Patents by Inventor Christopher E. Bright
Christopher E. 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).
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Publication number: 20230366172Abstract: A follower pinion apparatus can include a swing gear system comprised of a swing gear and a swing motor pinion. The follower pinion apparatus can also include a nonmetallic follower pinion positioned to mesh with the swing gear and a sensor configured to sense a position of the follower pinion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2022Publication date: November 16, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Vincent A. Armstrong, Joshua David Callaway, Christopher E. Bright, Benjamin J. Terry
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Publication number: 20210172154Abstract: A backhoe loader has a backhoe assembly and a loader assembly. The backhoe loader has first and second control sticks configured to output a first set of electronic signals and a second set of electronic signals, respectively. In some arrangements, the first and second set of electronic signals are used to control operation of the backhoe assembly. In other arrangements, the first set of electronic signals is used to control operation of the loader assembly. In still other arrangements, the first set of electronic signals is used to control operation of the loader assembly and the second set of electronic signals is used to control operation of the backhoe assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Andrew P. Bachle, Christopher E. Bright, Robert N Harper, Robert Conrad
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Publication number: 20160032564Abstract: A control system for a machine having traction devices, an implement, and a hydraulic system configured to drive the traction devices and the implement is disclosed. The control system may include a controller in communication with an operator interface and the hydraulic system. The controller may be configured to receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a first predetermined control pattern, send signals to the to the hydraulic system to control the machine according to the first predetermined control pattern, receive a signal from the operator interface to operate the machine according to a second predetermined control pattern, and send signals to the hydraulic system to control the machine according to the second predetermined control pattern.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: George Carl Pinther, II, Jeffrey M. Parker, Christopher E. Bright, Andrew A. Fredrickson, John E. Myslik
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Patent number: 8340868Abstract: A steering system for steering a machine having opposing first and second sides with first and second pairs of rotatably mounted rear wheels disposed along the respective sides and at least one rotatably mounted, spaced front wheel. The system includes at least one first drive unit and at least one second drive unit for rotating the rear wheels of the respective pairs, and a steering input device that provides a signal to a controller that produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units to rotate the associated rear wheels along one side at rotational speeds greater than those along the other side to facilitate turning.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Norval P. Thomson, Steven A. Daniel, John V. Mount, Christopher E. Bright
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Publication number: 20120006603Abstract: A steering system for steering a machine having opposing first and second sides with first and second pairs of rotatably mounted rear wheels disposed along the respective sides and at least one rotatably mounted, spaced front wheel. The system includes at least one first drive unit and at least one second drive unit for rotating the rear wheels of the respective pairs, and a steering input device that provides a signal to a controller that produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units to rotate the associated rear wheels along one side at rotational speeds greater than those along the other side to facilitate turning.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Norval P. Thomson, Steven A. Daniel, John V. Mount, Christopher E. Bright
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Patent number: 8055411Abstract: A steering system for steering a machine having opposing first and second sides with first and second pairs of rotatably mounted rear wheels disposed along the respective sides and at least one rotatably mounted, spaced front wheel. The system includes at least one first drive unit and at least one second drive unit for rotating the rear wheels of the respective pairs, and a steering input device that provides a signal to a controller that produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units to rotate the associated rear wheels along one side at rotational speeds greater than those along the other side to facilitate turning.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 8, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Norval P. Thomson, Steven A. Daniel, John V. Mount, Christopher E. Bright
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Publication number: 20100114430Abstract: A steering system for steering a machine having opposing first and second sides with first and second pairs of rotatably mounted rear wheels disposed along the respective sides and at least one rotatably mounted, spaced front wheel. The system includes at least one first drive unit and at least one second drive unit for rotating the rear wheels of the respective pairs, and a steering input device that provides a signal to a controller that produces drive unit request signals to control the drive units to rotate the associated rear wheels along one side at rotational speeds greater than those along the other side to facilitate turning.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2008Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Norval P. Thomson, Steven A. Daniel, John V. Mount, Christopher E. Bright
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Patent number: 6694240Abstract: When operating a work machine such as a backhoe, fuel consumption, pollution and noise can be decreased by reducing engine speed below a throttle setting when a set of equipment attached to a rear side of a work machine body is idled for a predetermined period of time. The engine speed is reduced by a control system including an electronic control module having an engine speed reduction algorithm. When the electronic control module determines that a seat assembly that is rotatably mounted to the work machine body is in a forward-facing position, the engine speed reduction algorithm is inactive. When the electronic control module determines that the seat assembly in a rearward-facing position, the engine speed reduction algorithm is active. By basing, at least in part, the activation and deactivation of the engine speed reduction algorithm on the seat assembly position, the engine speed reduction algorithm will be active when the backhoe is operable.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: W. Christopher Swick, Clayton L. Padgett, Gregory A. Epplin, Christopher E. Bright