Condition Responsive Patents (Class 37/348)
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Patent number: 9598842Abstract: Provided is construction machinery that is capable of greatly reducing the amount of fuel consumption by making effective use of recovered energy. The construction machinery has a first hydraulic pump 3 for discharging hydraulic oil for driving an actuator 6, a second hydraulic pump 9, a second prime mover 7 for driving the second hydraulic pump 9, energy storage device 8 for storing energy for driving the second prime mover 7, and a hydraulic oil supply circuit 10 including a hydraulic oil switching section 11c that accepts the hydraulic oil discharged from the first hydraulic pump and the hydraulic oil discharged from the second hydraulic pump and supplies either the mixture of the accepted hydraulic oils or a selected one of the accepted hydraulic oils to the actuator 6.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventors: Shinya Imura, Hidetoshi Satake, Kouji Ishikawa, Seiji Hijikata, Tomoaki Kaneta
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Patent number: 9587378Abstract: An auto-powered mobile machine with controls for a riding operator and a system for carrying and making efficient use of a variety of attachable tools. Wireless radio communication from the controls to a lower tool may allow the swivel to spin any number of times without limitation. Hydraulic tool position controls are wirelessly coupled to a remote sensor that responds to a string datum line, a curb, direction of gravity, or GPS data.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Inventor: Stephen T Schmidt
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Patent number: 9587369Abstract: An excavation system is disclosed for a machine having a work tool. The excavation system may have a speed sensor to detect a travel speed of the machine and a load sensor to detect loading of the work tool. The excavation system may also have a controller configured to detect engagement of the work tool with a material pile based on at least one of the first signal and the second signal. The controller may also be configured to select at least one tilt control parameter value for the work tool and operate the work tool based on the selected tilt control parameter value to load the work tool with an amount of material. The controller may be configured to determine whether the amount of material exceeds a target amount and to cause the machine to withdraw from the material pile when the amount exceeds the target amount.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Graham Fletcher, Daniel Aaron Jones, Ranishka De Silva Hewavisenthi, Ricky Kam Ho Chow
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Patent number: 9493928Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling an engine of a wheel loader, and the apparatus includes: a sensor unit, configured to sense vehicle information and working machine information; a vehicle control unit configured to select a working condition according to a priority of the vehicle information and the working machine information, select an engine mode corresponding to the selected working condition, and output an engine mode signal representing the selected engine mode; and an engine control unit configured to control the engine output according to the engine mode signal output from the vehicle control unit. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides the method and the apparatus for controlling an engine according to a working condition of a wheel loader, thereby smoothly maintaining performance of equipment without requiring a separate manipulation by a worker, and thus achieving an effect of improving fuel efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kwang Seok Park, Yun Jung Choi
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Patent number: 9481976Abstract: A work vehicle includes a boom, an arm, a bucket, an arm control member, a speed limit determination portion, and a target speed determination portion. The speed limit determination portion determines a speed limit for limiting a speed of a cutting edge of the bucket in accordance with a distance between a cutting edge and a design surface. The target speed determination portion determines a target speed of the boom based on the speed limit. The speed limit determination portion decides on a speed limit calculated based on correlation between the speed limit and the distance between the design surface and the cutting edge when an amount of operation of the arm control member is equal to or greater than a prescribed amount and decides on a speed limit lower than the speed limit calculated based on the correlation when the amount of operation is smaller than the prescribed amount.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventors: Yoshiki Kami, Takeo Yamada, Yuto Fujii, Takeshi Takaura
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Patent number: 9458597Abstract: A control system includes: a control valve control unit that controls a control valve; a data acquisition unit that acquires data on an operation command value and a cylinder speed in a state where an operation command for operating a hydraulic cylinder is output; and a deriving unit that derives operation characteristics in an operation direction of each of a plurality of hydraulic cylinders in relation to the operation command value based on the data acquired by the data acquisition unit. In acquisition of the data by the data acquisition unit, the control valve control unit controls a control valve of one pilot oil passage that is an acquisition object where the data is acquired among the plurality of pilot oil passages to open one pilot oil passage and controls control valves of the other pilot oil passages to close the other pilot oil passages.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: Kmoatsu Ltd.Inventors: Katsuhiro Ikegami, Satoshi Ito, Akinori Baba
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Patent number: 9422692Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems for performing non-contact based determination of the position of an implement. In one embodiment, a non-contact based measurement system is used to determine the relative position of an implement coupled with a mobile machine. The geographic position of the mobile machine is determined and the geographic position of said implement based upon the geographic position of the mobile machine and the position of the implement relative to the mobile machine.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLCInventors: Arthur James Taylor, Mark Nichols, Philip Jackson
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Patent number: 9377034Abstract: Provided is a load sensing system for controlling a discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump so as to render a differential pressure obtained by subtracting a maximum load pressure among the hydraulic actuators from a discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump to be a constant pressure, and there are provided: a first load pressure flow passage which introduces load pressures of the hydraulic actuators to be outputted to a PLS transmission line which transmits the maximum load pressure among the hydraulic actuators at the time of activating the hydraulic actuators; and a second load pressure flow passage which is a flow path for introducing the load pressures of the hydraulic actuators to be outputted to the PLS transmission line during operation after activations of the hydraulic actuators, and wherein a flow rate of the pressure oil therein is reduced than that in the first load pressure flow passage.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2012Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Horii
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Patent number: 9371626Abstract: A work vehicle includes a speed limit calculation portion, a speed determination portion, an adjustment portion, and a boom speed determination portion. The speed limit calculation portion calculates a speed limit for limiting a speed of a cutting edge of a bucket. The speed determination portion determines whether or not a speed of raising the boom has been lowered when an amount of operation of an arm is smaller than a prescribed amount. The adjustment portion delays speed change to the speed limit. The boom speed determination portion determines a target speed of the boom based on the speed limit after delay by the adjustment portion when it is determined that the speed of raising the boom has been lowered, and determines a target speed of the boom based on the speed limit calculated when it is not determined that the speed of raising the boom has been lowered.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventors: Yoshiki Kami, Takeo Yamada, Toru Matsuyama, Yuto Fujii, Takeshi Takaura
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Patent number: 9340953Abstract: Provided is a construction machine which is capable of suppressing useless power consumption. This construction machine is provided with an excavator body, a working device which is attached to the excavator body, an engine which is mounted in the excavator body, a generator motor which is attached to the engine and which can be driven as an electric generator or an electric motor, a hydraulic pump which is driven by the engine and the generator motor, a hydraulic actuator which drives the working device with motive power generated by the hydraulic pump, and a control portion which lowers the drive output of the generator motor in accordance with the drive state of the working device and limits the drive output of the hydraulic pump in order to keep the rotation frequency of the engine within a range of predetermined values.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.Inventors: Hiroshi Sakamoto, Masatoshi Hoshino, Shinji Ishihara
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Patent number: 9309650Abstract: A working machine includes: an operation state detection unit configured to detect a physical amount output according to an operation of an operation lever; a time integration unit configured to calculate a time integration value by performing time integration of the physical amount; a determination unit configured to cause the time integration value and a predetermined operating angle of an excavating and loading mechanism associated with the operation of the operation lever to correspond to each other, and to determine that the operation of the operation lever has been performed, at a time the time integration value becomes a predetermined integration value or more; and a counting unit configured to count number of times of a series of excavating and loading work.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Nagato, Tsuyoshi Imamura, Hiromi Tokura
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Patent number: 9297145Abstract: An excavation system includes a work tool, and linkage connecting the work tool to the machine. The excavation system also includes at least one sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of an angle of the linkage, a display, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor and the display. The controller is configured to selectively cause the display to notify a user of the excavation system when the angle of the linkage is within a desired material penetration range of angles.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Stephen Alig, Brad Robert Van De Veer, Yongliang Zhu
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Patent number: 9284714Abstract: There is provided a hydraulic excavator in which invasion of a design surface by a work implement can be suppressed. A boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve is provided in a boom-lowering pilot conduit connected to a boom-lowering pilot port. A first pressure sensor detects a pressure generated in the boom-lowering pilot conduit between a control lever and the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve. A controller controls an opening degree of the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve based on the pressure detected by the first pressure sensor. The controller gently increases, from zero, a current value outputted to the boom-lowering proportional solenoid valve.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventor: Takeshi Takaura
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Patent number: 9194106Abstract: A working unit control system includes a working unit, an operating tool, a work type determining part, and a drive controlling part. The operating tool is configured to receive a user operation to drive the working unit, and to output an operation signal in accordance with the user operation. The work type determining part is configured to determine to which of a shaping work and a cutting edge aligning work a work type of the working unit corresponds based on the operation signals. The drive controlling part configured to move the bucket along a designed surface when the work type corresponds to the shaping work, the drive controlling art being configured in a predetermined position set with reference to the designed surface when the work type corresponds to the cutting edge aligning work, the designed surface indicating a target shape of an excavation object.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventor: Toru Matsuyama
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Patent number: 9194139Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to the field of boom-type engineering machinery, which discloses particularly an engine speed control method used to control an output speed of an engine of a boom-type engineering machine during a boom action including: detecting a load pressure of a hydraulic system and a moving speed of a boom; determining a target speed of the engine according to the load pressure and the moving speed of the boom, by a central control unit; and sending, by the central control unit, the target speed of the engine to an engine control unit, and performing, by the engine control unit, a speed closed-loop adjustment according to a current speed value fed back by the engine, so that a current speed of the engine is consistent with the target speed of the engine. Further aspects are an engine speed control system and a boom-type engineering machine equipped therewith.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2013Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignees: HUNAN SANY INTELLIGENT CONTROL EQUIPMENT CO., LTD, SANY HEAVY INDUSTRY CO., LTDInventors: Xiaogang Yi, Dongliang Pu, Qiang Liu
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Patent number: 9181676Abstract: The present disclosure provides a foot control pattern for operably controlling an electrohydraulic machine. The machine includes a cab, ground engaging mechanisms, a boom, and a bucket. The foot control pattern includes a machine controller having a plurality of inputs. A first foot control is electrically coupled to a first of the plurality of inputs, where the first foot control is adapted to control the boom. A second foot control is electrically coupled to a second of the plurality of inputs, where the second foot control is adapted to control the bucket. A first hand control is electrically coupled to a third of the plurality of inputs, where the first hand control is adapted to propel and steer the machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: DEERE & COMPANYInventors: Scott Meislahn, Sean A. Mairet
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Patent number: 9173337Abstract: A GNSS system in combination with a hydraulically-actuated, airborne dispenser for a dry material crop dusting system to optimize the distribution of dry materials over a particular tract of land. A GNSS subsystem is included using at least one GNSS antenna and one GNSS receiver located on the aircraft. The aircraft is equipped with an electronic/hydraulic crop dusting subsystem connected to a GNSS CPU. The GNSS ranging signals received by the antennas are processed by a receiver and processor system for determining the vehicle's position and dynamic attitude in three dimensions (3D). The system is adapted for operation in a differential GNSS (DGNSS) mode utilizing a base station at a fixed location.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: EFC SYSTEMS, Inc.Inventors: Greg S. Guyette, Jeffrey Allen Dearborn
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Patent number: 9157202Abstract: A snow plow includes a control unit for raising an auger housing to a predetermined upper limit angle when travel device is reversing, and an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration produced in the auger housing. The control unit determines an angle of inclination of the auger housing on the basis of the acceleration. When the travel device starts moving forward after having temporarily moved in reverse, the control unit sets an intermediate lowering target angle of inclination, which is in the lowering path of the auger housing from the upper limit angle to a pre-reversing angle of inclination, in accordance with the forward acceleration; lowers the auger housing at a given lowering speed from the upper limit angle to the intermediate lowering target angle of inclination; and lowers the auger housing at a gradually decreasing lowering speed from the intermediate lowering target angle of inclination to the pre-reversing angle of inclination.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2014Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Inventors: Jun Fukano, Tsutomu Mizoroke, Shinsaku Nakayama
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Patent number: 9157216Abstract: A hydraulic shovel calibration device is adapted to calibrate parameters in a hydraulic shovel including a current position computation unit configured to compute a current position of a working point included in a work tool of a hydraulic shovel based on a plurality of parameters that indicate dimensions and swing angles of a boom, an arm, and the work tool. The hydraulic shovel calibration device includes an input unit and a calibration computation unit. The input unit is configured and arranged to input working point position information indicating coordinates of a working point included in a work tool of the hydraulic shovel at a plurality of positions which are measured by an external measurement device. The calibration computation unit is configured to compute calibration values of the parameters based on the working point position information input into the input unit.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.Inventor: Masanobu Seki
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Patent number: 9085871Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for controlling a swing brake for construction machinery, comprising: a lower travel body; an upper swinging body supported at the lower travel body such that the upper swing body is capable of being swung; a swing motor for driving the upper swing body; a swing brake for braking the swing motor; a swing brake valve which operates to control the braking and releasing operations of the swing brake; a solenoid valve mounted on the swing brake valve to control the operation of the swing brake valve; an operation sensor which applies a first reference signal and a second reference signal in accordance with the motion of a swing operation control unit for controlling the operation of the upper swinging body, wherein said second reference signal is generated when an amount of displacement of the swing operation control unit is larger than the first reference signal; and a control unit, which operates the swing brake valve to release the swing brake when the first referType: GrantFiled: December 23, 2010Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kyeong Keun Kim
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Patent number: 9074347Abstract: A hydraulic system for a working machine includes at least one work function and a control valve unit for controlling hydraulic fluid to and from the work function, and a recovery unit connected to a return port of the control valve unit for recovering energy from the work function. The system further includes an arrangement for limiting the pressure of the hydraulic fluid at the return port, which pressure limiting arrangement has a pilot-operated valve adapted to set a maximum allowable pressure at the return port of the control valve unit. The pressure is variable by controlling the pilot-operated valve by a control unit.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment ABInventors: Bo Vigholm, Andreas Ekvall, Kim Heybroek
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Patent number: 9067501Abstract: A system for controlling power in a machine includes an interface and a controller configured to receive a signal indicative of a requested hydraulic operation of a hydraulic actuator corresponding to a requested hydraulic power level. The controller is further configured to receive a signal indicative of a requested electric operation of the electric actuator corresponding to a requested electric power level. The controller is also configured to provide a signal for supplying electric power to the electric actuator less than the requested electric power level based on an electric power output ratio, and provide a signal for supplying hydraulic power to the hydraulic actuator less than the requested hydraulic power level based on a hydraulic power output ratio. At least one of the electric power output ratio and the hydraulic power output ratio is adjustable via the interface.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jonathan W. Anders, Corey L. Gorman, John J. Bernardi
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Patent number: 9068323Abstract: A machine is disclosed. The machine can include a frame and ground engaging propulsion elements coupled with the frame. A hydraulically actuated implement system can be coupled with the frame, and can include a linkage configured to couple with an implement, a hydraulic actuator coupled with the linkage and the frame, and a ride control and downforce control circuit configured to implement a ride control mode and a downforce control mode. The ride control mode can be configured to maintain a pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a ride control pressure, and the downforce control mode can be configured to maintain the pressure of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic actuator at a downforce control pressure to oppose the weight of the linkage and the implement such that the implement engages a substrate with a predetermined down force pressure which is proportionate to the downforce control pressure.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jeremy T. Peterson, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, David J. Lomax, Michael L. Knussman
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Patent number: 9068366Abstract: The invention relates to a mobile work machine having a chassis (10) and with two front and two rear support brackets (20, 22). The support brackets can be displaced from a driving position close to the chassis into a support position by changing the base angles (?) thereof and/or can be telescoped by changing the lengths thereof between the end on the mounting side and that on the free end. In order to be able to automatically determine the support leg positions (Xc/Yc) in relation to the chassis (10), three transceiver units (S1/E1, S2/E2, S3/E3) related to the support legs are provided for transmitting and receiving run time or distance signals. Furthermore, a microprocessor-supported evaluation unit responding to the transmitted and received signals of the transceiver units arranged in pairs is provided, comprising a software routine for determining the support leg positions in a coordinate system (x/y) fixed to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Putzmeister Engineering GmbHInventors: Wolf-Michael Petzold, Martin Mayer, Dirk Hoevemeyer
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Patent number: 9045880Abstract: There is provided a split-flow hydraulic pump-equipped operating machine. The travel independent valve is designed to be switched to the merging position in the case of driving the front working device without actuation of the travel device or in the case of driving the travel device and the front working device concurrently, and switched to the independently feeding position in the case of driving the travel device without actuation of the front working device. The load sensing system controls the discharge flow rate of the hydraulic pump on the basis of a pressure difference between the discharge pressure of the hydraulic pump and the maximum load pressure of the hydraulic actuator in any of the case of driving the travel device, the case of driving the front working device, and the case of driving both the travel device and the front working device.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: KUBOTA CORPORATIONInventor: Hiroshi Horii
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Patent number: 9016419Abstract: A hydraulic excavator includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit, a counterweight disposed on a rear end part of the upper revolving unit, an engine compartment disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit, a cab disposed in front of the engine compartment on the upper revolving unit, an equipment compartment disposed between the engine compartment and the cab on the upper revolving unit, a pair of handrails and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The pair of handrails is disposed on the equipment compartment. The pair of antenna supporting parts is configured to support a pair of antennas. At least a portion of the pair of antenna supporting parts is disposed above the engine compartment. The pair of antenna supporting parts is connected to the pair of handrails.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Minetaka Nishimura
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Patent number: 9013050Abstract: Provided is a hybrid construction machine including: a hydraulic actuator; a hydraulic pump which discharges hydraulic fluid for driving the hydraulic actuator; a generator-motor which performs an electric generator action of generating electric power and an electric motor action of generating motive power; an engine connected to the hydraulic pump and the motor-generator; an electrical storage device; and a controller which causes the generator-motor to perform the electric generator action and charge the electrical storage device and causes the generator-motor to perform the electric motor action by electric power discharged from the electrical storage device to assist the engine. The controller causes the generator-motor to start the electric generator action when an engine output becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined engine lower limit output, and controls the electric generator action to keep the engine output no lower than the engine lower limit output.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Kobelco Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventor: Koji Yamashita
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Patent number: 9014925Abstract: A system for determining a ripping path includes a position sensing system, a work implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a plurality of positions of the machine as the machine moves along an operating path and the work implement moves a volume of material and sense the material characteristics of at each of the plurality of positions along the operating path. The controller is further configured to determine the ripping path based upon the material characteristics sensed at the plurality of positions and store the ripping path.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jean-Jacques Clar, Seth J. Redenbo, Brian G. Funke
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Patent number: 9014923Abstract: Disclosed is a position control apparatus for a working machine of a construction machinery, including: a boom driving unit for driving a boom; a bucket driving unit for driving a bucket; a working tool manipulating part for generating a manipulation signal for driving the boom driving unit and the bucket driving unit; a kick-down switch for generating a kick-down signal for lowering a gear stage; and a controller for, if the kick-down signal is generated by the kick-down switch and the manipulation signal is generated by the working tool manipulating part, outputting a control signal to the boom driving unit and the bucket driving unit to move the boom and the bucket to a preset position.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2010Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Doosan Infracore Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kwang Seok Park
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Patent number: 8994519Abstract: This invention provides for a vegetation removal system capable of removing vegetation from irrigation canals, rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes and other water systems where the growth of vegetation impedes the flow of water, access to water or there is a desire to remove unwanted vegetation. The vegetation removal system comprises a rake system that allows for the removal of the vegetation while letting the water and silt or mud flow through the rake and substantially remain as part of the bank or bottom of the body of water. The invention also allows for the folding of the vegetation removal rake into a compact form by folding the outboard wings over on top of the main rake section. Sensors attached to the vegetation removal system can provide situational awareness for the operator as well as determine the position orientation of the rake when the rake is submerged or working near obstacles.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Inventors: William Fuchs, Albert Babneau
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Patent number: 8970363Abstract: A supplemental control system for a materials handling vehicle comprises a wearable control device, and a corresponding receiver on the materials handling vehicle. The wearable control device is donned by an operator interacting with the materials handling vehicle, and comprises a wireless transmitter to be worn on the wrist of the operator and a travel control communicably coupled to the wireless transmitter. Actuation of the travel control causes the wireless transmitter to transmit a first type signal designating a request to the vehicle. The receiver is supported by the vehicle for receiving transmissions from the wireless transmitter.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2011Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: James V. Kraimer, Jay G. Pollack, Timothy A. Wellman, Lewis H. Manci, Vernon W. Siefring, Mark E. Schumacher, Matthew M. Green, Anthony T. Castaneda
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Patent number: 8942863Abstract: A position control system for use with a mobile machine at a worksite is disclosed. The control system may have a location receiver configured to generate a location signal indicative of an actual location of a base station, a communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the location receiver and the communication device. The controller may be configured to store an assumed location of the base station in memory, make a comparison of the location signal with the assumed location, and selectively generate a control instruction for the mobile machine based on the comparison.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: January 27, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Bibhradjit Halder, Andrew Thomas Whitten, Aaron Michael Donnelli, Eric Moughler
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Patent number: 8930091Abstract: In particular embodiments of the technology, the bulk density of the payload in the bucket of a large electric dragline is measured during the carry phase of dragline operation by scanning the loaded bucket using a boom mounted scanner to provide data relating to the volume of the loaded bucket. Suitable methods can further include calculating the volume enclosed by the surface of the payload and the known base and sides of the bucket to give payload volume, and dividing the payload volume into payload weight data derived from rope length and motor current data to give the payload bulk density. Methods of screening data points originating from surfaces other than the bucket and payload, and methods of dealing with bucket ope and sway are also described and claimed.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: CMTE Development LimitedInventors: Benjamin Upcroft, Rajiv Chandra Shekhar, Alex Joseph Bewley, Paul J. A. Lever
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Patent number: 8924152Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring system and operational parameters on one or more pieces of machinery or equipment. The system can monitor the pieces of machinery or equipment in real time, i.e., the time delay between the taking of a measurement on a piece of equipment and its subsequent display in the system is within accepted standards, e.g., from about 1 second to about 1 minute depending on the type of measurement or data set being monitored. The system can also permit the tracking of the pieces of machinery or equipment and can enable the transfer, i.e., the sending and/or receiving, of information between the system and the pieces of machinery or equipment.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2011Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: AgJunction LLCInventors: Aaron Dale Hunt, Jeffrey Allen Dearborn
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Patent number: 8899365Abstract: A hydraulic excavator basically includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit, a counterweight, a machine compartment, a first handrail, a second handrail and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The upper revolving unit is revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit. The counterweight is disposed on the upper revolving unit. The machine compartment is disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit. The first and second handrails are disposed on the machine compartment. The antenna supporting parts are configured to support a pair of antennas. The antenna supporting parts are respectively connected to the first and second handrails.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Minetaka Nishimura
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Publication number: 20140345171Abstract: A trench cutting apparatus comprises a main body portion, ground contacting conveying means on which the body portion is mounted and by which the apparatus can traverse the ground and at least one soil cutting device operable to cut a trench wherein the attitude of the soil cutting device is adjustable between a first use configuration configured for cutting a linear trench portion and a second use position configured for cutting a curved trench portion, said second use position being selected to minimise undercutting of a trench wall as said curved trench portion is formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventor: Jonathan Ralph Manchester
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Patent number: 8863880Abstract: A hydraulic excavator basically includes a lower traveling unit, an upper revolving unit, a counterweight, a machine compartment, a first handrail, a second handrail and a pair of antenna supporting parts. The upper revolving unit is revolvably mounted on the lower traveling unit. The counterweight is disposed on the upper revolving unit. The machine compartment is disposed in front of the counterweight on the upper revolving unit. The first and second handrails are disposed on the machine compartment. The antenna supporting parts are configured to support a pair of antennas. The antenna supporting parts are respectively connected to the first and second handrails.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Minetaka Nishimura
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Patent number: 8819966Abstract: The present disclosure provides a machine configured so that its ground speed is at least in part dependent on the measured force that is applied to an attachment attached thereto. The present disclosure also provides an attachment for a machine that is configured to provide feedback to the machine it is configured to be attached to, wherein the feedback is representative of the force applied to the attachment. The present disclosure also provides a method of automatically controlling the ground speed of a machine based on feedback measured in an attachment attached to the machine.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Casey Dean Berg, Oleg Khalamendik, Ted Jay Sanders
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Patent number: 8825315Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer readable media for controlling a digging operation of an industrial machine. A method includes determining a hoist bail pull associated with the industrial machine, determining a crowd torque limit value for a crowd drive based on the determined hoist bail pull of the industrial machine, and setting a crowd torque limit of the crowd drive to the crowd torque limit value to limit a torque associated with a crowd motor to the crowd torque limit value.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Harnischfeger Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Colwell, William Hren, Mark Emerson, Michael Linstroth
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Patent number: 8820457Abstract: A hydraulic excavator basically includes a counterweight, an engine compartment, an equipment compartment, a cab, a plurality of steps, a passage and a pair of antenna supporting parts for supporting a pair of GNSS antennas, respectively. The antenna supporting parts are positioned ¼ or more of the vehicle width away from the revolving center and are positioned closer to the revolving center than a left rear edge of the passage. The left rear edge of the passage is the position furthest away from the revolving center of the steps and the passage.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2012Date of Patent: September 2, 2014Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.Inventor: Minetaka Nishimura
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Publication number: 20140237866Abstract: A kit for modifying a digging bucket for controlling the depth cut, including an elongated member operationally connectable to a hoe bucket defining a cutting edge, an actuator operationally connectable to the elongated member, an electronic controller operationally connectable to the actuator, and a position sensor operationally connectable to the cutting edge and operationally connectable to the electronic controller. The actuator may be energized to pivot the elongated member to a position adjacent the cutting edge for engaging ground. Positioning of the elongated member adjacent the cutting edge prevents the cutting edge from digging ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Inventor: Philip Paull
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Patent number: 8762010Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
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Patent number: 8755977Abstract: Provided is a method and a system for preemptively determining a load weight for mining excavation equipment. Specifically, provided is a method in which an excavation surface is scanned to generate an excavation surface profile, an excavation plan is selected for the excavation surface profile, the excavation plan for the excavation surface profile is executed on the excavation surface utilizing a pre-emptive load weighing algorithm based on a plurality of drive signals of the mining excavation equipment, and a volume of a material to be excavated by the mining excavation equipment is determined based at least on the plurality of drive signals, the plurality of derivatives of drive signals, and the excavation surface profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2013Date of Patent: June 17, 2014Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Furem, Daniel W. Robertson, Julian D. Jaeger
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Patent number: 8732992Abstract: The present disclosure provides an excavation machine that is configured to minimize or otherwise account for the unintended stoppage (i.e., jamming/stalling) of a digger tool. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure a machine is provided with one or more drive systems that automatically stop and reverse to avoid excavation tool jamming. The machine and methods of the present disclosure provide an efficient method and machine for excavation operations.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2013Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing CompanyInventors: Ty Hartwick, Casey Dean Berg, Oleg Khalamendik, Karl D. Maasdam, Joseph W. Nelson
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Patent number: 8738242Abstract: The slope angle of a blade on an earthmoving machine is automatically controlled based on measurements from a three-axis gyroscope, a blade slope angle tilt sensor, and a blade tip angle tilt sensor mounted on the blade. A three-axis gyroscope has high dynamic response and high resistance to mechanical disturbances but is subject to potentially unbounded errors. A tilt sensor has bounded errors but has a slow dynamic response and a high sensitivity to mechanical disturbances. The combination of a three-axis gyroscope and two tilt sensors provides an advantageous measurement system. Algorithms for performing proper fusion of the measurements account for the lack of synchronization between the three-axis gyroscope and the tilt sensors and also screen out invalid measurements from the tilt sensors. The blade slope angle is controlled based on a reference blade slope angle and an estimate of the blade slope angle computed from properly fused measurements.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Topcon Positioning Systems, Inc.Inventors: Hiroyuki Konno, Vernon Joseph Brabec, Renard Tomas Graham
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Patent number: 8700273Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
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Patent number: 8700202Abstract: A system for assisting in the use by an operator of the operating element of a tool at desired locations at a worksite, includes a stationary control and a position sensor secured to the tool. The stationary control is located at the worksite, and has data stored therein specifying one or more desired locations for operation of the operating element of the tool at the worksite. A position sensor is mounted on the tool. The position sensor determines the position of the operating element of the tool. The position sensor includes a communication device for communicating with said stationary control, a sensor for determining its relative position with respect to said stationary control, and a display for providing indications to the user of the tool of the desired location for the operating element of the tool and of the actual location of the operating element of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2010Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Trimble Navigation LimitedInventor: Kent Kahle
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Patent number: 8689471Abstract: A control for an excavator of the type having a plurality of hydraulic cylinders for moving excavator components such that digging is accomplished at a worksite with an excavator bucket or other excavator implement, includes a plurality of hydraulic control valves, each of which is associated with a respective one of the hydraulic cylinders for controlling the application of hydraulic fluid pressure to the respective one of the hydraulic cylinders, and a plurality of manually actuated joystick valves for supplying hydraulic fluid pressure to the respective hydraulic control valves to control the movement of the hydraulic cylinders. The control includes a sensor arrangement for sensing the position of one or more excavator components.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLCInventors: Hamish John Carpenter, Richard Paul Piekutowski, Mark Nichols
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Patent number: 8666609Abstract: A tractor includes booms, lift cylinders, a hitch, dump cylinders, a magnetic valve, a speed-up circuit, and a speed-up restricting arm. The lift cylinders swing the booms upward and downward by an operating oil being supplied thereto. The hitch is provided to the booms to allow an implement to be attached thereto. The dump cylinders swing the implement upward and downward by the operating oil being supplied thereto. The magnetic valve switches between supplying the operating oil to the dump cylinders and supplying the operating oil to a grab cylinder provided in the implement. The speed-up circuit is able to perform a speed-up operation for increasing the flow rate of the operating oil supplied to the magnetic valve. The speed-up restricting arm is arranged near the speed-up circuit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.Inventor: Tetsuya Iida
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Patent number: 8650778Abstract: A hydraulic drive system realizes a jack-up operation without arrangement of a flow rate control valve and center bypass selector valve. The hydraulic drive system has first and second hydraulic pumps, first and second directional control valves for controlling boom cylinders, a third directional control valve for controlling the boom cylinders, and a third hydraulic pump for feeding pressure oil to the third directional control valve. A jack-up selector valve has a second select position where, when a pressure in bottom chambers of the boom cylinders is not higher than a predetermined pressure, feeding of pressure oil, which is delivered from the first hydraulic pump and second hydraulic pump, to rod chambers of the boom cylinders, is held permissible in association with switching of the second directional control valve and third directional control valve by a manipulation of a control device.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2010Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasuo Okano, Tsuyoshi Nakamura, Kouji Ishikawa, Kensuke Sato, Naoki Hagiwara