Patents by Inventor Todd R. Farmer

Todd R. Farmer 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: 20170241104
    Abstract: A method for controlling a machine is provided. The method senses an orientation of a seat of an operator. The method selects a desired mode function with respect to at least one work tool, wherein the at least one work tool is equipped with the machine. Further, the orientation of the seat and the desired mode function is communicated to a processing module. Furthermore, a number of input modules are configured corresponding to predefined patterns to control functions of the at least one work tool and the machine. The predefined patterns define functions of the at least one work tool and the machine corresponding to the orientation of the seat, and the desired mode function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Jeffrey M. Parker, David Jeremiah S. Benedict
  • Patent number: 9533661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Steven J. Juricak, Jason M. Buckmier, Joshua D. Callaway, Korby A. Koch, Brian F. Taggart
  • Publication number: 20160375880
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Steven J. Juricak, Jason M. Buckmier, Joshua D. Callaway, Korby A. Koch, Brian F. Taggart
  • Patent number: 8762010
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
  • Patent number: 8700273
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine. The control system includes a sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the implement measurement signal, determine whether a main threshold condition is met, and to determine an adjusted implement command based at least in part on the implement measurement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
  • Patent number: 8612103
    Abstract: A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system comprises a controller that is configured to calculate a first angle correction signal based at least upon an engine speed signal and an operator interface actuation signal, the operator interface actuation signal commanding movement of a lift arm on a loader; calculate a second angle correction signal based at least upon a coupler angle signal; transmit the first and second angle correction signals to change the angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm; and temporarily disable transmission of the second angle correction signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer, Brian F. Taggart, Mark A. Sporer, Luka G. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8606470
    Abstract: A system for a loader stores a signal indicative of a desired inclination of an implement. Upon receiving an operator interface actuation signal, a controller transmits a signal to move the implement to the stored inclination. The controller further transmits a lift arm command signal to move a lift arm towards a lower limit of travel of the lift arm. The lift arm command signal is terminated after the controller receives a signal from a sensor on the lift arm indicating that the lift arm is near its lower limit of travel. After the command signal is terminated, the controller may transmit a second lift arm command signal to further move the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8600621
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a ground-engaging traction device includes sensors to indicate a speed of the ground-engaging traction device, an acceleration of the machine, and a pitch rate of the machine. A controller determines a drive acceleration based upon the speed, and a ground acceleration based upon the acceleration and the pitch rate. The controller determines a command signal at least in part based upon an operator input command signal and a difference between the drive acceleration and the ground acceleration. A method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Callaway, Todd R. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8594896
    Abstract: A system for a loader controlling movement of a lift arm of the loader near a limit of travel of the lift arm receives a signal indicative of the loader engine speed and a signal indicative of actuation of a sensor on the lift arm. A controller determines a lift arm command signal based at least upon the engine speed signal, and transmits the lift arm command signal to an electro-hydraulic system to control the movement of the lift arm adjacent the limit of travel of the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20130275012
    Abstract: A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system comprises a controller that is configured to calculate a first angle correction signal based at least upon an engine speed signal and an operator interface actuation signal, the operator interface actuation signal commanding movement of a lift arm on a loader; calculate a second angle correction signal based at least upon a coupler angle signal; transmit the first and second angle correction signals to change the angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm; and temporarily disable transmission of the second angle correction signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventors: Christian NICHOLSON, Todd R. Farmer, Brian F. Taggart, Mark A. Sporer, Luka G. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8538645
    Abstract: A control system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control system may have an engine configured to propel the mobile machine, at least one operator input device configured to indicate a desired engine speed and a desired mode of operation, and a controller in communication with the engine and the at least one operator input device. The controller may be configured to make a comparison of a current torque of the engine to an available torque, and to selectively adjust a speed of the engine from the desired engine speed based on the desired mode of operation and based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall T. Anderson, Todd R. Farmer, Neil A. Roth
  • Publication number: 20130158804
    Abstract: A system for automated control of a ground-engaging traction device includes sensors to indicate a speed of the ground-engaging traction device, an acceleration of the machine, and a pitch rate of the machine. A controller determines a drive acceleration based upon the speed, and a ground acceleration based upon the acceleration and the pitch rate. The controller determines a command signal at least in part based upon an operator input command signal and a difference between the drive acceleration and the ground acceleration. A method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Joshua Callaway, Todd R. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8463508
    Abstract: A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the speed of an engine on a loader and to receive a signal indicative of an actuation of an operator interface on the loader. The operator interface actuation signal commands movement of a lift arm on the loader. The controller is further configured to calculate an angle correction signal based at least upon the engine speed signal and the operator interface actuation signal and to transmit the angle correction signal to change an angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer, Brian F. Taggart, Mark A. Sporer, Luka G. Korzeniowski
  • Patent number: 8406963
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
  • Publication number: 20110320095
    Abstract: A control system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The control system may have an engine configured to propel the mobile machine, at least one operator input device configured to indicate a desired engine speed and a desired mode of operation, and a controller in communication with the engine and the at least one operator input device. The controller may be configured to make a comparison of a current torque of the engine to an available torque, and to selectively adjust a speed of the engine from the desired engine speed based on the desired mode of operation and based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Randall T. ANDERSON, Todd R. Farmer, Neil A. Roth
  • Publication number: 20110190942
    Abstract: A system for a loader stores a signal indicative of a desired inclination of an implement. Upon receiving an operator interface actuation signal, a controller transmits a signal to move the implement to the stored inclination. The controller further transmits a lift arm command signal to move a lift arm towards a lower limit of travel of the lift arm. The lift arm command signal is terminated after the controller receives a signal from a sensor on the lift arm indicating that the lift arm is near its lower limit of travel. After the command signal is terminated, the controller may transmit a second lift arm command signal to further move the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20110150614
    Abstract: A system for a loader controlling movement of a lift arm of the loader near a limit of travel of the lift arm receives a signal indicative of the loader engine speed and a signal indicative of actuation of a sensor on the lift arm. A controller determines a lift arm command signal based at least upon the engine speed signal, and transmits the lift arm command signal to an electro-hydraulic system to control the movement of the lift arm adjacent the limit of travel of the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20110153091
    Abstract: A system for correcting an angle of an implement coupled to a loader is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of the speed of an engine on a loader and to receive a signal indicative of an actuation of an operator interface on the loader. The operator interface actuation signal commands movement of a lift arm on the loader. The controller is further configured to calculate an angle correction signal based at least upon the engine speed signal and the operator interface actuation signal and to transmit the angle correction signal to change an angle of a coupler configured to couple an implement to the lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Nicholson, Todd R. Farmer, Brian F. Taggart, Mark A. Sporer, Luka G. Korzeniowski
  • Publication number: 20110046857
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway