Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Alan J. Hickman
  • Patent number: 5974801
    Abstract: A system for controlling boost pressure at various different altitudes of operation of a turbo charged internal combustion engine includes a wastegate valve, an actuator and a controller. Signals delivered from an engine speed sensor, a boost pressure transducer and a barometric pressure sensor are processed in the controller. A control signal delivered from the controller to the actuator controls the position of the wastegate valve, bypass of exhaust gasses and the speed of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip J. Houtz
  • Patent number: 5971425
    Abstract: A suspension system is provided for a load carrying body of a load carrying machine. The suspension system includes a longitudinal frame, first and second axle assemblies, first and second suspension members, first and second balance beams, a first pair of flexible members, and a second pair of flexible members. The first pair of flexible members, and the second pair of flexible members are connected in the system at a predetermined location at which shear is reduced and service life is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Dinsley, Terence Fairless, John Hufford, Anthony J. Pollock
  • Patent number: 5970941
    Abstract: A cylinder liner for an internal combustion engine is externally threaded at a first end portion. An annular groove having a threaded first side surface is disposed in a cylinder head. The cylinder liner is screwthreadably engaged with threaded annular groove, forcibly engaged with an end surface of the annular groove, and sealed by side thread loading. A seal member and ring disposed about the cylinder liner and in a coolant passage isolates the threads from coolant fluid and optimizes cylinder liner cooling. A minimum crevice volume is provided between the annular groove and the cylinder liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Allyn P. Bock
  • Patent number: 5967109
    Abstract: Past applications have found that a joint becomes damaged due to the high loading and vibration loads in which it encounters during operation. The counterbored joint utilizes the flexible shim that is larger than the body receiving bore. A undercut is machined into the body receiving bore which allows for the flexible shim to be placed within the body receiving bore between the first and second step surfaces. The first step surface is parallel to the second step surface which distributes stresses uniformly and helps in sealing. The principal use is for a cylinder liner joint, however any joint that is highly loaded or encounters vibrational loads will benefit from this invention. For example, a hydraulic joint that utilizes a piston in operation may be remanufactured with this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Judson R. Bruce, Randy L. Marquis
  • Patent number: 5964310
    Abstract: A supporting structure pivotally connects a first end portion of an operator's station to a first end portion of a supporting frame. A dampening device is connected to a second end portion of the operator's station and controls elevational movement of the second end portion of the operator's station in response to pivotal movement of the first end portion. A stop is connected between the second end portion of the operator's station and the supporting frame. The stop maintains the second end portion from excessive elevational movement during the application of excessive forces to the operator's station and prevents damage to the dampening device caused by excessive elevational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Sven B. Gyllner
  • Patent number: 5944130
    Abstract: First and second differentials are pivotally connected beneath the frame of a work machine by trunnion supporting members and first and second pairs of trunnions. Output and input shafts extend through bores disposed in the first and second trunnions and are connected to a power transferring shaft by a pair of joints. A distance "L" between a center of universal movement of the joints is minimized. The first differential includes a transfer gear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andy Sewell
  • Patent number: 5937837
    Abstract: A crankcase blowby disposal system for a reciprocating engine comprising a heat exchanger in fluid communication with an oil filter and the crankcase in which blowby comprising oil droplets, oil mist, oil vapor, water vapor and other gases, the blowby is vented from the crankcase, passes through the heat exchanger which cools the blowby to a temperature below the dew point of the oil vapor and above the dew point of the water vapor, whereby the oil vapor condenses and the water vapor does not condense, then the cooled blowby passes through an oil filter which removes essentially all the oil from the blowby, the oil free blowby is then returned to the engine intake or exhaust or vented to the atmosphere, the oil collected in the oil filter may be returned to the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Shaffer, Richard P. Staab
  • Patent number: 5934650
    Abstract: A first tubular member is rigidly connected to a load engaging implement and a second tubular member is disposed in and retained in the first tubular member. The second tubular member is connected to a fluid operated jack. The second tubular member is rotatable in the first tubular member and maintains a cylinder housing and rod of the fluid operated jack for relative rotation. A fastener pivotally connects the fluid operated jack to the second tubular housing and a fixed member mounted on a load supporting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter F. Prillinger, Christopher J. Smith, David A. Young
  • Patent number: 5932948
    Abstract: A V-block assembly for an electrical machine having a rotor with a spider and poles disposed in a circular array around the spider and conductive windings encircling the poles comprising a dovetail groove in the spider between adjacent poles and a plurality of V-blocks each comprising a pair of flat bars having one end abutting, the abutting end being formed to fit the dovetail, the flat bars being bent outwardly to form a V and a jack screw fastened between the flat bars adjacent the open end to press the bars against the windings of adjacent poles to prevent the windings from moving laterally and radially outward as the rotor rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Morrison, Craig Peterson
  • Patent number: 5931255
    Abstract: A power transfer arrangement has a transmission mounted on a prime mover of a machine and at a predetermined angle "b" relative to an elevational plane of a longitudinal machine axis. The prime mover is at a predetermined angle "a" relative to the longitudinal machine axis. A first drive shaft is connected to deliver rotary power between first and second spaced differentials mounted on and beneath a frame of the machine. A second drive shaft, at a predetermined angle "c" relative to the longitudinal centerline of the prime mover and at a predetermined angle "d" relative to the longitudinal machine axis, is connected to deliver rotary power between the prime mover and the differentials. The first and second drive shafts are elevationally beneath the frame and substantially in a transverse plane of the longitudinal machine axis. A transfer gear case of the second differential transfers rotary power from the second drive shaft to the first drive shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew J. Sewell
  • Patent number: 5927390
    Abstract: A modular radiator arrangement having first and second rows of spaced apart radiator core modules and air directing ducts provide a compact radiator arrangement. The air directing ducts are disposed in spaces between adjacent radiator core modules of the first row and about the radiator core modules of the second row located in alignment with the spaces of the first row of radiator core modules provides cooling air flow of substantially the same temperature to each of the first and second rows of radiator core modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Lehman
  • Patent number: 5924478
    Abstract: A mobile work machine is provided with an onboard washing system. The washing system has a mixing device which mixes a predetermined amount of concentrated cleaning fluid with water based on the flow rate of water passing through the mixing device and delivers a resulting washing fluid mixture to a sprayer for delivery by a plurality of nozzles toward a radiator core. A fan further induces the washing fluid mixture to pass through the radiator core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Steven E. Crocker
  • Patent number: 5924825
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to a thread cutting insert and more particularly to a thread cutting insert comprising a base and a threading portion. The threading portion has a first thread removal portion and a second thread removal portion for minimizing lead-in and exiting threads, and a cutting portion for cutting a plurality of internal threads. The principle use is for applications that have fluid communicated through the workpiece, such as a fuel injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Francis M. Schwab, Theodore D. Steidinger
  • Patent number: 5896802
    Abstract: A rotating device for a diesel motor comprises a unit having a plurality of pneumatic cylinders that can be brought into mating engagement with teeth on a flywheel of the motor. Each pneumatic cylinder, under the control of a control unit, is actuated and sequentially pushed into the teeth such that a counter-clockwise or clockwise rotation is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: MaK Motren GmbH
    Inventors: Rudiger Hass, Helmut Burger, Pay Brodersen, Hartmut Bartel, Per Bork
  • Patent number: 5880710
    Abstract: In the field of engine-powered vehicles is desirable to monitor vehicle operating parameters and provide a vehicle operator with an indication when the monitored parameters enter undesirable operating conditions. It is further desirable in many instances to provide a visual indication of the relative magnitude of the sensed parameter which is in an undesirable operating condition. The subject invention provides an apparatus for monitoring the operating condition of a vehicle of the type having a plurality of sensor devices for sensing separate vehicle parameters and producing respective parameter signals responsive to the sensed parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sam H. Jaberi, J. Martin Hadank
  • Patent number: 5877428
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring elastomeric properties of a specimen during a test procedure includes a first compression member. The apparatus also includes a second compression member. Moreover, the apparatus includes a load cell having a body and a movable probe. The body is fixed in relation to the first compression member. The apparatus also includes a load transferring member positioned in contact with the probe. The specimen is interposed between the load transferring member and the second compression member. The apparatus also includes a bolt which contacts both the first compression member and the second compression member so as to maintain a constant distance therebetween during the test procedure. A method for measuring elastomeric properties of a specimen during a test procedure is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Chris J. Scolton
  • Patent number: 5873248
    Abstract: A system for controlling boost pressure at various different altitudes of operation of a turbo charged internal combustion engine includes a wastegate valve, an actuator and a controller. Signals delivered from an engine speed sensor, a boost pressure transducer and a barometric pressure sensor are processed in the controller. A control signal delivered from the controller to the actuator controls the position of the wastegate valve, bypass of exhaust gasses and the speed of the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip J. Houtz
  • Patent number: 5868317
    Abstract: A fuel injector having a plurality of spaced apart apertures modifies the rate of fluid flow of the fuel injectors. The apertures are sequentially opened by movement of the intensifier piston in a piston bore passing actuating fluid flow at an increasing rate to a piston pressure chamber defined by a first end surface of the intensifier piston, a closed end surface of the piston bore and the cylindrical surface of the piston bore. The opening of the spaced apart fluid delivery apertures provide a stepped rate trace. The stepped rate trace allows less fuel to be injected into the combustion chamber by injecting the fuel slower during the early phase of the combustion process where combustion is less harsh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. English
  • Patent number: 5856771
    Abstract: An armature assembly is provided for use in a solenoid actuator assembly having an energizable coil. The solenoid actuator assembly includes a housing and a bore disposed in the housing. The armature assembly has an outer surface and is positioned in the bore for axial sliding movement. The armature assembly has an outer surface which is of a diameter significantly less than a diameter of the bore and defines a fluid passage through the bore. Sleeve bearings are positioned at preselected spaced locations within the bore and extends about and in contact with a shaft of the armature assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew H. Nippert
  • Patent number: 5850341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring in real time the removal of material from a land site such as a mine by a mobile machine. A digitized three-dimensional model of the site is stored in a digital data storage and retrieval facility. The site model includes a model of the material to be removed subdivided into regions of differentiating characteristics, for example ore grade or type. The machine is provided with means for generating digital signals representing in real time the instantaneous position in three-dimensional space of at least a portion of the machine as it traverses the site. Loading signals are generated corresponding to the removal of material from the site by the machine, and an instantaneous loading position for the mobile machine relative to the site is recorded in response to the loading signal. The invention preferably includes a payload measurement system which measures each discrete load of material removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Fournier, Doug S. Gordon, Adam J. Gudat, Gregory R. Harrod, Daniel E. Henderson, Karl W. Kleimenhagen, William C. Sahm, Charles L. Schaidle, Ken R. Setterlund, Ron J. Siroky