Patents by Inventor David T. Bienfang
David T. Bienfang 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: 9702250Abstract: A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Inventors: Frank R. Szpek, Jr., Carl D. Gilmore, David T. Bienfang
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Patent number: 9506219Abstract: A support rail for a swing gear assembly having a thrust rail coupled to a swing gear includes a substantially horizontal first surface configured to be coupled to the swing gear such that the first surface engages a substantially horizontal top face of the swing gear, and a substantially vertical second surface intersecting the substantially horizontal first surface such that the second surface is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The second surface is configured to engage a substantially vertical face of the thrust rail when the first surface is coupled to the swing gear. The first surface and the second surface are configured to inhibit a rotation of the thrust rail relative to the swing gear by engaging the top face of the swing gear and the vertical face of the thrust rail simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
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Patent number: 9394944Abstract: A support rail for a swing gear includes a first flange having a first surface configured to engage a substantially horizontal top face of the swing gear, a second flange positioned opposite the first flange, and a column portion intersecting the first flange and the second flange such that the column portion is approximately perpendicular to the first and second flanges. The column portion includes a second surface configured to engage a substantially vertical inner surface of the swing gear. The first surface and the second surface are configured to substantially inhibit a rotation of the support rail relative to the swing gear by engaging the top face and the inner surface simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
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Patent number: 9388689Abstract: A mining vehicle includes one or more crawlers, a first deck positioned above the crawlers, and a second deck positioned above the first deck. The first deck includes a first floor surface providing a walking surface, and one or more first deck maintenance components configured to allow a person to move among and access the first deck maintenance components. The second deck includes a second floor surface providing a walking surface, one or more second deck maintenance components, and one or more aisles configured to allow a person to move among and access the second deck maintenance components. The first and second decks are configured to provide maintenance access to the first and second deck maintenance components.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, Jr., Carl D. Gilmore
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Patent number: 9279231Abstract: A mining shovel includes a dipper having an inner surface, and a removable liner assembly coupled to the dipper and adjacent to the inner surface of the dipper. The removable liner assembly includes a first rail coupled to the dipper, a first liner segment disposed on the first rail and covering at least a portion of the first rail, and a second liner segment removably coupled to the first rail and covering at least one of a portion of the first liner segment and a portion of the first rail. The first rail is substantially covered by at least one of the first and second liner segments.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Gregory A. Gruber
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Publication number: 20160010694Abstract: A support rail for a swing gear includes a first flange having a first surface configured to engage a substantially horizontal top face of the swing gear, a second flange positioned opposite the first flange, and a column portion intersecting the first flange and the second flange such that the column portion is approximately perpendicular to the first and second flanges. The column portion includes a second surface configured to engage a substantially vertical inner surface of the swing gear. The first surface and the second surface are configured to substantially inhibit a rotation of the support rail relative to the swing gear by engaging the top face and the inner surface simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
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Publication number: 20160010309Abstract: A support rail for a swing gear assembly having a thrust rail coupled to a swing gear includes a substantially horizontal first surface configured to be coupled to the swing gear such that the first surface engages a substantially horizontal top face of the swing gear, and a substantially vertical second surface intersecting the substantially horizontal first surface such that the second surface is substantially perpendicular to the first surface. The second surface is configured to engage a substantially vertical face of the thrust rail when the first surface is coupled to the swing gear. The first surface and the second surface are configured to inhibit a rotation of the thrust rail relative to the swing gear by engaging the top face of the swing gear and the vertical face of the thrust rail simultaneously.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
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Patent number: 9190852Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
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Patent number: 9180558Abstract: A dipper assembly for a mining shovel, includes a dipper having a dipper back and an open dipper bottom, and a dipper door pivotally mounted to the dipper, configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position with a swing speed, and to cover the open dipper bottom. The dipper assembly also includes one or more hydraulic door snubbers. The hydraulic door snubbers include a base having one or more connecting plates, one or more mounting plates coupled to the base and configured to receive a link extending from the dipper door, one or more friction plates, and a hydraulic cylinder configured to clamp the mounting plates, the connecting plates, the friction plates and the link together.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Patrick B. Maguire
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Publication number: 20150308266Abstract: A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC.Inventors: Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore, David T. Bienfang
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Patent number: 9127435Abstract: A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, Jr., Carl D. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20140314537Abstract: A mining shovel includes a dipper having an inner surface, and a removable liner assembly coupled to the dipper and adjacent to the inner surface of the dipper. The removable liner assembly includes a first rail coupled to the dipper, a first liner segment disposed on the first rail and covering at least a portion of the first rail, and a second liner segment removably coupled to the first rail and covering at least one of a portion of the first liner segment and a portion of the first rail. The first rail is substantially covered by at least one of the first and second liner segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2013Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Gregory A. Gruber
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Publication number: 20140219763Abstract: A power shovel including a tool for lifting, a machine house, a hoist drum, hoist drum machinery and an auxiliary weight box having a perimeter, the hoist drum and hoist drum machinery being at least partially disposed within the perimeter of the auxiliary weight box and the hoist drum being disposed outside of the machine house.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20140219762Abstract: A mining vehicle includes one or more crawlers, a first deck positioned above the crawlers, and a second deck positioned above the first deck. The first deck includes a first floor surface providing a walking surface, and one or more first deck maintenance components configured to allow a person to move among and access the first deck maintenance components. The second deck includes a second floor surface providing a walking surface, one or more second deck maintenance components, and one or more aisles configured to allow a person to move among and access the second deck maintenance components. The first and second decks are configured to provide maintenance access to the first and second deck maintenance components.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2013Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore
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Publication number: 20140165431Abstract: A dipper assembly for a mining shovel, includes a dipper having a dipper back and an open dipper bottom, and a dipper door pivotally mounted to the dipper, configured to pivot between an open position and a closed position with a swing speed, and to cover the open dipper bottom. The dipper assembly also includes one or more hydraulic door snubbers. The hydraulic door snubbers include a base having one or more connecting plates, one or more mounting plates coupled to the base and configured to receive a link extending from the dipper door, one or more friction plates, and a hydraulic cylinder configured to clamp the mounting plates, the connecting plates, the friction plates and the link together.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Patrick B. Maguire
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Publication number: 20140084685Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring an electrical energy storage unit and a parameter related to the load and based on the monitoring, if the load parameter is greater than a second rate of change of electrical power for a second component of an electrical power system, providing power from the electrical energy storage unit to the second component until the load parameter and the second component have equivalent rates of change of electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2012Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLCInventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
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Patent number: 8342236Abstract: A drill bit carousel for use on a blast hole drill includes a base structure that movably supports a plurality of drill receptacles. The drill bit carousel is movable between a storage position and at least one exchange position. In the exchange position, one of the drill receptacles is aligned with a centerline of a drill pipe string. In the storage position, the drill bit carousel is clear of the centerline of the drill pipe string.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2009Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Bucyrus International Inc.Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Bret A. Tarnowski, Nathaniel A. Falendysz
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Patent number: 7975760Abstract: A tool wrench assembly for a blasthole drill includes a fork pivotally fixed relative to at least one actuator that moves the fork between an engaged and a disengaged position.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2009Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Bucyrus International, Inc.Inventors: Bret A. Tarnowski, David T. Bienfang
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Publication number: 20100200258Abstract: A tool wrench assembly for a blasthole drill includes a fork pivotally fixed relative to at least one actuator that moves the fork between an engaged and a disengaged position.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2009Publication date: August 12, 2010Inventors: Bret A. Tarnowski, David T. Bienfang
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Publication number: 20100071958Abstract: A drill bit carousel for use on a blast hole drill includes a base structure that movably supports a plurality of drill receptacles. The drill bit carousel is movable between a storage position and at least one exchange position. In the exchange position, one of the drill receptacles is aligned with a centerline of a drill pipe string. In the storage position, the drill bit carousel is clear of the centerline of the drill pipe string.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Bret A. Tarnowski, Nathaniel A. Falendysz