Construction Or Agricultural-type Vehicle (e.g., Crane, Forklift) Patents (Class 701/50)
  • Patent number: 10968607
    Abstract: When correcting an error caused by deviation of an attitude detection device with respect to a work machine including a swing body which swings, a working implement being attached to the swing body, the attitude detection device outputting an attitude of the work machine, the error is corrected by using a first position which is a position of a part of the work machine when the work machine is in a first attitude and a second position which is a position of the part when the work machine is in a second attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Iwamura, Masanobu Seki, Masashi Ichihara, Kenjiro Shimada, Satoru Shintani, Yuki Shimano, Eiji Ishibashi
  • Patent number: 10968082
    Abstract: A crane, a construction machine or an industrial truck, with a control station including at least one input means for inputting control commands, a graphical simulation module for calculating a virtual representation of the machine surroundings and/or machine components visible from the control station, such as a boom or a load hook, and a display device for displaying the calculated virtual representation, wherein a movement simulation module is provided for determining movements and/or deformations of the machine components according to the inputted control commands, depending on which the graphical simulation module calculates the virtual representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Liebherr-Components Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Palberg, Jürgen Resch, Sven Brandt, Thomas Steib
  • Patent number: 10965803
    Abstract: A vibration alerting mobile terminal configured to adjust an amplitude parameter and a frequency parameter of a vibration alerting mode, to implement diverse vibration alerting modes to meet vibration requirements of the mobile terminal in different environments. The terminal provides for: displaying a first interface, wherein the first interface includes an amplitude adjustment control, a frequency adjustment control, and a vibration mode adjustment control; responding to an adjustment operation for at least one of the amplitude adjustment control, the frequency adjustment control, and the vibration mode adjustment control; generating a first vibration alerting mode; and alerting a user according to the first vibration alerting mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: HUAWEI TECHNOLOGIES CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhan Li, Changwei Tang, Guangyuan Gao, Xiaoxiao Chen
  • Patent number: 10960545
    Abstract: A mobile robot and method for interactively providing waypoints to a mobile robot for use in the marking of a geometric figure on a ground surface including the steps of: i) Selecting a control function accepting manual positioning of a mobile robot at two or more target locations on a ground surface; ii) Positioning the mobile robot in proximity to a first target location to be marked on a surface, and directing a position determining device of the mobile device to said first target location to be marked; iii) Instructing the mobile robot to store the first target location as a first waypoint; iv) Repeating steps ii)-iii) to obtain at least a second waypoint; v) Selecting a control function accepting manual selection of a geometric figure for being marked on said ground surface; vi) Instructing the mobile robot to compute the best fit for the selected geometric figure on the surface based on the two or more waypoints; vii) Instructing the mobile robot to compute waypoint coordinates of the geometric figure f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: TINYMOBILEROBOTS APS
    Inventors: Jens Peder Kristensen, Christoffer Praest Mose, Rudi Hansen
  • Patent number: 10959418
    Abstract: A system, an apparatus and a method for automatically controlling application of an agricultural product utilize an in-cab controller and touchscreen, and a GPS receiver to generate an application prescription and related commands on-the-fly from GPS coordinated data gathered at the time of planting, in accordance with application rate parameters stored in the controller. The application parameters may be provided and modified on-the fly using the touchscreen and may include parameters relating to adjusting application rates to accommodate planting arrangements including more than one variety of seed, and/or variable population rates of planted seed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Bojan Jelenkovic, Matthew K Payne, Steven Sobieszek
  • Patent number: 10959377
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for scanning crops. A line scan distance sensor measures a distance of the crops from the sensor and generates distance data indicative of the distance of the crops from the sensor at a measurement angle. A mover system moves the line scan distance sensor or the crops perpendicular to the distance of the crops from the sensor. A rotary encoder associated with the mover system generates movement data indicative of a movement of the distance sensor or the crops perpendicular to the distance of the crops from the sensor. A data collector associates the distance data from the distance sensor with relative positioning data based on the movement data from the rotary encoder and stores the distance data associated with the relative positioning data on a data store. The system allows accurate relative spatial alignment of sequential line scans. As a result, an extremely high resolution in the direction of movement can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Inventors: Michael Salim, Peter Kuffner, Jose Antonio Jimenez Berni, Xavier Raymond Richard Sirault
  • Patent number: 10949317
    Abstract: A sensor system for outputting sensor data, including at least one sensor element, a provision device for providing sensor data of the at least one sensor element, a control device for controlling the at least one sensor element, and an output device for outputting sensor data of the at least one sensor element; a data processing device being set up, with the aid of which the control device is configurable to provide a time interval between the time of providing the sensor data and the time of outputting sensor data via the output device, and the sensor data provided may be fetched out of the provision device and/or modified and/or written back to the provision device within the time interval provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Hayek, Dorde Cvejanovic
  • Patent number: 10952021
    Abstract: A method and system of position determination of an implement on a work vehicle. The method includes determining a position of a first radio frequency (RF) device relative to a local reference frame using ultra-wideband ranging between the first RF device and at least one additional RF device. The first RF device is coupled to a fixed location on the implement, and the additional RF device is mounted at a fixed location relative to the local reference frame. The implement is controllably movable relative to the local reference frame. A position and orientated of the implement is determined relative to the local reference frame based at least in part on the determined position of the first RF device relative to the local reference frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Mark J. Cherney
  • Patent number: 10943360
    Abstract: Various embodiments provide novel tools and techniques for photogrammetric machine measure-up, including without limitation solutions that can be used for excavation and similar applications. A system includes a machine, a user device may further comprise an image sensor, an accelerometer, a processor, and a computer readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer readable medium having encoded thereon a set of instructions executable by the processor to photogrammetrically measure-up the machine. Photogrammetric measure-up includes capturing, via the image sensor, two or more target images of each of the two or more targets, the two or more target images including a first target image and a second target image, and determining a measurement between two of the two or more reference features of the machine based on a first target image and second target image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Trimble Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Crozier, John Boss, Jon McKendry, Adam Clare
  • Patent number: 10933814
    Abstract: Disclosed are front entry cabs, and power machines with front entry cabs, having a door that is moveable between opened and closed positions and a display oriented in the cab to provide information to the operator both while the door is in the opened and closed positions. In the opened position, the door is positioned within an operator compartment of the cab above the operator seat and below a top of the cab. The display is positioned to not interfere with the door, door linkages, or operator joystick control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Cody Erhardt, Jonathan J. Roehrl
  • Patent number: 10925208
    Abstract: A sensor system for monitoring vapor concentrations associated with an agricultural implement is disclosed. The sensor system comprises a first sensor coupled to a support structure that is configured to sense a concentration of at least one component of a vapor sample associated with dispensed ammonia that is emitted from the soil. A controller is communicatively coupled to the first sensor, and is configured to receive and process output signals generated by the first sensor to determine an amount of the concentration of the at least one component that is loss during emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Noel W. Anderson, Ramanathan Sugumaran
  • Patent number: 10912249
    Abstract: A method for managing agricultural operations by predicting amount of crop or product remaining for a field includes performing agricultural operations on at least a portion of a field using an agricultural machine, sensing data associated with the agricultural operations using sensors associated with the agricultural machine, communicating the data associated with the agricultural operations to a computing device, analyzing the data associated with the agricultural operations performed using the computing device to determine an area prediction for a remaining portion of the field upon which the agricultural operations are to be performed, and using the area prediction for the remaining portion of the field by the computing device to determine a time associated with completing the agricultural operations for the field or an amount of material or other resources associated with completing the agricultural operations for the field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David Wilson
  • Patent number: 10915600
    Abstract: A utility vehicle comprises a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame includes a front frame portion, a mid-frame portion, and a rear frame portion. The utility vehicle further comprises an attachment supported at the front frame portion. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes an operator area supported by the frame and including an operator seat and an adjacent passenger seat spaced apart from the operator seat. The operator seat and the passenger seat are in a side-by-side arrangement. The utility vehicle also comprises an auxiliary power assembly having an attachment shaft configured to be operably coupled to the attachment. The attachment shaft extends in a generally longitudinal direction of the utility vehicle and projects outwardly from the front frame portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy C. Smith, Marcus A. Wetterlund
  • Patent number: 10912250
    Abstract: A seed depth device for an agricultural planter includes an electric motor. The seed depth device also includes an actuator driven by the electric motor and arranged to move to a home position. The seed depth device further includes a first stop proximate to the actuator when in the home position. The seed depth device yet further includes at least one controller including a computing processor and a computer readable storage medium configured to control the electric motor. The seed depth device also includes a seed depth auto-learn system at least in-part stored and executed by the at least one controller, the seed depth auto-learn system configured to learn the home position based at least in-part on the actuator stalling upon the first stop, wherein the seed depth auto-learn system is configured to move the actuator a prescribed distance away from the first stop to establish the home position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Addney T. Biery, II, Brian G. Maust, Timothy A. Rohn
  • Patent number: 10915076
    Abstract: A metric priority is accessed, which identifies a priority of a plurality of different control metrics that are used in controlling an agricultural implement. Control signals are generated to control the implement to bring the metrics within corresponding predefined ranges in descending order of priority.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Adam D. Sporrer, Ricky B. Theilen, Lucas B. Larsen, Jeremy D. Krantz
  • Patent number: 10909874
    Abstract: The invention relates to a simulator for a crane, a construction machine or an industrial truck, provided with a control station including at least one input means for inputting control commands, a graphical simulation module for calculating a virtual representation of the machine surroundings and/or machine components visible from the control station, such as a boom or a load hook, and a display device for displaying the calculated virtual representation, a movement simulation module being provided for determining movements and/or deformations of the machine components according to the inputted control commands, according to which the graphical simulation module calculates the virtual representation. According to the invention, the control station is movably mounted and can be moved by a drive device according to the movements and/or deformation of the machine components determined by the movement simulation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Steib, Sven Brandt, Michael Palberg, Jürgen Resch
  • Patent number: 10907325
    Abstract: A work vehicle control system includes an actual topography acquisition device, a storage device, and a controller. The actual topography acquisition device acquires actual topography information, which indicates an actual topography of a work target. The storage device stores design topography information, which indicates a final design topography that is a target topography of the work target. The controller acquires the actual topography information from the actual topography acquisition device. The controller acquires the design topography information from the storage device. When the actual topography positioned below the final design topography is sloped, the controller generates a command signal to move the work implement along a locus positioned below the final design topography and below the actual topography, and a sloped locus that is positioned below the final design topography and above the actual topography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Ishibashi, Akifumi Inamaru, Kenji Yamamoto, Yasuhito Yonezawa, Yosuke Kogawa
  • Patent number: 10899360
    Abstract: An Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system for a vehicle is disclosed. An electronic control unit (ECU) is programmed to reduce vehicle lateral skidding by reducing differences between an intended vehicle direction and/or yaw rate and an actual vehicle direction and/or yaw rate by applying modifications to operation of the vehicle brakes and/or throttle. The ESC system receives inputs from wheel speed sensors, a steering wheel position sensor, a yaw rate sensor and a lateral acceleration sensor. The ESC system also receives input that indicates at least a property of the road upon which the vehicle is located, wherein the road upon which the vehicle is located is determined from a positioning system that uses a map database and the property is determined from the map database. The ESC system incorporates the road property information in determining when and/or how to modify operation of the vehicle to reduce vehicle skidding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: HERE Global B.V.
    Inventors: Kevin Moran, Robert Denaro
  • Patent number: 10900201
    Abstract: A display system of a working machine includes: a tilt sensor that detects a pitch angle and a roll angle of a working machine; a calculation unit that calculates a tilting position on polar coordinates that indicates a magnitude and a direction of tilt of the working machine based on the detected pitch angle and roll angle; a display unit that displays various kinds of information; a display processing unit that displays, on a predetermined region on a display screen of the display unit, a monitor-displayed level that performs a polar coordinate display of the tilting position and a marked line indicating a preset magnitude of tilt; and a setting processing unit that performs a setting to change display content of the monitor-displayed level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Satoru Shintani, Yoshito Kumakura, Daiki Arimatsu
  • Patent number: 10890455
    Abstract: A method includes receiving information associated with a first haul truck configured to traverse a travel path extending from a paving material plant to a worksite. The method also includes identifying the first haul truck as having a location sensor that is one of missing and faulty, determining whether a second haul truck traversed the travel path ahead of the first haul truck, and determining an arrival time at which the first haul truck is expected to arrive at the worksite. In such a method, the arrival time is determined based at least in part on an estimated travel time associated with the first haul truck traversing the travel path, or a recorded travel time associated with the second haul truck traversing the travel path ahead of the first haul truck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Jacob J. McAlpine, Dann J. Rawls
  • Patent number: 10863671
    Abstract: An unloading conveyor of an agricultural harvesting machine is pivotably mounted to a frame for pivoting movement through a movement range that is defined between first and second end positions. Movement of the unloading conveyor within the movement range is controlled by movement of a user-actuated scroll wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AGCO Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 10858801
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of a machine having a frame supported by ground engaging members and a work implement movably supported by the frame includes a machine position sensor and an implement position sensor to output data pertaining to a position and orientation of the machine and the work implement within a worksite. The system further includes a controller that receives the data output by the machine position sensor and the implement position sensor. The controller computes an amount of gap that is required for alignment of the machine and the work implement with a slot based on the received data. The controller then controls a movement of the ground engaging members for positioning the machine at the computed amount of gap from a cut point located within the slot prior to the work implement entering a cut position for performing a cut within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Kenneth Becicka, Mo Wei
  • Patent number: 10858038
    Abstract: A steering control system for a vehicle that considers the limitations of at least one of the vehicle and the environment is contemplated. The steering control system can receive a vehicle characteristic, an environmental condition, a desired amount of turning, and a desired velocity of the vehicle. Based on some, or all of these parameters, the steering control system can determine at least one of a wheel torque, a wheel angle, a wheel camber, and a wheel suspension for a desired vehicle path to enhance vehicle performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Keith Alan Guy
  • Patent number: 10858809
    Abstract: A system for controlling the position of a rigidly attached side-shifting-implement mounted on a mobile machinery while simultaneously controlling the position of the mobile machinery allowing the side-shifting-implement and the mobile machinery to follow a predetermined or adjustable path. The system applies to three-point attachments as well as rack and rail attachments. The system uses a controller to control the position of the side-shifting-implement using information received from a position monitoring system communication with a roving receiver mounted on the side-shifting-implement. The controller also controls the position of the mobile machinery using local relationship sensors mounted on the side-shifting-implement and on the mobile machinery. The relationship sensors allow the controller to use one roving data receiver instead of two roving data receivers to control both the position of the side shifting implement and the position of the mobile machinery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Mollick
  • Patent number: 10852707
    Abstract: A site management system for tracking material movement in an environment includes a plurality of material sources, one or more processors, and a plurality of machines. Each of the machines operates according to operating instructions to capture material from one material source and deliver the material at or near at least one processor. The site management system also includes an environment monitoring system having a controller configured to monitor movement of the machines, track a cumulative material blend at each of the processors based on the movement of the machines, and modify the operating instructions to maintain the cumulative material blend within a target blend range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Wayne Mountford, Greg M Wood, Russell Brockhurst, Thomas F Doherty
  • Patent number: 10849263
    Abstract: An agricultural work vehicle according to an aspect of the present invention, which can adaptively adjust the velocity profile of the hitch according to the weight of the work machine, is characterized by comprising: a hitch on which an work machine is mounted; a weight calculation unit that calculates the weight of the work machine when the work machine is lifted following a first lift of the hitch; and a hitch controller that firstly lifts the hitch according to a reference velocity profile comprising a constant-velocity section (T) and, when calculation of the weight of the work machine is completed, generates an updated velocity profile comprising acceleration sections (a1, a2), constant-velocity sections (b1, b2), and deceleration sections (c1, c1) according to the weight of the work machine, and secondly lifts the hitch according to the updated velocity profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: LS MTRON LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Woong Lee
  • Patent number: 10845208
    Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating a dump location of material dumped by a transport vehicle are disclosed. A system may receive information that identifies a location of a paving machine, and may receive multiple data points associated with the transport vehicle. Each data point may indicate a respective location of the transport vehicle and a corresponding time at which the transport vehicle was at the respective location. The system may identify a subset of the multiple data points that indicate respective locations of the transport vehicle within a threshold proximity of the location of the paving machine. The system may estimate the dump location of the material dumped by the transport vehicle based on at least one of a set of locations indicated by the subset of data points or a set of times indicated by the subset of data points, and may output information that identifies the dump location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jacob McAlpine, John Marsolek, Gautham Subramanian
  • Patent number: 10831213
    Abstract: A targeted loading assistance system includes a work machine having a load carrying mechanism. The system includes a sensor that detects a location of the target loading zone relative to the work machine and generates a location signal indicative of the location of the work machine. The system also includes a path calculation component that receives the location signal and calculates a control path for the work machine to reach the target loading zone. The system also includes a control component that generates a control signal to guide the work machine along the control path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Kean, Mark J. Cherney
  • Patent number: 10829121
    Abstract: Described herein are technologies relating to controlling an autonomous vehicle based upon a computed lane boundary. The computed lane boundary defines a travel path for the autonomous vehicle when the autonomous vehicle turns across a lane of traffic at an intersection of two or more roadways. The autonomous vehicle navigates turn based upon the computed lane boundary, which allows the autonomous vehicle to enter the intersection without crossing into a lane of oncoming traffic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Allan, Daniel Chen
  • Patent number: 10832351
    Abstract: A sensing system bias is reduced across a first agricultural machine and a second agricultural machine. A collection of agronomic data is accessed, that is indicative of an estimated crop yield. The collection that is accessed, for example, includes at least a first set of data sensed by the first agricultural machine and a second set of data sensed by the second agricultural machine. In addition, the first and second sets of data can be scaled based on a yield correction factor. A bias between the scaled first set of data and the scaled second set of data is determined, and a smoothing operation is performed on the scaled first and second sets of data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Sebastian Blank, Robert A. Stevens, Dohn W. Pfeiffer, Noel W. Anderson, James J. Phelan
  • Patent number: 10822769
    Abstract: An earthmoving machine includes a work implement, a distance calculation unit, and a hydraulic cylinder control unit. The work implement includes a boom, an arm, and a bucket. The distance calculation unit calculates a distance between a monitoring point in the bucket and design topography representing an aimed shape of a land grading target. The hydraulic cylinder control unit outputs a command signal for lowering the boom when the distance between the monitoring point and the design topography is equal to or smaller than a prescribed value and when the bucket is expected to move in such a direction that the monitoring point moves away from the design topography as a result of an operation of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Yuki Shimano, Toru Matsuyama, Takuya Sonoda
  • Patent number: 10820502
    Abstract: A combine including a feeder housing for receiving harvested crop, a separating system for threshing the harvested crop to produce grain and residue, a residue spreader wheel spinning at a speed for expelling the residue from the combine, a residue deflector positioned at an angle for deflecting the expelled residue in a predetermined direction, and a controller. The controller is configured to determine a heading of the combine, determine wind effects on the expelled residue based on an observation of the expelled residue at the determined heading, and adjust at least one of the speed of the residue spreader wheel or the angle of the residue deflector based on the wind effects to achieve a desired residue spread at the determined heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: James Beavers, Neseth Kong
  • Patent number: 10821836
    Abstract: A method for the switched division of a high-voltage battery of a vehicle, which, for the purpose of charging the high-voltage battery, is connected to a charging column supplying a charging voltage of a specific voltage level, wherein the voltage level of the high-voltage battery results from a number M of series-connected modules of the same rated voltage, wherein the voltage level of the high-voltage battery corresponds to an integer multiple N of the voltage level of the charging voltage of the charging column, wherein the high-voltage battery is subdivided into N parallel-interconnected segments consisting of an equal number of modules by means of a first switch position of a number of power semiconductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thomas Schmid, Leo Spiegel, Pascal Heusler, Naser Abu Daqqa
  • Patent number: 10821992
    Abstract: A method is provided for predicting a risk for rollover of a working machine for load transportation. The method includes: obtaining ground topographic data of a geographical area located close to the working machine from a ground topographic detection system; extracting a ground gradient from the ground topographic data; obtaining weight information of the load being currently transported by means of an on-board load weighting system or by receiving load information originating from the device that loaded the load being currently transported; determining a current maximal allowed ground gradient for the working machine based on the weight information; and predicting a risk for working machine rollover if the working machine approaches a geographical area including a ground gradient exceeding or being close to the current maximal allowed ground gradient for the working machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Calle Skillsäter, Patrik Wahlström
  • Patent number: 10822771
    Abstract: A sensor outputs a signal indicating an excavation start position at which a work implement starts excavation. A controller determines an inclination angle of a virtual design surface so that an amount of soil between the virtual design surface extending from the excavation start position and a current landscape matches a predetermined target amount of soil. The controller generates a command signal that causes the work implement to move along the virtual design surface extending from the excavation start position in a direction inclined at the inclination angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Ishibashi, Kazuhiro Hashimoto, Akifumi Inamaru, Yosuke Kogawa
  • Patent number: 10813271
    Abstract: A work vehicle incudes a traveling mechanism driven by a rotational power from an engine and an implement for effecting a ground work by the rotational power of the engine. The work vehicle further includes a load ratio calculation section 53 for calculating an engine load ratio indicative of an engine load of the engine, a ground speed calculation section 51 for calculating a ground speed of the vehicle body with using satellite positioning data, a slip ratio calculation section 52 for calculating a slip ratio indicative of slippage of the traveling mechanism relative to a ground surface by using the ground speed, a traveling work control section 4 for creating an appropriate traveling work state by controlling a rotational speed of the engine and a posture of the implement, and a traveling work management section 50 for outputting a state changing command that commands a change of the traveling work state, based on the engine load ratio and the slip ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventor: Atsushi Shinkai
  • Patent number: 10813264
    Abstract: The present inventors have recognized that hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering ground engaging tools of an implement can be synchronously controlled with respect to a prioritized primary set of tools, such as a section of tillage shanks for ripping compacted soil, which cylinder adjustment affects all other sections due to the arrangement of the primary set on the frame. A user can electronically command new ground engaging depths for the primary set and/or any secondary set of ground engaging tools. If the primary set is updated, the system can synchronously control the primary set and the other sections to adjust respective cylinders to achieve desired depths. However, if only a second set is updated, and not the primary set, the system can control only the second set to adjust its cylinder to the desired depth without affecting the primary set or any other second set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventors: Duqiang Wu, William Allen, Navneet Gulati, Michael Glennon
  • Patent number: 10817755
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods that measure crop residue in a field from imagery of the field. In particular, the present subject matter is directed to systems and methods that include or otherwise leverage a machine-learned crop residue classification model to determine a crop residue parameter value for a portion of a field based at least in part on imagery of such portion of the field captured by an imaging device. Furthermore, principal components analysis, such as projecting image patches onto Eigen-images, can be performed to reduce the dimensionality of the feature vector provided to the classification model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd., Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Luca Ferrari, Taylor C. Bybee
  • Patent number: 10813273
    Abstract: A port interface for a pneumatic distribution system includes a first flow passage configured to receive fluidized particulate material from an outlet port of a header and to output the fluidized particulate material to an outlet line. The port interface also includes a second flow passage configured to receive a purging airflow and to output the purging airflow to the outlet line. In addition, the port interface includes a knife valve having a blade with a first opening and a second opening. The blade is configured to move between a first position in which the first opening is substantially aligned with the first flow passage and the second opening is substantially aligned with the second flow passage, and a second position in which the first opening is substantially aligned with the second flow passage and a solid portion of the blade is substantially aligned with the first flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: CNH Industrial Canada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dennis George Thompson
  • Patent number: 10813288
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine includes a header, a feederhouse and a draper belt configured to transport agricultural material to the feederhouse of the agricultural harvesting machine. The agricultural harvesting machine also includes a motor configured to drive the draper belt and a draper belt control system configured to determine a distribution of crop across the header of the agricultural harvesting machine and, based on the distribution of crop, generate a control signal for the motor to modify an operating characteristic of the draper belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Austin M. Laugen, Benjamin M. Lovett, Bryan R. Yanke, Duane M. Bomleny
  • Patent number: 10806078
    Abstract: A harvesting work vehicle includes a conditioning arrangement configured to condition a crop material. A method of operating the work vehicle includes receiving, by a processor of a control system from a memory element, a stored conditioning setting for a variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement. The method also includes processing, by the processor, a conditioning control signal based, at least in part, on the stored conditioning setting. Furthermore, the method includes changing, with an actuator, the variable parameter of the conditioning arrangement according to the conditioning control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: David V. Rotole, Ethan C. Conrad, Mitchell R. Usasz, Kellen B. Hill
  • Patent number: 10800418
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for employing a mode expansion module to increase a number of operating modes in which a vehicle can operate. The mode expansion module can operate as a computing device, which can be connected to an existing vehicle for sending and receiving both sensor signals and engine control signals. The mode expansion module can be controlled by a user using an existing vehicle control switch that is connected to the vehicle, and can leverage connections to an existing display panel in the vehicle in order to indicate to the user the operating mode that has been selected. Furthermore, when a particular mode of the mode expansion module is selected, the mode expansion module can modify control commands being transmitted from an existing engine control module, and/or modify sensor signals being provided to the existing engine control module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Powerteq LLC
    Inventors: David Brinton Bigelow, Ashley David Brimhall, John Carl Lagerquist, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10803690
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for accurately calculating time with a Miniature Atomic Clock along with other components that can receive process and communicate information to enable locating, identifying, and tracking physical Assets and data contained within the Assets. More specifically, the present disclosure presents a Global Resource Locating (GRL) device and service that may be adhered or inserted in the Asset, which may be built in or attached to a second Asset, wherein the device may comprise a receiver and a trilateration mechanism. In some aspects, the Asset may comprise a product, organism, produce, or component of a logistics based operational process and marketing based Asset movement and usage analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: LOCATORX, INC.
    Inventor: William D. Meadow
  • Patent number: 10801852
    Abstract: A work machine management system includes: a position detecting device to detect a position of a work machine traveling on a travel route; a non-contact sensor to detect an object in a vicinity of the travel route in a non-contact manner; map data to accumulate information on existence and a position of the object in the travel route on the basis of detection data obtained by the position detecting device and detection data obtained by the non-contact sensor; a travel route generation unit to generate the travel route where the work machine travels; and an identifying unit to identify perfection of the map data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Sakai, Masanori Minagawa, Tomonori Ozaki
  • Patent number: 10802503
    Abstract: A control system of a transporter vehicle includes a target position data calculation unit configured to calculate target position data of a target point of the transporter vehicle based on positional relationship between a target object whose position data has been identified, and the target point of the transporter vehicle that is input by an input device, and a course data generation unit configured to generate course data of the transporter vehicle at least based on the target position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Minagawa, Hiroshi Fuji, Kenta Osagawa
  • Patent number: 10798219
    Abstract: There is provided a server or the like capable of improving an estimated accuracy of a user common among a plurality of clients. According to the present invention, while a unique identifier is assigned to each of clients 210 and 220, the unique identifier is merely for identifying the client. Thus, a user of each of the clients 210 and 220 is not specified by the unique identifier, and protection of his or her privacy or personal information is ensured. Among factors of each client 210 and 220, the plurality of factors having designated relationship thereamong are extracted. A plurality of unique identifiers respectively corresponding to the extracted factors are associated with one another and are stored in the server storage device 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Satoshi Murata
  • Patent number: 10794047
    Abstract: Provided is a display system including: a display unit which displays an image; a vehicle body position data acquisition unit which acquires vehicle body position data indicating a position of a vehicle body supporting a work machine; a process position data storage unit which stores process position data indicating a process position of a process target processed by the work machine; and a display controller which displays an image indicating the process position based on the process position data and an image indicating a specific position of the vehicle body on the display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Daiki Arimatsu, Yuki Shimano, Takeshi Takaura, Jason Anetsberger
  • Patent number: 10787788
    Abstract: A work machine according to an aspect includes: a dipper stick; a boom; a cylinder for driving the boom; an operation apparatus for operating the dipper stick; and a controller for performing intervention control by using the boom in accordance with an operation command issued from the operation apparatus to achieve land grading. The controller determines whether or not the operation command from the operation apparatus indicates an amount greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, and corrects a speed of the cylinder when the operation command from the operation apparatus indicates an amount greater than or equal to the predetermined amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Takeo Yamada, Ayumi Ohkuma, Toru Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 10791438
    Abstract: A system having a variety of mobile assets to which are attached one or more wireless sensors and associated with each mobile asset to automate enterprise software organization of assets among dynamically changing sites. A plurality of receivers receive data from redundant wireless sensors, and at least one gateway aggregates wireless sensor data from the receivers, the wireless sensors, receivers and gateway forming a local network associated with a given site. At least one server hosting enterprise software receives aggregated data from the at least one gateway. The enterprise software identifies the location of an asset based on association of a local network with a site and association of sensors with an asset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: KCF TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Mark Edwards, Lucas Stine, Blake Bonfanti, Jacob Loverich
  • Patent number: 10774504
    Abstract: A control system for a work machine includes an input device actuatable to generate a control signal, a display screen, and or more processing circuits. The one or more processing circuits are configured to render, on the display screen based on an operator of the machine, an indicator of a first mapping between the control signal and a first function of the machine. The one or more processing circuits are further configured to receive, from the operator using the display screen, a second mapping between the control signal and a second function of the machine. The one or more processing circuits are additionally configured to control the second function using the control signal in response to actuation of the input device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Storey