Patents by Inventor Curtis Brian Johnson

Curtis Brian Johnson 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: 8009055
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and indicating high-voltage presences on a machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage indication system is disclosed and may include a voltage detector configured to compare the voltage level associated with an element with a threshold voltage value, and provide an indication signal when the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the threshold voltage value. The system may also include an indicator powered by a separate power source independent from the voltage detector. The indicator may be configured to detect the indication signal provided by the voltage detector, and provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Lindsey, Richard Shults, Curtis Brian Johnson, Rex Aaron Glover
  • Patent number: 7808245
    Abstract: A testing system for a ground fault detection system of an electrical system of a machine is disclosed. The testing system has a low voltage power source, the low voltage power source capable of operation that is independent from a high voltage power source of the machine. The testing system also has a variable current source that is permanently connected to a positive voltage bus or to a negative voltage bus of the electrical system of the machine, where the machine operates self-sufficiently. The testing system also has a controller connected to the variable current source. The testing system also has an input device, where the input device is connected to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Curtis Brian Johnson
  • Patent number: 7696760
    Abstract: A wire harness testing system is disclosed. The wire harness testing system includes a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage at a location associated with an electric load, wherein the electric load is connected with at least one wire harness. The wire harness testing system also includes a controller electrically coupled to the voltage sensor. The controller is configured to receive a wire harness test request. The controller is further configured to determine a voltage drop based on a voltage sensor measurement and a reference voltage and compare the voltage drop with a threshold. The controller is also configured to adaptively update the reference voltage with the voltage measurement responsive to a voltage drop below the threshold, and generate a fault notice responsive to a voltage drop above the threshold. The wire harness testing system further includes at least one indication device configured to provide a warning signal based on the fault notice generated by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Lindsey, Curtis Brian Johnson, Rex Aaron Glover
  • Publication number: 20090140748
    Abstract: A wire harness testing system is disclosed. The wire harness testing system may include a voltage sensor configured to measure a voltage at a location associated with an electric load, wherein the electric load is connected with at least one wire harness. The wire harness testing system may also include a controller electrically coupled to the voltage sensor. The controller may be configured to receive a wire harness test request. The controller may be further configured to determine a voltage drop based on a voltage sensor measurement and a reference voltage and compare the voltage drop with a threshold. The controller may also be configured to adaptively update the reference voltage with the voltage measurement responsive to a voltage drop below the threshold, and generate a fault notice responsive to a voltage drop above the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Robert W. Lindsey, Curtis Brian Johnson, Rex Aaron Glover
  • Publication number: 20090085759
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and indicating high-voltage presences on a machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage indication system is disclosed and may include a voltage detector configured to compare the voltage level associated with an element with a threshold voltage value, and provide an indication signal when the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the threshold voltage value. The system may also include an indicator powered by a separate power source independent from the voltage detector. The indicator may be configured to detect the indication signal provided by the voltage detector, and provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Lindsey, Richard F. Shults, Curtis Brian Johnson, Rex Aaron Glover
  • Publication number: 20090085575
    Abstract: A testing system for a ground fault detection system of an electrical system of a machine is disclosed. The testing system has a low voltage power source, the low voltage power source capable of operation that is independent from a high voltage power source of the machine. The testing system also has a variable current source that is permanently connected to a positive voltage bus or to a negative voltage bus of the electrical system of the machine, where the machine operates self-sufficiently. The testing system also has a controller connected to the variable current source. The testing system also has an input device, where the input device is connected to the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Lindsey, Curtis Brian Johnson