Patents Assigned to Caterpillar
  • Publication number: 20240141857
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine system is described herein. The system uses a switching rail in combination with a first fuel rail to operate the internal combustion engine of the system. The first fuel rail receives the first fuel for combustion within one or more of the combustion cylinders of the internal combustion engine. The switching rails are configured to receive either the first fuel or a second fuel. A controller is used to operate a switching valve that, depending on the position of the switching valve, routes or directs either the second fuel or the first fuel from their respective fuel tanks. In a switching condition, such as startup, shutdown, or when the second fuel is not available, the controller can use the first fuel as the alternate source of fuel provided through the switching rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hoisan Kim, Arnold Myoungjin Kim, Dana Ray Coldren, Eric Lee Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20240140168
    Abstract: A system for regulating an environment within an operator cabin of a machine via a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system includes a first sensor that generates a first signal of an amount of air pressure within the operator cabin, a second sensor that generates a second signal of an amount of carbon dioxide within the operator cabin, an air filtration element to direct pre-cleaned air into the operator cabin, an inlet valve disposed between the air filtration element and the HVAC system for controlling a flowrate of the pre-cleaned air to the HVAC system, and a controller. The controller actuates dynamic auto-control of the inlet valve to direct an optimally varying flowrate of the pre-cleaned air from the air filtration element to the HVAC system via the inlet valve to maximize a service life of the air filtration element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2022
    Publication date: May 2, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Elakhya Nedumaran, Liang Fan, Jiawei Sheng, Tao Meng, Bahman Gozloo, Dennis Lee Kroeger, Weixiu Wang, YOSABATH SAMRAJ M., Thanjavur Nagarajan Sriraam
  • Patent number: 11970844
    Abstract: In one aspect, a corner shroud includes a body that may have a floor portion having a floor rear surface, a floor inner surface, a floor lower surface, and a floor upper surface having a curved portion, a side portion, extending from the floor portion, and having a side outer surface, a side rear surface, a side inner surface, and a side upper surface, a front portion extending between the floor portion and the side portion, the front portion having a front surface, a front inner surface, and a front rear surface, and a top portion extending from the front portion, the top portion having a top upper surface, a top inner surface, a top lower surface, a top rear surface, and a top outer surface. The floor upper surface, the side inner surface, the front rear surface, the top lower surface, and the top inner surface define a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R Bjerke, Thomas M. Congdon
  • Patent number: 11970841
    Abstract: An adaptor includes a body defining a longitudinal axis, and a transverse axis that is normal to the longitudinal axis. The body also has a leading portion defining a lock receiving recess extending transversely at least partially through the leading portion, and a wire receiving conduit that is in communication with the lock receiving recess. The lock receiving recess defines a width and a depth with a ratio of the depth to width is greater than 1.0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas C. Serrurier
  • Patent number: 11972646
    Abstract: A controller may receive, from a sensor device of a machine, machine drivetrain data indicating a load, on a drivetrain of the machine, over a period of time. The controller may detect, based on the machine drivetrain data, one or more occurrences of a decrease in the load during the period of time. The controller may determine that the one or more occurrences, of the decrease in the load, are unexpected. The controller may detect wear of a component of an undercarriage of the machine based on determining that the one or more occurrences, of the decrease in the load, are unexpected. The controller may cause an action to be performed based on determining the wear of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric J. Johannsen
  • Patent number: 11969680
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a filter includes providing a computer-readable three-dimensional model of the filter, the three-dimensional model being configured to be converted into a plurality of slices that each define a cross-sectional layer of the filter, and successively forming each layer of the filter by additive manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Javier A. Rodriguez, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Philip Carl Spengler, Zen M. Abbey
  • Patent number: 11970376
    Abstract: A system for controlling a winch assembly includes a rotatable winch drum with an attached cable. A winch motor is configured to rotate the winch drum. A sensor is configured to generate signals indicative of the number of layers of the winch cable on the winch drum. A winch controller is configured to receive a control input requesting a selected rotation of the winch drum, receive the signals from the sensor, determine a number of layers of the winch cable disposed on the winch drum, and generate control commands to control the winch motor to rotate the winch drum based on the control input and the number of layers of the winch cable. The control command rotates the winch drum to produce a substantially constant line speed based on the selected control input independent of the number of layers determined to be disposed on the winch drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Caldwell, Benjamin Barbier
  • Patent number: 11970842
    Abstract: A retaining system includes a lock including a drive portion that defines an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, and further includes a locking portion including an outer peripheral surface. A wing extends radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, while the locking portion is connected to the drive portion by a wall. A rib extends axially from the wall toward the drive portion forming an annular cavity, defining at least one detent receiving aperture that is disposed in the annular cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 11970374
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The operator cabin may include a seat assembly. The operator cabin may be stationary with respect to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The engine may be provided in the rear portion. The boom may be provided forward with respect to the seat assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Caldwell, Donald L. Vance, Benjamin Barbier
  • Patent number: 11970375
    Abstract: A pipelayer machine may comprise a machine chassis; a towing winch assembly coupled to the machine chassis; an operator cabin supported by the machine chassis; an engine supported by the machine chassis; and a boom coupled to the machine chassis. The pipelayer machine may comprise a front portion and a rear portion. The towing winch assembly may be provided in the front portion of the pipelayer machine. The operator cabin may be provided between the towing winch assembly and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis John Caldwell, Donald L Vance, Benjamin Barbier
  • Publication number: 20240133356
    Abstract: A lubricated high pressure fuel pump assembly is provided, comprising a fuel pump, a sealed enclosure and a pump lubrication circuit. The fuel pump includes a pump drive shaft via which the fuel pump is configured to be mechanically driven. The sealed enclosure is configured to surround a first portion of the pump drive shaft, wherein the first portion is exterior to the fuel pump. The pump lubrication circuit comprises a lubricant reservoir and a lubricant pump configured to pump lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the pump drive shaft. The sealed enclosure is configured to prevent fluid leakage from the fuel pump via the first portion of the pump drive shaft and the lubricant reservoir is configured to collect the lubricant from the pump drive shaft, such that the lubricant is retained within the lubricated high pressure fuel pump assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert GRAUMÜLLER
  • Publication number: 20240136547
    Abstract: A fuel cell electrical power generation system is described herein. The system uses a combustor to increase the pressure and temperature of exhaust gases from a fuel cell stack of the system. The combustor uses hydrogen from a hydrogen supply to provide fuel to the combustor. The increased temperature/pressure of the exhaust gases post combustion are used to rotate a turbine, which in turn rotates a compressor of a turbocharger. The compressor compresses incoming air to increase the power output and/or the efficiency of the system. An ebooster can be used in low load conditions, such as during a startup or during at time in which the electrical loading on the fuel cells is relatively low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, David M. Ginter
  • Patent number: 11964312
    Abstract: A method and system for removing material build-up in a mixing chamber of a rotary mixer machine. The system includes one or more actuators coupled to the mixing chamber and to a frame of the rotary mixer machine. Further, the system includes a controller configured to receive an input and activate the one or more actuators in response to the input to induce a forward and backward rocking motion in the mixing chamber to cause a dislodgement of the material build-up from the mixing chamber. The mixing chamber executes the forward and backward rocking motion between a first position and a second position about an axis disposed transversally to a length of the rotary mixer machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Matthew Saari
  • Patent number: 11964581
    Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method may operatively couple to an integrated generator that supplies power to a component of a mobile machine that intermittently demands power during operation of the mobile machine and to a charging station. On condition that the component in the mobile machine does not need power, power may be supplied to the charging station. On condition that an electric mobile machine is connected to the charging station, power from the charging station may be supplied to the electric mobile machine. Otherwise, power may be supplied to the charging station in an energy accumulator to store the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Toby A. Frelich, Brian D. Nagel
  • Patent number: 11964711
    Abstract: A track link for a ground-engaging track system includes a link body having a pin bore formed in a first link strap and a bushing bore formed in a second link strap. The link body includes, upon an outboard link side, a bore peripheral surface extending circumferentially around a bore center axis, and a guide protrusion including an outer bump surface located outboard of the bore peripheral surface. The pin bore receives a track pin attached by swaging and defines a diametric plane through the bore center axis oriented parallel to an upper rail surface. At least a majority of the outer bump surface is between the diametric plane and the upper rail surface, and an entirety of the outer bump surface may be between the bore center axis and the upper rail surface. The guide protrusion protects material of the track link and/or track pin from wear that can prevent re-swaging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Richard Rust, Allen Jay Weeks
  • Patent number: 11965497
    Abstract: A reciprocating pump includes a fluid end having a body defining a plunger bore that engages a plunger sleeve with a threaded interface, where the plunger sleeve defines throughbore configured to receive a plunger operatively reciprocating within the plunger bore during operation of the reciprocating pump. A packing assembly including a plurality of stacked annular seals is disposed between the plunger sleeve and the plunger. A packing nut having a threaded profile for engagement with a threaded surface of the plunger bore asserts a load against the packing assembly to ensure a positive engagement with the plunger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: James Anthony Barnhouse
  • Patent number: D1024133
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Viorel Petrariu, Jonathan Richard Chittenden, Steven Ramey
  • Patent number: D1024914
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Yingjie Yang, Zhen Li, Fei Wang, Chengliang Shen
  • Patent number: D1025119
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Folken, Christian Herrera Hernandez, Joshua Smith, Fu P. Yuet
  • Patent number: D1025139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoling Zhu, Weijian Cheng, Leilei Wei, Zenggang Li