Patents by Inventor Toby A. Frelich

Toby A. Frelich 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: 10889942
    Abstract: A system for a screed assembly of a paving machine can include a plurality of screed plates, a screed frame, a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of sensors, a device and a controller. The device can be configured to create a physical phenomenon that is detectable by the first plurality and the second plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to, based on a detected position of each of the rust plurality of sensors and each of the second plurality of sensors relative to the physical phenomenon, determine a relative position between the first screed plate and the second screed plate including a degree of parallelism between the major surface of the first screed plate and the major surface of the second screed plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Toby A. Frelich
  • Publication number: 20200378074
    Abstract: A system for a screed assembly of a paving machine is disclosed. The system can include a plurality of screed plates, a screed frame, a first plurality of sensors, a second plurality of sensors, a device and a controller. The device can be configured to create a physical phenomenon that is detectable by the first plurality and the second plurality of sensors. The controller can be configured to, based on a detected position of each of the rust plurality of sensors and each of the second plurality of sensors relative to the physical phenomenon, determine a relative position between the first screed plate and the second screed plate including a degree of parallelism between the major surface of the first screed plate and the major surface of the second screed plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Toby A. Frelich
  • Publication number: 20200347571
    Abstract: A grade control indicator assembly is disclosed. The grade control indicator assembly may include a keypad to control one or more functionalities of a machine, where the keypad includes a set of grade control light indicators integrated into the keypad, and where the set of grade control light indicators includes a first subset of grade control light indicators for indicating a grade of the machine with respect to a first side of the machine and a second subset of grade control light indicators for indicating the grade of the machine with respect to a second side of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicants: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc., Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Lee HOGAN, Mathew HEDRINGTON, Toby FRELICH, Andrew KOPCA, Mark TARVIN, Ryan THIESSE
  • Publication number: 20200115861
    Abstract: A paving machine includes an engine, a material conveying system, a screed system including a plurality of screed heaters, and an emulsion sprayer system. The emulsion sprayer system includes an emulsion tank and one or more emulsion heaters. The machine further includes an engine load sensing system and a control system. The control system being configured to receive information from the engine load sensing system indicative of a load on the engine, and limit the operation of the one or more emulsion heaters when the received information indicates the load on the engine is above a value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Publication date: April 16, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Chad M. THIESSE, Toby A. FRELICH
  • Patent number: 10458076
    Abstract: A control system for a road paver comprises a camera system configured to generate image data of an environment of the road paver. The control system further comprises a controller electronically connected to the camera system. The controller is configured to receive the image data from the camera system, and to apply an object recognition process on the received image data to identify an edge line serving as a reference line for a mat to be laid by the road paver, and to determine a three dimensional position of the identified edge line. The controller may automatically control the road paver, and may assist an operator to control the road paver based on the identified position of the edge line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee Marsolek, Toby Frelich, Kent Hoisington
  • Patent number: 9932714
    Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings, Ryan T. Thiesse
  • Publication number: 20180030672
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a control system for a road paver. The control system comprises a camera system configured to generate image data of an environment of the road paver. The control system further comprises a controller electronically connected to the camera system. The controller is configured to receive the image data from the camera system, and to apply an object recognition process on the received image data to identify an edge line serving as a reference line for a mat to be laid by the road paver, and to determine a three dimensional position of the identified edge line. The controller may automatically control the road paver, and may assist an operator to control the road paver based on the identified position of the edge line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee Marsolek, Toby Frelich, Kent Hoisington
  • Patent number: 9845578
    Abstract: A system for controlling a supply machine and a paving machine includes a supply machine having a first sensor for generating first signals indicative of a first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and a first controller configured to determine a first characteristic associated with the supply machine. The paving machine includes a second sensor for generating second signals indicative of a second characteristic associated with the paving machine and a second controller configured to determine the second characteristic associated with the paving machine, receive first operating signals indicative of the first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and generate command signals to control operation of the paving machine based upon the first characteristic associated with the supply machine and the second characteristic associated with the paving machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings
  • Patent number: 9811953
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a productivity of a paving machine. The method includes receiving a signal, through a load monitoring device, indicative of a change in a load on a frame of the paving machine. The method also includes determining a sum value of the change in the load on the frame based on the signal received each time when a material is delivered to the paving machine, and when the signal indicates an increase in the load on the frame. The method further includes determining a weight of the material provided to the paving machine based on at least the sum value of the change in the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Nelson, Toby A. Frelich
  • Publication number: 20170314215
    Abstract: A paving machine for wide-width paving is provided. The paving machine includes a conveyor system, an auger system disposed adjacent to the conveyor system, a screed adjacent to the auger system, and sensing circuitry configured to sense paving material height at one or more of an entrance to the conveyor system and a front side of the auger system to sense or detect underflow or overflow conditions of the paving material. The sensed heights are communicated to control circuitry of the paving machine, through signals from the sensing circuitry, and control circuitry controls rate of movement of one or more of the conveyor system and the auger system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Luke E. GRAHAM, Toby A. FRELICH, Rick L. MINGS, Ryan T. THIESSE
  • Publication number: 20170278322
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a productivity of a paving machine is provided. The method includes receiving a signal, through a load monitoring device, indicative of a change in a load on a frame of the paving machine. The method also includes determining a sum value of the change in the load on the frame based on the signal received each time when a material is delivered to the paving machine, and when the signal indicates an increase in the load on the frame. The method further includes determining a weight of the material provided to the paving machine based on at least the sum value of the change in the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan J. Nelson, Toby A. Frelich
  • Publication number: 20170060126
    Abstract: A system for controlling a supply machine and a paving machine includes a supply machine having a first sensor for generating first signals indicative of a first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and a first controller configured to determine a first characteristic associated with the supply machine. The paving machine includes a second sensor for generating second signals indicative of a second characteristic associated with the paving machine and a second controller configured to determine the second characteristic associated with the paving machine, receive first operating signals indicative of the first characteristic associated with the supply machine, and generate command signals to control operation of the paving machine based upon the first characteristic associated with the supply machine and the second characteristic associated with the paving machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Toby A. Frelich, Rick L. Mings
  • Patent number: 9488119
    Abstract: A machine engine idle speed control system may include an automated autoadaptive mode to supplement typical economy and normal power modes. The autoadaptive mode may afford an operator with an automated option to optimize fuel economy and lower engine/machine noise. The autoadaptive mode may initially default to a typical lower engine idle speed of the economy mode. However, as the machine workload rises, demands on the engine may become greater, and at a predetermined threshold of engine workload the engine idle speed may be automatically increased to a higher set point. The engine control may then remain at the higher idle speed until engine load is reduced to some predetermined target, and/or after a certain time period has elapsed. The time period may be controlled by a configurable delay timer to avoid unnecessary/undesirable cycling between modes. In addition, an operator may always intervene to increase or decrease engine idle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Toby A. Frelich
  • Patent number: 9481966
    Abstract: A paving machine includes a hopper assembly movable between a lowered position and a raised position and a conveyor frame. A first hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a first hopper axis and a second hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a second hopper axis. A first apron is connected to the first hopper about a first apron axis. A second apron is connected to the second hopper about a second apron axis. The first apron axis and the second apron axis are respectively perpendicular to the first and second hopper axis. A central apron is pivotally connected relative to the conveyor frame about a central axis that is inline to the first and second apron axis in the lowered position. The first and the second apron axis are planarly translated to the central axis from the lowered to the raised position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Toby A. Frelich
  • Patent number: 9441334
    Abstract: A controller receives inputs from a user interface that sets a speed for moving a tow point of an asphalt paving machine at a speed higher than a normal operating speed. The controller also receives signals from a user interface that moves the tow point in a selected direction at the set speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Mathew Hedrington
  • Publication number: 20160194838
    Abstract: An asphalt paver is provided. The asphalt paver includes a hopper configured to receive asphalt. The hopper includes an inner surface having at least one corner of an apron of the hopper. A non-stick liner is replaceably affixed to the at least one corner and configured to prevent the asphalt received at the hopper from sticking to the at least one corner. A conveyor configured to move the asphalt received on the non-stick liner to a paving surface on which the asphalt paver moves is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Amstutz, Toby A. Frelich, Patrice Groisiller
  • Publication number: 20160186389
    Abstract: A method to warm a paving machine is disclosed. The method includes activation of a tamper speed control mode associated with a tamper bar in a screed section of the paving machine. A temperature of hydraulic oil of a tamper hydraulic circuit is detected. In addition, a temperature of the screed section is detected. A speed of operation of the tamper bar is set to a predetermined threshold if a temperature of the hydraulic oil is greater than a first oil temperature limit and a temperature of the screed section is greater than a screed temperature limit. The paving machine transitions to a paving mode, if the hydraulic oil temperature exceeds a second oil temperature limit and a minimum operational screed temperature is attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Luke E. Graham, Jameson M. Smieja, Ricky L. Mings, Toby A. Frelich
  • Patent number: 9347186
    Abstract: A machine and method for pre-filling an auger chamber is disclosed. The machine may comprise a frame, a screed assembly, a conveyor, an auger disposed in the auger chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the transporting of material on the conveyor to the auger chamber, stop the conveyor if a fill period has expired, cause the auger to move a portion of the material toward an end of the auger, and stop the auger if either the auger run period has expired or the material disposed at the end of the auger has reached an auger material height threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Ricky Mings
  • Publication number: 20160040368
    Abstract: A paving machine includes a hopper assembly movable between a lowered position and a raised position and a conveyor frame. A first hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a first hopper axis and a second hopper is pivotally connected to the conveyor frame at a second hopper axis. A first apron is connected to the first hopper about a first apron axis. A second apron is connected to the second hopper about a second apron axis. The first apron axis and the second apron axis are respectively perpendicular to the first and second hopper axis. A central apron is pivotally connected relative to the conveyor frame about a central axis that is inline to the first and second apron axis in the lowered position. The first and the second apron axis are planarly translated to the central axis from the lowered to the raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Toby A. Frelich
  • Publication number: 20160024725
    Abstract: A machine and method for pre-filling an auger chamber is disclosed. The machine may comprise a frame, a screed assembly, a conveyor, an auger disposed in the auger chamber, and a controller. The controller is configured to cause the transporting of material on the conveyor to the auger chamber, stop the conveyor if a fill period has expired, cause the auger to move a portion of the material toward an end of the auger, and stop the auger if either the auger run period has expired or the material disposed at the end of the auger has reached an auger material height threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Toby Frelich, Ricky Mings