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).

  • Publication number: 20200308783
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Nathaniel S. Doy, Lee M. Hogan, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Brian J. Schlenker, Derek P. Nieuwsma
  • Publication number: 20200263366
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Publication date: August 20, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir, Derek P. Nieuwsma
  • Publication number: 20200248763
    Abstract: A rotor assembly for a rotary mixer is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: 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
  • Publication number: 20180135257
    Abstract: A rotor assembly includes a generally cylindrical rotor having a drive end and a bearing end opposite to the drive end. The rotor is rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The rotor assembly further includes a transmission contained substantially within the rotor at the drive end. The transmission has an input shaft and an output shaft offset from the input shaft. The output shaft is operatively coupled to the rotor and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor. The rotor assembly further includes a bearing assembly contained substantially within the rotor at the bearing end. The rotor assembly has a mounting axis and a bearing axis offset from the mounting axis. The bearing assembly further has a rotatable bearing operatively coupled to the rotor and is coaxial with the longitudinal axis of the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. SCHLENKER, Jason W. MUIR, Roger Hedlund
  • Patent number: 9797100
    Abstract: A milling machine has a frame, a rotor, a mixing chamber with a front door and a rear door, and a controller. The controller is in communication with the frame, the rotor, the front door, and the rear door, and configured to operate the milling machine in a travel mode and a work mode. When the travel mode is actuated, the controller raises the rotor to a predetermined position, closes the front door and the rear door, and raises the frame to a predetermined height. When the work mode is actuated, the controller lowers the frame to a predetermined height, lowers the rotor to a predetermined position, and opens the front door and the rear door to predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jason W. Muir, Brian J. Schlenker, Matthew-David S. Frantz, Derek P. Nieuwsma
  • Patent number: 9605393
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a rotor coupled to the frame and vertically adjustable, a chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine, a height sensor configured to measure a height of the rotor, a ground characteristic sensor configured to measure a ground characteristic, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the speed of the machine from the speed sensor, receive the height of the rotor from the height sensor, receive the ground characteristic from the ground characteristic sensor, determine a target speed for the machine, determine a target height for the rotor, adjust the speed of the machine to the target speed, and adjust the height of the rotor to the target height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir
  • Publication number: 20160251810
    Abstract: A rotary mixer for leveling a work surface includes an attachment device configured to be detachably coupled to a frame of the rotary mixer and an implement detachably coupled to the attachment device. The rotary mixer further includes an actuator configured to move the attachment device between a first position and a second position relative to the frame. The implement is configured to be in contact with the work surface in the second position of the attachment device to level the work surface during operation of the rotary mixer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, John E. Jorgensen, Jason W. Muir, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20150376847
    Abstract: An additive mixing and delivery system for a rotary mixer is provided. The additive mixing and delivery system includes an onboard slurry tank, an additive pump, a water pump, a spray unit, and a rotor. The onboard slurry tank receives additive and water. The onboard slurry tank mixes the additive with water to form a slurry. The additive pump delivers the additive to the onboard slurry tank. The water pump delivers the water to the onboard slurry tank. The spray unit delivers the slurry from the onboard slurry tank to a work surface. The rotor includes a number of cutting tools to disintegrate the work surface to form a disintegrated work surface. Further, the slurry is mixed with the disintegrated work surface to form an additive laden work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventor: Brian J. Schlenker
  • Publication number: 20150275443
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a rotor coupled to the frame and vertically adjustable, a chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine, a height sensor configured to measure a height of the rotor, a ground characteristic sensor configured to measure a ground characteristic, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the speed of the machine from the speed sensor, receive the height of the rotor from the height sensor, receive the ground characteristic from the ground characteristic sensor, determine a target speed for the machine, determine a target height for the rotor, adjust the speed of the machine to the target speed, and adjust the height of the rotor to the target height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir
  • Patent number: 9103079
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a rotor coupled to the frame and vertically adjustable, a chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine, a height sensor configured to measure a height of the rotor, a ground characteristic sensor configured to measure a ground characteristic, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the speed of the machine from the speed sensor, receive the height of the rotor from the height sensor, receive the ground characteristic from the ground characteristic sensor, determine a target speed for the machine, determine a target height for the rotor, adjust the speed of the machine to the target speed, and adjust the height of the rotor to the target height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir
  • Publication number: 20150117951
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a frame, a rotor coupled to the frame and vertically adjustable, a chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, a speed sensor configured to measure a speed of the machine, a height sensor configured to measure a height of the rotor, a ground characteristic sensor configured to measure a ground characteristic, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the speed of the machine from the speed sensor, receive the height of the rotor from the height sensor, receive the ground characteristic from the ground characteristic sensor, determine a target speed for the machine, determine a target height for the rotor, adjust the speed of the machine to the target speed, and adjust the height of the rotor to the target height.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir
  • Patent number: 8870297
    Abstract: A kicker paddle is disclosed for use with a reclaiming drum. The kicker paddle may have a block with a first end and a second end. The kicker paddle may also have a mounting mechanism located between the first and second ends. The kicker paddle may be symmetric relative to a plane passing through the mounting mechanism that is parallel to the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas R. Pederson, Brian J. Schlenker, Maria L. Biberdorf, Jason W. Muir
  • Patent number: 8851792
    Abstract: A rotary mixer herein includes: a rotor chamber configured to receive a first surface and produce a reclaimed surface, the rotor chamber including: a front door, a rear door, and a rotor; a particle size detector configured to detect a particle size of the reclaimed surface; and an electronic control module (ECM) electronically coupled to the rotor chamber and the particle sensor, the ECM configured to: receive a particle size from the particle sensor, compare the detected particle size to a desired particle size, adjust the degree of pulverization of the reclaimed surface according to the difference between the detected particle size and the desired particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Brent P. Bachmeier, Jason W. Muir, Mario J. Souraty, Maria L. Biberdorf
  • Publication number: 20140270950
    Abstract: A rotary mixer herein includes: a rotor chamber configured to receive a first surface and produce a reclaimed surface, the rotor chamber including: a front door, a rear door, and a rotor; a particle size detector configured to detect a particle size of the reclaimed surface; and an electronic control module (ECM) electronically coupled to the rotor chamber and the particle sensor, the ECM configured to: receive a particle size from the particle sensor, compare the detected particle size to a desired particle size, adjust the degree of pulverization of the reclaimed surface according to the difference between the detected particle size and the desired particle size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Brent P. Bachmeier, Jason W. Muir, Mario J. Souraty, Maria L. Biberdorf
  • Patent number: 8807868
    Abstract: A machine for receiving a ground layer, breaking up the ground layer into pieces, and producing a reclaimed layer incorporating the pieces, the machine including: a frame; a rotor coupled to the frame; a mixing chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, the mixing chamber having an interior surface; a first member coupled to the interior surface and having an edge, the first member being moveable between a first position and a second position; and a gap length between the edge and the rotor, the gap length including: a first length when the first member is in the first position; and a second length when the first member is in the second position, the second length being greater than the first length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir
  • Patent number: 8794869
    Abstract: A rotary mixer herein includes: a rotor chamber configured to receive a first surface and produce a reclaimed surface, the rotor chamber including: a front door, a rear door, and a rotor; a particle size detector configured to detect a particle size of the reclaimed surface; and an electronic control module (ECM) electronically coupled to the rotor chamber and the particle sensor, the ECM configured to: receive a particle size from the particle sensor, compare the detected particle size to a desired particle size, adjust the degree of pulverization of the reclaimed surface according to the difference between the detected particle size and the desired particle size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Brent P. Bachmeier, Jason W. Muir, Mario J. Souraty, Maria L. Biberdorf
  • Publication number: 20140169882
    Abstract: A machine for receiving a ground layer, breaking up the ground layer into pieces, and producing a reclaimed layer incorporating the pieces, the machine including: a frame; a rotor coupled to the frame; a mixing chamber coupled to the frame and at least partially surrounding the rotor, the mixing chamber having an interior surface; a first member coupled to the interior surface and having an edge, the first member being moveable between a first position and a second position; and a gap length between the edge and the rotor, the gap length including: a first length when the first member is in the first position; and a second length when the first member is in the second position, the second length being greater than the first length.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Jason W. Muir
  • Publication number: 20130334866
    Abstract: A kicker paddle is disclosed for use with a reclaiming drum. The kicker paddle may have a block with a first end and a second end. The kicker paddle may also have a mounting mechanism located between the first and second ends. The kicker paddle may be symmetric relative to a plane passing through the mounting mechanism that is parallel to the first and second ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Nicholas R. PEDERSON, Brian J. Schlenker, Maria L. Biberdorf, Jason W. Muir
  • Publication number: 20130287494
    Abstract: A rotary mixer herein includes: a rotor chamber configured to receive a first surface and produce a reclaimed surface, the rotor chamber including: a front door, a rear door, and a rotor; a particle size detector configured to detect a particle size of the reclaimed surface; and an electronic control module (ECM) electronically coupled to the rotor chamber and the particle sensor, the ECM configured to: receive a particle size from the particle sensor, compare the detected particle size to a desired particle size, adjust the degree of pulverization of the reclaimed surface according to the difference between the detected particle size and the desired particle size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: October 31, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Brian J. Schlenker, Brent P. Bachmeier, Jason W. Muir, Mario J. Souraty, Maria L. Biberdorf