Patents by Inventor James A. Forck
James A. Forck 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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Patent number: 9650756Abstract: A stick for a linkage assembly of an implement system includes a stick body and a stick joint assembly. The stick body defines a neutral axis and includes a pair of sidewalls in lateral spaced relationship to each other, a top portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, and a bottom portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, which define an interior cavity. The stick joint assembly includes a stick joint tube and a stick joint reinforcement plate. The stick joint tube extends between and is connected to the sidewalls. The stick joint reinforcement plate is connected to one of the pair of sidewalls and includes a pair of arms extending from a central portion. The ends of the first and second arms of are disposed along the neutral axis of the stick body.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Tilak Inturi, James A. Forck
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Patent number: 9376783Abstract: A boom for a linkage assembly of an implement system includes a boom body and a fork reinforcement plate. The boom body includes a pair of sidewalls, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion extend between the pair of sidewalls. The top portion and the bottom portion define a boom nose at a distal body end. The sidewalls each include a fork portion disposed at the distal body end and extending in outward relationship to the boom nose. Each fork portion defines therein a stick mounting opening. The fork reinforcement plate is connected to the inner surface of one of the pair of sidewalls at the fork portion. A proximal plate end of the fork reinforcement plate is in abutting relationship with the boom nose.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2014Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Naesung Lyu, Balasubramanyam Appalla, James A. Forck
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Publication number: 20160024744Abstract: A stick for a linkage assembly of an implement system includes a stick body and a stick joint assembly. The stick body defines a neutral axis and includes a pair of sidewalls in lateral spaced relationship to each other, a top portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, and a bottom portion extending between the pair of sidewalls, which define an interior cavity. The stick joint assembly includes a stick joint tube and a stick joint reinforcement plate. The stick joint tube extends between and is connected to the sidewalls. The stick joint reinforcement plate is connected to one of the pair of sidewalls and includes a pair of arms extending from a central portion. The ends of the first and second arms of are disposed along the neutral axis of the stick body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Tilak Inturi, James A. Forck
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Publication number: 20160024743Abstract: A boom for a linkage assembly of an implement system includes a boom body and a fork reinforcement plate. The boom body includes a pair of sidewalls, a top portion, and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion extend between the pair of sidewalls. The top portion and the bottom portion define a boom nose at a distal body end. The sidewalls each include a fork portion disposed at the distal body end and extending in outward relationship to the boom nose. Each fork portion defines therein a stick mounting opening. The fork reinforcement plate is connected to the inner surface of one of the pair of sidewalls at the fork portion. A proximal plate end of the fork reinforcement plate is in abutting relationship with the boom nose.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2014Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Naesung Lyu, Balasubramanyam Appalla, James A. Forck
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Publication number: 20150197061Abstract: High weld fatigue class transverse butt joint welds utilizing customized consumable weld inserts laid into the root of the joint. The customized consumable weld inserts may be produced with a 3D printer using digital data obtained by scanning of the joint or from product specifications. The insert may be printed or formed using one or more metal powders that may be solidified by the 3D printer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Huijun Wang, Lingyun Pan, Donald A. Stickel, III, James A. Forck, Howard W. Ludewig
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Publication number: 20150167272Abstract: A beam structure of the present disclosure includes a baffle plate. A plurality of lap strips are attached around outer edges of the baffle plate. An adhesive layer is applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips. A plurality of sidewalls are assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips and the baffle plate, thereby forming the beam structure. In an embodiment, the beam structure may be used as a boom assembly for a machine, such as an excavator machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2015Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
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Patent number: 8991029Abstract: A beam structure of the present disclosure includes a baffle plate. A plurality of lap strips are attached around outer edges of the baffle plate. An adhesive layer is applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips. A plurality of sidewalls are assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips and the baffle plate, thereby forming the beam structure. In an embodiment, the beam structure may be used as a boom assembly for a machine, such as an excavator machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
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Publication number: 20130078072Abstract: A beam structure of the present disclosure includes a baffle plate. A plurality of lap strips are attached around outer edges of the baffle plate. An adhesive layer is applied to outer surfaces of the lap strips. A plurality of sidewalls are assembled together around the adhesive layer, the lap strips and the baffle plate, thereby forming the beam structure. In an embodiment, the beam structure may be used as a boom assembly for a machine, such as an excavator machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
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Patent number: 7908928Abstract: A monitoring system is provided, which may include a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading and a wireless node attached to the structural component. The node may include a strain sensing device configured to measure strain experienced by the structural component at the location of the node. The node may also include a processor configured to predict, based on the strain measurements, fatigue life of the structural component.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2006Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Timothy A. Vik, James A. Forck, Jeffry N Sundermeyer
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Publication number: 20100100338Abstract: A monitoring system is provided, which may include a structural component configured to undergo mechanical loading and a wireless node attached to the structural component. The node may include a strain sensing device configured to measure strain experienced by the structural component at the location of the node. The node may also include a processor configured to predict, based on the strain measurements, fatigue life of the structural component.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2006Publication date: April 22, 2010Inventors: Timothy A. Vik, James A. Forck, Jeffry N. Sundermeyer