Patents by Inventor Stephen Carl Garnett

Stephen Carl Garnett 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: 7472008
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling power provided by a drive train system of a mobile machine, which includes an engine that provides engine power to a generator that, in turn, provides generator power to a motor. The motor provides ground power to a travel mechanism that enables the mobile machine to travel across a terrain surface. In one embodiment, the method includes adjusting operation of the motor based on a determined ground speed of the mobile machine. Based on the adjusted motor operations, the operation of the generator is adjusted. Also, the operation of the engine is adjusted such that the engine produces an amount of engine power that meets a load demand corresponding to the adjusted operation of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Donald Betz, Stephen Carl Garnett, Chih Chieh Liang, Michael George Cronin
  • Patent number: 7460941
    Abstract: A method is provided for dissipating power in a propelled machine having an electric drive system and a mechanical brake system. An inclination of the machine is determined. A speed of the machine is determined. A retarding requirement is determined based on the determined inclination and speed. A first portion of the retarding requirement is allocated to be met by the electric drive system, the first portion being less than or equal to a retarding capacity of the electric drive system. A second portion of the retarding requirement is allocated to be met by the mechanical brake system if the retarding requirement is greater than the retarding capacity of the electric drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Roy Sychra, Stephen Carl Garnett
  • Publication number: 20080238187
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is provided having a reservoir configured to hold a supply of fluid. The hydraulic system also has a variable displacement pump configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydraulic system. In addition, the hydraulic system has a closed-loop portion configured to receive charge fluid from the variable displacement pump and drive a mechanism. The hydraulic system further has a pilot fluid supply portion configured to direct pilot control fluid from the variable displacement pump to closed-loop portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Carl Garnett, Michael Jon Grichnik, Randall Alan Harlow, David Jason McIntyre, Eric David Stemler, Timothy Lynn Hand, Adam Hendzel, Ryan Raymond Harken, Nathanael Garnet McRostie
  • Patent number: 7350611
    Abstract: A method is provided for controlling an electric drive work machine including an engine and an electric motor that provides power to enable the work machine to travel across a surface terrain at certain ground speeds. In one embodiment, the method may include detecting a reverse directional shift of the work machine causing the work machine to travel in a reverse direction. Further, the method may include performing an engine speed reduction process that reduces a current speed of the engine based on the detected reverse directional shift without reducing a ground speed of the work machine while traveling in the reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Michael Donald Betz, Stephen Carl Garnett, Chih Chieh Liang