Patents by Inventor Frederic Lastre

Frederic Lastre 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: 9017220
    Abstract: A method for operating a brake system for a work machine that includes at least one operating brake acting directly or indirectly on at least one ground engagement element of the work machine and at least one operating brake actuator which is movable between a fully engaged position and a fully released position and an accelerator actuator for activating propulsion of the work machine. In an activated state of the brake system the operating brake actuator is moved automatically to its fully engaged position when the accelerator actuator is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Alfred Richter, Frederic Lastre
  • Patent number: 8776512
    Abstract: A swing system for construction machinery or a vehicle, particularly an excavator or a crane, includes a swing brake for blocking or unblocking a rotational movement of a first portion of the vehicle relative to a chassis portion of the vehicle, and a swing pump and a swing motor are provided for performing the rotational movement. The swing pump can be positioned in a neutral position where no rotational movement of the first portion takes place. At least one brake control actuator is provided for automatically engaging the brake when the swing pump is in its neutral position. The swing system can provide an improved control of the swing movement on a slope and an improved comfort during operation of the swing movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Frederic Lastre, Timo Zenner
  • Patent number: 8656711
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for operating a tool is provided that is particularly useful in construction equipment such as an excavator, crane, wheel loader, drilling machine, or others. Furthermore, a control unit and a method for controlling the hydraulic circuit and construction equipment including such a hydraulic circuit is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Alfred Richter, Frederic Lastre
  • Patent number: 8606463
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a vehicle includes a first steering member and a second steering member, wherein the first steering member is operationally connected to a first steering valve unit including a first steering valve, and wherein a priority valve controls a flow of a hydraulic fluid to one or more steering cylinders which provide for steering of the vehicle in a desired steering direction, wherein the priority valve gives priority to steering with the first steering member over the steeling with the second steering member. A second steering valve is provided functionally operable in series with a proportional flow control valve, wherein the second steering valve and/or the proportional flow control valve are controlled at least by the second steering member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Olivier Bichler, Frederic Lastre
  • Publication number: 20120109459
    Abstract: A hydraulic steering system for a vehicle includes a first steering member and a second steering member, wherein the first steering member is operationally connected to a first steering valve unit including a first steering valve, and wherein a priority valve controls a flow of a hydraulic fluid to one or more steering cylinders which provide for steering of the vehicle in a desired steering direction, wherein the priority valve gives priority to steering with the first steering member over the steeling with the second steering member. A second steering valve is provided functionally operable in series with a proportional flow control valve, wherein the second steering valve and/or the proportional flow control valve are controlled at least by the second steering member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Olivier Bichler, Frederic Lastre
  • Publication number: 20110314802
    Abstract: A swing system for construction machinery or a vehicle, particularly an excavator or a crane, includes a swing brake for blocking or unblocking a rotational movement of a first portion of the vehicle relative to a chassis portion of the vehicle, and a swing pump and a swing motor are provided for performing the rotational movement. The swing pump can be positioned in a neutral position where no rotational movement of the first portion takes place. At least one brake control actuator is provided for automatically engaging the brake when the swing pump is in its neutral position. The swing system can provide an improved control of the swing movement on a slope and an improved comfort during operation of the swing movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: Volvo Construction Equipment AB
    Inventors: Frederic Lastre, Timo Zenner
  • Publication number: 20110300992
    Abstract: A method for operating a brake system for a work machine that includes at least one operating brake acting directly or indirectly on at least one ground engagement element of the work machine and at least one operating brake actuator which is movable between a fully engaged position and a fully released position and an accelerator actuator for activating propulsion of the work machine. In an activated state of the brake system the operating brake actuator is moved automatically to its fully engaged position when the accelerator actuator is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Alfred Richter, Frederic Lastre
  • Publication number: 20100083650
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit for operating a tool is provided that is particularly useful in construction equipment such as an excavator, crane, wheel loader, drilling machine, or others. Furthermore, a control unit and a method for controlling the hydraulic circuit and construction equipment including such a hydraulic circuit is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: VOLVO CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT AB
    Inventors: Alfred Richter, Frederic Lastre