Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Sturos
Timothy J. Sturos 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).
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Publication number: 20250036125Abstract: A work machine discharges material through a discharge port at a moving discharge target in a coordinated maneuver during which the discharge target is confined to a bounded area. A distance control mechanism selects path information to a dwell location of the coordinated maneuver. Sensors generate respective signals by which a relative position of the discharge port to the bounded area are indicated during the coordinated maneuver. A messenger indicates the selected path information to compel relocation of the bounded area according thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2023Publication date: January 30, 2025Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jameson M. SMIEJA, Eric S. ENGELMANN, Timothy J. STUROS, Elizabeth R.K. BROCKMAN
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Publication number: 20240368848Abstract: Anti-slabbing systems and methods for counteracting slabbing of a substrate being cut by a rotary cutter of a milling machine may include a plurality of anti-slab segments biased downwardly and independently vertically movable relative to a frame of the milling machine. The anti-slabbing systems and methods may further include segment biasing mechanisms connecting the anti-slab segments to frame of the milling machine. The segment biasing mechanisms may control a slabbing opposition force applied to uncut material of the substrate underlying the milling machine. The anti-slabbing systems and methods may further include an anti-slabbing mechanism comprising a base plate, plow, and/or skids.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2023Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Colton Hirman, David Nels Peterson, Timothy J. Sturos
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Patent number: 12110642Abstract: A mobile milling machine can be equipped with a liquid spray system to introduce a liquid spray into a rotor enclosure to reduce the temperature of a plurality of cutting tools disposed on a rotatable cutting rotor. The liquid spray system can be associated with one or more surface wetness sensors to estimate the wetness of the work surface after the milling operation. The wetness of the work surface can be used to adjust the spray quantity of the liquid spray introduced by the liquid spray system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2022Date of Patent: October 8, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Sturos, Rolf af Klinteberg, Robert E. Carr
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Publication number: 20240247452Abstract: A debris deflecting system for a milling machine includes at least one deflecting element disposed proximate to a component of the milling machine. The deflecting element is configured to deflect debris away from a front end of the component. The component includes at least one side plate of the milling machine and/or at least one sensor of the milling machine. The debris deflecting system also includes at least one actuating element coupled to the deflecting element. The actuating element is configured to actuate the deflecting element to deflect the debris away from the front end of the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2023Publication date: July 25, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathan Mashek, Rolf af Klinteberg, Timothy J. Sturos, Low Keng Yew
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Publication number: 20230349112Abstract: A mobile milling machine can be equipped with a liquid spray system to introduce a liquid spray into a rotor enclosure to reduce the temperature of a plurality of cutting tools disposed on a rotatable cutting rotor. The liquid spray system can be associated with one or more surface wetness sensors to estimate the wetness of the work surface after the milling operation. The wetness of the work surface can be used to adjust the spray quantity of the liquid spray introduced by the liquid spray system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Sturos, Rolf af Klinteberg, Robert E. Carr
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Publication number: 20230193573Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; an engine coupled to the frame; a cutting rotor coupled to the frame and driven by the engine, the cutting rotor configured to be lowered a selected distance into a surface; and a controller, the controller being configured to modulate a plunge velocity of the cutting rotor into the surface based on an engine load target or an engine speed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: June 22, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy J Sturos
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Publication number: 20230135083Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a plurality of wheels or track members coupled to the frame, a moldboard movably coupled to the frame, a first rotor, and a second rotor. The first rotor is rotatably coupled to the frame. The second rotor is positioned to the rear of the first rotor and rotatably coupled to the moldboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Eric S. ENGELMANN, Dario SANSONE, Nathan L. MASHEK, Timothy J. STUROS, Jameson M. SMIEJA, Anthony Keng Yew LOW, Nicholas B. JOHNSON
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Patent number: 10829899Abstract: A system for sensing partial-cut-width in a cold planar machine comprises a frame, a cutting system mounted to the frame comprising a cutting tool extending across a cutting path, sensors positioned across the cutting path, and a controller electronically coupled to the sensors to determine a partial-cut-width of material for the cutting tool. A method comprises sensing depth distances across a cut width of a cutting tool, determining a difference in depth distances, determining a location for the difference in depth distances, determining a portion of the cut width based on the determined location to determine a partial-cut-width.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy J. Sturos
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Publication number: 20200095738Abstract: A system for sensing partial-cut-width in a cold planar machine comprises a frame, a cutting system mounted to the frame comprising a cutting tool extending across a cutting path, sensors positioned across the cutting path, and a controller electronically coupled to the sensors to determine a partial-cut-width of material for the cutting tool. A method comprises sensing depth distances across a cut width of a cutting tool, determining a difference in depth distances, determining a location for the difference in depth distances, determining a portion of the cut width based on the determined location to determine a partial-cut-width.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2018Publication date: March 26, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy J. Sturos
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Publication number: 20100111605Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a vibratory mechanism in a vehicle comprising a sensor configured to produce an operational value signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the vehicle; a computing device operable to receive the operational value signal and determine actuation values based at least in part on the operational value signal and to produce a corresponding control signal for selectively actuating the vibratory mechanism; and an input device configured to modify the actuation values during operation of the vehicle. A method for controlling a vibratory mechanism in a vehicle comprising the steps of producing an operational value signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the vehicle; determining actuation values from the operational value signal; modifying actuation values during operation of the vehicle; and signaling the vibratory mechanism to actuate in response to actuation values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Sturos, Michael W. Ries, Jonathan A. Anderson, Ryan P. Lenton, John L. Marsolek