Patents by Inventor Daniel R. Ekstrand

Daniel R. Ekstrand 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: 4930366
    Abstract: An electrical transmission control mechanism includes first and second control members which are individually limitedly rotatable to respectively select the directional and neutral modes or the speed ratio modes of a transmission. First and second electrical rotary type switching devices which are respectively responsive to the movement of the control members are disposed within the mechanism for controllably disconnecting the supply and ground side leads of one of a plurality of transmission clutch actuating solenoids and connecting the supply and ground side leads of another one to minimize the possibility of any inadvertent electrical short in causing unexpected operation of the transmission. Each of the compact and reliable rotary switching devices has a plurality of upstanding contact members arranged at preselected radii and a plurality of radially oriented wiper members that make selected contact with pairs of the contact members to provide a multitude of desirable operating functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Val G. Boucher, Weldon L. Phelps, Daniel R. Ekstrand