Patents by Inventor Clayton L. Padgett

Clayton L. Padgett 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6694240
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: W. Christopher Swick, Clayton L. Padgett, Gregory A. Epplin, Christopher E. Bright
  • Patent number: 6643577
    Abstract: When operating a work machine having more than one function, there are situations in which an operator may need to simultaneously control both functions. For instance, when a backhoe loader operator would like to perform a maneuver referred to as the “duck walk”, the operator must simultaneously control at least one aspect of a backhoe and one aspect of a loader. A work machine that has an operator control station with at least two controllers, which may be assigned a first mode pattern, a second mode pattern, and a hybrid mode pattern. When the at least two controllers are in the first mode pattern, the at least two controllers are operably coupled to a first set of equipment, such as a loader. When the at least two controllers are in the second mode pattern, the at least two controllers are operably coupled to a second set of equipment, such as a backhoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Clayton L. Padgett, Darren M. Knutson, Jeffrey S. Alig, W. Christopher Swick