Patents by Inventor Don Wilbur

Don Wilbur 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: 9377065
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder includes directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on, directing fluid from a main pump by way of a torque converter to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled. When the retarder is off or is on and filled, the method includes directing fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter to at least one of a lube operation, the tank or a cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Guillotte, Travis Miller, Don Wilbur, Mark Batdorff
  • Patent number: 9377066
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder including directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on. Fluid from a main pump is directed to a torque converter, which fluid is directed to at least one of a lube operation, a tank or a cooler when the retarder is turned off. Fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter is directed to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled, and to the tank or the lube operation when the retarder is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Guillotte, Travis Miller, Don Wilbur, Mark Batdorff
  • Publication number: 20160017948
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder including directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on. Fluid from a main pump is directed to a torque converter, which fluid is directed to at least one of a lube operation, a tank or a cooler when the retarder is turned off. Fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter is directed to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled, and to the tank or the lube operation when the retarder is filled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Guillotte, Travis Miller, Don Wilbur, Mark Batdorff
  • Publication number: 20160016570
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic retarder includes directing fluid from a retarder pump to the retarder when the retarder is turned on, directing fluid from a main pump by way of a torque converter to the retarder when the retarder is on, but not filled. When the retarder is off or is on and filled, the method includes directing fluid from the main pump by way of the torque converter to at least one of a lube operation, the tank or a cooler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Andrew R. Guillotte, Travis Miller, Don Wilbur, Mark Batdorff
  • Patent number: 6959545
    Abstract: A system for a hydraulically driven vehicle includes an engine having multiple, selectively operating cylinder-pump banks producing fluid flow at an outlet, a pump/motor having a variable flow rate including an inlet for driving the wheels, a hydraulic line having a line pressure and connecting the outlet and the inlet, sensors producing signal representing line pressure, pump/motor speed, pump/motor displacement, and a controller for determining a target hydraulic system parameter, determining, based at least in part on the flow rate of the pump/motor and a flow rate produced by each engine cylinder bank, a number of operating cylinder-pump banks that is required to produce the target hydraulic system parameter, and in response to determining the required number of operating cylinder-pump banks, adjusting an engine operating parameter of a cylinder-pump bank such that the required number of cylinder-pump banks operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Lippert, Don Wilbur, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20050166586
    Abstract: A system for a hydraulically driven vehicle includes an engine having multiple, selectively operating cylinder-pump banks producing fluid flow at an outlet, a pump/motor having a variable flow rate including an inlet for driving the wheels, a hydraulic line having a line pressure and connecting the outlet and the inlet, sensors producing signal representing line pressure, pump/motor speed, pump/motor displacement, and a controller for determining a target hydraulic system parameter, determining, based at least in part on the flow rate of the pump/motor and a flow rate produced by each engine cylinder bank, a number of operating cylinder-pump banks that is required to produce the target hydraulic system parameter, and in response to determining the required number of operating cylinder-pump banks, adjusting an engine operating parameter of a cylinder-pump bank such that the required number of cylinder-pump banks operate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2004
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Lippert, Don Wilbur