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).

  • Patent number: 9702250
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Inventors: Frank R. Szpek, Jr., Carl D. Gilmore, David T. Bienfang
  • Patent number: 9506219
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
  • Patent number: 9394944
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
  • Patent number: 9388689
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, Jr., Carl D. Gilmore
  • Patent number: 9279231
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gregory A. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20160010694
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
  • Publication number: 20160010309
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gurbachan S. Bumraw, Carl D. Gilmore, Philip R. Strydom, Christopher R. Wanasek, Jeanne Yaunke
  • Patent number: 9190852
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 9180558
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Patrick B. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20150308266
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC.
    Inventors: Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore, David T. Bienfang
  • Patent number: 9127435
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, Jr., Carl D. Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20140314537
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Gregory A. Gruber
  • Publication number: 20140219763
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20140219762
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Frank R. Szpek, JR., Carl D. Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20140165431
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Patrick B. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20140084685
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Robert A. Hamann, Michael G. Onsager, Michael E. Brandt, Marcelo C. Algrain
  • Patent number: 8342236
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bucyrus International Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Bret A. Tarnowski, Nathaniel A. Falendysz
  • Patent number: 7975760
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Bucyrus International, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret A. Tarnowski, David T. Bienfang
  • Publication number: 20100200258
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2009
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventors: Bret A. Tarnowski, David T. Bienfang
  • Publication number: 20100071958
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: David T. Bienfang, Bret A. Tarnowski, Nathaniel A. Falendysz