Patents by Inventor C. Erik Bright

C. Erik Bright 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: 8051916
    Abstract: A rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper, the wheel tractor scraper having a tractor portion with a power source operatively connected to the front driven wheels, and a rear, scraper portion having a bowl, work tool, and first and second rear wheels, the rear wheel drive assist includes a work tool pump fluidly connected to a work tool motor to drive the work tool, fluid operated drive motors operatively connected to the rear wheels, and a diverter valve selectively movable between a first position that delivers fluid flow from the pump to the work tool motor, and a second position that delivers fluid flow from the work tool pump to the rear wheel drive motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: C. Erik Bright, Steven A. Daniel, Bradley J. McManus, Daniel P. Sergison, Norval P. Thomson
  • Publication number: 20100018728
    Abstract: A rear wheel drive assist for a wheel tractor scraper, the wheel tractor scraper having a tractor portion with a power source operatively connected to the front driven wheels, and a rear, scraper portion having a bowl, work tool, and first and second rear wheels, the rear wheel drive assist includes a work tool pump fluidly connected to a work tool motor to drive the work tool, fluid operated drive motors operatively connected to the rear wheels, and a diverter valve selectively movable between a first position that delivers fluid flow from the pump to the work tool motor, and a second position that delivers fluid flow from the work tool pump to the rear wheel drive motors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: C. Erik Bright, Steven A. Daniel, Bradley J. McManus, Daniel P. Sergison, Norval P. Thomson
  • Patent number: 7040044
    Abstract: A method of modulating a boom assembly to perform in a linear manner. The boom assembly includes a boom and a stick. The method comprising the steps of sending at least one lever signal to a control device indicative of operator desired direction and desired velocity of the boom and the stick, calibrating the lever signals to provide a boom command signal and a stick command signal, applying an algorithm-to-the boom command signal and the stick command signal, which the algorithm uses command signal mapping, and providing a modulating factor to the control device as a result of the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Chad T. Brickner, C. Erik Bright, Clayton L. Padgett, W. Chris Swick