公开(公告)号：US11970375B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US17449899

申请日：2021-10-04

Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.

Inventor： Curtis John Caldwell ,  Donald L Vance ,  Benjamin Barbier

IPC: B66C23/44 ,  B66C23/76 ,  F16L1/06

CPC classification number: B66C23/44 ,  B66C23/76 ,  F16L1/065

Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; a towing winch assembly coupled to the machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The towing winch assembly may be provided in the front portion of the pipelayer machine. The operator cabin may be provided between the towing winch assembly and the engine.

公开(公告)号：US11814269B2

公开(公告)日：2023-11-14

申请号：US17218241

申请日：2021-03-31

Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.

Inventor： Robert A. Jackson ,  Benjamin Barbier ,  Curtis J. Caldwell ,  Michael T. Jackson

IPC: B66C23/76 ,  B66C23/44

CPC classification number: B66C23/76 ,  B66C23/44 ,  B66C2700/0357 ,  B66C2700/0392

Abstract: A mobile pipelayer machine includes a machine chassis having a forward end, a rear end, a first side, and a second side, and a boom extending from the first side of the machine chassis. The mobile pipelayer machine also includes a movable counterweight system extending from the second side of the machine chassis, the movable counterweight system being selectively movable to change a center of gravity of the machine in at least one of a forward or a rearward direction.

公开(公告)号：US11970374B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US17449896

申请日：2021-10-04

Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.

Inventor： Curtis John Caldwell ,  Donald L. Vance ,  Benjamin Barbier

IPC: B66C23/44 ,  F16L1/024

CPC classification number: B66C23/44 ,  F16L1/024

Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.

公开(公告)号：US11970376B2

公开(公告)日：2024-04-30

申请号：US17486275

申请日：2021-09-27

Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.

Inventor： Curtis J. Caldwell ,  Benjamin Barbier

IPC: B66D1/40 ,  B66D1/48 ,  B66D1/08 ,  B66D1/12

CPC classification number: B66D1/485 ,  B66D1/08 ,  B66D1/12

Abstract: A system for controlling a winch assembly includes a rotatable winch drum with an attached cable. A winch motor is configured to rotate the winch drum. A sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of the number of layers of the winch cable on the winch drum. A winch controller is configured to receive a control input requesting a selected rotation of the winch drum, receive the signals from the sensor, determine a number of layers of the winch cable disposed on the winch drum, and generate control commands to control the winch motor to rotate the winch drum based on the control input and the number of layers of the winch cable. The control command rotates the winch drum to produce a substantially constant line speed based on the selected control input independent of the number of layers determined to be disposed on the winch drum.

公开(公告)号：US20230101055A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-30

申请号：US17486275

申请日：2021-09-27

Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.

Inventor： Curtis J. Caldwell ,  Benjamin Barbier

IPC: B66D1/48

Abstract: A system for controlling a winch assembly includes a rotatable winch drum with an attached cable. A winch motor is configured to rotate the winch drum. A sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of the number of layers of the winch cable on the winch drum. A winch controller is configured to receive a control input requesting a selected rotation of the winch drum, receive the signals from the sensor, determine a number of layers of the winch cable disposed on the winch drum, and generate control commands to control the winch motor to rotate the winch drum based on the control input and the number of layers of the winch cable. The control command rotates the winch drum to produce a substantially constant line speed based on the selected control input independent of the number of layers determined to be disposed on the winch drum.