Patents by Inventor Christopher Mark Elliott

Christopher Mark Elliott 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: 20220136204
    Abstract: An implement control system may include one or more first actuators configured to selectively raise or lower a work implement of a machine and one or more second actuators configured to tilt the work implement. The implement control system may include an operator control configured for manipulation in one or more motions. The implement control system may include a controller configured to, based on a particular motion of the one or more motions, selectively cause actuation of the one or more first actuators in a first mode or the one or more second actuators in a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy KUSHNER, Christopher Mark ELLIOTT, Sage Frederick SMITH
  • Patent number: 10865542
    Abstract: A grading control system may have a lift actuator to raise or lower a work implement, and a tilt actuator to tilt the work implement. The grading control system may also have a first sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the work implement, and a second sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the machine frame. The grading control system may have a controller to determine a track plane of the machine and a desired grade relative to the track plane. Further, the controller may determine an orientation of the work implement relative to the track plane to maintain the desired grade based on the sensor signals. The controller may also be configured to actuate one or both of the lift and the tilt actuators to orient the work implement according to the determined orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sage Smith, Christopher Mark Elliott, Jeremy A. Kushner
  • Publication number: 20190226176
    Abstract: A grading control system is disclosed. The grading control system may have a lift actuator to raise or lower a work implement, and a tilt actuator to tilt the work implement. The grading control system may also have a first sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the work implement, and a second sensor that communicates a signal indicative of a position of the machine frame. The grading control system may have a controller to determine a track plane of the machine and a desired grade relative to the track plane. Further, the controller may determine an orientation of the work implement relative to the track plane to maintain the desired grade based on the sensor signals. The controller may also be configured to actuate one or both of the lift and the tilt actuators to orient the work implement according to the determined orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Sage Smith, Christopher Mark ELLIOTT, Jeremy A. KUSHNER
  • Patent number: 8833069
    Abstract: A closed hydrostatic circuit with variable charge and variable flushing systems is disclosed. A variable displacement charge pump is configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydrostatic circuit. An electronically controlled pressure regulating valve is in communication with an output of the charge pump and is linked to a controller. When the hydrostatic control system detects a high hydraulic temperature condition, the electronically controlled pressure regulating valve, that is in communication with an output of the charge pump and that is linked to a controller, increases the charge pump flow. A bidirectional variable displacement hydrostatic motor is connected in parallel to two input/output lines. A flush valve is in communication with the hydrostatic motor and both input/output lines. The flush valve and hydrostatic motor are both in communication with the flush orifice and a flush relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Demick, Paul A. Dvorak, William Christopher Swick, Vincent Guyard, Christopher Mark Elliott, Christopher Pruess
  • Publication number: 20140150880
    Abstract: Flushing circuits for closed loop hydrostatic circuits enable overriding of the normal function of the flushing circuit during certain machine operational events where flushing can cause undesirable performance issues. The disclosed flushing circuits may prevent flow from leaving the flush valve, may prevent flow from leaving the flushing circuit, may prevent flow from entering the flushing circuit, may prevent the flush valve from shifting from a normally closed position to an open position or may replace the hydro-mechanical control of the flush valve with an electronic control. Cancellation of the flushing function may be commanded by a controller based on fluid temperatures, pressures, turning commands, engine speed, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Paul Alan Rousseau, Christopher Mark Elliott, Richard Ryan Evenson, Jason Mark Buckmier
  • Publication number: 20140069092
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump control circuit may include a pressure reducing valve selectively operable to limit the amount of fluid pressure available to an actuator operably coupled to a pump displacement volume adjusting mechanism of a variable displacement pump. The pump may be hydraulically coupled to a motor configured to provide a torque output. The reduced pressure to the actuator limits actuator travel, thereby limiting pump displacement. Accordingly, torque output of the motor may be reduced, thereby improving traction control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Elliott, William Christopher Swick, Jeremy T. Peterson, Paul A. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20120317964
    Abstract: A closed hydrostatic circuit with variable charge and variable flushing systems is disclosed. A variable displacement charge pump is configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydrostatic circuit. An electronically controlled pressure regulating valve is in communication with an output of the charge pump and is linked to a controller. When the hydrostatic control system detects a high hydraulic temperature condition, the electronically controlled pressure regulating valve, that is in communication with an output of the charge pump and that is linked to a controller, increases the charge pump flow. A bidirectional variable displacement hydrostatic motor is connected in parallel to two input/output lines. A flush valve is in communication with the hydrostatic motor and both input/output lines. The flush valve and hydrostatic motor are both in communication with the flush orifice and a flush relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Demick, Paul A. Dvorak, William Christopher Swick, Vincent Guyard, Christopher Mark Elliott, Christopher Pruess
  • Patent number: 7958725
    Abstract: A drivetrain system for use in a mobile machine is disclosed. The drivetrain system may have a first rotary fluid actuator, a second rotary fluid actuator, an input device, and a controller in communication with the first rotary fluid actuator, the second rotary fluid actuator, and the input device. The controller may be configured to determine a desired change in an effective gear ratio of the drivetrain system, and determine a total displacement change associated with the first and second rotary fluid actuators that produces the desired change in the effective gear ratio. The controller may also be configured to compare the total displacement change to a threshold change level, affect simultaneous displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change exceeds the threshold change level, and affect sequential displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change is less than the threshold change level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Mark Elliott
  • Publication number: 20090320640
    Abstract: A variable inertia flywheel includes a generally circular body coupled to a shaft, and a cavity positioned radially on the body. The flywheel may also include a mass configured to translate radially in the cavity and form an inner chamber proximate a center of the body and an outer chamber distal to the center of the body. The flywheel may further include a conduit fluidly coupling a hydraulic fluid to the outer chamber, and a control valve coupled to the conduit and configured to direct the fluid to the outer chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Elliott, Brian Mintah, David Alan Lapen
  • Publication number: 20090288406
    Abstract: A drivetrain system for use in a mobile machine is disclosed. The drivetrain system may have a first rotary fluid actuator, a second rotary fluid actuator, an input device, and a controller in communication with the first rotary fluid actuator, the second rotary fluid actuator, and the input device. The controller may be configured to determine a desired change in an effective gear ratio of the drivetrain system, and determine a total displacement change associated with the first and second rotary fluid actuators that produces the desired change in the effective gear ratio. The controller may also be configured to compare the total displacement change to a threshold change level, affect simultaneous displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change exceeds the threshold change level, and affect sequential displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change is less than the threshold change level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Christopher Mark Elliott