Patents by Inventor Aaron B. Crabtree

Aaron B. Crabtree 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: 11920677
    Abstract: A system including a gearbox and a hydraulic machine connected by a working fluid circuit. The gearbox including a gearbox housing having first and second gearbox fluid passages integrated into the gearbox housing. The hydraulic machine including a case having first and second hydraulic machine fluid passages, the first and second hydraulic machine fluid passages being integrated into the case. A set of rotating elements enclosed within the case. The first gearbox fluid passage and the first hydraulic machine fluid passage align to form a feed passage to conduct fluid at a first pressure from a first source to the set of rotating elements. The second gearbox fluid passage and the second hydraulic machine fluid passage align to form a charge passage to conduct fluid at a second pressure from a second source to the set of rotating elements. The first pressure being less than the second pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. Pruess, Aaron B. Crabtree, Jeremiah C Johnson
  • Publication number: 20230243419
    Abstract: A system including a gearbox and a hydraulic machine connected by a working fluid circuit. The gearbox including a gearbox housing having first and second gearbox fluid passages integrated into the gearbox housing. The hydraulic machine including a case having first and second hydraulic machine fluid passages, the first and second hydraulic machine fluid passages being integrated into the case. A set of rotating elements enclosed within the case. The first gearbox fluid passage and the first hydraulic machine fluid passage align to form a feed passage to conduct fluid at a first pressure from a first source to the set of rotating elements. The second gearbox fluid passage and the second hydraulic machine fluid passage align to form a charge passage to conduct fluid at a second pressure from a second source to the set of rotating elements. The first pressure being less than the second pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher W. PRUESS, Aaron B. CRABTREE, Jeremiah C. JOHNSON
  • Publication number: 20200340577
    Abstract: A transmission for a machine is disclosed. The transmission may comprise a torque path providing a path for transmission of torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, and a single clutch element along the torque path. The transmission may further comprise a clutch actuator configured to actuate engagement of the clutch element, and a clutch pressure control (CPC) valve configured to permit a flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch actuator through a control pressure line when in an open position to cause the clutch actuator to actuate engagement of the clutch element. The transmission may further comprise a failure mode response (FMR) valve in the control pressure line between the CPC valve and the clutch actuator. The FMR valve may have a failure position obstructing flow of the hydraulic fluid from the CPC valve to the clutch actuator when the CPC valve is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Lister, Gaurav Vasudeva, Konrad Garrett, Aaron B. Crabtree, Michael Beyer
  • Patent number: 10801612
    Abstract: A transmission for a machine is disclosed. The transmission may comprise a torque path providing a path for transmission of torque from an input shaft to an output shaft, and a single clutch element along the torque path. The transmission may further comprise a clutch actuator configured to actuate engagement of the clutch element, and a clutch pressure control (CPC) valve configured to permit a flow of hydraulic fluid to the clutch actuator through a control pressure line when in an open position to cause the clutch actuator to actuate engagement of the clutch element. The transmission may further comprise a failure mode response (FMR) valve in the control pressure line between the CPC valve and the clutch actuator. The FMR valve may have a failure position obstructing flow of the hydraulic fluid from the CPC valve to the clutch actuator when the CPC valve is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian E. Lister, Gaurav Vasudeva, Konrad Garrett, Aaron B. Crabtree, Michael Beyer