Patents by Inventor Christopher A. Willey

Christopher A. Willey 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: 20240103061
    Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Willey, Eric J. Ruth, Zachary R. Carter, Bradley Scott Bailey
  • Patent number: 11874314
    Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A Willey, Eric J. Ruth, Zachary R. Carter, Bradley S. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20230251295
    Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Willey, Eric J. Ruth, Zachary R. Carter, Bradley S. Bailey
  • Patent number: 11610484
    Abstract: A system includes a support, a sensor coupled to the support and arranged to output signals in a direction towards a haul road on which a machine traverses, an indicator coupled to the support, a first line coupled to the support, and a second line coupled to the support. Sensor data is received from the sensor, and based on the sensor data, a position of the machine on the haul road is determined. An alignment of the machine on the haul road is determined, where the alignment is associated with the machine maintaining contact with the first line and the second line. An indication is displayed for laterally aligning the machine on the haul road.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Willey, Eric Ruth, Zachary Carter
  • Patent number: 9550424
    Abstract: A mounting structure for supporting one or more pantographs in a machine is disclosed. The mounting structure includes a bottom support structure and a middle support structure removably mounted on the bottom support structure. The middle support structure includes a pair of secondary front legs removably coupled to the pair of primary front legs. The middle support structure includes reinforcement members for removably connecting the top portion of one of a secondary front leg and a rear leg with a deck. The mounting structure includes a top platform removably mounted on the middle support structure for supporting the pantographs. The top platform includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member. Each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is supported along a first side arm and a second side arm of the deck, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Goldwin, Zachary R. Carter, Pathik Patel, Christopher A. Willey, Vipin Kalathil, Sai R. Rachakonda
  • Publication number: 20160152142
    Abstract: A mounting structure for supporting one or more pantographs in a machine is disclosed. The mounting structure includes a bottom support structure and a middle support structure removably mounted on the bottom support structure. The middle support structure includes a pair of secondary front legs removably coupled to the pair of primary front legs. The middle support structure includes reinforcement members for removably connecting the top portion of one of a secondary front leg and a rear leg with a deck. The mounting structure includes a top platform removably mounted on the middle support structure for supporting the pantographs. The top platform includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member. Each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is supported along a first side arm and a second side arm of the deck, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Goldwin, Zachary R. Carter, Pathik Patel, Christopher A. Willey, Vipin Kalathil, Sai R. Rachakonda
  • Patent number: 9140155
    Abstract: A modular exhaust system is disclosed for treating the exhaust from a fossil fuel powered prime mover; the exhaust system includes bricks, inserts placed inside of the bricks and funnels to direct exhaust through various flow paths in order to treat the exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mary Jill Trumper, Christopher A. Willey, Kris E. Seitz, Andrew D. Hill, Thomas N. Brooks, Jr., Troy A. Shawgo
  • Publication number: 20150233276
    Abstract: A modular assembly for an exhaust aftertreatment system is provided. The modular assembly includes an inlet portion. The modular assembly also includes a mixing element. The modular assembly further includes a first frusto-conical region diverging from the inlet portion. The modular assembly also includes a selective catalytic reduction assembly provided within a central portion of the housing. The selective catalytic reduction assembly includes a bank of catalysts. The modular assembly further includes a sound suppression element provided within the central portion of the housing and positioned downstream of the selective catalytic reduction assembly. The modular assembly includes a baffle arrangement provided within the central portion of the housing, the baffle arrangement includes a first baffle and a second baffle. The modular assembly also includes a second frusto-conical region converging from the central portion of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Publication date: August 20, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ryan Cassity, Christopher A. Willey
  • Publication number: 20140353064
    Abstract: A modular exhaust system is disclosed for treating the exhaust from a fossil fuel powered prime mover; the exhaust system includes bricks, inserts placed inside of the bricks and funnels to direct exhaust through various flow paths in order to treat the exhaust.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Mary Jill Trumper, Christopher A. Willey, Kris E. Seitz, Andrew D. Hill, Thomas N. Brooks, JR., Troy A. Shawgo
  • Publication number: 20120048631
    Abstract: A ventilation system for a machine including an engine, an engine compartment having an interior, a secondary compartment having an interior, and a sensor. The ventilation system has a ventilation fan having a fan outlet, and a duct configured to direct air from the fan outlet to at least two of the interior of the engine compartment, the interior of the secondary compartment, and the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Dale Shatters, Ryan Mann, Scott Pozzie, Sean McCurdy, Christopher Willey, Manoj Kumar Bada Ghar Wala
  • Patent number: 5697807
    Abstract: An electrical connector has a base with a row of conductor openings through the base and a slotted plug socket in one base side parallel to the row. A plug has conductive surfaces and is insertable into the socket to wedge conductors against the conductive surfaces. Conductor grooves are provided in the socket at positions matching the conductive surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignee: Altech Industries (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher A. Willey, Donald Charles Richardson
  • Patent number: 5495806
    Abstract: A detonator has a transparent polycarbonate tubular casing, with an electric igniter inserted from one end to abut a constriction in the tube. The conflagration charge is deposited onto the igniter from the other tube end, and primary and secondary explosive charges respectively are added from that other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Assignee: Altech Industries (Proprietary) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher A. Willey