Patents by Inventor Donna K. Laube

Donna K. Laube 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: 8635792
    Abstract: A cycle counter for a wheeled tractor scraper is disclosed. The cycle counter may have an ejector configured to push material from a bowl of the wheeled tractor scraper, a sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a position of the ejector, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine movement of the ejector toward a full dump position based on the pressure signal, and to record completion of a cycle for the wheeled tractor scraper after the ejector has reached the full dump position only if a value of the pressure signal exceeded a threshold value during movement of the ejector toward the full dump position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ramona D. Cone, Keith R. Kosowski, Eric N. Polston, Ryan A. Kingdon, Donna K. Laube, Ashok Krishnan, Steven R. Krause, Brian A. Byers
  • Publication number: 20120144704
    Abstract: A cycle counter for a wheeled tractor scraper is disclosed. The cycle counter may have an ejector configured to push material from a bowl of the wheeled tractor scraper, a sensor configured to generate a pressure signal indicative of a position of the ejector, and a controller in communication with the sensor. The controller may be configured to determine movement of the ejector toward a full dump position based on the pressure signal, and to record completion of a cycle for the wheeled tractor scraper after the ejector has reached the full dump position only if a value of the pressure signal exceeded a threshold value during movement of the ejector toward the full dump position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Ramona D. CONE, Keith R. Kosowski, Eric N. Polston, Ryan A. Kingdon, Donna K. Laube, Ashok Krishnan, Steven R. Krause, Brian A. Byers
  • Publication number: 20120055051
    Abstract: A tool control system for a scraper is disclosed. The tool control system may have a tool, a first tool actuator configured to move the tool, and a first sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool and the first tool actuator and to generate a corresponding first signal. The tool control system may also have a tool member operatively connected to the tool, a second tool actuator connectable to the tool member in a plurality of configurations to move the tool member, and a second sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool member and the second tool actuator and to generate a corresponding second signal. The tool control system may further have a controller configured to make a comparison of the first and second signals, and to determine a current connection configuration based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Eric N. Polston, Keith R. Kosowski, Ryan A. Kingdon, Ramona D. Cone, Yan Ma, Christopher A. Wahlmark, Donna K. Laube, Ashok Krishnan, Benjamin D. Drake, Ang Qian, Steven R. Krause
  • Publication number: 20120059553
    Abstract: A tool control system for a scraper is disclosed. The tool control system may have a tool, a first tool actuator configured to move the tool, and a first sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool and the first tool actuator and to generate a corresponding first signal. The tool control system may also have a tool member operatively connected to the tool, a second tool actuator connectable to the tool member in a plurality of configurations to move the tool member, and a second sensor configured to detect a position parameter of at least one of the tool member and the second tool actuator and to generate a corresponding second signal. The tool control system may further have a controller configured to make a comparison of the first and second signals, and to determine a current connection configuration based on the comparison.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Eric N. Polston, Keith R. Kosowski, Ryan A. Kingdon, Romona D. Cone, Yan Bai Ma, Christopher A. Wahlmark, Donna K. Laube, Ashok Krishnan, Benjamin D. Drake, Ang Qian, Steven R. Krause
  • Publication number: 20080270074
    Abstract: A data acquisition system for a machine is disclosed. The data acquisition system has at least one sensor disposed on a machine and configured to produce a signal indicative of a value of an operational condition of the machine. The system also has a controller communicatively coupled to the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to receive a user-defined event associated with operation of the machine, and receive a user-defined trigger corresponding to the event. The controller is also configured to receive a user-defined parameter to be reported upon triggering of the event, and report an occurrence of the event and a value of the user-defined parameter based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Robert A. Horkavi, Donna K. Laube, Stuart C. Johnson, William T. Hasty, Paul A. Ring