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).
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Patent number: 9296295Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
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Patent number: 9126480Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
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Patent number: 9086104Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 13, 2009Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
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Patent number: 8771140Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
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Patent number: 8626410Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Brian A. Byers, Fazal A. Goraya, David R. Wisley, Kevin B. Grover
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Publication number: 20130190995Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2012Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Brian A. Byers, Fazal A. Goraya, David R. Wisley, Kevin B. Grover
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Patent number: 8327697Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2010Date of Patent: December 11, 2012Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20120214641Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventors: Gerry O. McCANN, Yun LIU, Keith F. HARVEY
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Publication number: 20120209485Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Gerry O. McCANN, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
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Publication number: 20120209484Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey
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Publication number: 20110089655Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: 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
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Publication number: 20100161190Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: Catepillar Inc.Inventors: Gerry O. McCann, Yun Liu, Keith F. Harvey