Patents Assigned to Clark Equipment Company
  • Patent number: 11149759
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include hydraulic systems which provide power to lift, tilt and auxiliary (e.g., implement) functions, including high-flow auxiliary functions, with increased efficiency. Disclosed embodiments incorporate a single variable displacement pump that supplies pressurized fluid to a main control valve (e.g., for lift, tilt, and auxiliary functions) and a bypass circuit. The main control valve supplies fluid to control lift, tilt, and auxiliary flow for implements. The bypass circuit combines flow with the output of the auxiliary section of the main control valve to optionally provide high-flow for selected implements. The single variable displacement pump can then be set to different output flow levels, with the bypass circuit functioning differently under different conditions to optimize hydraulic flow to carryout various tasks under various conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Young, Jason R. Coombs
  • Patent number: 11142885
    Abstract: A lift arm structure for a power machine with a frame can include a multi-bar linkage that is pivotally secured to the frame and a leveling link that is pivotally secured to the multi-bar linkage. The leveling link can be configured to transmit force from the leveling link to an implement as the multi-bar linkage is actuated to raise or lower the implement, including via a multi joint member that is pivotally secured to the leveling link, the multi-bar linkage, and an actuator that is configured to move the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Daniel J. Krieger
  • Patent number: 11105065
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines, such as front-end loaders and utility vehicles, with a lift arm and a bucket leveling system utilizing four-bar linkages which mechanically level an attached implement as the lift arm is raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: David Glasser, Daniel J. Krieger
  • Patent number: 11104218
    Abstract: Power machine fuel tanks include a plug receptacle and a cover for the plug receptacle which seals the plug receptacle from an interior of the fuel tank. A receptacle insert positioned within the plug receptacle allows a fuel plug to be removably secured to the fuel tank. The cover prevents leakage from inside the fuel tank through the plug receptacle, regardless of whether the plug is secured within the receptacle insert, unless the cover has been removed from a sealing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Craig R. Roske, Russell Honeyman
  • Patent number: 11052715
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes independent suspension systems or members, as well as wheeled skid steer loaders or other power machines including the same, that couple each wheel to a machine frame using a four-bar linkage, with the four bars including the frame of the machine, an upper control arm, a lower control arm, and a wheel carrier link. Each control arm is pivotally attached to both the machine frame and one end of the wheel carrier link. The four pivots between the control arms and the wheel carrier link are configured to all be contained within cylinder defined by the outer diameter of the wheel rim, allowing for a compact structure with the wheel carrier link and at least part of the control arms being positioned within this volume when the loader is in a resting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas J. Tokach, Daniel J. Krieger, Jeffrey A. Dahl
  • Patent number: 11053666
    Abstract: Excavator having a stop positioned on a boom to protect a boom actuator from damage due to impact with an implement such as a blade, impact with handled material, or impact with other debris or objects. Boom actuators include an override device to allow the boom to be lowered in the event of an accident or component failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Jaroslav Fiser, Martin Masa, Bohuslav Vasicek
  • Patent number: 11047110
    Abstract: A hydraulic sub-assembly of the present disclosure can be used with a power machine. The hydraulic sub-assembly can include a support panel and a plurality of components secured to the support panel, to be supported by the support panel relative to the power machine. The plurality of components can include a control valve configured to provide hydraulic control of the work functions and hydraulic. The support panel can be configured to be a structural portion of a cab of the power machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Mark Binstock, Scott LaCoe, Kjell Kroh, Kenneth L. Dieter
  • Patent number: 11047297
    Abstract: A movable electrical generation system includes a generator operable to produce a supply of electrical energy, a prime mover operable to drive the generator, a first fuel, a second fuel different from the first fuel, and a fuel selector valve assembly operable to selectively deliver the first fuel and the second fuel to the prime mover, wherein in response to a transition from delivery of the first fuel to the prime mover to delivery of the second fuel to the prime mover, both the first and second fuels are delivered to the prime mover before cessation of delivery of the first fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas Harknett, Chinmay Bhatt
  • Patent number: 11041434
    Abstract: A movable electrical generation system includes a generator operable to produce a supply of electrical energy, a prime mover operable to drive the generator, a first fuel, a second fuel different from the first fuel, a control system operable to deliver one of the first fuel and the second fuel to the prime mover and to control an electrical load applied to the generator based on one of a first fuel current protection limit and a second fuel current protection limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas Harknett, Chinmay Bhatt
  • Patent number: 10975807
    Abstract: An air compression system includes an internal combustion engine operable to produce a power output in response to combustion of a fuel-air mixture, and an air compressor driven by the internal combustion engine and operable to draw in atmospheric air and discharge a mixed flow of compressed air and water. A water injection system supplies water to the fuel-air mixture and into the internal combustion engine, a separator assembly in communication with the air compressor separates a portion of the water from the compressed air, and a water passageway interconnects the separator assembly and the water injection system such that the air compressor supplies water to the water injection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard Kouzel
  • Patent number: 10975897
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines, and hydraulic systems for power machines, in which a machine controller is configured to detect high temperature conditions of the hydraulic oil and to responsively control or reduce the overall torque available from the engine to reduce heat generation in the hydraulic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Charles Young, Brandon Kisse
  • Patent number: 10974778
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a track mounting tool for use with track removal from, and mounting on, a power machine. The tool includes features which aid in the tasks of track removal and/or track installation. In exemplary embodiments, the tool includes track hanger towers which are configurable to carry a track for mounting on, or after removal from, either side of a power machine. The tool includes a track engager mechanism, which is pivotable for use with either side of a power machine or for mounting of a track at a front or rear idler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Austin Soik, Anthony Brechting, Daniel Domitrovich, Joseph Fordahl, Andrew Jensen, Patrick Anderson
  • Patent number: 10971935
    Abstract: A power generation system including a controller area network (CAN) bus and a first power source having a first electrical generator, a first controller connected to the CAN bus, and a first resistor. The power generation system also includes a second power source having a second electrical generator, a second controller connected to the CAN bus, a second resistor, and a user-activated switch. The user-activated switch is movable between a first position, so that the second resistor acts as a terminating resistor to signify another end of the CAN bus and a second position so that the second resistor is prevented from acting as a terminating resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Nicholas Harknett, Sean Herman
  • Patent number: 10968600
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed to distributed hydraulic systems, and power machines such as excavators including distributed hydraulic systems. In the distributed hydraulic systems, electronically controlled distributor blocks are located throughout the machine, particularly along the lift arm, to locally distribute hydraulic power to actuators of the various machine and implement functions. Distributing control of hydraulics in multiple locations reduces the number of hoses that must be routed from a main control valve to the various actuators on the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Vaclav J. Jelinek, Michael L. Vought, Dobroslav Rak
  • Patent number: 10941532
    Abstract: A first work tool arm is rotatably attached to a frame or reference structure, a second work tool arm rotatably attached to the first work tool arm, and a work tool attached to an end of the second work tool arm. An actuator and a spring are each rotatably attached to the second work tool arm and configured such that separate movement of the first work tool arm relative to the frame or reference structure and movement of the second work tool arm and work tool relative to the first work tool arm are achieved with actuation of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Michal Slaby, Vaclav J. Jelinek, Michael L. Vought
  • Patent number: 10934681
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines and related structures of lift arms, implement carriers, follower links, and driver links which improve manufacturability, reduce component failures, and improve power machine design and functionality. In some embodiments, lift arm structures include cast lower lift arm portions. The cast lower lift arm portions include contoured upper ends which are sleeved onto contoured lower ends of upper lift arm portions to control stress points and to reduce stresses on welds. The follower link structures can include follower links which are configured to be positioned at least partially outside of the lift arm structure to improve rear visibility. The driver link structures can be configured to be laterally overlapping with innermost surfaces on the lift cylinder, but configured such that as the lift arm is raised the laterally overlapping portions are moved above the innermost surfaces of the lift cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Branden Schiwal
  • Patent number: 10934687
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include power machines, and hydraulic systems for power machines, in which a controller is configured to monitor the power in each of an implement circuit and a drive circuit and to adjust pump flow to manage engine power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventor: Charles Young
  • Patent number: D912101
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Tomas Pastier, Jan Smekal, Gul Nalcaci
  • Patent number: D915962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Tomas Pastier, Jan Smekal, Gul Nalcaci
  • Patent number: D924277
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Tomas Pastier, Jan Smekal, Gul Nalcaci