Patents by Inventor James B. McKnight

James B. McKnight 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: 11352768
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a system and method for performing a lockout or stand down of the machine to prohibit movement of the machine or one or more components of the machine, without shutting down the machine. Information about the status of the machine or a component thereof can be collected and relayed to an electronic control module (ECM) to determine whether to lockout the construction machine. If appropriate, the ECM can command lockout to an electrical component of the machine or component to prohibit movement of the machine or component until the lockout is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schwartz, Russell J. Pugh, James B. McKnight, David R. Wisley
  • Publication number: 20210017737
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a system and method for performing a lockout or stand down of the machine to prohibit movement of the machine or one or more components of the machine, without shutting down the machine. Information about the status of the machine or a component thereof can be collected and relayed to an electronic control module (ECM) to determine whether to lockout the construction machine. If appropriate, the ECM can command lockout to an electrical component of the machine or component to prohibit movement of the machine or component until the lockout is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schwartz, Russell J. Pugh, James B. McKnight, David R. Wisley
  • Publication number: 20200377065
    Abstract: An articulated work machine includes a frame assembly having a front portion and a rear portion; an articulation joint connecting the front and rear portions and adapted to allow pivotal movement about the articulation joint by the front and rear portions; a plurality of front wheels attached to the front portion and a plurality of rear wheels attached to the rear portion; a brake associated with each of the front wheels and rear wheels; a steering sensor adapted to provide a steering signal from a steering mechanism of the articulated work machine; and a controller adapted to receive the steering signal, and wherein when a braking force is applied to the front and rear wheels when the controller receives the steering signal, the controller produces a signal to modulate the braking force to allow the front portion and rear portion of the machine to articulate without the machine moving forward.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy D. Schwartz, Russell J. Pugh, David R. Wisley, James B. McKnight
  • Publication number: 20160016562
    Abstract: A machine is provided where the machine includes: an engine configured to operate at an idle speed; an engine exhaust system connected to the engine; at least one service brake connected to at least one of wheels of the machine; at least one brake solenoid connected to the at least one service brake; a brake controller connected to the at least one brake solenoid and the at least one service brake; and an anti-lunging system configured to control the at least one brake solenoid during periods of higher idle speed, where the brake controller is configured to control the at least one service brake, the at least one brake solenoid and the anti-lunging system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James B. McKnight, Gene A. Townsend, Dennis A. Barney, Jesse L. Farmer
  • Patent number: 8133156
    Abstract: The temperature of a machine component is controlled by transferring heat generated by a torque converter under restricted conditions to the component. The machine includes a circulating fluid system configured to transfer heat from the torque converter to the remotely positioned machine component. A controller is configured to sense the temperature of the component, and to restrict motion of the torque converter turbine when the sensed temperature is below a desired temperature. Heat generated by the torque converter under the restricted condition is transferred through the circulating fluid system to the remote component, such as the machine power source, to control the temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Barney, Charles W. Birchenough, James B. McKnight, Brian J. Oleson
  • Publication number: 20090131222
    Abstract: The temperature of a machine component is controlled by transferring heat generated by a torque converter under restricted conditions to the component. The machine includes a circulating fluid system configured to transfer heat from the torque converter to the remotely positioned machine component. A controller is configured to sense the temperature of the component, and to restrict motion of the torque converter turbine when the sensed temperature is below a desired temperature. Heat generated by the torque converter under the restricted condition is transferred through the circulating fluid system to the remote component, such as the machine power source, to control the temperature thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Barney, Charles W. Birchenough, James B. McKnight, Brian J. Oleson
  • Patent number: 4404986
    Abstract: A system for taking up the slack in two flexible resilient hoses of a high pressure system, for alternately supplying fluid under high pressure from a fixed source to, and exhausting it from, a double-acting fluid motor movable relative to the source, includes a line connecting the hoses intermediate their ends and a movable counterweight connected with the line movably along an intermediate length thereof so that alternate stretching and alternate contracting of the hoses, by the alternate supply of pressure fluid to and the alternate exhaust of pressure fluid from the hoses, does not move the counterweight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1983
    Assignee: Fulghum Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. McKnight