Patents by Inventor Daniel T. Mather

Daniel T. Mather 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: 9878737
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid supply portion of a hydraulic steering control system may include an accumulator holding a quantity of pressurized steering fluid, and a priority valve. The priority valve may have a priority supply inlet port fluidly connected to the accumulator for receiving pressurized steering fluid from the accumulator, and a priority supply outlet port fluidly connected to a steering flow amplifier circuit. The priority valve may have a normally open position with a minimal pressure drop between the priority supply inlet port and the priority supply outlet port, and a flow restriction position where fluid flow between the ports is restricted. A load signal line from a steering control circuit to the priority valve may bias the priority valve toward the normally open position in response to an operator steering command to provide pressurized steering fluid to the steering flow amplifier circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Carl McIlheran, David A. Mork, Daniel T. Mather, Christopher W. Johnson, Michael D. Hudson
  • Patent number: 9764671
    Abstract: A valve for a brake cooling system may include a body including a first and a second end, a first at least one radial passage, and a second at least one radial passage fluidly communicable with the first end. A first seat may be disposed within the body proximate the first end, while a plug may include a stop, a collar, and a first trunk disposed between the stop and the collar. The collar and the first trunk may be disposed in the body while an adapter may include a second seat, a head, and a second trunk disposed between the second seat and the head. The second seat and the second trunk may be disposed in the plug with a chamber, fluidly communicable with the adapter and the first at least one radial passage, being defined in the first trunk of the plug. An actuator may be slidably disposed in the chamber, and be in operative association with a biasing member. A poppet may be in operative association with the biasing member and the first seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Cody Vacca, Bala Natarajan Balashanmugam, Partiban Chengalvarayan, Daniel T. Mather, Carl Andrew McIlheran, Thomas Dale Morris
  • Publication number: 20160327110
    Abstract: A valve for a brake cooling system may include a body including a first and a second end, a first at least one radial passage, and a second at least one radial passage fluidly communicable with the first end. A first seat may be disposed within the body proximate the first end, while a plug may include a stop, a collar, and a first trunk disposed between the stop and the collar. The collar and the first trunk may be disposed in the body while an adapter may include a second seat, a head, and a second trunk disposed between the second seat and the head. The second seat and the second trunk may be disposed in the plug with a chamber, fluidly communicable with the adapter and the first at least one radial passage, being defined in the first trunk of the plug. An actuator may be slidably disposed in the chamber, and be in operative association with a biasing member. A poppet may be in operative association with the biasing member and the first seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Cody Vacca, Bala Natarajan Balashanmugam, Partiban Chengalvarayan, Daniel T. Mather, Carl Andrew Mcllheran, Thomas Dale Morris
  • Publication number: 20160244090
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid supply portion of a hydraulic steering control system may include an accumulator holding a quantity of pressurized steering fluid, and a priority valve. The priority valve may have a priority supply inlet port fluidly connected to the accumulator for receiving pressurized steering fluid from the accumulator, and a priority supply outlet port fluidly connected to a steering flow amplifier circuit. The priority valve may have a normally open position with a minimal pressure drop between the priority supply inlet port and the priority supply outlet port, and a flow restriction position where fluid flow between the ports is restricted. A load signal line from a steering control circuit to the priority valve may bias the priority valve toward the normally open position in response to an operator steering command to provide pressurized steering fluid to the steering flow amplifier circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2015
    Publication date: August 25, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Carl McIlheran, David A. Mork, Daniel T. Mather, Christopher W. Johnson, Michael D. Hudson
  • Patent number: 8966890
    Abstract: A hydraulic system having an actuator having a piston and associated rod forming head and rod chambers and being adapted to move between retracted and extended positions within a cylinder, and first and second sources of fluid. A first pump provides fluid from the first source to the head chamber at a first pressure. At least one valve provides fluid from the second source at a second pressure to supplement fluid provided to the head chamber from the first pump when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mather, Troy A. Shawgo, Daniel H. Killion, Vishnu Irigireddy, Deepak Amaravadi, Dayao Chen, Matthew Hempel, Kenneth A. Dust, Ryan M. Ludwig, Alfred J. Abraham, Michael E. Nesbitt
  • Publication number: 20130025271
    Abstract: A hydraulic system having an actuator having a piston and associated rod forming head and rod chambers and being adapted to move between retracted and extended positions within a cylinder, and first and second sources of fluid. A first pump provides fluid from the first source to the head chamber at a first pressure. At least one valve provides fluid from the second source at a second pressure to supplement fluid provided to the head chamber from the first pump when the second pressure is greater than the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Mather, Troy A. Shawgo, Daniel H. Killion, Vishnu Irigireddy, Deepak Amaravadi, Dayao Chen, Matthew Hempel, Kenneth A. Dust, Ryan M. Ludwig, Alfred J. Abraham
  • Publication number: 20120152629
    Abstract: A load lock valve for a hydraulic system is disclosed. The load lock valve may have a block with a first bore, and a body disposed within the first bore. The body may have a second bore, and first and second first radial ports in fluid communication with the second bore. The body may also have a valve seat, and a poppet disposed within the body. The poppet may have a nose end, a control end, a balance passage extending from the control end toward the nose end and terminating short of the nose end, and a third radial port in fluid communication with the balance passage. The load lock valve may further have a spring configured to bias the poppet toward the first opening. The control end of the poppet is fluidly communicated with the first radial port when a sealing surface at the nose end is against the valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel T. MATHER, Daryl J. Belshan
  • Patent number: 7658065
    Abstract: A hydraulic energy recovery device for a hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic energy recovery device has a first impeller configured to receive a flow of pressurized liquid, and a second impeller configured to pressurize a flow of liquid. The hydraulic energy recovery device also has a common shaft connecting the first and second impellers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Igor Strashny, Daniel T. Mather
  • Patent number: 7631738
    Abstract: A sprag is disclosed. The sprag is configured to operate in a first mode allowing substantially mutual rotation of inner and outer races about an axis and a second mode allowing relative rotation between the inner and outer races. The sprag includes at least one actuator configured to selectively extend and retract and an outer surface configured to selectively lock the inner and outer races together as a function of the at least one actuator selectively extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Patent number: 7497156
    Abstract: A fluid motor including an inner race and an outer race is disclosed. The inner and outer races are configured to rotate about a substantially common axis. The motor also includes at least one fluid actuator configured to produce substantially linear motion as a function of selectively receiving pressurized fluid. The fluid motor also includes at least one sprag configured to rotate the inner and outer races about the axis as a function of the substantially linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Patent number: 7444809
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a work machine is provided. The hydraulic regeneration system has a tank, a primary source, a first actuator, an accumulator, and a first valve mechanism. The tank is configured to hold a supply of fluid. The primary source is configured to pressurize the fluid and has a suction inlet and a discharge outlet. The first actuator is configured to receive pressurized fluid from the discharge outlet of the primary source. The accumulator is in fluid communication with the tank, the suction inlet of the primary source, and the first actuator. The first valve mechanism is disposed between the suction inlet of the primary source and the accumulator, and is movable between a first position at which fluid returning from the first actuator is directed to the suction inlet of the primary source, and a second position at which fluid returning from the first actuator is directed to only the accumulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Daniel T. Mather
  • Publication number: 20080156596
    Abstract: A sprag and bearing system including a sprag is disclosed. The sprag includes an integral body having an oblong cross sectional circumference at least one actuator configured to selectively rotate the body about an axis in a first direction. The sprag also includes at least one spring configured to bias the body to rotate about the axis in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather
  • Publication number: 20080155976
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor is disclosed. The hydraulic motor includes a first toothed wheel and at least one second toothed wheel configured to at least selectively engage the first toothed wheel. The hydraulic motor also includes at least one hydraulic actuator and at least one linkage operatively disposed between the at least one second toothed wheel. The at least one linkage configured to transfer a reciprocal motion of the at least one hydraulic actuator to a rotary motion of the first toothed wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather
  • Publication number: 20080098882
    Abstract: A fluid motor including an inner race and an outer race is disclosed. The inner and outer races are configured to rotate about a substantially common axis. The motor also includes at least one fluid actuator configured to produce substantially linear motion as a function of selectively receiving pressurized fluid. The fluid motor also includes at least one sprag configured to rotate the inner and outer races about the axis as a function of the substantially linear motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Publication number: 20080099304
    Abstract: A sprag is disclosed. The sprag is configured to operate in a first mode allowing substantially mutual rotation of inner and outer races about an axis and a second mode allowing relative rotation between the inner and outer races. The sprag includes at least one actuator configured to selectively extend and retract and an outer surface configured to selectively lock the inner and outer races together as a function of the at least one actuator selectively extending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Patent number: 7258058
    Abstract: A metering valve for a work machine hydraulic system is disclosed. The metering valve has an inlet and an outlet, a main poppet, and a solenoid-operated pilot element. The main poppet is movable to pass fluid from the inlet to the outlet, and to block fluid from the inlet to the outlet. The solenoid-operated pilot element is movable between a first position at which pressurized fluid from the inlet pressurizes a control chamber in communication with a control end of the main poppet to urge the main poppet toward the flow-blocking position, and a second position at which the control chamber is communicated with a drain to move the main poppet toward the flow-passing position. The metering valve also has a relief valve element configured to drain pressurized fluid from the control chamber to move the main poppet toward the flow-passing position in response to a pressure at the inlet exceeding a predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Daniel T. Mather, Wayne W. Lark
  • Patent number: 7240604
    Abstract: A metering valve for a work machine hydraulic system is disclosed. The metering valve has a valve body with an inlet and an outlet. The metering valve also has a main poppet disposed within the valve body between the inlet and the outlet. The main poppet has a nose end and a chamber end, and is movable between a flow-passing position at which fluid flows from the inlet to the outlet, and a flow-blocking position at which fluid flow between the inlet and outlet is blocked. The metering valve also has a pilot element movable to selectively communicate the chamber end of the main poppet with a drain, thereby affecting movement of the main poppet between the flow-passing and flow-blocking positions. The metering valve further has a solenoid mechanism operable to move the pilot element. The position of the pilot element is affected by a fluid pressure at the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Daniel T. Mather
  • Patent number: 6955115
    Abstract: A fluid system is provided wherein two different fluid circuits are connected in parallel with a single source of pressurized fluid and the two fluid circuits can function together even when one of the loads is lighter than the other. This is accomplished by having the lightly loaded circuit having a directional control that when operated in one of its operative positions the flow from the rod end of the cylinder is directed through the directional control valve and combined with the supply flow being directed to the head end of the cylinder. With the other heavier loaded circuit also being actuated, the pressure of the fluid from the rod end of the fluid cylinder is equalized with the pressure of the heavier loaded circuit. Consequently, the speed of the heavier loaded circuit does not stall or slow down relative to the lightly loaded circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. A'Hearn, Thomas J. Hajek, Sr., Larry W. Lorimor, Daniel T. Mather, Srikrishnan T. Tolappa
  • Patent number: 6782697
    Abstract: In a fluid system, a source of pressurized fluid operably communicates with first and second actuators. First and second control valves control fluidly communicates with the first and second actuators. A first pressure compensating valve fluidly communicates with the first control valve and first actuator. A first signal conduit fluidly communicates with fluid flow being directed by the first control valve to the first pressure compensating valve and first actuator. A second pressure compensating valve fluidly communicates with the second control valve and second actuator. A second signal conduit fluid communicates with fluid flow being directed by the second control valve to the second pressure compensating valve and second actuator. A control signal pressure generated from a greater of a first signal pressure carried by the first signal conduit and a second signal pressure carried by the second signal conduit fluidly communicates with the first and second pressure compensating valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel T. Mather
  • Publication number: 20040000228
    Abstract: A fluid system includes first and second control valves that control fluid communication with first and second actuators. The first control valve may combine fluid flow from a second end port of the first actuator with fluid flow from a pressurized fluid source when providing a supply of fluid to a first end port of the first actuator. The first and second control valves include first and second signal ports in fluid communication with the supply of fluid to the first and second actuators. A resolver outputs a resolved signal pressure equal to the greater of a first signal pressure output by the first signal port and a second signal pressure output by the second signal port. A compensator in fluid communication with the first control valve and the first actuator controls fluid flow from the first control valve to the first actuator based on the resolved signal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Anthony A'Hearn, Daniel T. Mather, Srikrishnan Tirumalai Kumara Tolappa, Rangamani Srikrishnan