Patents by Inventor Francis Theobalds

Francis Theobalds 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: 8939227
    Abstract: A pressure protection valve is provided which provides a fluid short circuit between a fluid pressure inlet of a hydraulic tool such as a hydraulic hammer and a low pressure region when the pressure at the fluid pressure inlet exceeds a first trigger pressure equal to a predetermined permissible pressure. This prevents damage to the hydraulic tool which can arise through operation at excessive fluid flow or pressure from hydraulic fluid supplied by a carrier vehicle. The pressure protection valve may maintain fluid communication between the fluid pressure inlet and the low pressure region until the pressure at the fluid pressure inlet reduces to a pressure below a predetermined second trigger pressure which is less than the first trigger pressure, to prevent further operation of the tool until the flow of fluid to the fluid pressure inlet has been stopped by an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Theobalds
  • Publication number: 20120160528
    Abstract: A pressure protection valve is provided which provides a fluid short circuit between a fluid pressure inlet of a hydraulic tool such as a hydraulic hammer and a low pressure region when the pressure at the fluid pressure inlet exceeds a first trigger pressure equal to a predetermined permissible pressure. This prevents damage to the hydraulic tool which can arise through operation at excessive fluid flow or pressure from hydraulic fluid supplied by a carrier vehicle. The pressure protection valve may maintain fluid communication between the fluid pressure inlet and the low pressure region until the pressure at the fluid pressure inlet reduces to a pressure below a predetermined second trigger pressure which is less than the first trigger pressure, to prevent further operation of the tool until the flow of fluid to the fluid pressure inlet has been stopped by an operator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Francis Theobalds