Patents by Inventor Gerry O. McCann

Gerry O. McCann 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: 9296295
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9126480
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Patent number: 9086104
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8771140
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Patent number: 8626410
    Abstract: A powertrain system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The powertrain system may have a power source, a plurality of traction devices, and a differential operatively connecting an output of the power source with the plurality of traction devices. The powertrain may also have a manual input device movable by an operator to generate a first signal indicative of a desire to lock the differential, at least one sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a parameter of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the manual input device, and the differential. The controller may be configured to inhibit locking of the differential based on the first signal when the second signal indicates the parameter deviating from an acceptable range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Brian A. Byers, Fazal A. Goraya, David R. Wisley, Kevin B. Grover
  • Publication number: 20130190995
    Abstract: A powertrain system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The powertrain system may have a power source, a plurality of traction devices, and a differential operatively connecting an output of the power source with the plurality of traction devices. The powertrain may also have a manual input device movable by an operator to generate a first signal indicative of a desire to lock the differential, at least one sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a parameter the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, the manual input device, and the differential. The controller may be configured to inhibit locking of the differential based on the first signal when the second signal indicates the parameter deviating from an acceptable range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Brian A. Byers, Fazal A. Goraya, David R. Wisley, Kevin B. Grover
  • Patent number: 8327697
    Abstract: An improved speed sensing system is disclosed for a machine, such as a truck, that has an axle with an end and an axis. The machine further includes a sensor non-rotatably coupled to the end of the axle and coaxial with the axis. A wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle and a wheel cover is coupled to the wheel hub. The machine further includes a magnet coaxially disposed with the axis and coupled to the wheel cover for rotation about the axis as the wheel rotates. The sensor generates signals based on the rotational speed of the magnet and the wheel. For non-rotating axles that are solid or include solid spindles, a passageway for a communication line between the sensor and electronic control module (ECM) may be easily drilled thereby making the disclosed system easy to add to an existing machine or vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Jesse C. Anderson, Aaron F. Clay, Keith F. Harvey, Keith A. Kabrick, Alice L. Kim, Daniel T. Wilhelm, Daniel P. Sergison
  • Publication number: 20120214641
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCANN, Yun LIU, Keith F. HARVEY
  • Publication number: 20120209485
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCANN, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20120209484
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
  • Publication number: 20110089655
    Abstract: An improved speed sensing system is disclosed for a machine, such as a truck, that has an axle with an end and an axis. The machine further includes a sensor non-rotatably coupled to the end of the axle and coaxial with the axis. A wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle and a wheel cover is coupled to the wheel hub. The machine further includes a magnet coaxially disposed with the axis and coupled to the wheel cover for rotation about the axis as the wheel rotates. The sensor generates signals based on the rotational speed of the magnet and the wheel. For non-rotating axles that are solid or include solid spindles, a passageway for a communication line between the sensor and electronic control module (ECM) may be easily drilled thereby making the disclosed system easy to add to an existing machine or vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Jesse C. Anderson, Aaron F. Clay, Keith F. Harvey, Keith A. Kabrick, Alice L. Kim, Daniel T. Wilhelm, Daniel P. Sergison
  • Publication number: 20100161190
    Abstract: An electronic traction optimization system includes a control unit adapted to produce a corner speed estimate signal for each wheel of a machine, produce an ideal target speed signal for each wheel having a value at least partially responsive to the corner speed estimate signals, produces a practical target speed signal for each wheel, generates an actual target speed signal having a value responsive to a comparison of the ideal target speed signal and the practical target speed signal for each wheel. The control unit compares each actual target speed signal to an associated wheel speed signal to obtain a wheel speed error signal for each wheel and converts each wheel speed error signal to a clutch control signal, wherein each differential clutch actuator is responsive to an associated clutch control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: Catepillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey