Patents by Inventor Eric R. Lauterbach

Eric R. Lauterbach 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).

  • Fluidly actuated sprag
    Patent number: 7631738
    Abstract: A sprag is disclosed. The sprag is configured to operate in a first mode allowing substantially mutual rotation of inner and outer races about an axis and a second mode allowing relative rotation between the inner and outer races. The sprag includes at least one actuator configured to selectively extend and retract and an outer surface configured to selectively lock the inner and outer races together as a function of the at least one actuator selectively extending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Fluid motor
    Patent number: 7497156
    Abstract: A fluid motor including an inner race and an outer race is disclosed. The inner and outer races are configured to rotate about a substantially common axis. The motor also includes at least one fluid actuator configured to produce substantially linear motion as a function of selectively receiving pressurized fluid. The fluid motor also includes at least one sprag configured to rotate the inner and outer races about the axis as a function of the substantially linear motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Sprag and bearing system
    Publication number: 20080156596
    Abstract: A sprag and bearing system including a sprag is disclosed. The sprag includes an integral body having an oblong cross sectional circumference at least one actuator configured to selectively rotate the body about an axis in a first direction. The sprag also includes at least one spring configured to bias the body to rotate about the axis in a second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather
  • Hydraulic motor
    Publication number: 20080155976
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor is disclosed. The hydraulic motor includes a first toothed wheel and at least one second toothed wheel configured to at least selectively engage the first toothed wheel. The hydraulic motor also includes at least one hydraulic actuator and at least one linkage operatively disposed between the at least one second toothed wheel. The at least one linkage configured to transfer a reciprocal motion of the at least one hydraulic actuator to a rotary motion of the first toothed wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather
  • Fluid motor
    Publication number: 20080098882
    Abstract: A fluid motor including an inner race and an outer race is disclosed. The inner and outer races are configured to rotate about a substantially common axis. The motor also includes at least one fluid actuator configured to produce substantially linear motion as a function of selectively receiving pressurized fluid. The fluid motor also includes at least one sprag configured to rotate the inner and outer races about the axis as a function of the substantially linear motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow
  • Fluidly actuated sprag
    Publication number: 20080099304
    Abstract: A sprag is disclosed. The sprag is configured to operate in a first mode allowing substantially mutual rotation of inner and outer races about an axis and a second mode allowing relative rotation between the inner and outer races. The sprag includes at least one actuator configured to selectively extend and retract and an outer surface configured to selectively lock the inner and outer races together as a function of the at least one actuator selectively extending.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: David P. Smith, Eric R. Lauterbach, Daniel T. Mather, Jonathan L. Buelow