Patents by Inventor David Langsford Collins

David Langsford Collins 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).

  • Power management system
    Patent number: 6843755
    Abstract: An exemplary power management system may include a power source and a transmission. The transmission may include a drive member and at least two shift ranges. The drive member may be driveably engaged with the power source. The power management system may also include a control system in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system may be operative to cause a shift transition between the at least two shift ranges in response to a shift command. The control system may also be operative, during at least a portion of the shift transition, to modify at least one of a speed of the drive member and a speed of the power source based on at least one of a load condition of the power source, a speed of the power source, and the at least two shift ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gareth John Estebanez, David Langsford Collins, Brian Eugene Lister, James B. Maddock, Larry Ellis Kendrick, Robert Urban Murray, Kevin Adam Vernagus, Timothy Alan Lorentz, Satish Yadav, Sridhar Deivasigamani
  • Power management system
    Publication number: 20030186780
    Abstract: An exemplary power management system may include a power source and a transmission. The transmission may include a drive member and at least two shift ranges. The drive member may be driveably engaged with the power source. The power management system may also include a control system in communication with the power source and the transmission. The control system may be operative to cause a shift transition between the at least two shift ranges in response to a shift command. The control system may also be operative, during at least a portion of the shift transition, to modify at least one of a speed of the drive member and a speed of the power source based on at least one of a load condition of the power source, a speed of the power source, and the at least two shift ranges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Gareth John Estebanez, David Langsford Collins, Brian Eugene Lister, James B. Maddock, Larry Ellis Kendrick, Robert Urban Murray, Kevin Adam Vernagus, Timothy Alan Lorentz, Satish Yadav, Sridhar Deivasigamani
  • Method and apparatus for transmission clutch modulation during gear shift based on payload and selected direction
    Patent number: 6086509
    Abstract: In a vehicle, such as a construction vehicle, which has a payload of variable but significant weight with respect to the empty weight of the vehicle, a sensor senses the weight of the payload and transmits a signal representative thereof to a processor. The processor modulates clutch transmission fluid pressure as a function of the payload, permitting more uniform operating characteristics. The sensor can be a hydraulic fluid pressure sensor installed in a hydraulic cylinder used to lift a payload bucket arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Larry Alan Johnson, David Langsford Collins