Patents by Inventor Keith R. Schmidt

Keith R. Schmidt 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: 9255365
    Abstract: A compaction system for providing one or more compaction passes for each pass of the compaction system is provided. The compaction system includes a belt and a sun element having a first axis and positioned within the belt. The compaction system also includes a planet element engaged with the sun element and the belt. The planet element is configured to revolve around the sun element and the first axis. The belt also revolves around the sun element. Further, for every revolution of the belt around the sun element, the planet element completes one or more revolutions around the sun element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Keith R. Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20160024724
    Abstract: A compaction system for providing one or more compaction passes for each pass of the compaction system is provided. The compaction system includes a belt and a sun element having a first axis and positioned within the belt. The compaction system also includes a planet element engaged with the sun element and the belt. The planet element is configured to revolve around the sun element and the first axis. The belt also revolves around the sun element. Further, for every revolution of the belt around the sun element, the planet element completes one or more revolutions around the sun element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2014
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5938371
    Abstract: A fumes abatement system for an asphalt paving machine is disclosed for dispelling noxious fumes that are emitted from asphalt in the hopper of and from behind the paving machine during paving operations. The fumes abatement system utilizes existing plate walls of the feeder tunnel and superstructure to eliminate additional parts and for increased durability. A high capacity blower and a tall exhaust stack are used to disperse the fumes well above the operators of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products
    Inventors: Craig R. Gustin, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5931881
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling the steering of a directionally steered machine having a hydrostatic system that drives a plurality of driven wheels is provided. The method includes the steps of producing a steering angle signal indicative of the angle of the steered wheels and a wheel speed signal indicative of the rotational speed of the driven wheels, and generating a programmable curve that represents the resulting driven wheel speeds as a function of the angle of the steered wheels. The generated curve is then stored in a software map to be later used to determine the driven wheel speeds based on the angle of the steered wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Gustin, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5787374
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the propulsion and steering of a machine. The machine includes a hydrostatic system that drives a pair of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives operator signals indicative of a desired travel speed and direction, and determines a desired rotational speed of the ground engaging traction devices. The electronic controller produces command signals indicative of the determined speeds to regulate the speed of the ground engaging traction devices to the desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan L. Ferguson, Conrad G. Grembowicz, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5575583
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a material feed system of a paver is disclosed. The material feed system includes a feeder conveyor and a spreader auger. The apparatus includes a sensor that monitors the amount of material at the edge of the screed and responsively produces an actual material height signal. A rotary switch produces a desired material height signal indicative of a desired amount of material at the edge of the screed. A controller receives the actual and desired material height signals, determines a desired rotational speed of the auger in response to the difference between the signal magnitudes, and produces a command signal to rotate the auger at the desired speed. An electrohydraulic system receives the command signal and rotates the auger at the desired rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad G. Grembowicz, Keith R. Schmidt, Alan L. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5568992
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a control system for a floating screed assembly for an asphalt paving machine is disclosed. The screed assembly includes a main screed and extension screed unit. An electrohydraulic device extends and retracts, as well as, raises and lowers the extension screed unit relative to the main screed unit. The electrohydraulic device additionally pivots the extension screed unit relative to the main screed unit about a horizontal axis. Position sensors produce position signals in response to the position of the extension screed unit. A controller receives the position signals and produces command signals to control the extending, retracting, and pivoting of the extension screed unit to a desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad G. Grembowicz, Alan L. Ferguson, Wade D. Samson, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5494125
    Abstract: A track supporting roller apparatus supports the articulated track chain of an undercarriage assembly of a track-type work machine. Vibrations and shock loads are generated to a track-type work machine when load bearing track rollers contact the articulated joints of the track chain and the born load is not picked up by an adjacent track roller. The subject roller apparatus has track rollers spaced to support the track chain and prevent the introduction of vibrations and shock loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Gustin, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5456331
    Abstract: A track supporting roller apparatus supports the articulated track chain of an undercarriage assembly of a track-type work machine. Vibrations and shock loads are generated to a track-type work machine when load bearing track rollers contact the articulated joints of the track chain and the born load is not picked up by an adjacent track roller. The subject roller apparatus has track rollers spaced to support the track chain and prevent the introduction of vibrations and shock loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Craig R. Gustin, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 5222829
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a modular screed assembly attachment for an asphalt paving machine having a main screed unit, includes a support assembly that is detachably connectable to the main screed unit, a movable carriage slidably mounted on the support assembly, and a platform assembly movably connected to the movable carriage. The modular screed assembly attachment also includes means for moving the carriage between a position adjacent the main screed unit and a position spaced from the main screed unit, and means for selectively positioning the platform assembly elevationally with respect to the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Jay A. Mogler, Wade D. Samson, Keith R. Schmidt
  • Patent number: RE38632
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for controlling the propulsion and steering of a machine. The machine includes a hydrostatic system that drives a pair of ground engaging traction devices. An electronic controller receives operator signals indicative of a desired travel speed and direction, and determines a desired rotational speed of the ground engaging traction devices. The electronic controller produces command signals indicative of the determined speeds to regulate the speed of the ground engaging traction devices to the desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc
    Inventors: Keith R. Schmidt, Conrad G. Grembowicz, Alan L. Ferguson