Patents by Inventor Steven C. Budde

Steven C. Budde 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).

  • Publication number: 20120323451
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for lifting a work tool of a mobile machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a pump, a lift actuator, a lift valve arrangement, and a lift sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of an actual lift velocity. The hydraulic system may also have a tilt actuator, a tilt valve arrangement, and at least one operator interface device movable to generate a second signal indicative of a desired lift velocity and a third signal indicative of desired tilt velocity. The hydraulic system may further have a controller configured to command the lift valve arrangement to meter pressurized based on the second signal, command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid based on the third signal, and command the tilt valve arrangement to meter pressurized fluid and maintain a desired tilt angle of the work tool during lifting based selectively on the first and second signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Aaron R. SHATTERS, Steven C. BUDDE, John T. REEDY, Robert E. STONE
  • Patent number: 8037807
    Abstract: A machine configured to prevent unintentional motion in a linkage pivotally connected to a frame may include a first hydraulic actuator connected to the linkage and a second hydraulic actuator connected to the linkage. The machine may include a sensor and an electronic control module in communication with the sensor. The electronic control module may be configured to close a valve of the first hydraulic cylinder and/or cancel an actuation command to one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator in response to the electronic control module determining unintentional motion of the linkage has occurred based on the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Merritt P. Callaghan, Justin P. Pahl, Brian W. Tracy, Joel C. Weber, Wayne E. Harshberger, Rajeev V. Kumar, Steven C. Budde
  • Patent number: 7908853
    Abstract: A method of allocating hydraulic fluid between two or more actuators in a machine processes a first command intended to provide a first requested fluid flow to a steering actuator for steering the machine, and a second command intended to provide a second requested fluid flow to a non-steeling actuator, such as a lift or tilt actuator. The system modifies the first and second commands to produce modified first and second commands corresponding to modified first and second fluid flows, such that the sum of the adjusted first and second fluid flows is less than or equal to a currently available flow and the modified first fluid flow meets or exceeds the lesser of the first requested fluid flow and a threshold curve that is a function of a machine variable such as engine speed or other variable or parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven C Budde, Brian D Hoff, Benjamin B Schmuck
  • Patent number: 7748279
    Abstract: A method of allocating hydraulic fluid between actuators in a machine accepts a first command to provide a first requested fluid flow to a first actuator, wherein the first actuator is a bounded actuator such as a steering actuator, and a second command to provide a second requested fluid flow to a second actuator. The system adjusts the first and second commands to produce adjusted first and second commands corresponding to adjusted first and second fluid flows, such that the sum of the adjusted first and second fluid flows is less than or equal to a maximum available flow and the adjusted first fluid flow meets or exceeds the lesser of the first requested fluid flow and a threshold curve that is a function of engine speed or other variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Steven C Budde, Brian D Hoff, Benjamin Schmuck
  • Patent number: 7738979
    Abstract: A control system for controlling one or more actuators in a machine in response to installation of a tool to the machine detects the installation of a tool to the machine and prompts a user of the machine to configure the operation of the controller with respect to at least one of the one or more actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Schmuck, Steven C. Budde
  • Publication number: 20090118844
    Abstract: A control system for controlling one or more actuators in a machine in response to installation of a tool to the machine detects the installation of a tool to the machine and prompts a user of the machine to configure the operation of the controller with respect to at least one of the one or more actuators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin B. Schmuck, Steven C. Budde
  • Publication number: 20090084192
    Abstract: A method of allocating hydraulic fluid between actuators in a machine accepts a first command to provide a first requested fluid flow to a first actuator, wherein the first actuator is a bounded actuator such as a steering actuator, and a second command to provide a second requested fluid flow to a second actuator. The system adjusts the first and second commands to produce adjusted first and second commands corresponding to adjusted first and second fluid flows, such that the sum of the adjusted first and second fluid flows is less than or equal to a maximum available flow and the adjusted first fluid flow meets or exceeds the lesser of the first requested fluid flow and a threshold curve that is a function of engine speed or other variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Budde, Brian D. Hoff, Benjamin Schmuck
  • Publication number: 20090084103
    Abstract: A method of allocating hydraulic fluid between two or more actuators in a machine processes a first command intended to provide a first requested fluid flow to a steering actuator for steering the machine, and a second command intended to provide a second requested fluid flow to a non-steeling actuator, such as a lift or tilt actuator. The system modifies the first and second commands to produce modified first and second commands corresponding to modified first and second fluid flows, such that the sum of the adjusted first and second fluid flows is less than or equal to a currently available flow and the modified first fluid flow meets or exceeds the lesser of the first requested fluid flow and a threshold curve that is a function of a machine variable such as engine speed or other variable or parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Steven C. Budde, Brian D. Hoff, Benjamin D. Schmuck
  • Publication number: 20080295679
    Abstract: A machine configured to prevent unintentional motion in a linkage pivotally connected to a frame may include a first hydraulic actuator connected to the linkage and a second hydraulic actuator connected to the linkage. The machine may include a sensor and an electronic control module in communication with the sensor. The electronic control module may be configured to close a valve of the first hydraulic cylinder and/or cancel an actuation command to one of the first hydraulic actuator and the second hydraulic actuator in response to the electronic control module determining unintentional motion of the linkage has occurred based on the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Merritt P. Callaghan, Justin P. Pahl, Brian W. Tracy, Joel C. Weber, Wayne E. Harshberger, Rajeev V. Kumar, Steven C. Budde
  • Patent number: 6879899
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic bucket control system during loading of a work implement of a work machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining when the work implement engages a pile of material, initiating the automatic bucket control system in response to the work implement engaging the pile of material, determining a ground speed of the work machine, and generating a lift command based upon the ground speed. After fully engaging the material, the system may further adjust tilt commands and/or lift commands based upon a monitored crowd factor to control operation of the work implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Steven C. Budde
  • Publication number: 20040117092
    Abstract: A method for controlling an automatic bucket control system during loading of a work implement of a work machine is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining when the work implement engages a pile of material, initiating the automatic bucket control system in response to the work implement engaging the pile of material, determining a ground speed of the work machine, and generating a lift command based upon the ground speed. After fully engaging the material, the system may further adjust tilt commands and/or lift commands based upon a monitored crowd factor to control operation of the work implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventor: Steven C. Budde
  • Patent number: D598023
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Norman R. Miller, Steven C. Budde, Jamie L. McClintock, Rafael R. Dela Rosa, Lalit S. Deshpande, Robert L. Stamate, Douglas J. Husted