Patents by Inventor Timothy M. O'Donnell

Timothy M. O'Donnell 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: 20230349110
    Abstract: A system for predicting maintenance of an endless flexible member of a road construction machine. The system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor detects a distance between a frame portion and a roller portion. The roller portion is movable with respect to the frame portion to tension the endless flexible member, which is configured to convey materials or power in the road construction machine. The controller is communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to compute a change in the distance over time between the frame portion and the roller portion that is required to maintain proper working tension on the endless flexible member; and generate alerts when a value associated with the change in the distance exceeds one or more predetermined threshold values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Brian J. Schlenker
  • Patent number: 11789458
    Abstract: An automatic mode resume system for a mobile machine and a method for resuming a job performed on a job site by a mobile machine is disclosed. The method may include: storing an interrupted status of the job being performed by the mobile machine upon interruption of the job for the job site; displaying multiple job sites on a display of the machine, each job site including a stored interrupted location and resume location; receiving a selection of the job site from a user input; displaying the interruption location and resume location for the selected job site on the display; and conditioning a resuming of the job in an auto mode of the machine based on whether the machine is positioned adjacent the interruption location or resume location at the selected job site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Catepillar Paving Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. McGee, Sangameshwar Sonth, Timothy M. O'Donnell, David E. Gerding
  • Patent number: 11697379
    Abstract: A soil compactor machine can include: a machine frame; at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine; a plurality of sensors mounting locations on the machine frame for mounting one or more lidar sensors and cameras; and a plurality of brackets, wherein, one of each of the plurality of brackets is positioned at each of the sensor mounting locations for mounting the lidar sensors and the cameras, wherein the bracket at each of the sensor mounting locations has a similar design as the other of the plurality of brackets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Jacob J. McAlpine, John L. Marsolek
  • Patent number: 11661846
    Abstract: A system includes a carrier assembly, a replacement tool movably supported by the carrier assembly, and a sensor configured to capture sensor data associated with a wear part removably connected to a rotatable drum. The system also includes a controller configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor, and identify the wear part using the sensor data. In such a system, the carrier assembly is configured to move the replacement tool such that an axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with an axis of the wear part. Additionally, the replacement tool is configured to remove the wear part from the drum while the axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with the axis of the wear part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Eric Steven Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11629472
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first information indicative of a location of a perimeter of a worksite surface, and receiving second information indicative of compaction requirements specific to the worksite surface. The method also includes generating a compaction plan based at least partly on the first and second information. Such a compaction plan includes a travel path for a compaction machine. In such a method, the travel path is substantially within the perimeter of the worksite surface. The method also includes causing at least part of the travel path to be displayed via a control interface of the compaction machine. The method further includes receiving an input indicative of approval of the travel path, and controlling operation of the compaction machine on the worksite surface, in accordance with the compaction plan, based at least partly on receiving the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine, Robert J. McGee, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11591757
    Abstract: A method includes receiving information indicative of a first worksite plan, determining a travel path extending along a work surface, causing a mobile machine to traverse the travel path, and receiving first sensor information associated with the work surface from a sensor of the mobile machine. The method also includes generating a second worksite plan based at least partly on the first sensor information, and providing instructions to a slave machine which, when executed by a controller of the slave machine, cause the controller of the slave machine to control the slave machine to perform at least part of the second worksite plan. The method further includes receiving second sensor information determined by the sensor of the mobile machine, and generating at least one of a safety metric and an accuracy metric based at least partly on the second sensor information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11567173
    Abstract: A system for increasing lidar sensor coverage for use by a vehicle is described herein. The system includes a two lidar sensors oriented to emit light beams toward a surface proximate the vehicle. The system also includes at least one mirror associated with each lidar sensor configured to reflect light beams emitted away from the surface. The at least one mirror reflects the light beams toward the surface, thereby increasing lidar sensor coverage associated with the respective lidar sensor. The lidar sensors receive lidar returns, either directly from the surface or reflected off the mirror and may generate sensor data associated with an area proximate the vehicle. A vehicle computing system controls the vehicle based in part on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11554791
    Abstract: A test system includes a master electronic control module (ECM) configured to receive user input for performing a test action. The master ECM determines one or more subsystem ECMs associated with the requested test action and a sequence of operations to be controlled by the subsystem ECMs to perform the requested test action. The master ECM provides instructions to the subsystem ECMs to perform the operations, along with parameters for those operations. The master ECM may determine whether a test action is appropriate to perform, based on sensor data, before instructing subsystem ECMs to perform the operations of the test action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. McGee, Kyle D. Hendricks, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11550058
    Abstract: An autonomous articulated soil compactor machine can include: a machine frame; at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine; a first lidar sensor on a front of the machine; a second lidar sensor on a first side of the machine; and a third lidar sensor on a second side of the machine; wherein the first, second and the third lidar sensors are positioned such that 360 degree lidar coverage is provided around the articulated compactor machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine
  • Patent number: 11543522
    Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a sensor assembly, and an ultrasonic sensor. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion that includes a front bumper and is configured to pivot with respect to the first portion for steering the work machine. The sensor assembly is positioned on the first portion or the second portion of the frame and is configured to sense data for detection of obstacles within a first area around the work machine. The ultrasonic sensor is positioned on the front bumper of the second portion and is configured to sense data for detection of obstacles within a second area around the work machine, the second area outside the first area when the second portion is in an articulated position with respect to the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11531338
    Abstract: An automatic control mode system for heavy machinery and a method for controlling heavy machinery for an automatic control mode is disclosed. The method may include: monitoring one or more conditions of one or more systems of the heavy machinery for the automatic control mode; determining whether at least one of the one or more conditions is met; and disabling the automatic control mode if at least one of the one or more conditions are met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Kyle D. Hendricks, Robert J. McGee, John L. Marsolek, Sangameshwar Sonth
  • Patent number: 11421390
    Abstract: An adjustable mass eccentric for a multi-amplitude vibratory mechanism can comprise a body and an internal cavity defined by the body such that the body surrounds the internal cavity. The internal cavity can include a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first section and the second section. The third section can define a volume and/or an area less than respective volumes and/or areas of the first section and the second section of the internal cavity. Filler material may be provided in the internal cavity and can migrate to and from the first, second, and third sections based on rotational movement of the body and internal cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Shannon G. Dudley
  • Publication number: 20220242232
    Abstract: According to one example, a system for control of a movement of a working vehicle within a work area is disclosed. The system can optionally include a steering system configured to direct the movement of the working vehicle, an object detection system, as speed sensor, and a controller. The object detection system can have one or more sensors configured to detect an object within the work area. The speed sensor can be configured to measure a speed of the working vehicle over a surface within the work area. The controller can be communicatively coupled to the steering system, the object detection system and the speed sensor. The controller can be configured to control the speed of the working vehicle based upon a steering angle of the working vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, John L. Marsolek
  • Publication number: 20220244167
    Abstract: A system includes a carrier assembly, a replacement tool movably supported by the carrier assembly, and a sensor configured to capture sensor data associated with a wear part removably connected to a rotatable drum. The system also includes a controller configured to receive the sensor data from the sensor, and identify the wear part using the sensor data. In such a system, the carrier assembly is configured to move the replacement tool such that an axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with an axis of the wear part. Additionally, the replacement tool is configured to remove the wear part from the drum while the axis of the replacement tool is substantially collinear with the axis of the wear part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Eric Steven Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20220127797
    Abstract: An adjustable mass eccentric for a multi-amplitude vibratory mechanism can comprise a body and an internal cavity defined by the body such that the body surrounds the internal cavity. The internal cavity can include a first section, a second section, and a third section between the first section and the second section. The third section can define a volume and/or an area less than respective volumes and/or areas of the first section and the second section of the internal cavity. Filler material may be provided in the internal cavity and can migrate to and from the first, second, and third sections based on rotational movement of the body and internal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. OETKEN, Todd A. IMPOLA, Timothy M. O'DONNELL, Shannon G. DUDLEY
  • Publication number: 20220120907
    Abstract: A peripheral perception system for providing a 360-coverage of a peripheral region around a machine is disclosed. The peripheral perception system includes a first perception device mounted to a first surface of the machine, defining a first elevation and a first angle with respect to a vertical axis of the machine; and a second perception device mounted to a second surface of the machine, defining a second elevation and a second angle with respect to the vertical axis. The first perception device scans a first field of view covering a first peripheral region of the machine and the second perception device scans a second field of view covering a second peripheral region of the machine, such that the first field of view and the second field of view combinedly provide 360-degree coverage of the peripheral region around the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Alex Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Jacob J. McAlpine, Christopher Andrew Wahlmark
  • Patent number: 11243531
    Abstract: A paving system includes a paving machine, a plurality of locational or positional sensor units coupled to or in communication with the paving machine, and a controller in communication with the plurality of sensor units. The controller is configured to select locational or positional information from one or more active sensor units of the plurality of sensor units and automatically navigate the paving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20210404135
    Abstract: A method includes receiving first information indicative of a location of a perimeter of a worksite surface, and receiving second information indicative of compaction requirements specific to the worksite surface. The method also includes generating a compaction plan based at least partly on the first and second information. Such a compaction plan includes a travel path for a compaction machine. In such a method, the travel path is substantially within the perimeter of the worksite surface. The method also includes causing at least part of the travel path to be displayed via a control interface of the compaction machine. The method further includes receiving an input indicative of approval of the travel path, and controlling operation of the compaction machine on the worksite surface, in accordance with the compaction plan, based at least partly on receiving the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine, Robert J. McGee, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11208768
    Abstract: A soil compactor machine can include a machine frame; at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine; and a radar sensor mounted to a front portion of the machine frame and positioned forward of the roller drum, wherein the radar sensor is mounted to the machine frame by a sensor bracket configured to directly mount to the machine frame for both a blade and a non-blade soil compactor machine configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Todd A. Impola, John L. Marsolek, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Jacob J. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20210394785
    Abstract: A work machine remote control console includes at least one wireless communication module, a first machine user interface, and a second machine user interface. The at least one wireless communication module is configured for wireless communication with a work machine. The first machine user interface includes one or more input devices configured to receive input from an operator related to autonomous tasks of the work machine and one or more output devices configured to output information related to the autonomous tasks to the operator. The second machine user interface includes one or more input devices usable by the operator to manually control operation of the work machine. The first and second user interfaces are configured to receive information from and transmit information to the work machine via the at least one communication module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell