Patents by Inventor Timothy Felty

Timothy Felty 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: 9228315
    Abstract: A system for modifying a path of operation of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores the path of operation, receives a plurality of position signals as the work implement moves material along the path of operation, and determines the position of the work surface. The controller further determines an amount of material moved based at least in part upon the position of the work surface and modifies parameters used to determine a subsequent path of operation if the amount of material moved exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Patent number: 9213331
    Abstract: A controller implemented method of remotely operating a machine includes determining, for each of a plurality of operating conditions of the machine, a predetermined configuration of a machine instrument array and removably mounting a portable computing device on a remote control console. The method further includes defining a configuration of a console instrument array of the remote control console in which, for each of the plurality of operating conditions, the configuration of the console instrument array is generally identically to the predetermined configuration of the machine instrument array. A system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lonny E. Johnson, James Mason, Timothy Felty
  • Patent number: 9014922
    Abstract: A system for determining a cut location at a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a desired operating parameter and a final design plane of the work surface and determines an actual profile of the work surface. The controller determines a plurality of target profiles corresponding to different cut locations. The target profiles are based at least in part upon the cut location, a loading profile, slot parameters, and the actual profile of the work surface. The controller further determines an optimized target profile relative to the desired operating parameter and the optimized target profile defines an optimized cut location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 9014924
    Abstract: A system for determining material characteristics of a material of a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a first estimate of the material characteristics and utilizes a planning system to determine an expected profile. The expected profile is based at least in part upon the first estimate of the material characteristics. The controller determines an actual profile of the work surface, compares the expected profile to the actual profile, and determines a second estimate of the material characteristics based at least in part upon the difference between the expected profile and the actual profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
  • Patent number: 8948981
    Abstract: A system for determining a cut location at a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a final design plane of the work surface and determines an actual profile of the work surface. A plurality of target profiles extending along a path are determined, each corresponding to a cut location. The target profiles are based at least in part upon the cut location, a loading profile, slot parameters, and the actual profile of the work surface. The controller is further configured to determine a lowest cost target profile and the lowest cost target profile defines an optimized cut location. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Timothy Felty, Matthew Tinker
  • Publication number: 20140174770
    Abstract: A system for determining a cut location at a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a final design plane of the work surface and determines an actual profile of the work surface. A plurality of target profiles extending along a path are determined, each corresponding to a cut location. The target profiles are based at least in part upon the cut location, a loading profile, slot parameters, and the actual profile of the work surface. The controller is further configured to determine a lowest cost target profile and the lowest cost target profile defines an optimized cut location. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mo Wei, Michael Taylor, Thandava K. Edara, Timothy Felty, Matthew Tinker
  • Publication number: 20140180444
    Abstract: A system for modifying a path of operation of a machine includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores the path of operation, receives a plurality of position signals as the work implement moves material along the path of operation, and determines the position of the work surface. The controller further determines an amount of material moved based at least in part upon the position of the work surface and modifies parameters used to determine a subsequent path of operation if the amount of material moved exceeds a predetermined amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Jean-Jacques Clar
  • Publication number: 20140180547
    Abstract: A system for determining material characteristics of a material of a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a first estimate of the material characteristics and utilizes a planning system to determine an expected profile. The expected profile is based at least in part upon the first estimate of the material characteristics. The controller determines an actual profile of the work surface, compares the expected profile to the actual profile, and determines a second estimate of the material characteristics based at least in part upon the difference between the expected profile and the actual profile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei, Kenneth L. Stratton, Troy K. Becicka
  • Publication number: 20140180548
    Abstract: A system for determining a cut location at a work surface includes a position sensor and a controller. The controller stores a desired operating parameter and a final design plane of the work surface and determines an actual profile of the work surface. The controller determines a plurality of target profiles corresponding to different cut locations. The target profiles are based at least in part upon the cut location, a loading profile, slot parameters, and the actual profile of the work surface. The controller further determines an optimized target profile relative to the desired operating parameter and the optimized target profile defines an optimized cut location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thandava K. Edara, Michael Taylor, Timothy Felty, Mo Wei
  • Publication number: 20140172128
    Abstract: A controller implemented method of remotely operating a machine includes determining, for each of a plurality of operating conditions of the machine, a predetermined configuration of a machine instrument array and removably mounting a portable computing device on a remote control console. The method further includes defining a configuration of a console instrument array of the remote control console in which, for each of the plurality of operating conditions, the configuration of the console instrument array is generally identically to the predetermined configuration of the machine instrument array. A system is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Lonny E. Johnson, James Mason, Timothy Felty
  • Publication number: 20140172127
    Abstract: A system for operating a machine includes a portable computing device removably mounted on the machine. A controller is configured to determine authorized functionality of the machine based upon the data codes from the portable computing device, to determine the operating conditions of the machine and images to be displayed on a display, and generate operating commands based at least in part upon the authorized functionality. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Lonny E. Johnson, Timothy Felty, James Mason
  • Publication number: 20140170617
    Abstract: A system for reporting operator performance of a machine includes a plurality of sensors and a communications interface. A portable computing device is removably mounted on the machine and has a user identification data code unique to a machine operator. A controller determines an identity of the machine operator based upon the user identification data code, determine the operating conditions based upon signals from the sensors. The controller generates a performance report based at least in part upon performance data and provides the performance report to at least one of the portable computing device and a system remote from the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Lonny E. Johnson, James Mason, Timothy Felty, Samir M. Kherat