Patents by Inventor John M. Seipold

John M. Seipold 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: 8808131
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes two planetary gear sets having two outputs. A variator drives a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a transmission input shaft is driven by the engine, which also drives the variator and the planetary input. Second and third output shafts are connected to a transmission output shaft. A first clutch is connected to the first output shaft, a second clutch is connected to the second planetary output and engages a first drive gear. A third clutch is connected to the first output shaft and releasably engages the first drive gear, a fourth clutch is connected to the first drive gear and releasably engages the second output shaft, and a fifth clutch is connected to the first drive gear and releasably engages the third output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Seipold, Glen P. Calvert, Robert E. Black, Michael G. Cronin
  • Publication number: 20130226416
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes two planetary gear sets having two outputs. A variator drives a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a transmission input shaft is driven by the engine, which also drives the variator and the planetary input. Second and third output shafts are connected to a transmission output shaft. A first clutch is connected to the first output shaft, a second clutch is connected to the second planetary output and engages a first drive gear. A third clutch is connected to the first output shaft and releasably engages the first drive gear, a fourth clutch is connected to the first drive gear and releasably engages the second output shaft, and a fifth clutch is connected to the first drive gear and releasably engages the third output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: John M. Seipold, Glen P. Calvert, Robert E. Black, Michael G. Cronin
  • Patent number: 8452500
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and a continuously variable transmission including a planetary gear arrangement and a variator. An input drives the variator and the planetary gears. A first planetary output gear is connected to the first output of the planetary gear arrangement. A second planetary output gear is connected to the first output, and a third planetary output gear is connectable by a first clutch to a second output of the planetary gear arrangement. A first output member is connected to the third planetary output gear, a second clutch releasably connects the first output member with the first planetary output gear, a third clutch connects the first output member with the second planetary output gear, a fourth clutch connects the second output member with the first planetary output gear, and a fifth clutch connects the second output member with the second planetary output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Publication number: 20120298468
    Abstract: A piston actuated synchronizer system for a split torque transmission where the piston is attached directly to the synchronizer shift collar on the synchronizer centerline to provide the required actuation in a small volume of space and resolve fork and rod deflection issues seen on other synchronizers that use such a system. The piston is pressure applied and spring released. This design also uses a displacement sensor to monitor synchronizer engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kraig M. Love, John M. Seipold, Glen P. Calvert
  • Patent number: 8234956
    Abstract: A piston actuated synchronizer system for a split torque transmission where the piston is attached directly to the synchronizer shift collar on the synchronizer centerline to provide the required actuation in a small volume of space and resolve fork and rod deflection issues seen on other synchronizers that use such a system. The piston is pressure applied and spring released. This design also uses a displacement sensor to monitor synchronizer engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kraig M. Love, John M. Seipold, Glen P. Calvert
  • Publication number: 20100162849
    Abstract: A piston actuated synchronizer system for a split torque transmission where the piston is attached directly to the synchronizer shift collar on the synchronizer centerline to provide the required actuation in a small volume of space and resolve fork and rod deflection issues seen on other synchronizers that use such a system. The piston is pressure applied and spring released. This design also uses a displacement sensor to monitor synchronizer engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Kraig M. Love, John M. Seipold, Glen P. Calvert
  • Patent number: 7556131
    Abstract: A transmission housing for an automatic transmission that includes a first and second plurality of circumferentially spaced inwardly extending sets of protrusions connected to an inner surface of the transmission housing configured to engage clutch assemblies of a planetary transmission. The sets of protrusions are offset from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Patent number: 7300581
    Abstract: A filter assembly capable of being directly mounted to a transmission housing or to a structure other than the transmission housing. The transmission housing includes a cavity, or groove that receives a sealing device, which is used when the filter assembly is to be directly mounted to the transmission housing. Both the transmission housing and the filter assembly include threaded portions in communication with additional grooves, or chamfers that receive additional sealing devices. For remote mounting, hoses, having coupling devices, are attached to the threaded portions such that the filter assembly may be attached to the structure other than the transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Publication number: 20040211274
    Abstract: A power takeoff assembly includes a housing, a drivingly engageable input shaft, a power takeoff shaft, a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid filled clutch assembly with a first clutch element operatively connected to the input shaft and a second clutch element operatively connected to the power takeoff shaft, and a brake operable to engage the power takeoff shaft to the housing. The clutch assembly is placed in an engaged state when pressurized fluid from the pressure source causes the first clutch element to engage the second clutch element such that the input shaft drives the power takeoff shaft. The clutch assembly is placed in a disengaged state when pressurized fluid from the pressure source is removed from the clutch assembly. The brake engages the power takeoff shaft to the housing when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged state to prevent fluid forces within the clutch assembly from driving the power takeoff shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Patent number: 6668952
    Abstract: A removable shaft assembly having a drive shaft with internal splines defined therein and an output shaft positioned within the drive shaft and having a first set of external splines defined thereon adapted to engage the internal splines of the drive shaft is disclosed. The assembly further includes a cap axially aligned with the drive shaft having internal splines defined thereon which are adapted to prevent an axial movement of the output shaft relative to the drive shaft when the cap is in a first position and hallow axial movement of the output shaft relative to the drive shaft when the cap is in a second position. The output shaft may be removed from the drive shaft when the cap is placed in the first position by axially sliding the first set of external splines through the internal splines of the cap. A method of operating a removable shaft assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Publication number: 20020157892
    Abstract: A removable shaft assembly having a drive shaft with internal splines defined therein and an output shaft positioned within the drive shaft and having a first set of external splines defined thereon adapted to engage the internal splines of the drive shaft is disclosed. The assembly further includes a cap axially aligned with the drive shaft having internal splines defined thereon which are adapted to prevent a axial movement of the output shaft relative to the drive shaft when the cap in a first position and allow axial movement of the output shaft relative to the drive shaft when the cap is in a second position. The output shaft may be removed from the drive shaft when the cap is placed in the first position by axially sliding the first set of external splines through the internal splines of the cap. A method of operating a removable shaft assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: John M. Seipold