Patents by Inventor Brian J. Schlenker
Brian J. Schlenker 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).
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Patent number: 11885081Abstract: A milling machine includes a rotor drive transmission having a plurality of gears disposed between a prime mover and a cutting rotor. The rotor drive transmission is associated with a rotor transmission hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic gearshift actuator to engage the plurality of gears in one or more gear ratios and a gearshift directional control valve to direct hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic gearshift actuator. In occurrence of a fault condition, the rotor transmission hydraulic circuit includes a gearshift trapping valve to maintain hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic gear actuator and the engaged gear ratio of the rotor drive transmission.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: January 30, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Derek P. Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Brian J. Schlenker, Ryan A. Enot
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Patent number: 11821153Abstract: A propelled milling machine includes a cutting rotor that receives power from an internal combustion engine via a rotor drivetrain. To adjust the speed of the cutting rotor, the rotor drivetrain includes a rotor drivetrain transmission operatively associated with a rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit. To regulate temperature of the lubricant, a heat exchanger circuit is associated with the rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit and includes a rotor drivetrain lubricant heat exchanger and a rotor drivetrain lubricant pump assembly. The quantity of lubricant directed to the heat exchanger is regulated based on one or more sensed operating parameters associated with the lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2021Date of Patent: November 21, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Publication number: 20230349110Abstract: A system for predicting maintenance of an endless flexible member of a road construction machine. The system includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor detects a distance between a frame portion and a roller portion. The roller portion is movable with respect to the frame portion to tension the endless flexible member, which is configured to convey materials or power in the road construction machine. The controller is communicably coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to compute a change in the distance over time between the frame portion and the roller portion that is required to maintain proper working tension on the endless flexible member; and generate alerts when a value associated with the change in the distance exceeds one or more predetermined threshold values.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2022Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Timothy M. O'Donnell, Brian J. Schlenker
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Patent number: 11802385Abstract: A machine for road work for road work, the machine can comprise: a frame, a drive system including a power source carried by the frame, a milling system driven by the power source and a controller. The milling system can comprise: a rotor configured to rotate and remove an amount of material from a working area; a drive member coupling the rotor to be driven by the power source; a tensioner assembly configured to tension the drive member; and a sensor configured to measure the tension of the drive member. The controller can be configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, determine if the rotor has encountered an object capable of damaging the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
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Patent number: 11612906Abstract: A work machine can include a frame; a spray system couple to the frame and including a spray bar having a plurality of nozzles; a pressure sensor to detect a pressure of a liquid within the spray bar; and a controller to determine whether the detected pressure of the liquid within the spray bar has exceeded a pre-determined pressure threshold.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2020Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
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Publication number: 20230055131Abstract: A propelled milling machine includes a cutting rotor that receives power from an internal combustion engine via a rotor drivetrain. To adjust the speed of the cutting rotor, the rotor drivetrain includes a rotor drivetrain transmission operatively associated with a rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit. To regulate temperature of the lubricant, a heat exchanger circuit is associated with the rotor drivetrain lubrication circuit and includes a rotor drivetrain lubricant heat exchanger and a rotor drivetrain lubricant pump assembly. The quantity of lubricant directed to the heat exchanger is regulated based on one or more sensed operating parameters associated with the lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2021Publication date: February 23, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Derek P. Nieuwsma, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz
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Publication number: 20230051433Abstract: A milling machine includes a rotor drive transmission having a plurality of gears disposed between a prime mover and a cutting rotor. The rotor drive transmission is associated with a rotor transmission hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic gearshift actuator to engage the plurality of gears in one or more gear ratios and a gearshift directional control valve to direct hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic gearshift actuator. In occurrence of a fault condition, the rotor transmission hydraulic circuit includes a gearshift trapping valve to maintain hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic gear actuator and the engaged gear ratio of the rotor drive transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2021Publication date: February 16, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Derek P. Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Brian J. Schlenker, Ryan A. Enot
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Patent number: 11460052Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a hydraulic circuit of a working machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system can include a first hydraulic cylinder assembly, a second hydraulic cylinder assembly, a third hydraulic cylinder assembly and a valve. When coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder assembly and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly, the third hydraulic cylinder assembly can be configured to control a flow of a hydraulic fluid between the first hydraulic cylinder assembly and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly to limit an extent of travel of the first piston and an extent of travel of the second piston.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma
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Publication number: 20220176400Abstract: A work machine can include a frame; a spray system couple to the frame and including a spray bar having a plurality of nozzles; a pressure sensor to detect a pressure of a liquid within the spray bar; and a controller to determine whether the detected pressure of the liquid within the spray bar has exceeded a pre-determined pressure threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
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Patent number: 11203842Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotating drive component for a drive train, the rotating drive component comprising a first rotating element and a second rotating element, wherein the first rotating element and the second rotating element are arranged in a concentric arrangement such that the second rotating element is positioned within the first rotating element; and a shear element extending radially between and coupled to each of the first rotating element and the second rotating element, the shear element having a lower breaking strength than other components in the drive train, wherein if the shear element breaks, the first rotating element and the second rotating element are decoupled from each other and rotate independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Craig T. Hedstrom, Brian J. Schlenker, Nathan L. Mashek
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Patent number: 11193246Abstract: A road work machine comprises a frame, a plurality of ground engaging units, a plurality of vertically moveable legs connecting the plurality of ground engaging units to the frame, respectively, a hydraulic system to control heights of the plurality of vertically moveable legs, pressure sensors for sensing hydraulic pressures in the plurality of vertically movable legs, and a controller configured to, in response to signals received from the pressure sensors, generate a control signal. A method for ride control can comprise adjusting an attitude of the machine in response to sensed pressures.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir, Derek P. Nieuwsma
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Publication number: 20210363707Abstract: A machine for road work for road work, the machine can comprise: a frame, a drive system including a power source carried by the frame, a milling system driven by the power source and a controller. The milling system can comprise: a rotor configured to rotate and remove an amount of material from a working area; a drive member coupling the rotor to be driven by the power source; a tensioner assembly configured to tension the drive member; and a sensor configured to measure the tension of the drive member. The controller can be configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, determine if the rotor has encountered an object capable of damaging the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: November 25, 2021Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
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Patent number: 11168750Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary mixer is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2019Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir, Ryan A. Enot, Jacob M. Saari, Derek Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan
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Patent number: 11136732Abstract: A milling machine may include a frame. The milling machine may include a first wheel and a second wheel connected to a first end of the frame, and a third wheel connected to a second end of the frame. The milling machine may include a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg connecting the frame and the first wheel, the second wheel, and the third wheel, respectively. The milling machine may include a pair of arms pivotably connected to opposite sides of the frame. The milling machine may have a milling drum rotatably connected to the arms with a rotational axis parallel to the pivot axis. Further, the milling machine may have an engine that rotates the milling drum via a transmission. An output shaft of the engine positioned transverse to the frame may have an output shaft axis spaced apart from the pivot axis of the arms.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Dustin W. Sondreal, Brian J. Schlenker
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Patent number: 11111639Abstract: A machine for road work for road work, the machine can comprise: a frame, a drive system including a power source carried by the frame, a milling system driven by the power source and a controller. The milling system can comprise: a rotor configured to rotate and remove an amount of material from a working area; a drive member coupling the rotor to be driven by the power source; a tensioner assembly configured to tension the drive member; and a sensor configured to measure the tension of the drive member. The controller can be configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, determine if the rotor has encountered an object capable of damaging the rotor.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2019Date of Patent: September 7, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
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Publication number: 20210231134Abstract: A hydraulic system for controlling a hydraulic circuit of a working machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system can include a first hydraulic cylinder assembly, a second hydraulic cylinder assembly, a third hydraulic cylinder assembly and a valve. When coupled to the first hydraulic cylinder assembly and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly, the third hydraulic cylinder assembly can be configured to control a flow of a hydraulic fluid between the first hydraulic cylinder assembly and the second hydraulic cylinder assembly to limit an extent of travel of the first piston and an extent of travel of the second piston.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma
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Publication number: 20210230819Abstract: A milling machine may include a frame. The milling machine may include a first wheel and a second wheel connected to a first end of the frame, and a third wheel connected to a second end of the frame. The milling machine may include a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg connecting the frame and the first wheel, the second wheel, and the third wheel, respectively. The milling machine may include a pair of arms pivotably connected to opposite sides of the frame. The milling machine may have a milling drum rotatably connected to the arms with a rotational axis parallel to the pivot axis. Further, the milling machine may have an engine that rotates the milling drum via a transmission. An output shaft of the engine positioned transverse to the frame may have an output shaft axis spaced apart from the pivot axis of the arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2020Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Dustin W. SONDREAL, Brian J. SCHLENKER
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Publication number: 20210108684Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotating drive component for a drive train, the rotating drive component comprising a first rotating element and a second rotating element, wherein the first rotating element and the second rotating element are arranged in a concentric arrangement such that the second rotating element is positioned within the first rotating element; and a shear element extending radially between and coupled to each of the first rotating element and the second rotating element, the shear element having a lower breaking strength than other components in the drive train, wherein if the shear element breaks, the first rotating element and the second rotating element are decoupled from each other and rotate independently of each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2019Publication date: April 15, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Craig T. Hedstrom, Brian J. Schlenker, Nathan L. Mashek
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Publication number: 20210010213Abstract: A machine for road work for road work, the machine can comprise: a frame, a drive system including a power source carried by the frame, a milling system driven by the power source and a controller. The milling system can comprise: a rotor configured to rotate and remove an amount of material from a working area a drive member coupling the rotor to be driven by the power source; a tensioner assembly configured to tension the drive member; and a sensor configured to measure the tension of the drive member. The controller can be configured to, in response to a signal received from the sensor, determine if the rotor has encountered an object capable of damaging the rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2019Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
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Patent number: 10876260Abstract: An implement with a ground-engaging tool may include a frame supported above a surface of a ground by a ground-engaging portion and a suspension and a tool supported by and adjustable relative to the frame and configured for working the ground. The implement may also include a plurality of ground sensors configured for capturing distance measurements to determine the position of the frame relative to the surface and a control and monitor system configured for establishing a nominal scratch position of the tool relative to the surface based on the distance measurements. A method of controlling a rotor tool depth of a milling machine and a method of operating a milling machine are also described.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma