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).
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Patent number: 11186957Abstract: A method includes receiving information indicative of a cold planer travel path extending along a work surface, determining a mobile machine travel path extending along the work surface based at least partly on the information indicative of the cold planer travel path, and receiving sensor information associated with the work surface, wherein the sensor information is determined by at least one sensor of an autonomous mobile machine as the autonomous mobile machine traverses the mobile machine travel path. The method also includes generating a worksite map based at least partly on the sensor information, the worksite map identifying an object, wherein the object is disposed at least partly beneath a cut area to be formed by a cold planer, and controlling a position of a rotor of the cold planer, relative to the work surface and based at least partly on a location of the object identified in the worksite map.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2018Date of Patent: November 30, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20210318440Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20210318420Abstract: A work machine includes a frame, a blade, a sensor assembly, and an ultrasonic sensor. The frame includes a first portion and a second portion configured to pivot with respect to the first portion for steering the work machine. The blade is attached to the second portion of the frame. The sensor assembly is positioned on the work machine and configured to sense data for detection of obstacles within a first area around the work machine. The ultrasonic sensor is attached to the second portion of the frame 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20210318430Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 11144055Abstract: A system for controlling an autonomous construction vehicle includes a controller configured to identify a boundary of a construction site, identify a slope within the boundary of the construction site, determine if the slope exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and create a path plan for an autonomous construction vehicle based on whether the first slope exceeds the threshold value to align the movement of the autonomous construction vehicle with the slope.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2018Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 11131614Abstract: An autonomous terrestrial compaction testing vehicle includes a compaction density meter coupled to the vehicle and a controller. The controller is communicatively connected to the compaction density meter and to a controller of a compactor machine that is compacting or has compacted an area of terrain. The controller is configured to autonomously control movement of the vehicle over the compacted area and control the compaction density meter to take a plurality of compaction density measurements at a plurality of locations of the compacted area.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: September 28, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 11126188Abstract: A method includes receiving a worksite plan to be executed by a machine at a worksite, and determining first travel parameters of the machine. Such first travel parameters include a first travel path along a work surface, and first work tool positions. The method also includes controlling the machine to traverse at least part of the first travel path, receiving sensor information associated with the work surface, and identifying an imperfection of the work surface located along the first travel path. The method further includes determining second travel parameters of the machine. Such second travel parameters including a second travel path along the work surface, and second work tool positions. The method also includes controlling the machine to traverse at least part of the second travel path while positioning the work tool according to at least one of the second work tool positions.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Spielman, John L. Marsolek, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20210277610Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Impola, John L. Marsolek, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Jacob J. McAlpine
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Publication number: 20210276590Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Robert J. McGee, Kyle D. Hendricks, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20210276494Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Jacob J. McAlpine, John L. Marsolek
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Publication number: 20210278502Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Todd A. Impola, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20210278860Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Robert J. McGEE, Sangameshwar SONTH, Timothy M. O'Donnell, David E. GERDING
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Publication number: 20210278838Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2020Publication date: September 9, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. O'DONNELL, Kyle D. HENDRICKS, Robert J. McGEE, John L. MARSOLEK, Sangameshwar SONTH
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Patent number: 11111644Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 2020Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine, Robert J. McGee, Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 11054831Abstract: A method for controlling an autonomous construction vehicle may include defining a boundary of a construction site and automatically creating a site plan for navigating the autonomous construction vehicle within the boundary. The site plan includes a work area within the boundary, a maneuver area positioned between the work area and the boundary, a start point for the autonomous construction vehicle, and a path for the autonomous construction vehicle. A controller can then provide the site plan for review and activate autonomy mode to automatically control the autonomous construction vehicle according to the site plan.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 6, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy M. O'Donnell, Robert J. McGee
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Publication number: 20210191413Abstract: A machine includes a frame, a plurality of ground engaging members associated with the frame, the plurality of ground engaging members configured to move the machine along a ground surface, a ground sensor attached to the frame, the ground sensor providing ground surface information, and an electronic controller associated with the frame. The electronic controller is programmed and configured to receive the ground surface information from the ground sensor, estimate a location of the ground surface relative to the frame of the machine, establish a height difference between the location of the ground surface and the frame of the machine, monitor the height difference continuously during operation of the machine, and provide a sunk condition indication when the height difference reduces below an acceptable threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2019Publication date: June 24, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Patent number: 10975535Abstract: A machine for road work, the machine can comprise: a frame; a rotor coupled to the frame and configured for rotational movement relative thereto; a milling system actuator configured to raise and lower the rotor to selectively disengage and engage with a surface of a working area; a first position sensor configured to sense a first position of a left side of the rotor relative to the surface; a second position sensor configured to sense a second position of a right side of the rotor relative to the surface; and a controller configured to, in response to signals received from the first position sensor and the second position senor, determine at least a cross-sectional area of the rotor that is engaging the surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Lee M. Hogan, Jason W. Muir, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Ryan A. Enot
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Publication number: 20200347560Abstract: A machine for road work, the machine can comprise: a frame; a rotor coupled to the frame and configured for rotational movement relative thereto; a milling system actuator configured to raise and lower the rotor to selectively disengage and engage with a surface of a working area; a first position sensor configured to sense a first position of a left side of the rotor relative to the surface; a second position sensor configured to sense a second position of a right side of the rotor relative to the surface; and a controller configured to, in response to signals received from the first position sensor and the second position senor, determine at least a cross-sectional area of the rotor that is engaging the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Lee M. Hogan, Jason W. Muir, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Ryan A. Enot
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Publication number: 20200332479Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Timothy M. O'Donnell
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Publication number: 20200326713Abstract: A method includes receiving a worksite plan to be executed by a machine at a worksite, and determining first travel parameters of the machine. Such first travel parameters include a first travel path along a work surface, and first work tool positions. The method also includes controlling the machine to traverse at least part of the first travel path, receiving sensor information associated with the work surface, and identifying an imperfection of the work surface located along the first travel path. The method further includes determining second travel parameters of the machine. Such second travel parameters including a second travel path along the work surface, and second work tool positions. The method also includes controlling the machine to traverse at least part of the second travel path while positioning the work tool according to at least one of the second work tool positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2019Publication date: October 15, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Spielman, John L. Marsolek, Timothy M. O'Donnell