Daniel F Stanek

US Patent:

7634863, Dec 22, 2009

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/606171

Inventors:

Daniel Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US
Roger D. Koch - Pekin IL, US
Jeffrey S. Alig - Metamora IL, US
Robert J. Price - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 5/02
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

37348, 37414, 701 50

Abstract:

A method is provided for enhancing the repositioning of an excavating machine, including an excavating assemblage, from one set-up position to a next, subsequent set-up position. A joystick is controlled in implement control mode to operate at least one of a boom, a stick, and a bucket of the excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase from a first machine set-up position. The first excavating phase is terminated and, during a machine repositioning phase, the machine is moved to a second machine set-up position for a second excavating phase at the second machine set-up position. After terminating the first excavating phase and before moving the machine to the second machine set-up position, an input/display device is accessed and activated to convert the joystick from implement control mode to machine control mode. At least machine steering and machine propulsion are controlled with the joystick set in the machine control mode during the machine repositioning phase. Before beginning the second excavating phase, an input/display device is accessed and activated to convert the joystick from machine control mode to implement control mode.

US Patent:

7694442, Apr 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/606037

Inventors:

Daniel Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US
Roger D. Koch - Pekin IL, US
Jeffrey S. Alig - Metamora IL, US
Robert J. Price - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 5/00

US Classification:

37348

Abstract:

A system and method of assisting an operator of an excavating machine includes recommending a hop distance to move the machine based on the maximum distance that the machine can move and still be able to reach the bottom of the excavation that has already been dug by the machine during an excavating operation.

US Patent:

7726048, Jun 1, 2010

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/606166

Inventors:

Daniel Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US
Roger D. Koch - Pekin IL, US
Jeffrey S. Alig - Metamora IL, US
Robert J. Price - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 1/00

US Classification:

37195, 37466

Abstract:

A method of repositioning a machine during an excavating operation from a first machine position to a second machine position is provided. A target distance to the second machine position is selected. An operator input device configured to send a control input signal to a control module to initiate a repositioning phase is activated. During a repositioning phase, the machine is moved toward the second position while an operator maintains control of movement. A determination is made when the machine has traveled the target distance. The machine is stopped under automated machine control at the second machine position.

US Patent:

7753132, Jul 13, 2010

Filed:

Nov 30, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/606165

Inventors:

Daniel Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US
Roger D. Koch - Pekin IL, US
Jeffrey S. Alig - Metamora IL, US
Robert J. Price - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

A01B 71/02

US Classification:

172 2, 37348

Abstract:

A method of controlling a machine during an excavating operation is provided. Stabilizers are deployed to ground contact to stabilize the machine at a first set-up position. Excavating is performed with an excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase while the machine is stabilized at the first set-up position. An automated machine preparation for repositioning mode is initiated for preparing the machine, after the excavating phase, for repositioning to a second set-up position for a second excavating phase, by activating an input device to send input signals to a controller. Output signals are delivered from the controller to control automated machine preparation for repositioning to the second set-up position.

US Patent:

8244438, Aug 14, 2012

Filed:

Jan 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/010987

Inventors:

Roger Dale Koch - Pekin IL, US
Daniel Francis Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G06F 7/70
G06F 19/00
G06G 7/00
G06G 7/76
G01M 1/38

US Classification:

701 50, 700275, 212284

Abstract:

A tool control system is disclosed. The control system may have a first actuator configured to control a first linkage. The control system may further have a second actuator configured to control a second linkage. The control system may also have a third actuator configured to control a work tool, wherein the second linkage is connected to the work tool and movably connected to the first linkage. The control system may still further have a plurality of operator input devices configured to provide operator control of the first, second, and third actuators. The control system may also have a controller in communication with the first, second, and third actuators and the plurality of operator input devices. The controller may be configured to receive a desired tool path for the work tool. The controller may also be configured to control movement of the first, second, and third actuators based on operator input received from fewer than all of the plurality of operator input devices to move the work tool along the desired tool path.

US Patent:

8577564, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Dec 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/335413

Inventors:

Daniel Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G06F 7/70

US Classification:

701 50

Abstract:

A system for automated movement of a reference point along a three dimensional path stores a three dimensional path including a plurality of spaced apart points. A velocity vector of the reference point and a look ahead vector extending from the reference point define a plane of travel. A directional vector of the reference point is determined along the plane of travel, and a command vector directs movement of the reference point at least in part based upon the directional vector. The velocity vector and the look ahead vector may be used to determine the directional vector. A method is also provided.

US Patent:

20060126250, Jun 15, 2006

Filed:

Dec 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/009019

Inventors:

Robert Sychra - Washington IL, US
Daniel Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US
William Tate - Dunlap IL, US

International Classification:

H02H 5/04

US Classification:

361103000

Abstract:

A protection system for an electrical device may include at least one temperature sensitive element located in a region adjacent to a component of the electrical device and configured to provide an output related to an actual temperature in the region. The system may also include a controller configured to determine the actual temperature in the region based on the output of the at least one temperature sensitive element and to determine a predicted temperature of the component based on the actual temperature in the region and on a predetermined heat dissipation characteristic of the electrical device.

US Patent:

20120103598, May 3, 2012

Filed:

Nov 2, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/938095

Inventors:

Frederic Nadeau - Laval, CA
Daniel Francis Stanek - Chillicothe IL, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/30
E21B 43/12

US Classification:

166245, 166 52

Abstract:

A method for sequencing drill holes for a mobile drill rig is disclosed. The method may include receiving a hole pattern having a plurality of planned holes and generating at least a first group of parallel pathways and a second group of parallel pathways between the plurality of holes of the hole pattern. The first group of pathways may be angled relative to the second group of pathways. The method may also include selecting between the first group of pathways and the second group of pathways based on which group of pathways includes fewer total pathways. The method may further include generating a combined pathway by linking at least one pathway from the selected group of pathways to at least a second pathway from the selected group of pathways and transmitting the combined pathway to a module configured to control movement of the mobile drill rig