Patents by Inventor Loreena S. Plouse

Loreena S. Plouse 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: 11592111
    Abstract: A torque-resistant dual face seal includes a seal ring having an L-shaped cross-section including an axially-extending flange and a radially-extending flange, the seal ring including an annular seal face and an opposing loading surface. The seal ring includes a plurality of deformations formed in a spaced apart arrangement circumferentially around the axially-extending flange. An axial cross-section through the axially-extending flange and intersecting one of the plurality of deformations includes a stepped geometry. The plurality of deformations allows a load ring to squeeze into the plurality of deformations to increase a surface area contact between the seal ring and the load ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Loreena S. Plouse, Kenneth L. Crunkleton, Dennis M. Turczyn, Benjamin J. Copple
  • Publication number: 20200406995
    Abstract: A torque-resistant dual face seal includes a seal ring having an L-shaped cross-section including an axially-extending flange and a radially-extending flange, the seal ring including an annular seal face and an opposing annular loading surface. The seal ring includes a plurality of deformations formed in a spaced apart arrangement circumferentially around the axially-extending flange. An axial cross-section through the axially-extending flange and intersecting one of the plurality of deformations includes a stepped geometry. The plurality of deformations allows a load ring to squeeze into the plurality of deformations to increase a surface area contact between the seal ring and the load ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Loreena S. Plouse, Kenneth L. Crunkleton, Dennis M. Turczyn, Benjamin J. Copple
  • Patent number: 6564539
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent endplay in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
  • Patent number: 6457304
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent end play in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
  • Publication number: 20020062638
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent end play in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: BILLY R. BEDFORD, THOMAS E. OERTLEY, LOREENA S. PLOUSE
  • Publication number: 20010003895
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent endplay in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: June 21, 2001
    Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse