations along a path between an initial cut location and an end location. The controller is further configured to determine an efficiency for moving an amount of material for each of the initial cut location and the plurality of potential cut locations based upon the amount of material to be moved, a parameter associated with moving the amount of material, and a loading profile, and select the optimized cut location from one of the initial cut location and the plurality of potential cut locations based upon the efficiency of each of the initial cut location and the plurality of potential cut locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 9909284
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9760081
    Abstract: A system for determining an optimized cut location for a work implement includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of a work surface and perform a coarse analysis along a path based upon the position of the work surface and a coarse analysis parameter threshold to select a selected coarse analysis increment. The controller is further configured to perform a fine analysis along the selected coarse analysis increment based upon the position of the work surface and a fine analysis parameter threshold to select the optimized cut location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Mo Wei, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 9605415
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a machine at a work site includes a prime mover, a ground-engaging drive mechanism to propel the machine, and a plurality of sensors. A controller generates propulsion commands to propel the machine about the work site in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner and determines a plurality of performance characteristics of the machine. The controller further determines whether the plurality of performance characteristics meet a plurality of performance thresholds and generates an alert command if any of the plurality of performance characteristics do not meet the plurality of performance thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Mo Wei, Troy K. Becicka, Daniel Stanek
  • Patent number: 9523183
    Abstract: A system for determining optimized shift locations of a transmission of a machine as the machine moves along a work surface includes a position sensor, a transmission having a low gear and a high gear, and a controller including a machine controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of the work surface, store a shift threshold, and control shifting between the low gear and the high gear based upon the position of the work surface and the shift threshold. The machine controller is configured to control shifting between the low gear and the high gear based upon operating parameters of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20160343095
    Abstract: A system for evaluating a target profile for moving material with a work implement along a path includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to utilize a planning system to determine the target profile, receive position signals from the position sensor, and determine from the position signals an actual profile indicative of the work surface after the work implement is moved along the path to move a volume of material. The controller is further configured to compare the target profile to the actual profile, determine at least two performance factor scores based upon a difference between the target profile and the actual profile, and generate a quantitative evaluation of the target profile based upon the at least two performance factor scores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 9469967
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface along a first slot and along a second slot. The work surface along the first slot and the second slot define at least a portion of a berm. The controller is further configured to determine a physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot and generate a berm reduction command if the physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot is less than the characteristic threshold of the first slot and the second slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kyle Edwards, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20160282857
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of responding to a missed cut during a pass made along a planned cut profile using an implement is provided. The computer-implemented method may include identifying the missed cut based at least partially on an implement position and a target cut point, predicting a performance value of the pass based at least partially on the missed cut and an implement load, and restarting the pass if the performance value is less than a minimum performance threshold and the implement load is less than a minimum load threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: James H. DeVore, Thandava K. Edara, Mo Wei, Michael A. Taylor, Kenneth L. Stratton
  • Patent number: 9388550
    Abstract: A system for autonomous control of a machine having a ground-engaging work implement includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of a work surface based upon the position signals and select a work zone loading profile for a work zone cut location along a path within a work zone and the work zone loading profile has a work zone cut angle relative to a ground reference. The controller is further configured to select a final cut loading profile for a final cut location along the path adjacent the boundary zone with the final cut loading profile having a final cut angle relative to the ground reference. The final cut angle is steeper than the work zone cut angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Patent number: 9360334
    Abstract: A system for setting an end location of a path of operation of a machine at a work site includes a position sensor configured to determine a position of a path at the work site and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a first path and a position of a second path, the first path and the second path defining a pair of paths on opposite sides of the path of operation and determine a physical characteristic of the pair of paths based upon the position of the first path and the position of the second path. The controller is further configured to determine whether the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than a threshold characteristic and set the end location of the path of operation if the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than the threshold characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Troy K. Becicka, Kyle Edwards
  • Publication number: 20160153175
    Abstract: A system for determining optimized shift locations of a transmission of a machine as the machine moves along a work surface includes a position sensor, a transmission having a low gear and a high gear, and a controller including a machine controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of the work surface, store a shift threshold, and control shifting between the low gear and the high gear based upon the position of the work surface and the shift threshold. The machine controller is configured to control shifting between the low gear and the high gear based upon operating parameters of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20160090714
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for removing a crest end ramp along a work surface using a machine is provided. The computer-implemented method may include defining a volume threshold corresponding to a crest end region of the work surface where the volume threshold may be adjustable based on one or more parameters associated with the machine and the work surface, calculating a volume of material within the crest end region, comparing the calculated volume with the volume threshold, issuing a ramp cut if the calculated volume approximates but does not exceed the volume threshold, and issuing a short cut if the calculated volume exceeds the volume threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: March 31, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor
  • Patent number: 9297147
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for removing a crest end ramp along a work surface using a machine is provided. The computer-implemented method may include defining a volume threshold corresponding to a crest end region of the work surface where the volume threshold may be adjustable based on one or more parameters associated with the machine and the work surface, calculating a volume of material within the crest end region, comparing the calculated volume with the volume threshold, issuing a ramp cut if the calculated volume approximates but does not exceed the volume threshold, and issuing a short cut if the calculated volume exceeds the volume threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor
  • Publication number: 20160076893
    Abstract: A system for setting an end location of a path of operation of a machine at a work site includes a position sensor configured to determine a position of a path at the work site and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a first path and a position of a second path, the first path and the second path defining a pair of paths on opposite sides of the path of operation and determine a physical characteristic of the pair of paths based upon the position of the first path and the position of the second path. The controller is further configured to determine whether the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than a threshold characteristic and set the end location of the path of operation if the physical characteristic of the pair of paths is less than the threshold characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Troy K. Becicka, Kyle Edwards
  • Publication number: 20160076226
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a machine at a work site includes a prime mover, a ground-engaging drive mechanism to propel the machine, and a plurality of sensors. A controller generates propulsion commands to propel the machine about the work site in an autonomous or semi-autonomous manner and determines a plurality of performance characteristics of the machine. The controller further determines whether the plurality of performance characteristics meet a plurality of performance thresholds and generates an alert command if any of the plurality of performance characteristics do not meet the plurality of performance thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Mo Wei, Troy K. Becicka, Daniel Stanek
  • Publication number: 20160076223
    Abstract: A system for autonomous control of a machine having a ground-engaging work implement includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of a work surface based upon the position signals and select a work zone loading profile for a work zone cut location along a path within a work zone and the work zone loading profile has a work zone cut angle relative to a ground reference. The controller is further configured to select a final cut loading profile for a final cut location along the path adjacent the boundary zone with the final cut loading profile having a final cut angle relative to the ground reference. The final cut angle is steeper than the work zone cut angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20160077514
    Abstract: A system for determining an optimized cut location for a work implement includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of a work surface and perform a coarse analysis along a path based upon the position of the work surface and a coarse analysis parameter threshold to select a selected coarse analysis increment. The controller is further configured to perform a fine analysis along the selected coarse analysis increment based upon the position of the work surface and a fine analysis parameter threshold to select the optimized cut location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Michael Taylor, Mo Wei, Thandava K. Edara
  • Publication number: 20160076224
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a position of a work surface along a first slot and along a second slot. The work surface along the first slot and the second slot define at least a portion of a berm. The controller is further configured to determine a physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot and generate a berm reduction command if the physical characteristic of the first slot and the second slot is less than the characteristic threshold of the first slot and the second slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Troy K. Becicka, Jean-Jacques Clar, Kyle Edwards, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20160077513
    Abstract: A system for determining an optimized cut location for a work implement includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller is configured to determine the position of a work surface and determine a plurality of potential cut locations along a path between an initial cut location and an end location. The controller is further configured to determine an efficiency for moving an amount of material for each of the initial cut location and the plurality of potential cut locations based upon the amount of material to be moved, a parameter associated with moving the amount of material, and a loading profile, and select the optimized cut location from one of the initial cut location and the plurality of potential cut locations based upon the efficiency of each of the initial cut location and the plurality of potential cut locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara