Yongliang Zhu

US Patent:

8548680, Oct 1, 2013

Filed:

Aug 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/535778

Inventors:

Cody J. Ryerson - Peoria IL, US
Phillip A. Newberry - Taylorville IL, US
Yongliang Zhu - Dunlap IL, US
Bruce Wiewel - East Peoria IL, US
Vivek Bhaskar - Peoria IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B62D 115/00

US Classification:

701 41, 180235, 280426, 280442

Abstract:

An articulated machine and method of operation, the articulated machine having a first frame with a first traction device and a steering apparatus that controls a steering angle thereof, the first frame pivotally coupled to a second frame at an articulation joint, the second frame having a second traction device, a steering sensor configured to provide a steering signal indicative of the steering angle, and an electronic controller configured to automatically control an articulation angle based on the steering signal.

US Patent:

20090056961, Mar 5, 2009

Filed:

Aug 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/896393

Inventors:

Imed Gharsalli - Brimfield IL, US
Yongliang Zhu - Dunlap IL, US

International Classification:

E02F 3/84

US Classification:

172 45, 172779, 701 50

Abstract:

A system is provided for positioning a work implement. The system has at least one actuator for actuating a movement of the work implement. In addition, the system has at least one sensor associated with the at least one actuator and configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an orientation and a position of the work implement. The system also has at least one ground inclination sensor configured to sense a parameter indicative of an inclination of a surface of the ground. Furthermore, the system has a controller configured to automatically adjust the orientation and position of the work implement in response to data received from the at least one sensor and the at least one ground inclination sensor

US Patent:

20130192919, Aug 1, 2013

Filed:

Jan 31, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/362167

Inventors:

Michael C. SUBRT - Chillicothe IL, US
Yongliang ZHU - Dunlap IL, US
Owen C. KOLSTAD - Peoria IL, US

International Classification:

B62D 6/00
B62D 12/00

US Classification:

180400, 701 36

Abstract:

An articulation control system is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a traction device. The articulation control system may have a speed sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a travel speed of the mobile machine, a steering angle sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a steering angle of the traction device, and an articulation actuator configured to articulate a front frame of the mobile machine relative to a rear frame of the mobile machine. The articulation control system may also have a controller in communication with the speed sensor, the steering angle sensor, and the articulation actuator. The controller may be configured to track a travel path of the front frame based on the first and second signals, and to regulate operation of the articulation actuator to cause the rear frame to follow the travel path of the front frame.

US Patent:

20130255977, Oct 3, 2013

Filed:

Mar 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/431688

Inventors:

Michael Braunstein - Washington IL, US
Yongliang Zhu - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR, INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 3/84
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

172 45, 701 50, 701 41

Abstract:

A method is provided for controlling a motor grader having a blade, a blade shift actuator, a sensor to detect a distance to a curb, one or more steerable wheels, a steering actuator, an articulated frame, and an articulation actuator. In one aspect, an object sensor is located and configured to determine a gap between the blade and the curb, and to maintain the gap at a predetermined value in the absence of user intervention by automatically manipulating one or more of the blade shift actuator, steering actuator, and articulation actuator. The determination as to which one or more of the actuators to use in maintaining the blade gap may be made based on a mode selection by an operator of the motor grader.

US Patent:

20130292144, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

May 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/465875

Inventors:

Yongliang Zhu - Dunlap IL, US
Phillip Newberry - Taylorville IL, US
Owen Kolstad - Peoria IL, US
Michael Subrt - Chillicothe IL, US
Sam M. Kherat - Peoria IL, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 3/84
G06F 19/00

US Classification:

172 2, 701 50

Abstract:

A system for automated control of a motor grader includes a first sensor to indicate bounce of the motor grader and a speed sensor to indicate the ground speed. A controller determines a maximum amplitude of the bounce of the motor grader and controls the ground speed of the motor grader at least in part based upon the maximum amplitude of the bounce. A method is also provided.

US Patent:

20130304331, Nov 14, 2013

Filed:

May 10, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/468630

Inventors:

Michael Braunstein - Washington IL, US
Yongliang Zhu - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR, INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 3/84

US Classification:

701 50

Abstract:

A method, controller and system in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure provide display-based control of a motor grader for grading near a curb or other roadway marker. A blade image is displayed to the operator on a display screen showing a portion of the blade and a portion of the curb or marker, and input is received from the operator to move the blade such that a gap between the portion of the blade and the portion of the curb conforms to a target distance. The gap between the portion of the blade and the portion of the curb is monitored as the motor grader moves along the curb and the location of the blade relative to the curb is automatically adjusted such that the gap remains at the target distance. The blade image may be updated as the motor grader proceeds along the curb.

US Patent:

20140041884, Feb 13, 2014

Filed:

Aug 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/568825

Inventors:

Yongliang Zhu - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR, INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 3/84
E02F 3/76

US Classification:

172 2, 701 50

Abstract:

An apparatus and method are provided for assisting an operator of a motor grader to steer the motor grader in a crab steer mode. The method includes receiving an operator selection of an automatic crab steer mode, determining that a condition of the motor grader is such as to permit automatic crab steer, and receiving an operator steering command. The received operator steering command is converted to an articulation command to place the machine into a crab steer mode. The articulation command is executed and is also converted into a final steering command consistent with the articulation command, and the final steering command is then executed.

US Patent:

20200217042, Jul 9, 2020

Filed:

Jan 6, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/735484

Inventors:

- Dayton OH, US
Patrick Pecchio - Peoria IL, US
Geoffrey Mills - Peoria IL, US
Christopher Padilla - Peoria IL, US
Yongliang Zhu - Peoria IL, US
Jason Hill - Denver CO, US
Colin Daniell - Christchurch, NZ
Shawn Zeller - Peoria IL, US

International Classification:

E02F 3/84
E02F 3/76

Abstract:

Systems and methods for providing grade control on a motor grader without the use of masts attached to the blade. Embodiments include a body angle sensor configured to detect movement of a construction machine's body, a front 3D positioning device configured to detect a geospatial position of the construction machine's body within a world space, a drawbar angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's drawbar, and a blade angle sensor configured to detect movement of the construction machine's blade. Two positions on the blade may be calculated first within a machine space and subsequently within the world space. Movement of at least one articulating connection may be caused based on the blade positions within the world space.