Patents by Inventor James Johannsen
James Johannsen 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: 20190092404Abstract: A pair of master track links comprises a first master track link including a first body, wherein the first body defines a first bore and includes a first interface region including a plurality of teeth wherein at least one tooth of the plurality of teeth includes a free end and a crown defining a crown width proximate the free end of the at least one tooth, the at least one tooth also includes a root disposed opposite the crown defining a root width; and the crown width is greater than the root width.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric James Johannsen, Arthur James Bland
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Patent number: 10227099Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes an undulating circumferential perimeter.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20190054964Abstract: A track chain assembly comprises a plurality of track links connected to each other by either a track pin or a track bushing, a first master track link including a first interface region including a plurality of teeth, a second master track link including a second interface region including a plurality of teeth, and the first interface region and the second interface region are configured such that the plurality of teeth of both the first master track link and second master track link are configured to share substantially the same load when the track chain assembly is in use.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: February 21, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20180297653Abstract: A track link comprises a body defining a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side surface and a second side surface, a proximate end and a distal end, a first bore adjacent the distal end defining a first longitudinal axis and a second bore adjacent the proximate end defining a second longitudinal axis; wherein either the first bore or the second bore is a blind bore, forming a counterbore configured to house a seal assembly and the counterbore defines a wall that forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the bore that is greater than zero degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jason L. Sebright, Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20180281880Abstract: A clamping master track link comprises a body that defines a first bore and a second bore, a first aperture disposed between the first bore and the second bore, a second aperture disposed between the first aperture and the second bore, a first strut with a first gap disposed between the first aperture and the second aperture, a second strut with a second gap disposed between the first aperture and the first bore, and a bridge disposed between the second aperture and the second bore.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Matthew William Trone, Roger L. Recker, Eric James Johannsen
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Patent number: 10053168Abstract: A method of hardening an article of manufacture that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis made of a material that is capable of being hardened and that is intended for a particular use includes locally heating the material at a first location found on the article along the axis to a first predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis and locally heating the material at a second location found on the article along the axis to a second predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis, wherein the first predetermined depth is different than the second predetermined depth.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric James Johannsen, Mircea Dumitru, Chee Keong Ng
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Patent number: 10046816Abstract: A flexible thrust washer member comprises a body including an annular skirt portion that defines an outer diameter and a central aperture having an inner diameter, wherein the body has a conical configuration that defines a conical axis and a radial direction and the outer diameter of the annular skirt portion is spaced away from the central aperture along the conical axis and along the radial direction, defining an axial dimension and a radial dimension and the body defines at least two slits that separate the annular skirt portion into a plurality of fingers.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Patent number: 10046817Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes alternating regions adjacent each other circumferentially having a different hardness relative to each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2016Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20180162466Abstract: A bushing is provided for use in a track assembly including a plurality of link members forming a track chain, a plurality of pin members configured to couple adjacent link members, a plurality of bushings configured to receive the pin members, and a drive sprocket including a plurality of teeth configured to engage with the plurality of bushings. The bushing may include a central axial bore configured to receive a pin member. The bushing may also include a center portion having a first diameter, the center portion being configured to engage with a concave recess defined by adjacent teeth. The bushing may further include at least one outer portion having a second diameter, the outer portion being configured to engage with a link member. A ratio between the first diameter and the second diameter may be greater than or equal to about 1.5:1.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2016Publication date: June 14, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: ERIC JAMES JOHANNSEN
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Publication number: 20180099708Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes alternating regions adjacent each other circumferentially having a different hardness relative to each other.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20180057082Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes an undulating circumferential perimeter.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2016Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20180029653Abstract: A method of fabricating a track link comprises creating a rail portion of a track link from a high alloy steel, creating a main body portion of a track link from a low alloy steel, and friction adhering the rail portion onto the main body portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2016Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20180009491Abstract: A flexible thrust washer member comprises a body including an annular skirt portion that defines an outer diameter and a central aperture having an inner diameter, wherein the body has a conical configuration that defines a conical axis and a radial direction and the outer diameter of the annular skirt portion is spaced away from the central aperture along the conical axis and along the radial direction, defining an axial dimension and a radial dimension and the body defines at least two slits that separate the annular skirt portion into a plurality of fingers.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Patent number: 9796436Abstract: A track link assembly is disclosed. The track link assembly may have a left link pair having left links. The left links may be disposed in-line with each other and separated by a left link gap. The track link assembly may also have a right link pair having right links. The right links may be disposed in-line with each other and separated by a right link gap. The right link pair may be disposed opposite the left link pair. The track link assembly may have at least one pin configured to pivotably connect the left link pair and the right link pair. The left link gap may be offset from the right link gap relative to an axis of the at least one pin.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Patent number: 9745005Abstract: A roller assembly is disclosed. The roller assembly may have a roller shell. The roller shell may have a bore. The roller assembly may also have a substantially cylindrical shaft. The shaft may extend from a shaft proximate end to a shaft distal end. The shaft may be disposed within the bore. The roller assembly may also have a first collar disposed between the shaft proximate end and the roller shell. The first collar may be interferingly engaged with the shaft. The roller assembly may further have a second collar disposed between the shaft distal end and the roller shell. The second collar may also be interferingly engaged with the shaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 29, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Patent number: 9701351Abstract: A construction machine includes a chassis, at least one continuous track supporting the chassis, at least one rim operatively associated with the continuous track, a shaft rotatably associated with the rim, and a collar operatively associated with the shaft and a guard plate. The collar has a variably angled face interfacing with the rim, and a labyrinth is formed between the collar and the rim via the variably angled face.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Eric James Johannsen, Mircea Dumitru, Timothy Thorson, Matthew Trone
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Publication number: 20170144715Abstract: A method of hardening an article of manufacture that includes a body that defines a longitudinal axis made of a material that is capable of being hardened and that is intended for a particular use is provided. The method may comprise locally heating the material at a first location found on the article along the axis to a first predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis and locally heating the material at a second location found on the article along the axis to a second predetermined depth in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis, wherein the first predetermined depth is different than the second predetermined depth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 24, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Eric James Johannsen, Mircea Dumitru, Chee Keong Ng
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Patent number: 9656707Abstract: A face seal assembly and rotating assembly for a track machine are disclosed. The face seal assembly includes a first seal ring, an annular housing, a second seal ring, and a bias member. The first seal ring is fixed to a rotating part for rotation about an axis. The first seal ring includes a seal face and a radially outer surface press-fittingly confronting an annular bore in the rotating part. The annular housing is spaced axially inward from the first seal ring and rotationally fixed. The annular housing includes an axially inner surface and a radially inner surface. The second seal ring is disposed axially between the first seal ring and the annular housing. The second seal ring includes a seal face confronting the seal face of the first seal ring. The bias member is compressed between the annular housing and the second seal ring.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
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Publication number: 20170129555Abstract: A track link assembly is disclosed. The track link assembly may have a left link pair having left links. The left links may be disposed in-line with each other and separated by a left link gap. The track link assembly may also have a right link pair having right links. The right links may be disposed in-line with each other and separated by a right link gap. The right link pair may be disposed opposite the left link pair. The track link assembly may have at least one pin configured to pivotably connect the left link pair and the right link pair. The left link gap may be offset from the right link gap relative to an axis of the at least one pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventor: Eric James JOHANNSEN
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Patent number: 9592866Abstract: A track assembly may have a chain assembly including a plurality of track links, a traction assembly including track shoes secured to the plurality of track links, a drive sprocket, an idler assembly including an idler and a mount, and a roller assembly including a plurality of rollers and a roller frame. A wear monitoring system may have a wear sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of a first component of the track assembly, and a controller in communication with the at least one wear sensor, the controller being configured to determine an amount of wear experienced by the track assembly based on the signal. The first component may be configured such that wear of at least a second component causes the first component to move to the current position from a previous position.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael Hasselbusch, Kevin L. Steiner, Eric James Johannsen