Patents by Inventor Charles E. Lewis, II

Charles E. Lewis, II 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: 8682528
    Abstract: A suspension system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The suspension system may have a seat operatively connected to a cabin floor of the mobile machine, a cylinder connected between the seat and the cabin floor, and a spring associated with the cylinder. The suspension system may also have at least one valve configured to regulate fluid flow into and out of the cylinder, and a controller in communication with the at least one valve. The controller may be configured to detect a failure condition of the suspension system. In response to detection of the failure condition, the controller may be further configured to cause the at least one valve to move to a default position at which fluid flow into and out of the cylinder is restricted by an amount that still allows fluid flow through the at least one valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Contratto, John C. Spangler, Jr., Charles E. Lewis, II, Florin M. Marcu, Kristen A. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20130158791
    Abstract: A suspension system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The suspension system may have a seat operatively connected to a cabin floor of the mobile machine, a cylinder connected between the seat and the cabin floor, and a spring associated with the cylinder. The suspension system may also have at least one valve configured to regulate fluid flow into and out of the cylinder, and a controller in communication with the at least one valve. The controller may be configured to detect a failure condition of the suspension system. In response to detection of the failure condition, the controller may be further configured to cause the at least one valve to move to a default position at which fluid flow into and out of the cylinder is restricted by an amount that still allows fluid flow through the at least one valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. CONTRATTO, John C. Spangler, JR., Charles E. Lewis, II, Florin M. Marcu, Kristen A. Gerstner
  • Publication number: 20130153320
    Abstract: A suspension system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The suspension system may have at least one sensor configured to detect a performance parameter of the mobile machine, and a seat operatively connected to a cabin floor of the mobile machine. The suspension system may also have a cylinder connected between the seat and the cabin floor, and a spring associated with the cylinder. The suspension system may additionally have a controller in communication with the at least one sensor. The controller may be configured to make a classification of an operation currently being performed by the mobile machine based on input from the at least one sensor, and to select for use in controlling movement of at least one of the cylinder and the spring one of a plurality of available maps stored in the memory of the controller based on the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Michael S. CONTRATTO, Charles E. Lewis, II, John C. Spangler, JR., Johnathan C. Catton
  • Patent number: 8186658
    Abstract: A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. A plurality of vertically aligned guide pins interconnect the upper and lower support members, and are telescopically movable to adjust a distance between the upper and lower support members. A plurality of suspension devices are operatively connected to the upper and lower support members for biasing the upper support member away from the lower support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Charles E. Lewis, II
  • Publication number: 20100052356
    Abstract: A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. An array of fluid chambers is operatively connected to the upper and lower support members. Each of the fluid chambers includes an electronically controlled valve for controlling an amount of fluid within the fluid chambers. An elastomer is coupled between the upper support member and the lower support member. An electronic controller is in communication with each of the electronically controlled valves and is configured to actuate the valves in response to a movement of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Charles E. Lewis, II
  • Publication number: 20090189407
    Abstract: A suspension system for a seat assembly of a machine includes an upper support member and a lower support member. A plurality of vertically aligned guide pins interconnect the upper and lower support members, and are telescopically movable to adjust a distance between the upper and lower support members. A plurality of suspension devices are operatively connected to the upper and lower support members for biasing the upper support member away from the lower support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Charles E. Lewis, II