Patents by Inventor Nicholas A. Oetken
Nicholas A. Oetken 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).
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Patent number: 9039319Abstract: A vibratory compactor having a first compacting element having a variable vibratory mechanism that sets a modifiable compaction effort, a second compacting element, a first sensor configured to measure a first surface compactability associated with the first compacting element, a second sensor configured to measure a second surface compactability associated with the second compacting element and a control system. The control system is configured to receive the first surface compactability, receive the second surface compactability, determine a target compaction effort for the first compacting element based on the first surface compactability and the second surface compactability, and modify the variable vibratory mechanism to set the compaction effort at the target compaction effort.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
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Publication number: 20150092393Abstract: A lighting system for a work machine is provided. The lighting system includes a plurality of step lights disposed on a stairway of the work machine. The lighting system further includes a lighting power source configured to provide power to the plurality of step lights for lighting, independently of an operational state of the work machine. The lighting system also includes a radio frequency identification reader configured to read a radio frequency identification tag associated with an operator. The lighting system further includes a lighting control module configured to receive a signal based on the reading of the radio frequency identification tag. The lighting control module further detects if the operator is proximate to the work machine. The lighting control module further triggers an activation of the plurality of step lights based on the detection of the operator proximate to the work machine.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, John L. Marsolek, Travis A. Ohlgren
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Publication number: 20150003911Abstract: A vibratory compactor having a first compacting element having a variable vibratory mechanism that sets a modifiable compaction effort, a second compacting element, a first sensor configured to measure a first surface compactability associated with the first compacting element, a second sensor configured to measure a second surface compactability associated with the second compacting element and a control system. The control system is configured to receive the first surface compactability, receive the second surface compactability, determine a target compaction effort for the first compacting element based on the first surface compactability and the second surface compactability, and modify the variable vibratory mechanism to set the compaction effort at the target compaction effort.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
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Patent number: 8827593Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a first compacting element having a variable vibratory mechanism that sets a modifiable compaction effort, a second compacting element, a fluid reservoir, a first sensor configured to measure a first data parameter associated with the fluid reservoir, and a control system. The control system is configured to receive the first data parameter, determine a target compaction effort for the first compacting element based on the first data parameter; and modify the variable vibratory mechanism to set the compaction effort at the target compaction effort.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Nicholas A. Oetken
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Patent number: 8635903Abstract: A system for compaction measurement, including at least two compaction measurement systems for determining the compaction state of various portions of a material region at a worksite and a display system for displaying aggregated data from the compaction measurement systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2010Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, James A. Aardema, Kristopher A. Hanson, Bryan J. Downing
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Patent number: 8556039Abstract: A system and method for lubricating a key shaft in a compaction machine is disclosed. The compaction machine may include a spline oil cavity and a key shaft in fluid communication with the spline oil cavity. The key shaft may include an axial splined portion and a helical splined portion on an outer surface thereof, a longitudinal lubricating passage extending through a substantial length of the key shaft and a plurality of additional lubricating passages intersecting the longitudinal lubricating passage. The system and method may additionally include lubricating the axial splined portion and the helical splined portion of the key shaft with the lubricating oil drawn from the spline oil cavity.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2011Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
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Patent number: 8393826Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a linear load through a high-speed rotating member includes a linear actuator containing an axially translatable cylinder rod. A mounting adapter fixed against axial and rotary movement is rigidly affixed to an actuator cylinder containing the cylinder rod. An elongate guide sleeve, fixed to the mounting adapter, extends axially from the adapter to accommodate an axially translatable thrust bearing affixed to one end of the cylinder rod. The guide sleeve contains a linear slot for accommodating a guide pin affixed to the thrust bearing housing, and transversely movable within the linear slot to prevent rotation of both bearing housing and cylinder rod components.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2011Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
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Publication number: 20130051930Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a linear load through a high-speed rotating member includes a linear actuator containing an axially translatable cylinder rod. A mounting adapter fixed against axial and rotary movement is rigidly affixed to an actuator cylinder containing the cylinder rod. An elongate guide sleeve, fixed to the mounting adapter, extends axially from the adapter to accommodate an axially translatable thrust bearing affixed to one end of the cylinder rod. The guide sleeve contains a linear slot for accommodating a guide pin affixed to the thrust bearing housing, and transversely movable within the linear slot to prevent rotation of both bearing housing and cylinder rod components.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2011Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
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Publication number: 20130000429Abstract: A system and method for lubricating a key shaft in a compaction machine is disclosed. The compaction machine may include a spline oil cavity and a key shaft in fluid communication with the spline oil cavity. The key shaft may include an axial splined portion and a helical splined portion on an outer surface thereof, a longitudinal lubricating passage extending through a substantial length of the key shaft and a plurality of additional lubricating passages intersecting the longitudinal lubricating passage. The system and method may additionally include lubricating the axial splined portion and the helical splined portion of the key shaft with the lubricating oil drawn from the spline oil cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
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Patent number: 8162564Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken
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Publication number: 20110302998Abstract: A system for compaction measurement, including at least two compaction measurement systems for determining the compaction state of various portions of a material region at a worksite and a display system for displaying aggregated data from the compaction measurement systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: December 15, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Kristopher A. Hanson, Nicholas A. Oetken, James A. Aardema, Bryan J. Downing
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Publication number: 20110158745Abstract: A vibratory system for a compactor is provided. The vibratory system has a first eccentric, a second eccentric, and a drive shaft. The second eccentric is rotatably and coaxially positioned with respect to the first eccentric. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the second eccentric and rotatably coupled to the first eccentric through a helical spline.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2010Publication date: June 30, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, John L. Marsolek, Eric A. Hansen
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Patent number: 7938595Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken
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Publication number: 20110097148Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken
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Publication number: 20110070023Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken
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Publication number: 20080267707Abstract: A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Dean Roger Potts, Mario Joseph Souraty, Nicholas A. Oetken