Patents by Inventor Norval Thomson

Norval Thomson 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: 9555706
    Abstract: A traction control system configured to limit slip by a machine having a work implement including a machine motion sensor configured to determine a motion of the machine, a work implement unit configured to determine whether the work implement is in an operational state, a powertrain motion sensor configured to determine a motion of a powertrain component, and a machine powertrain controller configured to determine slip by comparing the motion of the machine to the motion of the powertrain component, wherein the machine powertrain controller is configured to command a torque reduction to the powertrain component when slip is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Mitchell, Norval Thomson
  • Patent number: 9242648
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling a machine to drive through its parking brake when in first gear include detecting that the machine transmission is in its lowest gear in a selected direction, that the machine parking brake is activated, such that the machine is stationary, and that the throttle setting of the machine exceeds a predetermined throttle threshold value. In this state, one or more auxiliary loads of the machine are dropped to provide additional torque to the ground engaging elements of the machine, such that there is sufficient torque to drive the machine through the parking brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William E. Allen, Bryan T. Siegel, Norval Thomson
  • Patent number: 8393429
    Abstract: A motor grader with an adjustable wheelbase. The motor grader may include front and rear wheels supporting a chassis and a main frame. A working blade may downwardly depend from the main frame between the front wheels and rear wheels to perform work on the ground below. The motor grader may also provide an adjustable wheel base to allow the center of gravity of the motor grader to better match the work load being addressed. The adjustable wheel base may also provide more swing clearance for the blade relative to the rear wheels, allow for an adjustable articulation angle, and minimize structural loads on the motor grader, particularly during ripping operation. The wheel base may be adjustable by providing structure through which the relative positions of the rear wheels can be altered automatically, manually, and dynamically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Norval Thomson, Steven Daniel, Daniel Sergison
  • Publication number: 20120253609
    Abstract: A method for proportional state space based scheduling of gain within a machine includes generating a speed error value and when the speed error value is substantially nonzero producing an implement position difference value representing the amount by which an implement position differs from a position that would provide a desired machine speed. The method then converts the implement position difference value to a desired implement position command and differences the desired implement position command and a position signal indicative of the current implement position to produce an implement difference value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Wei Li, Ang Qian, Ryan Kingdon, Steven Krause, Norval Thomson
  • Patent number: 8261544
    Abstract: A method of braking a hydrostatic drive machine includes steps of reducing a displacement of a pump of a hydrostatic drive system to a non-zero displacement, and increasing a displacement of a motor of the hydrostatic drive system to a displacement that is less than a maximum displacement. The method also includes a step of accelerating an engine of the hydrostatic drive system toward a desired engine speed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: J. Swapna Basana, Steven A. Daniel, Norval Thomson, Michael Anderson, Daniel P. Sergison
  • Publication number: 20110108294
    Abstract: A motor grader with an adjustable wheel base is disclosed. The motor grader may include front and rear wheels supporting a chassis and a main frame. A working blade may downwardly depend from the main frame between the front wheels and rear wheels to perform work on the ground below. The motor grader may also provide an adjustable wheel base to allow the center of gravity of the motor grader to better match the work load being addressed. The adjustable wheel base may also provide more swing clearance for the blade relative to the rear wheels, allow for an adjustable articulation angle, and minimize structural loads on the motor grader, particularly during ripping operation. The wheel base may be adjustable by providing structure through which the relative positions of the rear wheels can be altered automatically, manually, and dynamically.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Norval Thomson, Steven Daniel, Daniel Sergison
  • Publication number: 20100050620
    Abstract: A method of braking a hydrostatic drive machine includes steps of reducing a displacement of a pump of a hydrostatic drive system to a non-zero displacement, and increasing a displacement of a motor of the hydrostatic drive system to a displacement that is less than a maximum displacement. The method also includes a step of accelerating an engine of the hydrostatic drive system toward a desired engine speed range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: J. Swapna Basana, Steven A. Daniel, Norval Thomson, Michael Anderson, Daniel P. Sergison
  • Publication number: 20060136110
    Abstract: A vibration management system for a work machine may include at least one machine component configured to respond to input commands from an operator of the machine. One or more vibration sensors may be configured to output a signal indicative of a vibration level experienced by the operator. A controller may be configured to monitor the output signal from the one or more vibration sensors and determine an average vibration level experienced by the operator. The controller may also be configured to monitor the input commands from the operator and calculate a predicted response of the at least one machine component to at least one of the input commands. The controller may also be configured to determine a predicted vibration effect on the operator based on the predicted response and adjust an actual response of the at least one machine component to the at least one operator input command based on the predicted vibration effect and the average vibration level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Publication date: June 22, 2006
    Inventors: Kent Casey, Norval Thomson, Vernon Smith
  • Publication number: 20050138942
    Abstract: An air-treatment system includes a cooling circuit, a first heat exchanger in thermal communication with the cooling circuit, and a secondary circuit in thermal communication with the first heat exchanger. The air-treatment system also includes a controller in communication with at least one of the cooling circuit, the first heat exchanger, and the secondary circuit. The controller is operable to receive at least one input indicative of a desired ambient condition, operable to receive at least one input indicative of current ambient conditions, operable to receive at least one input indicative of at least one of the cooling circuit operation and secondary circuit operation, and operable to change the operation of at least one of the cooling circuit and the secondary circuit when the current ambient condition is outside of a desired operation condition range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Publication date: June 30, 2005
    Inventors: Mark Grimm, Dan Spurgeon, Sean Motszko, Norval Thomson, Ryan Mcenaney