Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Pollum

Christopher A. Pollum 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).

  • FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20100161246
    Abstract: A fault detection system for a fastener (224) in a machine (100) includes an ultrasonic sensor (404) that is integrated with the fastener and capable of emitting an ultrasonic signal (506) that travels through a length of the fastener (224). The ultrasonic sensor (404) receives a returning ultrasonic signal (506) and a processor (512) calculates a travel time between an emission of the ultrasonic signal (506) and a receipt of the returning ultrasonic signal (506). The processor (512) calculates an actual length (L) of the fastener (224) based on the travel time (510), compares the actual length (L) with a predetermined length of the fastener (224), and emits a wireless signal (519) to an electronic controller (612) of the machine (100) that is indicative of a structural state of the fastener (224).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mohit Verma, James W. Reinhart, Jon P. White, Christopher A. Pollum, Ricky J. Heller, David W. Holthaus