Patents by Inventor Lowell E. Johnson

Lowell E. Johnson 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: 5109696
    Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to assess the performance of a vehicle's powertrain. A microcomputer collects sensor data indicative of the rotational velocity of an output shaft and a transmission input shaft and of the pressure of a directional clutch and a speed clutch. The microcomputer calculates a set of powertrain parameters based on the collected sensor data and produces an error signal in response to predetermined conditions of the powertrain parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Irving Bright, Ronald C. Erickson, Dennis K. Greene, Gerald D. Hardy, Robert E. Hefner, Lowell E. Johnson, Donald J. Schwingel, Richard E. Spring
  • Patent number: 5040648
    Abstract: A vehicle such as an earthmoving wheel loader has an engine, a torque converter having an impeller element, a reactor element and a turbine element, and an input clutch connected between the engine and the impeller element. An electrohydraulic control device is provided to controllably engage the input clutch and that includes a microprocessor-based electronic control module, an actuator mechanism having a control member that is progressively movable between first, second and third positions to deliver a first electrical signal to the electronic control module, and a valve for directing fluid to the input clutch at a decreasing pressure level when the control member is moved from the first to the second positions in response to another signal from the electronic control module. The electronic control module is programmed to maintain at least a minimal pressure level to the actuating piston of the input clutch when the control member is between the second and third positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Randall M. Mitchell, David W. Bump, deceased, Michael F. Coffman, Dwight S. Holloway, Lowell E. Johnson, Tony L. Marcott, Philip C. McKenzie, Noel J. Rytter
  • Patent number: 4791663
    Abstract: A telephone status recognition and bypass system includes a plurality of status recognition units, and a controller. Each status recognition unit interfaces a subscriber's telecommunication line between a plurality of peripheral services and to a switch network, and includes status monitoring circuits and an SRU switch. The status monitoring circuits monitor status of calls incoming to and outgoing from the service subscriber, and produces status signals representative thereof. The SRU switch switchably interconnects the service subscriber, the switch network, and the peripheral services, for telecommunications in response to switching control signals. The controller is responsive to the status monitoring circuits, and produces switching control signals as a function of the status signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Telident, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Rockne, Lowell E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4088043
    Abstract: A multi-speed transmission for an engine driven agricultural or construction vehicle is comprised of an epicyclic torque-splitting gear arrangement driven by an input assembly. The input assembly, driven by the engine through a drive engagement means, includes a reversing planetary gear arrangement. The epicyclic torque-splitting gear arrangement includes an input member driven by the input assembly, an output member and a reaction member. The reaction member of the epicyclic torque-splitting gear arrangement is drivingly interconnected with a speed reduction means. The speed reduction means is also driven by the input assembly, and is selectively controllable for rotating the reaction member of the epicyclic torque-splitting gear arrangement in one or the other directions relative to the direction of rotation of the input assembly. The speed reduction means is further controllable to stop rotation of the reaction member relative to rotation of the input assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Lowell E. Johnson, Gerald B. Ireland, Marvin L. Schneider
  • Patent number: 4047383
    Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in a torque converter which includes a main stator, a pump and a turbine. The improvement comprises a novel auxiliary stator intermediate the main stator and the pump, said auxiliary stator including a plurality of holes therethrough adjacent the periphery thereof. Also part of the improvement are a plurality of vanes fixedly attached to a plurality of shafts which are rotatably mounted through said holes for adjustably directing flow of hydraulic fluid from the main stator through the vanes and to the pump. A plurality of handles, one attached at a fixed angle to an end of each of the shafts removed from the vane thereon, also forms a part of the improvement. A sleeve is provided which includes a plurality of slots at one end thereof the slots being in one to one relation with the number of handles, one handle being slidably held in each of said slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Lowell E. Johnson, Raymond P. Cobb, Frank W. Howard, III, Dwayne D. Dietz
  • Patent number: 3972401
    Abstract: A control system for a vehicular drive train including a slipping clutch for proportioning power from a prime mover to implements and a primary output shaft of the vehicle including a manual control conditioned by a manual selector to vary engagement of the slipping clutch through a regulating valve in a first mode of vehicle operation and to regulate acceleration of the prime mover in a second mode of vehicle operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Sidney J. Audiffred, David W. Bump, Raymond N. Erkkila, Lowell E. Johnson, Shairyl I. Pearce
  • Patent number: 3955366
    Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter is provided with means for varying the torque capacity of the torque converter, including means for varying the capacity of the impeller. The capacity of the impeller is varied by means of movable impeller blades which are movable radially outward to vary the radius of the respective blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Robert C. Hansen, Lowell E. Johnson