Patents by Inventor Bradley John Will

Bradley John Will has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9545925
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with a machine. The transmission system may have a first clutch configured to transfer power in a first direction, a second clutch configured to transfer power in a second direction, a brake, and an interface device configured to generate a first signal indicative of a desire to shift power transfer directions. The transmission system may also have a controller configured to cause disengagement of the first clutch in response to the first signal, to cause the brake to apply a retarding torque to a traction device, and to determine an amount of the retarding torque being applied to the traction device. The controller may also be configured to selectively transfer the retarding torque to the second clutch when a capacity of the second clutch to provide retarding torque is about equal to the amount of the retarding torque being applied by the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew D. Guldan, Matthew Michael Tinker, Chintan Govindbhai Kothari, Bradley John Will, Timothy Alan Lorentz
  • Patent number: 9505410
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with a machine. The transmission system may have a first clutch to transfer power in a first direction, a second clutch to transfer power in a second direction, a brake, a sensor to generate a first signal indicative of speed, and an input device to generate a second signal indicative of a desire to shift directions. The transmission system may also have a controller to cause disengagement of the first directional clutch in response to the second signal, and to cause the brake to apply retarding torque. The controller may also be configured to determine an error value based on the second signal and a target transmission system speed, to selectively increase retarding torque when the error value increases, and to selectively transfer retarding torque to the second directional clutch when a value of the second signal is less than a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Michael Tinker, Mathew D. Guldan, Chintan Govindbhai Kothari, Bradley John Will, Timothy Alan Lorentz
  • Patent number: 9097341
    Abstract: A brake system and method includes a test mode for determining a capacity of the brake system provided on a machine having a hydrostatic drive. A hydrostatic drive target differential pressure range is determined to simulate a test torque. A machine ground speed limit, hydrostatic drive actual differential pressure, and actual ground speed of the machine are determined. An output pressure of the hydrostatic pump is modulated to drive the hydrostatic drive actual differential pressure toward the hydrostatic drive target differential pressure range. A first test fault condition is determined when the actual ground speed exceeds the machine ground speed limit. A second test fault condition is determined when the hydrostatic drive actual differential pressure is outside the hydrostatic drive target differential pressure range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Lucas Micah Newlon, Bradley John Will, Sudarshan Aravamuthan Maiyur
  • Patent number: 8954245
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gear ratio rate of change in a machine having a continuously variable transmission includes moving an operator input device to a changed position, receiving electronic data indicative of the changed position, and determining a non-limited desired gear ratio based on the changed position. A maximum gear ratio rate of change corresponding to the non-limited desired gear ratio and an actual gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is selected from an electronically stored gear ratio rate map. A current desired gear ratio is determined based on a previous desired gear ratio and the maximum gear ratio rate of change. A commanded gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is changed to the current desired gear ratio using electronic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Todd Anderson, Bradley John Will
  • Patent number: 8660761
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a gear ratio change in a hydrostatic drive machine. The hydrostatic drive machine includes a variable displacement pump and at least one variable displacement motor fluidly connected with the variable displacement pump. The method includes a step of determining a gear ratio rate of change corresponding to a change from a current gear ratio to a new gear ratio. Start and stop overlap gear ratios corresponding to the gear ratio rate are determined and define an overlap range. The current gear ratio is changed to the new gear ratio using electronic signals at least in part by simultaneously changing displacements of the variable displacement pump and the at least one variable displacement motor at gear ratios within the overlap range, and sequentially changing displacements of the variable displacement pump and the at least one variable displacement motor at gear ratios outside the overlap range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Todd Anderson, Bradley John Will
  • Publication number: 20130192918
    Abstract: A brake system and method includes a test mode for determining a capacity of the brake system provided on a machine having a hydrostatic drive. A hydrostatic drive target differential pressure range is determined to simulate a test torque. A machine ground speed limit, hydrostatic drive actual differential pressure, and actual ground speed of the machine are determined. An output pressure of the hydrostatic pump is modulated to drive the hydrostatic drive actual differential pressure toward the hydrostatic drive target differential pressure range. A first test fault condition is determined when the actual ground speed exceeds the machine ground speed limit. A second test fault condition is determined when the hydrostatic drive actual differential pressure is outside the hydrostatic drive target differential pressure range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Lucas Micah Newlon, Bradley John Will, Sudarshan Aravamuthan Maiyur
  • Patent number: 8494731
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a gear ratio rate of change in a machine having a continuously variable transmission. The method includes moving an operator input device to a changed position, receiving electronic data indicative of the changed position, and determining a non-limited desired gear ratio based at least in part on the changed position. A maximum gear ratio rate of change corresponding to the changed position is selected from an electronically stored gear ratio rate map. A current desired gear ratio is determined based at least in part on the non-limited desired gear ratio and the maximum gear ratio rate of change. The method also includes changing a commanded gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission to the current desired gear ratio using electronic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Todd Anderson, Bradley John Will
  • Publication number: 20130184948
    Abstract: A method for controlling a gear ratio rate of change in a machine having a continuously variable transmission includes moving an operator input device to a changed position, receiving electronic data indicative of the changed position, and determining a non-limited desired gear ratio based on the changed position. A maximum gear ratio rate of change corresponding to the non-limited desired gear ratio and an actual gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is selected from an electronically stored gear ratio rate map. A current desired gear ratio is determined based on a previous desired gear ratio and the maximum gear ratio rate of change. A commanded gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission is changed to the current desired gear ratio using electronic signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Randall Todd Anderson, Bradley John Will
  • Publication number: 20130131937
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a gear ratio change in a hydrostatic drive machine. The hydrostatic drive machine includes a variable displacement pump and at least one variable displacement motor fluidly connected with the variable displacement pump. The method includes a step of determining a gear ratio rate of change corresponding to a change from a current gear ratio to a new gear ratio. Start and stop overlap gear ratios corresponding to the gear ratio rate are determined and define an overlap range. The current gear ratio is changed to the new gear ratio using electronic signals at least in part by simultaneously changing displacements of the variable displacement pump and the at least one variable displacement motor at gear ratios within the overlap range, and sequentially changing displacements of the variable displacement pump and the at least one variable displacement motor at gear ratios outside the overlap range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Randall Todd Anderson, Bradley John Will
  • Publication number: 20130126257
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling a gear ratio rate of change in a machine having a continuously variable transmission. The method includes moving an operator input device to a changed position, receiving electronic data indicative of the changed position, and determining a non-limited desired gear ratio based at least in part on the changed position. A maximum gear ratio rate of change corresponding to the changed position is selected from an electronically stored gear ratio rate map. A current desired gear ratio is determined based at least in part on the non-limited desired gear ratio and the maximum gear ratio rate of change. The method also includes changing a commanded gear ratio of the continuously variable transmission to the current desired gear ratio using electronic signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventors: Randall Todd Anderson, Bradley John Will
  • Patent number: 8214101
    Abstract: A method for indirectly detecting a movement of a machine and a failure of a speed sensor is disclosed. The method may include receiving an operator input signal, and determining a first factor based on the operator input signal. The method may also include measuring a machine operation parameter, and determining a second factor based on the machine operation parameter. The method may further include identifying a movement of the machine if the first factor is out of a first threshold range and the second factor is out of a second threshold range for at least a first threshold length of time. The method may also include determining a speed sensor failure if the movement of the machine is identified and no speed is detected by the speed sensor for at least a second threshold length of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas James Carlton, Corwin Eugene Storer, Bradley John Will, Eric John Schultz
  • Publication number: 20090222162
    Abstract: A method for indirectly detecting a movement of a machine and a failure of a speed sensor is disclosed. The method may include receiving an operator input signal, and determining a first factor based on the operator input signal. The method may also include measuring a machine operation parameter, and determining a second factor based on the machine operation parameter. The method may further include identifying a movement of the machine if the first factor is out of a first threshold range and the second factor is out of a second threshold range for at least a first threshold length of time. The method may also include determining a speed sensor failure if the movement the machine is identified and no speed is detected by the speed sensor for at least a second threshold length of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas James Carlton, Corwin Eugene Storer, Bradley John Will, Eric John Schultz