Patents by Inventor Robert A. Aarestad

Robert A. Aarestad 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: 7441405
    Abstract: A cylinder assembly is disclosed. The cylinder assembly may include a cylinder body having an internal cavity therein and a piston and rod assembly disposed for axial movement within the internal cavity of the cylinder body. The piston and rod assembly may have an axial passage extending therein. The cylinder assembly may further include a tubular element received within the axial passage of the piston and rod assembly. At least a portion of the tubular element may extend out of the axial passage and into the internal cavity of the cylinder body between the axial passage and a wall of the cylinder body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Aarestad, Paul D. Hagen, John J. Krone, Jason L. Brinkman, George M. Romack
  • Publication number: 20070227133
    Abstract: A cylinder assembly is disclosed. The cylinder assembly may include a cylinder body having an internal cavity therein and a piston and rod assembly disposed for axial movement within the internal cavity of the cylinder body. The piston and rod assembly may have an axial passage extending therein. The cylinder assembly may further include a tubular element received within the axial passage of the piston and rod assembly. At least a portion of the tubular element may extend out of the axial passage and into the internal cavity of the cylinder body between the axial passage and a wall of the cylinder body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Aarestad, Paul D. Hagen, John J. Krone, Jason L. Brinkman, George M. Romack
  • Publication number: 20050066655
    Abstract: A cylinder assembly is disclosed. The cylinder assembly may include a cylinder body having an internal cavity therein and a piston and rod assembly disposed for axial movement within the internal cavity of the cylinder body. The piston and rod assembly may have an axial passage extending therein. The cylinder assembly may further include a tubular element received within the axial passage of the piston and rod assembly. At least a portion of the tubular element may extend out of the axial passage and into the internal cavity of the cylinder body between the axial passage and a wall of the cylinder body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: March 31, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Aarestad, Jason Brinkman, Paul Hagen, John Krone, George Romack
  • Patent number: 6699311
    Abstract: A fluid circuit for raising and lowering an implement including a quick drop valve member movable between at least a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a non-quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit and the second position corresponding to a quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit, the quick drop valve member being movable between at least the first and second positions based on pressures in the fluid circuit produced by hydraulic fluid. The fluid circuit further including a control system configured to selectively apply a biasing force against the quick drop valve member biasing the quick drop valve in the first position, the control system providing the biasing force independent of pressures in the fluid circuit produced by the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Rudy V. Mills, Robert A. Aarestad, Chad T. Brickner
  • Patent number: 6634383
    Abstract: The present invention is a control arrangement that includes a detent assist assembly for assisting a detent arrangement in holding a control device in a predetermined position. Additionally, the detent assist assembly serves as an actuator for a control valve operative with the control device. Further, the detent assist assembly provides tactile feedback to an operator through the control device. The present invention is a simple and efficient device for providing a detent assist with tactile feedback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Aarestad
  • Publication number: 20030121410
    Abstract: A fluid circuit for raising and lowering an implement including a quick drop valve member movable between at least a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a non-quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit and the second position corresponding to a quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit, the quick drop valve member being movable between at least the first and second positions based on pressures in the fluid circuit produced by hydraulic fluid. The fluid circuit further including a control system configured to selectively apply a biasing force against the quick drop valve member biasing the quick drop valve in the first position, the control system providing the biasing force independent of pressures in the fluid circuit produced by the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Rudy V. Mills, Robert A. Aarestad, Chad T. Brickner
  • Publication number: 20030111120
    Abstract: The present invention is a control arrangement that includes a detent assist assembly for assisting a detent arrangement in holding a control device in a predetermined position. Additionally, the detent assist assembly serves as an actuator for a control valve operative with the control device. Further, the detent assist assembly provides tactile feedback to an operator through the control device. The present invention is a simple and efficient device for providing a detent assist with tactile feedback.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Aarestad