Patents by Inventor Andy Hatcher

Andy Hatcher 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).

  • Hydraulic ride control system
    Patent number: 6357230
    Abstract: A hydraulic ride control system is disclosed and adapted to control the ride of a machine having a load. The ride control includes an accumulator arrangement that is selectively connected with the actuator that is carrying the load to provide a cushion ride during traveling and to enable the pressure in the accumulator arrangement to be maintained substantially the same as the pressure in the actuator when raising the load and to permit the pressure in the accumulator arrangement to be lowered to that of the pressure in the actuator in the event the load is lessened. The ride control system also provides an arrangement that permits the accumulator arrangement to be bled down whenever the machine becomes disabled or when the machine is shut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. A'Hearn, David J. Carlson, Thomas J. Hajek, Jr., Andy Hatcher, Michael D. Hudson, Patrick Quinn, Srikrishnan T. Tolappa