Patents by Inventor Douglas W. Seeger

Douglas W. Seeger 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: 10100494
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the swing of a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a hydrostatic circuit that includes an electronic displacement control pump and a first swing motor fluidly connected in a closed loop circuit. The electronic displacement control pump configured to control the supply of fluid to the swing motor based on a final pump displacement command. The first swing motor configured to rotate the upper carriage of the machine. The hydrostatic circuit configured to control (a) an actual speed of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor speed and (b) a torque of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Vonderwell, Douglas W. Seeger, Christopher A. Williamson
  • Patent number: 10029540
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an engine is disclosed. The fluid delivery system comprises a pump, a valve module, a motor, and a displacement control module. The pump is operatively coupled with an engine and is adapted to provide a flow of a fluid. The valve module is provided in fluidic communication with the pump to control the flow of the fluid. The motor is provided in fluidic communication with the valve module to receive the flow of the fluid and generate mechanical power. The displacement control module is provided in fluidic communication with the pump and the valve module and is provided downstream of the pump and upstream of the valve module. The displacement control module controls a displacement of the pump for maintaining a constant flow rate of the fluid from the pump based, at least in part, on an engine speed regardless of compressor load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Seeger
  • Publication number: 20180044887
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the swing of a machine is disclosed. The system may comprise a hydrostatic circuit that includes an electronic displacement control pump and a first swing motor fluidly connected in a closed loop circuit. The electronic displacement control pump configured to control the supply of fluid to the swing motor based on a final pump displacement command. The first swing motor configured to rotate the upper carriage of the machine. The hydrostatic circuit configured to control (a) an actual speed of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor speed and (b) a torque of the first swing motor when the final pump displacement command results from a requested swing motor torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark P. Vonderwell, Douglas W. Seeger, Christopher A. Williamson
  • Publication number: 20160332509
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system for an engine is disclosed. The fluid delivery system comprises a pump, a valve module, a motor, and a displacement control module. The pump is operatively coupled with an engine and is adapted to provide a flow of a fluid. The valve module is provided in fluidic communication with the pump to control the flow of the fluid. The motor is provided in fluidic communication with the valve module to receive the flow of the fluid and generate mechanical power. The displacement control module is provided in fluidic communication with the pump and the valve module and is provided downstream of the pump and upstream of the valve module. The displacement control module controls a displacement of the pump for maintaining a constant flow rate of the fluid from the pump based, at least in part, on an engine speed regardless of compressor load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas W. Seeger
  • Patent number: 8571753
    Abstract: A power management system for a forestry machine includes a controller, a cutting tool, a cutting tool positioning system, a propulsion system, and a steering system. The power management system also includes an engine control module for calculating engine load. Based upon the calculated engine load, the controller automatically adjusts at least one of cutting tool speed, cutting tool positioning system power, and steering system power and adjusts the cutting tool speed toward a speed range defined by a first predetermined percentage above a standard set speed and a second predetermined percentage below the standard set speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jerome M. Robillard, Douglas W. Seeger, Greg D. Finnes
  • Publication number: 20110257842
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a power management system for a forestry machine. The power management system improves the efficiency of the machine by automating control of the hydraulic systems of the machine. A controller receives a signal from a cutting tool speed sensor and can control the operation of the various pumps and motors on the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Forest Products Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas W. Seeger, Jerome M. Robillard, Greg D. Finnes