Patents by Inventor Chad T. Brickner

Chad T. Brickner 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: 7040044
    Abstract: A method of modulating a boom assembly to perform in a linear manner. The boom assembly includes a boom and a stick. The method comprising the steps of sending at least one lever signal to a control device indicative of operator desired direction and desired velocity of the boom and the stick, calibrating the lever signals to provide a boom command signal and a stick command signal, applying an algorithm-to-the boom command signal and the stick command signal, which the algorithm uses command signal mapping, and providing a modulating factor to the control device as a result of the algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Chad T. Brickner, C. Erik Bright, Clayton L. Padgett, W. Chris Swick
  • Patent number: 6699311
    Abstract: A fluid circuit for raising and lowering an implement including a quick drop valve member movable between at least a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a non-quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit and the second position corresponding to a quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit, the quick drop valve member being movable between at least the first and second positions based on pressures in the fluid circuit produced by hydraulic fluid. The fluid circuit further including a control system configured to selectively apply a biasing force against the quick drop valve member biasing the quick drop valve in the first position, the control system providing the biasing force independent of pressures in the fluid circuit produced by the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Rudy V. Mills, Robert A. Aarestad, Chad T. Brickner
  • Patent number: 6631653
    Abstract: A single lever control assembly that limits motion due to the inherent design of the assembly. In other words, no additional components are required to limit the motion of the single lever control assembly. The assembly includes two U-shaped members each having a base and parallel legs extending from the base, a lever connected to one of the U-shaped members and a pivot block interconnecting the parallel legs for allowing the U-shaped members to rotate relative to one another. The assembly has at least one of the parallel legs having a projection that engages one of the parallel legs of the other U-shaped member. In general, the single lever control assembly is a type of modified universal joint whose movement is limited by a projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Chad T. Brickner, John R. Connolly, Paul Gilbert, Thomas J. Hajek, Jr., Rudy V. Mills, David P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030121410
    Abstract: A fluid circuit for raising and lowering an implement including a quick drop valve member movable between at least a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a non-quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit and the second position corresponding to a quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit, the quick drop valve member being movable between at least the first and second positions based on pressures in the fluid circuit produced by hydraulic fluid. The fluid circuit further including a control system configured to selectively apply a biasing force against the quick drop valve member biasing the quick drop valve in the first position, the control system providing the biasing force independent of pressures in the fluid circuit produced by the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Rudy V. Mills, Robert A. Aarestad, Chad T. Brickner
  • Publication number: 20020066329
    Abstract: A single lever control assembly is disclosed that limits motion due to the inherent design of the assembly. In other words, no additional components are required to limit the motion of the single lever control assembly. The assembly includes two U-shaped members each having a base and parallel legs extending from the base, a lever connected to one of the U-shaped members and a pivot block interconnecting the parallel legs for allowing the U-shaped members to rotate relative to one another. The assembly has at least one of the parallel legs having a projection that engages one of the parallel legs of the other U-shaped member. In general, the single lever control assembly is a type of modified universal joint whose movement is limited by a projection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2000
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: Chad T. Brickner, John R. Connolly, Paul Gilbert, Thomas J. Hajek, Rudy V. Mills, David P. Smith