Patents by Inventor William C. Sahm

William C. Sahm 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: 5951613
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining a position of a work implement of a work machine in a site coordinate system. The position of the work implement is defined as the position in the site coordinate system of two fixed points located on the work implement. The apparatus includes first and second position sensors mounted on the work implement. A pitch sensor connected to the work implement senses a pitch of the work implement and responsively produces a pitch signal. A cross slope sensor connected to the work implement senses a cross slope of the work implement and responsively produces a cross slope signal. A rotation sensor connected to the work implement senses a rotation of the work implement and responsively produces a rotation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Sahm, Gregory R. Harrod, Ronald J. Siroky, Craig L. Koehrsen, Satish M. Shetty
  • Patent number: 5951612
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining at least one of the pitch and slope of an implement on an earthmoving machine. The apparatus includes a mast connected to an upper corner of the implement, a first set of laser detectors connected to the mast, a second set of laser detectors connected to the mast, a third set of laser detectors connected to the mast, and a computer adapted to receive signals from the first, second, and third sets of laser detectors and responsively determine the angle of pitch and the angle of slope of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Sahm
  • Patent number: 5935183
    Abstract: A method and system to determine the relationship between a laser plane and an external coordinate system using a mobile machine with a work implement is provided. The laser plane is intersected at three points by a laser receiver installed on a mast attached to the work implement. A position determining antenna located a known distance on the mast from the laser receiver is used to determine external coordinates at the position determining antenna point. An equation for the laser plane in external coordinate terms is determined based on the three external position coordinates and the known distance between the external coordinate system plane and the laser plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Sahm, Gregory R. Harrod
  • Patent number: 5850341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring in real time the removal of material from a land site such as a mine by a mobile machine. A digitized three-dimensional model of the site is stored in a digital data storage and retrieval facility. The site model includes a model of the material to be removed subdivided into regions of differentiating characteristics, for example ore grade or type. The machine is provided with means for generating digital signals representing in real time the instantaneous position in three-dimensional space of at least a portion of the machine as it traverses the site. Loading signals are generated corresponding to the removal of material from the site by the machine, and an instantaneous loading position for the mobile machine relative to the site is recorded in response to the loading signal. The invention preferably includes a payload measurement system which measures each discrete load of material removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Fournier, Doug S. Gordon, Adam J. Gudat, Gregory R. Harrod, Daniel E. Henderson, Karl W. Kleimenhagen, William C. Sahm, Charles L. Schaidle, Ken R. Setterlund, Ron J. Siroky
  • Patent number: 5735352
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for updating a site database. The site database models the elevation of a work site using a Triangular Irregular Network (TIN). The TIN is composed of a plurality of points. Each point has associated known X and Y coordinates and a known elevation and is associated with a set of other points in the network to form triangles. The work site is modified by a work machine. The method includes the steps of receiving a new set of points. The new set of points includes at least first and second points. The first and second points have associated X, Y, and Z coordinates. The method also includes the steps of comparing the new set of points with a previous set of points and updating the triangular irregular network with the new set of points if a minimum distance has been traversed by the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Henderson, Craig L. Koehrsen, David A. Paul, William C. Sahm
  • Patent number: 5692467
    Abstract: The ventilation apparatus (51) of the present invention provides an airflow control system that is designed to minimize noise while providing adequate airflow both during engine operation and after engine shutdown. The enclosure (24) that is divided into first and second compartments (26,28). The first compartment (26) houses the drive train components (14) and the second compartment (28) houses the fluid cooling apparatus (30). The first compartment (26) is provided with at least one air communicating means (52) to transfer ambient air from outside the enclosure through a circuitous air passageway (54) lined with sound absorptive material (60,62). The air passageway (54) is formed in at least one of the walls that forms the first compartment (26) so that it may be critically positioned with respect to the more heat sensitive components (14) housed within the enclosure (24) yet maximizing the efficient use of available space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Sahm, Daniel L. Mikrut
  • Patent number: 5404661
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the location of a work implement at a work site is provided. The apparatus includes an undercarriage, a car body rotatably connected to the undercarriage, a boom connected to the car body, a stick connected to the boom, a work implement connected to the stick, and a positioning system including a receiver connected to the stick and a processor for determining the location of the receiver in three dimensional space at a plurality of points as the car body is rotated and for determining the location and orientation of the work implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William C. Sahm, Adam J. Gudat, Daniel E. Henderson
  • Patent number: 5065326
    Abstract: A control system and method automatically controls a work implement of an excavating machine to perform a complete excavation work cycle. In performing the work cycle, the control system automatically extends the work implement down into the trench, completes a dig stroke, captures the excavated material, swings the work implement to dump, dumps the load, returns the work implement to the trench, and repeats the work cycle until a trench is excavated according to operator programmed specifications. The control system monitors the position of the work implement and the forces exerted on the work implement and controllably actuates the work implement according to predetermined position and force setpoints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Sahm