Patents by Inventor Steven J. Juricak

Steven J. Juricak 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: 10774850
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine includes a first pump, an implement pump, a control valve, and an auxiliary circuit. The first pump is configured to supply a first fluid flow to a first circuit, such as a steering circuit. The implement pump is configured to supply a second fluid flow to an implement circuit to actuate a primary implement function. The auxiliary circuit is configured to deliver fluid flow to actuate an auxiliary implement function. The auxiliary circuit is fluidly coupled to the implement circuit. The auxiliary circuit is also coupled to the first circuit by the control valve. The control valve is located downstream, in the direction of fluid flow, of the implement pump and the first pump. The control valve is configured to allow at least a portion of the first fluid flow to enter the auxiliary circuit and be delivered to the auxiliary implement function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Steven J. Juricak, David J. Lomax, Paul A. Rousseau
  • Publication number: 20190323525
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine includes a first pump, an implement pump, a control valve, and an auxiliary circuit. The first pump is configured to supply a first fluid flow to a first circuit, such as a steering circuit. The implement pump is configured to supply a second fluid flow to an implement circuit to actuate a primary implement function. The auxiliary circuit is configured to deliver fluid flow to actuate an auxiliary implement function. The auxiliary circuit is fluidly coupled to the implement circuit. The auxiliary circuit is also coupled to the first circuit by the control valve. The control valve is located downstream, in the direction of fluid flow, of the implement pump and the first pump. The control valve is configured to allow at least a portion of the first fluid flow to enter the auxiliary circuit and be delivered to the auxiliary implement function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Steven J. Juricak, David J. Lomax, Paul A. Rousseau
  • Patent number: 9533661
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Steven J. Juricak, Jason M. Buckmier, Joshua D. Callaway, Korby A. Koch, Brian F. Taggart
  • Publication number: 20160375880
    Abstract: Systems and methods for simulating electro-hydraulic (EH) braking of a work machine using a combination of hydraulic braking and engine braking may include determining a commanded brake pressure requested by an operator, determining an available engine braking force, and comparing the available engine braking force to a maximum available bleed pressure that is available to reduce a hydraulic braking force. An engine braking output and a pressure reducing valve output pressure may be determined based on the available engine braking force and the maximum available bleed pressure. A pressure reducing valve may be actuated so that the hydraulic braking force is equal to the commanded brake pressure minus the pressure reducing valve output pressure, and a transmission may be actuated so that the engine applies an engine braking force equivalent to the engine braking output to brake the work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Steven J. Juricak, Jason M. Buckmier, Joshua D. Callaway, Korby A. Koch, Brian F. Taggart
  • Patent number: 9091343
    Abstract: A system for driving a machine is provided. A user input device inputs a desired throttle setting for the machine. The system includes an infinitely variable transmission having a transmission ratio that is adjustable. At least one sensor determines an inclination of the machine relative to a reference plane. A controller is configured to determine and apply a variable rate limit upon change in the transmission ratio based on the inclination of the machine when the desired throttle setting is reduced more than a predetermined amount and to adjust the rate limit based on the difference between an actual engine speed and a desired engine speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Callaway, Steven J. Juricak, Corwin E. Storer
  • Publication number: 20150198246
    Abstract: A system for driving a machine is provided. A user input device inputs a desired throttle setting for the machine. The system includes an infinitely variable transmission having a transmission ratio that is adjustable. At least one sensor determines an inclination of the machine relative to a reference plane. A controller is configured to determine and apply a variable rate limit upon change in the transmission ratio based on the inclination of the machine when the desired throttle setting is reduced more than a predetermined amount and to adjust the rate limit based on the difference between an actual engine speed and a desired engine speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Callaway, Steven J. Juricak, Corwin E. Storer
  • Patent number: 7798277
    Abstract: A system is provided for controllably absorbing energy associated with a machine. The system may include a power source configured to provide power to a hydraulic pump, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to provide a flow of fluid to a hydraulic dissipation circuit and to one or more implement system hydraulic cylinders, and wherein the hydraulic dissipation circuit is configured to generate a load associated with the hydraulic pump. The system may also include at least one valve configured to provide the flow of fluid to the hydraulic dissipation circuit in response to one or more control signals and a controller configured to receive an input signal from an operator actuated device, and generate the one or more control signals based on the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Steven J. Juricak, Bradley J. LaForest, Arthur Milkowski, Michael A. Spielman
  • Publication number: 20080298977
    Abstract: A system is provided for controllably absorbing energy associated with a machine. The system may include a power source configured to provide power to a hydraulic pump, wherein the hydraulic pump is configured to provide a flow of fluid to a hydraulic dissipation circuit and to one or more implement system hydraulic cylinders, and wherein the hydraulic dissipation circuit is configured to generate a load associated with the hydraulic pump. The system may also include at least one valve configured to provide the flow of fluid to the hydraulic dissipation circuit in response to one or more control signals and a controller configured to receive an input signal from an operator actuated device, and generate the one or more control signals based on the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Steven J. Juricak, Bradley J. LaForest, Arthur Milkowski, Michael A. Spielman