Patents by Inventor David E. Ault
David E. Ault 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).
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Patent number: 9701312Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joshua D. Jensen, David E. Ault, Drew A. Fehr, Emily A. Morris, Jeremy T. Peterson, Kory K. Leesman, Richard D. Johnston, Layne E. Hook, Jeffrey A. Jones, II, Justin L. Steinlage
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Patent number: 9255380Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2014Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Ault, Jeffrey L. Kuehn
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Publication number: 20150159613Abstract: An idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for a machine is disclosed. The machine can include an engine operably connected to a drivetrain including ground engaging propulsion members. The drivetrain can be configured to transmit mechanical energy between the engine and the ground engaging propulsion members. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can include a starter operatively associated with the engine and configured to effectuate ignition of the engine. The idle reduction engine shutdown and restart system for the machine can further include an idle reduction engine shutdown and restart controller electronically and controllably connected to the engine and configured to shut down the engine in an engine shutdown mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2014Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Joshua D. Jensen, David E. Ault, Drew A. Fehr, Emily A. Morris, Jeremy T. Peterson, Kory K. Leesman, Richard D. Johnston, Layne E. Hook, Jeffrey A. Jones, II, Justin L. Steinlage
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Patent number: 8948984Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface assembly comprises a base, an operator input device operable to move in a first direction in relation to the base to a second position and a third position, a first biasing member including a first spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the first spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, a second biasing member including a second spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the second spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the second position, the second position different than the first position, and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and a position sensor.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
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Publication number: 20140210184Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Ault, Jeffrey L. Kuehn
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Publication number: 20140175773Abstract: A flow rectifier assembly including a manifold with a variable orifice disposed therein. Further, the flow rectifier assembly includes one or more valves disposed in the manifold and fluidly connected to the variable orifice to provide a uni-directional flow over the variable orifice. Each of the one or more valves includes a poppet. A fly-cut recess defined in the manifold includes a seat for resting the poppet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Ault, Moses I. Akpan, Michael A. Church, Landin T. Fisher
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Patent number: 8683720Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Ault, Jeffrey L. Kuehn
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Publication number: 20130317695Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine is disclosed. The operator interface assembly comprises a base, an operator input device operable to move in a first direction in relation to the base to a second position and a third position, a first biasing member including a first spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the first spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, a second biasing member including a second spring end, and operatively associated with the base and wherein the second spring end is operable to contact the operator input device at the second position, the second position different than the first position, and resist movement of the operator input device in the first direction, and a position sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2013Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: Caterpillar INc.Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
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Patent number: 8543298Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine includes a base, an operator input device, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The operator input device is operable to move in a direction in relation to the base. The first biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction. The second biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault
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Publication number: 20130160440Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a fluid source, a metering valve, an actuator, and a power reclamation assembly. The metering valve includes a standby position, and an actuation position different than the standby position. The metering valve fluidly connects the actuator to the fluid source when in the actuation position. The metering valve fluidly connects the power reclamation assembly to the fluid source when the metering valve is in the standby position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2011Publication date: June 27, 2013Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: David E. Ault
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Publication number: 20120324767Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hitch suspension system that reduces a transfer of energy (e.g., provides a smoother ride) between two bodies hitched together, such as between a towing vehicle and a towed vehicle/trailer. In an embodiment, the suspension system includes a hydraulic cylinder with an extendable rod in fluid communication with a fluid pump. A control valve is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the fluid pump and is configured to adjust an extension length of the rod. Additionally, a variable orifice that adjusts resistance to extension and retraction of the rod is fluidly coupled between the hydraulic cylinder and the control valve. A first fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy ad the rod extends and a second fixed restrictive element is fluidly coupled in series with the variable orifice to dissipate energy as the rod retracts.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2011Publication date: December 27, 2012Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: David E. Ault, Jeffrey L. Kuehn
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Publication number: 20120310490Abstract: An operator interface assembly for a machine includes a base, an operator input device, a first biasing member, and a second biasing member. The operator input device is operable to move in a direction in relation to the base. The first biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a first position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction. The second biasing member is operable to contact the operator input device at a second position and resist movement of the operator input device in the direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew E. Kontz, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Rustin G. Metzger, David E. Ault