Patents by Inventor James I. Portscheller

James I. Portscheller 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: 8405500
    Abstract: A power and data delivery system for a machine. The system includes a power and data conductor located throughout at least a portion of the machine, a plurality of processing nodes, each connected to the conductor at various locations, and a plurality of devices, each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of processing nodes and controlled by the processing node, wherein each processing node may be connected at any location of the conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan G. Lammers, James I. Portscheller, Paul G. Casperson, John W. Crayton, David C Freeman
  • Patent number: 7484587
    Abstract: In order to enhance an operator's ability to control a work machine, an operator control station includes a seat assembly that is moveably mounted to a body of the work machine. The operator can control, at least in part, primary operator controllable aspects of the work machine by manipulating work machine operating controls attached to move with the seat assembly. The operator can monitor a work machine operating condition, at least in part, via a work machine operating condition display panel also attached to move with the seat assembly. In addition, the operator control station is interchangeable among a plurality of work machines of different types and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James I. Portscheller, Sukhwinder S. Guron, Wayne J. Wulfert
  • Patent number: 7032703
    Abstract: In order to enhance an operator's ability to control a work machine, an operator control station includes a seat assembly that is moveably mounted to a body of the work machine. The operator can control, at least in part, primary operator controllable aspects of the work machine by manipulating work machine operating controls attached to move with the seat assembly. The operator can monitor a work machine operating condition, at least in part, via a work machine operating condition display panel also attached to move with the seat assembly. In addition, the operator control station is interchangeable among a plurality of work machines of different types and sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne J. Wulfert, Sukhwinder S. Guron, James I. Portscheller, Lyle E. York
  • Publication number: 20030230447
    Abstract: In order to enhance an operator's ability to control a work machine, an operator control station includes a seat assembly that is moveably mounted to a body of the work machine. The operator can control, at least in part, primary operator controllable aspects of the work machine by manipulating work machine operating controls attached to move with the seat assembly. The operator can monitor a work machine operating condition, at least in part, via a work machine operating condition display panel also attached to move with the seat assembly. In addition, the operator control station is interchangeable among a plurality of work machines of different types and sizes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne J. Wulfert, Sukhwinder S, Guron, James I. Portscheller
  • Patent number: 4928642
    Abstract: Automatic starting fluid injection systems are useful, for example, to aid in the cold-starting of diesel engines. In the subject invention, a microprocessor under software control is used to controllably inject starting fluid into an engine passageway, such as an intake manifold. During engine cranking, the microprocessor delivers an injection signal to a fluid delivery system to effect starting fluid injection into the engine passageway. When the engine starts, a subsequent injection time is calculated based on the sensed engine temperature. The microprocessor continues to deliver the injection signal to the fluid delivery system during the subsequent injection time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1990
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Atkinson, John W. Crayton, James I. Portscheller, Daniel C. Wood
  • Patent number: 4369419
    Abstract: A solenoid having a linear pull stroke includes a coil operated plunger (16) having a lost motion coupling (20,28,32,38,40) adapted to be connected with a load in order to allow the plunger (16) to retract a predefined distance during the initial part of the stroke thereby to develop a higher level of pulling force before substantial force is actually imparted to the load. The plunger (16) comprises an elongate body (18) having a piston-like link (28) slidably mounted in a cavity (20) at one end of the body (18) and adapted to be coupled with the load. A spring (36) trapped between the link (28) and the body (18) resets the link (28) relative to the body (18) before the pull stroke is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 18, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: James I. Portscheller