Patents by Inventor Gregory A. Epplin
Gregory A. Epplin 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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Publication number: 20150239410Abstract: In a machine including an engine having one or more machine functional units powered by an electrical power source 10, an isolator configured to isolate the machine functional unit(s) and a control module from the electrical power source when an operator opens the isolator, there is provided an electrical bypass circuit that may form an electrical connection to couple the electrical power source with the control module and the machine functional unit and bypass the isolator during machine shutdown.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: PERKINS ENGINES COMPANY LIMITEDInventors: Alistair Farman, James Baker, Gregory Epplin, David Jeremiah Benedict
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Patent number: 8762010Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
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Patent number: 8700271Abstract: A track type tractor incorporates control over lift, tilt, angle and pitch into an implement control joystick. The pitch cylinder and the tilt cylinder share segments of the hydraulic circuit, and a diverter valve prioritizes pitch control over tilt control in the rare occurrence when the operator is requesting both tilt and pitch changes to the dozer blade. Angle control and pitch control may be accomplished by finger controllers incorporated into the implement control joystick. Thus, the operator can control the dozer blade in four degrees of freedom without losing contact with the implement control joystick.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2012Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard Ryan Evenson, Gregory A. Epplin, Jason Mark Buckmier
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Patent number: 8700273Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine. The control system includes a sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive the implement measurement signal, determine whether a main threshold condition is met, and to determine an adjusted implement command based at least in part on the implement measurement signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
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Publication number: 20130204499Abstract: A track type tractor incorporates control over lift, tilt, angle and pitch into an implement control joystick. The pitch cylinder and the tilt cylinder share segments of the hydraulic circuit, and a diverter valve prioritizes pitch control over tilt control in the rare occurrence when the operator is requesting both tilt and pitch changes to the dozer blade. Angle control and pitch control may be accomplished by finger controllers incorporated into the implement control joystick. Thus, the operator can control the dozer blade in four degrees of freedom without losing contact with the implement control joystick.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2012Publication date: August 8, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Jason Mark Buckmier, Gregory A. Epplin, Richard Ryan Evenson
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Patent number: 8406963Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 26, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
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Publication number: 20110046857Abstract: This disclosure relates to a control system for a machine implement. The control system includes a measurement sensor configured to provide an implement measurement signal indicative of a velocity of a machine implement, and a controller. The controller is configured to provide an implement measurement signal and an operator command signal, and to determine an adjusted implement command based signal based on the implement measurement signal and the operator command signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Farmer, Charles W. Grant, Gregory A. Epplin, Michael J. Chadwick, Joshua D. Callaway
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Patent number: 7584941Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an implement for a machine is provided. The machine has a body, a pump, an implement, an operator station, a first operator input device, and a second operator input device. The pump is mounted to the body and has a first operating range. The implement is mounted to the body and coupled to the pump. The operator station is positioned on the body. The first operator input device is located within the operator station and operable to control the implement over the first operating range and the second operator input device is positioned external to the operator station and operable to control the implement over a second operating range. The second operating range is less than the first operating range.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gregory A. Epplin, James A. Oliver, Ben A. Davila, William R. Most
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Publication number: 20080224112Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating an implement for a machine is provided. The machine has a body, a pump, an implement, an operator station, a first operator input device, and a second operator input device. The pump is mounted to the body and has a first operating range. The implement is mounted to the body and coupled to the pump. The operator station is positioned on the body. The first operator input device is located within the operator station and operable to control the implement over the first operating range and the second operator input device is positioned external to the operator station and operable to control the implement over a second operating range. The second operating range is less than the first operating range.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2007Publication date: September 18, 2008Applicant: CATERPILLAR INCInventors: Gregory A. Epplin, James A. Oliver, Ben A. Davila, William R. Most
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Publication number: 20060042241Abstract: A protection system is provided for a work machine with a power source. At least one sensor is configured to monitor a fluid parameter of a work machine system external to the power source. The sensor is further configured to produce a signal indicative of a value of the fluid parameter. The component protection system has a control module in communication with the at least one sensor, the control module being configured to derate a power source output base upon the value of the fluid parameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2004Publication date: March 2, 2006Inventors: Christopher Bright, Gregory Epplin, William Swick
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Patent number: 6694240Abstract: When operating a work machine such as a backhoe, fuel consumption, pollution and noise can be decreased by reducing engine speed below a throttle setting when a set of equipment attached to a rear side of a work machine body is idled for a predetermined period of time. The engine speed is reduced by a control system including an electronic control module having an engine speed reduction algorithm. When the electronic control module determines that a seat assembly that is rotatably mounted to the work machine body is in a forward-facing position, the engine speed reduction algorithm is inactive. When the electronic control module determines that the seat assembly in a rearward-facing position, the engine speed reduction algorithm is active. By basing, at least in part, the activation and deactivation of the engine speed reduction algorithm on the seat assembly position, the engine speed reduction algorithm will be active when the backhoe is operable.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: W. Christopher Swick, Clayton L. Padgett, Gregory A. Epplin, Christopher E. Bright