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).

  • Patent number: 9650756
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Tilak Inturi, James A. Forck
  • Patent number: 9376783
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Naesung Lyu, Balasubramanyam Appalla, James A. Forck
  • Publication number: 20160024744
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Tilak Inturi, James A. Forck
  • Publication number: 20160024743
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Ulrich, Naesung Lyu, Balasubramanyam Appalla, James A. Forck
  • Publication number: 20150197061
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Huijun Wang, Lingyun Pan, Donald A. Stickel, III, James A. Forck, Howard W. Ludewig
  • Publication number: 20150167272
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
  • Patent number: 8991029
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
  • Publication number: 20130078072
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alexei P. Yelistratov, James A. Forck
  • Patent number: 7908928
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Vik, James A. Forck, Jeffry N Sundermeyer
  • Publication number: 20100100338
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Timothy A. Vik, James A. Forck, Jeffry N. Sundermeyer