Patents by Inventor Howard N. Cannon

Howard N. Cannon 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: 6447423
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a continuously variable transmission is disclosed. The apparatus includes (i) an input shaft driven by an engine, (ii) an output shaft, (iii) an operator input for generating speed commands, and (iv) a controller operable to receive said speed commands and generate transmission ratio commands which control a ratio of a speed of the output shaft to a speed of the input shaft. An upper transmission ratio limit is defined by first engine speed and a lower transmission ratio limit is defined by a second engine speed. When the speed command requires a transmission ratio command greater than the upper transmission ratio limit, the controller adjusts the transmission ratio command to the upper transmission ratio limit, whereas when the speed command requires a transmission ratio command less than the lower transmission ratio limit the controller adjusts the transmission ratio command to the lower transmission ratio limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Howard N. Cannon, Larry E. Kendrick
  • Publication number: 20020082138
    Abstract: In the operation of work machines it has been a problem to control the work machine's velocity aspects such as velocity, acceleration, deceleration and jerk because of the plurality of operator interfaces required for such control. The present invention provides an operator interface system for a work machine in which a first pedal is displaceable from a neutral position, and a sensor is operatively coupled with the first pedal and is operable to output a displacement signal corresponding to a location of the first pedal. An electronic controller receives the displacement signal and provides a pre-determined control to a velocity aspect of the work machine in response to the displacement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Howard N. Cannon, Michael G. Cronin, Michael F. Hopkins, Igor Strashny
  • Patent number: 5717372
    Abstract: A solenoid including a single coil of windings, an immovable stator, and opposed first and second armatures defining an air gap therebetween. A driving circuit energizes the coil to cause the first and second armatures to simultaneously move toward each other from respective first positions to respective second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Howard N. Cannon, Mark F. Sommars
  • Patent number: 5646588
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is disclosed. The actuator includes a core having an inner and outer pole that defines a pole face. A coil of windings is disposed in the core and produces a magnetic field. An armature is moveable between first and second positions in response to the force produced by the magnetic field. A stroke elongation device is disposed adjacent to the outer pole piece and closely spaced from the armature. The stroke elongation device increases the pull-in force of the electromagnetic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Howard N. Cannon
  • Patent number: 5628293
    Abstract: An improved electronically-controlled fluid injector system comprises a fluid storage chamber and a direct-operated check. Pressurization of fluid in the storage chamber begins before the start of fluid injection. Fluid injection begins by hydraulically unbalancing the check. Fluid injection sharply ends by hydraulically balancing the check to allow a biasing device to close the check. The present invention provides improved control of several fluid injection parameters, including higher peak fluid injection capability and less fluid injection pressure drop at the end of injection, resulting in improved engine performance and lower emissions, noise, and wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis H. Gibson, Gregory W. Hefler, Ronald D. Shinogle, Mark F. Sommars, Howard N. Cannon
  • Patent number: 5597118
    Abstract: An actuation valve for a hydraulically-operated fuel injector includes an actuator having a plunger and a spool valve coupled to the plunger. The spool valve includes a high pressure port and is operable by the actuator to selectively place the high pressure port or the low pressure port in fluid communication with an injection mechanism of the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Carter, Jr., Howard N. Cannon, Kirk S. Shively, Glen F. Forck, Raj T. Nagarajan, Steven F. Meister
  • Patent number: 5339777
    Abstract: An electrohydraulic assembly for actuating a moveable control element is provided. A valve body has two fluid ports, and a central bore. A core is disposed in spaced proximity from the valve body. An armature is rectilinearly translatable between first and second positions relative to the core. First and second electromagnetic coils produce respective electromagnetic forces in response to being energized to cause the rectilinear movement of the armature. A linearly shiftable spool is rigidly connected to the armature. The armature movement causes the spool to displace, which controls fluid flow for actuating the control element. First and second springs provide respective biasing forces to the armature to assist the rectilinear movement of the armature upon the appropriate energization of either of the electromagnetic coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Howard N. Cannon