Patents by Inventor David Thomas Bienfang

David Thomas 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: 8966792
    Abstract: An actuator system for a machine includes a linear hydraulic actuator connected to a dipper of the machine, and a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator. A component of the hydraulic system is mounted on the dipper. The system also includes an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. A piston assembly of the actuator is configured to move the overcenter link in a first direction, via contact between the piston assembly and the overcenter link, thereby transitioning the door from the closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Thomas Bienfang, Carl Delbert Gilmore, Frank Richard Szpek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8959805
    Abstract: An actuator system for a machine includes a hydraulic actuator connected to a dipper of the machine, and a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator. A component of the hydraulic system is mounted on the dipper. The system also includes an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. The actuator is operable to move the overcenter link in a first direction, thereby transitioning the door from the closed position to an open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Thomas Bienfang, Carl Delbert Gilmore, Frank Richard Szpek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8935865
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a power shovel may have a cylinder operatively connectable to a dipper door of the power shovel, a reservoir located at and fluidly connected to the cylinder, and an accumulator located at and fluidly connected to the cylinder in parallel with the reservoir. The hydraulic system may further have a control valve disposed between the cylinder, the reservoir, and the accumulator. The control valve may be movable to selectively direct fluid from the cylinder into the accumulator and fluid from the reservoir into the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Thomas Bienfang, Frank Richard Szpek, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8935866
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a power shovel may have a tank, a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and pressurize the fluid, a crowd cylinder extendable and retractable to adjust a length of a dipper handle, and a valve in fluid communication with the tank, the pump, and the crowd cylinder. The valve may be movable to fill chambers of the crowd cylinder with fluid pressurized by the pump and to drain the chambers of the crowd cylinder to cause extension and retraction of the crowd cylinder. The hydraulic system may also have a dipper actuator located at an end of the crowd cylinder, and a passage extending through the crowd cylinder to communicate with the dipper actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David Thomas Bienfang
  • Publication number: 20140205414
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a power shovel is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a cylinder operatively connectable to a dipper door of the power shovel, a reservoir located at and fluidly connected to the cylinder, and an accumulator located at and fluidly connected to the cylinder in parallel with the reservoir. The hydraulic system may further have a control valve disposed between the cylinder, the reservoir, and the accumulator. The control valve may be movable to selectively direct fluid from the cylinder into the accumulator and fluid from the reservoir into the cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Thomas BIENFANG, Frank Richard Szpek, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140202048
    Abstract: An actuator system for a machine includes a hydraulic actuator connected to a dipper of the machine, and a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator. A component of the hydraulic system is mounted on the dipper. The system also includes an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. The actuator is operable to move the overcenter link in a first direction, thereby transitioning the door from the closed position to an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: David Thomas Bienfang, Carl Delbert Gilmore, Frank Richard Szpek, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140205415
    Abstract: An actuator system for a machine includes a linear hydraulic actuator connected to a dipper of the machine, and a hydraulic system fluidly connected to the actuator and configured to selectively direct fluid to the actuator. A component of the hydraulic system is mounted on the dipper. The system also includes an overcenter link coupled to a door of the dipper and biased to maintain the door in a closed position. A piston assembly of the actuator is configured to move the overcenter link in a first direction, via contact between the piston assembly and the overcenter link, thereby transitioning the door from the closed position to an open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: David Thomas Bienfang, Carl Delbert Gilmore, Frank Richard Szpek, JR.
  • Publication number: 20140205412
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a power shovel is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a tank, a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and pressurize the fluid, a crowd cylinder extendable and retractable to adjust a length of a dipper handle, and a valve in fluid communication with the tank, the pump, and the crowd cylinder. The valve may be movable to fill chambers of the crowd cylinder with fluid pressurized by the pump and to drain the chambers of the crowd cylinder to cause extension and retraction of the crowd cylinder. The hydraulic system may also have a dipper actuator located at an end of the crowd cylinder, and a passage extending through the crowd cylinder to communicate with the dipper actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: David Thomas BIENFANG