Patents by Inventor Eric A. Reiners

Eric A. Reiners 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).

  • Publication number: 20090144514
    Abstract: A method of deploying a new operating system on a plurality of data processors. Hardware and driver information is determined from the data processors. A general disk image for all of the data processors is prepared in a preinstallation environment. Hardware and software components for a specific target data processor are added to or associated with the preinstallation environment to create an installation operating system for that data processor. The components of the installation operating system are installed on the target data processor, thereby replacing the data processor's operating system with the new operating system of the preinstallation environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Lamantia, Derek Fournier, Rick Schendelman, Kyle Haroldsen, Alan Batson, Phuoc Lieu, Justin Merritt, Kan Mongwa, David Norling-Christensen, Eric Reiner
  • Publication number: 20090139207
    Abstract: An auxiliary power unit disclosed. The auxiliary power unit includes an exhaust passage configured to direct a flow of exhaust from a primary mover, a catalyst substrate disposed within the exhaust passage, and a heater configured to heat the catalyst substrate. The auxiliary power unit also includes a cooling jacket associated with the exhaust passage. The auxiliary power unit further includes a thermo-electric device disposed between the cooling jacket and the exhaust passage. The thermo-electric device is configured to generate electrical power from a temperature gradient created by the heater and the cooling jacket when the primary mover is non-operational.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Kris W. Johnson, Mahmoud A. Taher
  • Publication number: 20080074260
    Abstract: A security device for a transport vehicle for inhibiting the unauthorized removal of the vehicle from a designated use area comprises a mechanism for inhibiting forward movement of the vehicle, a sensor assembly for (a) detecting an attempted removal of the vehicle from the use area and generating a corresponding trigger signal, and (b) detecting a predetermined corrective action and generating a corresponding reset signal, and an actuator in communication with the sensor assembly for receiving the trigger signal and reset signal and activating and deactivating the mechanism respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventor: Andrew Eric Reiner
  • Patent number: 7287506
    Abstract: In one particular embodiment, an internal combustion engine is provided. The engine comprises a block, a head, a piston, a combustion chamber defined by the block, the piston, and the head, and at least one thermoelectric device positioned between the combustion chamber and the head. In this particular embodiment, the thermoelectric device is in direct contact with the combustion chamber. In another particular embodiment, a cylinder head configured to sit atop a cylinder bank of an internal combustion engine is provided. The cylinder head comprises a cooling channel configured to receive cooling fluid, valve seats configured for receiving intake and exhaust valves, and thermoelectric devices positioned around the valve seats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Mahmoud A. Taher, Dong Fei, Andrew N. McGilvray
  • Publication number: 20050166587
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a hydraulic pressure source. A first hydraulic load is associated with a first load function. A second hydraulic load is associated with a second load function. An independent metering valve assembly includes a plurality of independently and electronically controllable valves. The independent metering valve assembly includes an inlet fluidly coupled with the pressure source, a first outlet fluidly coupled with the first hydraulic load, and a second outlet fluidly coupled with the second hydraulic load. The hydraulic system is configured such that the independent metering valve assembly may operate and drive multiple hydraulic load functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: August 4, 2005
    Inventors: Eric Reiners, Steven Ufheil
  • Patent number: 6918248
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a hydraulic pressure source. A first hydraulic load is associated with a first load function. A second hydraulic load is associated with a second load function. An independent metering valve assembly includes a plurality of independently and electronically controllable valves. The independent metering valve assembly includes an inlet fluidly coupled with the pressure source, a first outlet fluidly coupled with the first hydraulic load, and a second outlet fluidly coupled with the second hydraulic load. The hydraulic system is configured such that the independent metering valve assembly may operate and drive multiple hydraulic load functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Steven T. Ufheil
  • Patent number: 6560549
    Abstract: The present invention is adapted to provide a method for determining the torque of a driveshaft. In the preferred embodiment a drivetrain includes a front and a rear drivetrain. The drivetrain is also connected to an engine, torque converter, front and rear axle and a transmission. In one embodiment, the ability to determine the transmission output torque for an earth moving machine includes determining an output torque of the converter and a gear reduction of the engine, and then responsively determining the front and rear driveshaft torque in response to the converter output torque and the engine gear reduction. The driveshaft torque calculations may be performed while the earth moving machine is operating. The resulting front and rear driveshaft torque calculations may be used to determine an axle damage index, or axle life calculations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Andrew O. Fonkalsrud, Bradford A. Kough, Eric A. Reiners
  • Publication number: 20020148223
    Abstract: A hydraulic system, particularly suitable for use in a work machine, is provided with a hydraulic pressure source. A first hydraulic load is associated with a first load function. A second hydraulic load is associated with a second load function. An independent metering valve assembly includes a plurality of independently and electronically controllable valves. The independent metering valve assembly includes an inlet fluidly coupled with the pressure source, a first outlet fluidly coupled with the first hydraulic load, and a second outlet fluidly coupled with the second hydraulic load. The hydraulic system is configured such that the independent metering valve assembly may operate and drive multiple hydraulic load functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Eric A. Reiners, Steven T. Ufheil
  • Publication number: 20020147552
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining an estimate of a torque of a powertrain at a point M using a computer based model is provided. The powertrain includes a driveline and an engine. The method includes the steps of sensing a plurality of parameters of the powertrain in realtime during operation and responsively producing a plurality of respective parameter signals, and receiving the parameter signals, determining a modeled value of the torque, and responsively producing a torque signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: ANDREW O. FONKALSRUD, BRADFORD A. KOUGH, ERIC A. REINERS
  • Patent number: 6234254
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the torque associated with a power train of a machine having a work implement is disclosed. A plurality of position sensors sense the position associated with the work implement and responsively produce respective position signals. A controller modifies the desired engine speed in response to the angular position of the work implement and regulates the speed of the engine at the modified desired engine speed to control the power train torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Hans P. Dietz, Eric A. Reiners, Thomas G. Skinner
  • Patent number: 6052925
    Abstract: A method for determining the front and rear axle weights of an earth moving machine. The method includes determining the weight of a portion of the earth moving machine, and the forces acting on the lift cylinder pin, lift arm pin, and the tilt cylinder pin. The axle weights are determined in response to the above mentioned weights and forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric A. Reiners
  • Patent number: 5955706
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for determining the work cycle of an earth moving machine is disclosed. The machine has a transmission, a work implement, and a lift cylinder and a tilt cylinder connected to the work implement. The method includes the steps of determining a lift cylinder head end pressure, a displacement of the lift cylinder, a displacement of the tilt cylinder, and a direction of travel of the machine. The method further includes determining the work cycle of the machine in response to the displacement of the tilt and lift cylinders, and the lift cylinder head end pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew O. Fonkalsrud, Doyle G. Heyveld, Eric A. Reiners
  • Patent number: 5873244
    Abstract: A positive flow control system is provided that uses open-centered control valves in a series connection to provide priority between different fluid circuits and to provide requested flow regardless of the load pressure while minimizing unused or wasted flow. This is accomplished by providing a restriction in the last open-centered control valve to controllably restrict the flow therethrough when the valve is in its neutral position and having the source of pressurized fluid at a minimum displacement position that substantially matches the rate of flow across the restriction. A controller controls the displacement of the source of pressurized fluid and the displacement of the respective open-centered control valves in proportional to the respective input commands. Initial movement of the last open-centered control valve closes off the restricted flow thereacross to the reservoir prior to the source of pressurized fluid being communicated to the associated actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Cobo, Richard G. Ingram, Eric A. Reiners, Matthew F. Vande Wiele