Patents by Inventor James Alvin Aardema

James Alvin Aardema 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: 10024708
    Abstract: A yield measurement system for a cold planer having a conveyor is disclosed. The yield measurement system may include a hydraulic motor configured to propel the conveyor, a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a force acting on the conveyor by material being moved by the conveyor, and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a pressure differential across the hydraulic motor. The yield measurement system may also include a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to determine when the conveyor is not transferring material based on the second signal, and automatically recalibrate the yield measurement system based on the first signal when the conveyor is not transferring material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee Marsolek, Nicholas Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann, James Alvin Aardema
  • Publication number: 20160341595
    Abstract: A yield measurement system for a cold planer having a conveyor is disclosed. The yield measurement system may include a hydraulic motor configured to propel the conveyor, a first sensor configured to generate a first signal indicative of a force acting on the conveyor by material being moved by the conveyor, and a second sensor configured to generate a second signal indicative of a pressure differential across the hydraulic motor. The yield measurement system may also include a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to determine when the conveyor is not transferring material based on the second signal, and automatically recalibrate the yield measurement system based on the first signal when the conveyor is not transferring material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John Lee MARSOLEK, Nicholas ARGENZIANO, Eric S. ENGELMANN, James Alvin AARDEMA
  • Publication number: 20130136539
    Abstract: A method of controlling a paving process is disclosed. The method may include mixing at least one sensor within a paving material and dispensing the paving material at a desired location. The method may also include monitoring a wireless signal from the sensor during the paving process. The method may further include controlling the paving process based on the wireless signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: James Alvin AARDEMA
  • Patent number: 8424836
    Abstract: A valve has a valve body including a main chamber having a first port and a second port, and a main poppet disposed within the main chamber. The main poppet includes a first surface forming a control chamber within the main chamber. The valve has a first passage communicating the control chamber with the first port, and a second passage communicating the control chamber with the second port. The valve also includes a pilot valve having a pilot poppet for controlling fluid flow from the control chamber to the first port through a third passage, and to the second port through a fourth passage, respectively. The valve may further have a feedback spring coupled between the main poppet and the pilot poppet to provide a force relative to a distance between the main poppet and the pilot poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Philippe Vande Kerckhove, James Alvin Aardema
  • Publication number: 20080295681
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system has a source of pressurized fluid and a fluid actuator with a first chamber. The hydraulic system also has a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the source with the first chamber. The first valve further includes a first element movable between a flow passing, at which fluid from the source flows to the first chamber, and a flow blocking position, at which fluid from the source is blocked from the first chamber and a second element configured to selectively drain a control passageway associated with the first element to cause the first element to move. The hydraulic system further has a proportional pressure compensating valve configured to control a pressure of a fluid directed between the source and the first valve dependent upon the pressure of the control passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Philippe Georges Vande Kerckhove, James Alvin Aardema, Kalpesh Patel
  • Publication number: 20070290153
    Abstract: A valve has a valve body including a main chamber having a first port and a second port, and a main poppet disposed within the main chamber. The main poppet includes a first surface forming a control chamber within the main chamber. The valve has a first passage communicating the control chamber with the first port, and a second passage communicating the control chamber with the second port. The valve also includes a pilot valve having a pilot poppet for controlling fluid flow from the control chamber to the first port through a third passage, and to the second port through a fourth passage, respectively. The valve may further have a feedback spring coupled between the main poppet and the pilot poppet to provide a force relative to a distance between the main poppet and the pilot poppet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Publication date: December 20, 2007
    Inventors: Pengfei Ma, Philippe Vande Kerckhove, James Alvin Aardema