Patents by Inventor Joshua Dierking

Joshua Dierking 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).

  • Publication number: 20240017577
    Abstract: An axial clamping system for securing a wheel assembly onto a tire changer drive spindle. The clamping system consists of a shaft for engaging an axial bore of the drive spindle, configured with a set of ball bearings seated within radial bore arranged in a spiral configuration and which extend into a central bore of the shaft. Axial movement of a plunger within the central bore radially displaces the ball bearings to protrude outboard of the shaft outer surface, engaging a spiral channel within the drive spindle axial bore. Rotation of the clamping system within the drive spindle axial bore while the ball bearings engage the spiral channels, tightens a clamp nut against a wheel assembly seated on a flange of the drive spindle. Counter rotation and retraction of the plunger within the shaft releases the clamping forces, allowing for removal of the wheel assembly from the drive spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Inventors: Michael Olsen, Joshua Dierking
  • Patent number: 9080310
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed that has first and second passages connecting a pump to an actuator in closed-loop manner, and first and second load-holding valves within the first and second passages. The hydraulic system may also have a regeneration valve connected to the first and second passages between the actuator and the first and second load-holding valves to selectively connect the first and second passages. The hydraulic system may further have a controller configured to cause a control valve to simultaneous move the first and second load-holding valves toward flow-blocking positions when pump displacement is about zero. The controller may also be configured to selectively cause the regeneration valve to connect the first and second passages when pump displacement is non-zero, and to cause only one of the first and second load-holding valves to move to its flow-blocking position when the regeneration valve connects the first and second passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Knussman, Patrick Opdenbosch, Joshua Dierking
  • Patent number: 8966892
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a primary pump, a hydraulic actuator, and first and second passages fluidly connecting the primary pump to the hydraulic actuator in a closed-loop manner. The hydraulic system may also have a charge circuit, a makeup valve movable to selectively allow charge fluid from the charge circuit to enter the first or second passages, and at least one restricted pilot passage configured to direct pilot fluid to the makeup valve to move the makeup valve and allow the charge fluid into the first and second passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Michael L. Knussman, Joshua Dierking
  • Patent number: 8944103
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a tank, a displacement actuator having first and second chambers, a regeneration valve, and a load-holding valve. The hydraulic system may also have a displacement control valve including a valve element, and a stationary cage portion at least partially forming a high-pressure passage fluidly connecting the pump and valve element, a low-pressure passage fluidly connecting the valve element and tank, a first displacement actuator passage fluidly connecting the valve element and first chamber, a second displacement actuator passage fluidly connecting the valve element and second chamber, a load-holding control passage fluidly connecting the valve element and load-holding valve, and a regeneration control passage fluidly connecting the valve element and regeneration valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Michael L. Knussman, Joshua Dierking
  • Patent number: 8863509
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a hydraulic actuator, and first and second passages fluidly connecting the pump to the hydraulic actuator in a closed-loop. The hydraulic system may also have a control valve, and a load-holding valve configured to selectively lock movement of the hydraulic actuator. The load-holding valve may include a valve block at least partially defining a pump passage, an actuator passage, a control passage, a restricted passage connecting the actuator passage and the control passage, and a bypass passage connecting the actuator passage and the control passage. The load-holding valve may also include a valve element movable between a first position at which flow between the pump and the hydraulic actuator is blocked, and a second position at which fluid is allowed to flow between the pump and the hydraulic actuator, the valve element being spring-biased toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Michael L. Knussman, Joshua Dierking
  • Patent number: 8833067
    Abstract: First and second mechanical hydraulic valves are disposed between a pump and the cap side chamber of an actuator and the pump and the rod chamber of the pump. The first and second valves are actuated as a result of respective pressure differentials applied across the valves. A controller controls flow from a pump in response to a commanded motion to control movement of the actuator, and cause the valves to open. The valves are disposed in their no-flow positions when the pump is not operative, and when the hydraulic system of off or locked out to hold a load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Joshua Dierking
  • Publication number: 20130047599
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a hydraulic actuator, and first and second passages fluidly connecting the pump to the hydraulic actuator in a closed-loop. The hydraulic system may also have a control valve, and a load-holding valve configured to selectively lock movement of the hydraulic actuator. The load-holding valve may include a valve block at least partially defining a pump passage, an actuator passage, a control passage, a restricted passage connecting the actuator passage and the control passage, and a bypass passage connecting the actuator passage and the control passage. The load-holding valve may also include a valve element movable between a first position at which flow between the pump and the hydraulic actuator is blocked, and a second position at which fluid is allowed to flow between the pump and the hydraulic actuator, the valve element being spring-biased toward the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick OPDENBOSCH, Michael L. Knussman, Joshua Dierking
  • Publication number: 20130047592
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a primary pump, a hydraulic actuator, and first and second passages fluidly connecting the primary pump to the hydraulic actuator in a closed-loop manner. The hydraulic system may also have a charge circuit, a makeup valve movable to selectively allow charge fluid from the charge circuit to enter the first or second passages, and at least one restricted pilot passage configured to direct pilot fluid to the makeup valve to move the makeup valve and allow the charge fluid into the first and second passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Michael L. Knussman, Joshua Dierking
  • Publication number: 20130048117
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a tank, a displacement actuator having first and second chambers, a regeneration valve, and a load-holding valve. The hydraulic system may also have a displacement control valve including a valve element, and a stationary cage portion at least partially forming a high-pressure passage fluidly connecting the pump and valve element, a low-pressure passage fluidly connecting the valve element and tank, a first displacement actuator passage fluidly connecting the valve element and first chamber, a second displacement actuator passage fluidly connecting the valve element and second chamber, a load-holding control passage fluidly connecting the valve element and load-holding valve, and a regeneration control passage fluidly connecting the valve element and regeneration valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Patrick OPDENBOSCH, Michael L. KNUSSMAN, Joshua DIERKING
  • Publication number: 20120260642
    Abstract: First and second mechanical hydraulic valves are disposed between a pump and the cap side chamber of an actuator and the pump and the rod chamber of the pump. The first and second valves are actuated as a result of respective pressure differentials applied across the valves. A controller controls flow from a pump in response to a commanded motion to control movement of the actuator, and cause the valves to open. The valves are disposed in their no-flow positions when the pump is not operative, and when the hydraulic system of off or locked out to hold a load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Opdenbosch, Joshua Dierking