Patents by Inventor Erric L. Heitmann

Erric L. Heitmann 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: 20230226940
    Abstract: A location determination system for a material handling vehicle operating near a charging node. The system may include a power receptor configured to receive power from the charging node and provide current to the material handling vehicle. The system may include a sensor electrically coupled to the power receptor and configured to measure the current provided by the power receptor, and a controller configured to determine a current profile based on the measured current and determine a distance of the power receptor to the charging node based on the current profile. The system may determine the distance of the material handling vehicle from the charging node and may determine the location of the material handling vehicle based on a predetermined location of the charging node. The system may comprise multiple power receptors each with a current profile and may determine a speed and/or direction based on the multiple current profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Erric L. Heitmann, Craig Fahrenkrug
  • Publication number: 20140088837
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame, a vertical mast coupled to the vehicle frame, and a carriage movably mounted to the mast for ascending and descending along the mast. At least one hydraulic cylinder moves the carriage along the mast, a hydraulic pump pumps hydraulic fluid into the hydraulic cylinder, and a flow valve controls the flow of hydraulic fluid between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic cylinder. A sensor senses an actual descent speed of the carriage and a controller controls the flow valve to allow descent of the carriage at a requested descent speed. The controller controls the flow valve to limit descent of the carriage to a unsolicited descent speed limit if a difference between the actual descent speed and the requested descent speed exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventors: Erric L. Heitmann, John B. Kirk
  • Patent number: 6439261
    Abstract: A pressure responsive oil flow regulating supply valve assembly includes an oil supply input; an oil supply output; an oil flow path defined between the input and output. A valving mechanism located in the oil flow path includes a device for restricting oil flow at a first level in response to normal pressure and for restricting oil flow at a second level in response to high pressure conditions. In addition, other levels of restriction may be provided for other pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Erric L. Heitmann, Douglas J. Sheahan
  • Publication number: 20020078996
    Abstract: A pressure responsive oil flow regulating supply valve assembly includes an oil supply input; an oil supply output; an oil flow path defined between the input and output. A valving mechanism located in the oil flow path includes a device for restricting oil flow at a first level in response to normal pressure and for restricting oil flow at a second level in response to high pressure conditions. In addition, other levels of restriction may be provided for other pressure conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: James W. Bush, Erric L. Heitmann, Douglas J. Sheahan
  • Patent number: 5475189
    Abstract: Pulses are sensed at the inlet and outlet of a two-chamber reflective muffler and responsive thereto the cavities are tuned to the frequency of the pulses. Specifically, chamber walls are moved to have them located at spacings corresponding, respectively, to one half and one quarter of the wavelength of the pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michael G. Field, Erric L. Heitmann, Thomas S. Katra
  • Patent number: 5170640
    Abstract: Oil laden refrigerant is supplied tangentially into an oil separator for a primary removal of oil and then into a coalescer for a secondary removal of oil. Flow between the oil separator and coalescer is controlled by a valve so as to insure that a rapid build up of pressure takes place in the sump to insure adequate lubrication to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Erric L. Heitmann, David N. Shaw, Arthur G. Mensing, Michael G. Field
  • Patent number: 5062277
    Abstract: A thermally protected heater element is located in an oil sump such that it is normally located beneath the surface of the oil whereby the oil is heated and acts as a heat sink relative to the heater element. If the oil level drops below the heater element, the thermal protection disables the heater element and the compressor whereby the location of the heater element defines the nominal minimum oil level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Erric L. Heitmann, David N. Shaw