Patents by Inventor Eric A. Hansen

Eric A. Hansen 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: 11072892
    Abstract: A vibratory system for a compactor machine, the vibratory system optionally including a key shaft, an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The key shaft can have a first internal helically splined portion and a second internal helically splined portion. The first internal helically splined portion can be oppositely splined with respect to the second internal helically splined portion and arranged axially of the second internal helically splined portion. The input shaft can be configured with an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the first internal helically splined portion of the key shaft. The first output shaft can be configured couple to the input shaft for rotation therewith. The second output shaft can have an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the second internal helically splined portion of the key shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Eric A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20210123194
    Abstract: A vibratory system for a compactor machine, the vibratory system optionally including a key shaft, an input shaft, a first output shaft and a second output shaft. The key shaft can have a first internal helically splined portion and a second internal helically splined portion. The first internal helically splined portion can be oppositely splined with respect to the second internal helically splined portion and arranged axially of the second internal helically splined portion. The input shaft can be configured with an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the first internal helically splined portion of the key shaft. The first output shaft can be configured couple to the input shaft for rotation therewith. The second output shaft can have an external helically splined portion configured to be complimentary to the second internal helically splined portion of the key shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Todd A. Impola, Eric A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20180171431
    Abstract: A method of estimating an unknown solvus for a phase of a given alloy includes providing empirical data of a plurality of alloys from an alloy class, the empirical data at least including chemical compositions, heating rates, cooling rates and alloy solvus temperatures of the plurality of alloys, providing an alloy chemical composition, a selected heating rate and a selected cooling rate of another alloy from the alloy class that has an unknown solvus temperature, estimating the unknown solvus temperature based upon the empirical data to provide an estimated solvus temperature of the alloy, and establishing a solution heat treatment temperature corresponding to the estimated solvus temperature at which to treat a component that includes the alloy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Chris Vargas, Eric A. Hansen, Raymond C. Benn, Daniel A. Bales, Ivan M. Schmidt, David W. Anderson, David Ulrich Furrer, William F. Matzke
  • Patent number: 9421606
    Abstract: A casting core assembly (140) includes a metallic core (144, 146, 148; 360; 380; 400) and a ceramic core (142). A protuberant portion (184) of a metallic core is received in compartment (186) of the ceramic core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy A Propheter-Hinckley, Eric A Hansen
  • Publication number: 20150251242
    Abstract: A casting core assembly (140) includes a metallic core (144, 146, 148; 360; 380; 400) and a ceramic core (142). A protuberant portion (184) of a metallic core is received in compartment (186) of the ceramic core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Tracy A. Propheter-Hinckley, Eric A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8967910
    Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a roller and an eccentric shaft. The roller is rotatably mounted on a main frame and may include a first vertical support and a second vertical support. The eccentric shaft is rotatably connected between the first vertical support and the second vertical support in the roller. The eccentric shaft includes a first end, a second end, a first eccentric weight, a second eccentric weight, and a center portion, casted as a single piece. The first eccentric weight is proximal to the first end and the second eccentric weight is proximal to the second end. The center portion may be disposed between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight. The center portion may include at least one cavity on a surface of the center portion. The at least one cavity is elongated between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A Hansen, Matthew D. Chisholm
  • Publication number: 20140133909
    Abstract: A vibratory compactor includes a roller and an eccentric shaft. The roller is rotatably mounted on a main frame and may include a first vertical support and a second vertical support. The eccentric shaft is rotatably connected between the first vertical support and the second vertical support in the roller. The eccentric shaft includes a first end, a second end, a first eccentric weight, a second eccentric weight, and a center portion, casted as a single piece. The first eccentric weight is proximal to the first end and the second eccentric weight is proximal to the second end. The center portion may be disposed between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight. The center portion may include at least one cavity on a surface of the center portion. The at least one cavity is elongated between the first eccentric weight and the second eccentric weight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: Eric A. Hansen, Matthew D. Chisholm
  • Publication number: 20140102656
    Abstract: A casting core assembly includes a metallic core and a ceramic core. A protuberant portion of a metallic core is received in a compartment of the ceramic core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tracy A Propheter-Hinckley, Eric A Hansen
  • Publication number: 20140090753
    Abstract: A method for adjusting properties of components made of an alloy includes providing historical data for one or more properties of components made of an alloy and produced at different times. The components are solution heat treated at a pre-established solution heat treatment condition. A trending change in the one or more properties is then identified and test specimens made of the alloy are provided. The test specimens are divided into a plurality of groups and solution heat treated at different conditions. The test specimens are then mechanically tested to provide empirical data. The empirical data is compared to performance criteria and a solution heat treatment condition is identified over which the empirical data meets the performance criteria. The pre-established solution heat treatment condition is then adjusted for future ones of the plurality of components according to the identified solution heat treatment condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chris Vargas, Eric A. Hansen, Raymond C. Benn, Daniel A. Bales, Ivan M. Schmidt, David W. Anderson, David Ulrich Furrer, William F. Matzke
  • Patent number: 8556039
    Abstract: A system and method for lubricating a key shaft in a compaction machine is disclosed. The compaction machine may include a spline oil cavity and a key shaft in fluid communication with the spline oil cavity. The key shaft may include an axial splined portion and a helical splined portion on an outer surface thereof, a longitudinal lubricating passage extending through a substantial length of the key shaft and a plurality of additional lubricating passages intersecting the longitudinal lubricating passage. The system and method may additionally include lubricating the axial splined portion and the helical splined portion of the key shaft with the lubricating oil drawn from the spline oil cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8393826
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a linear load through a high-speed rotating member includes a linear actuator containing an axially translatable cylinder rod. A mounting adapter fixed against axial and rotary movement is rigidly affixed to an actuator cylinder containing the cylinder rod. An elongate guide sleeve, fixed to the mounting adapter, extends axially from the adapter to accommodate an axially translatable thrust bearing affixed to one end of the cylinder rod. The guide sleeve contains a linear slot for accommodating a guide pin affixed to the thrust bearing housing, and transversely movable within the linear slot to prevent rotation of both bearing housing and cylinder rod components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130051930
    Abstract: Apparatus for transferring a linear load through a high-speed rotating member includes a linear actuator containing an axially translatable cylinder rod. A mounting adapter fixed against axial and rotary movement is rigidly affixed to an actuator cylinder containing the cylinder rod. An elongate guide sleeve, fixed to the mounting adapter, extends axially from the adapter to accommodate an axially translatable thrust bearing affixed to one end of the cylinder rod. The guide sleeve contains a linear slot for accommodating a guide pin affixed to the thrust bearing housing, and transversely movable within the linear slot to prevent rotation of both bearing housing and cylinder rod components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20130000429
    Abstract: A system and method for lubricating a key shaft in a compaction machine is disclosed. The compaction machine may include a spline oil cavity and a key shaft in fluid communication with the spline oil cavity. The key shaft may include an axial splined portion and a helical splined portion on an outer surface thereof, a longitudinal lubricating passage extending through a substantial length of the key shaft and a plurality of additional lubricating passages intersecting the longitudinal lubricating passage. The system and method may additionally include lubricating the axial splined portion and the helical splined portion of the key shaft with the lubricating oil drawn from the spline oil cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20110158745
    Abstract: A vibratory system for a compactor is provided. The vibratory system has a first eccentric, a second eccentric, and a drive shaft. The second eccentric is rotatably and coaxially positioned with respect to the first eccentric. The drive shaft is rotatably coupled to the second eccentric and rotatably coupled to the first eccentric through a helical spline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, John L. Marsolek, Eric A. Hansen