Patents by Inventor Mark S. Diekevers

Mark S. Diekevers 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: 10429272
    Abstract: Systems and methods for command-driven automatic and semi-automatic mobile wear detection are disclosed. One method may include: transmitting, by a mobile device, a request indicative of a desire to determine a wear metric associated with a part; receiving, by the mobile device, first data associated with the part and indicative of a directive for the mobile device to display an instruction for the mobile device to be situated in a specified position; responsive to a determination, by the mobile device, that the mobile device is situated in the specified position, receiving, by a camera of the mobile device, visual data associated with the part; receiving, by the mobile device, second data indicative of a directive for the mobile device to process the visual data; determining, by the mobile device, the wear metric based, at least, on the processed visual data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Lu, Ted J. Pauly, Conor D. Aberle, Mark S. Diekevers, Michael D. Hasselbusch, Kevin N. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10252378
    Abstract: A cored wire for hybrid laser cladding includes a hollow metal sheath and a core powder composition. The core powder can include, by weight percent: carbon from about 0.8% to about 1.2%, manganese from about 1% to about 1.4%, silicon from about 0.8% to about 1%, chromium from about 22% to about 30%, titanium from about 0.5% to about 2%, vanadium from about 0.5% to about 2%, boron from about 0.8% to about 1.2%, phosphorus from 0% to about 0.04%, and sulfur from 0% to about 0.03%, the balance of the core powder composition being substantially iron. Components and methods using the cored wire are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Robert L. Meyer, Scott H. Magner, Gregory W. Tomlins
  • Publication number: 20170165794
    Abstract: A cored wire for hybrid laser cladding includes a hollow metal sheath and a core powder composition. The core powder can include, by weight percent: carbon from about 0.8% to about 1.2%, manganese from about 1% to about 1.4%, silicon from about 0.8% to about 1%, chromium from about 22% to about 30%, titanium from about 0.5% to about 2%, vanadium from about 0.5% to about 2%, boron from about 0.8% to about 1.2%, phosphorus from 0% to about 0.04%, and sulfur from 0% to about 0.03%, the balance of the core powder composition being substantially iron. Components and methods using the cored wire are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Robert L. Meyer, Scott H. Magner, Gregory W. Tomlins
  • Publication number: 20170091375
    Abstract: Systems and methods for command-driven automatic and semi-automatic mobile wear detection are disclosed. One method may include: transmitting, by a mobile device, a request indicative of a desire to determine a wear metric associated with a part; receiving, by the mobile device, first data associated with the part and indicative of a directive for the mobile device to display an instruction for the mobile device to be situated in a specified position; responsive to a determination, by the mobile device, that the mobile device is situated in the specified position, receiving, by a camera of the mobile device, visual data associated with the part; receiving, by the mobile device, second data indicative of a directive for the mobile device to process the visual data; determining, by the mobile device, the wear metric based, at least, on the processed visual data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Lu, Ted J. Pauly, Conor D. Aberle, Mark S. Diekevers, Michael D. Hasselbusch, Kevin N. O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20170014940
    Abstract: Methods of fabricating track shoes for an endless track using friction welding are provided. One method includes fabricating a track shoe by friction welding a grouser to a track shoe blank. Another method includes fabricating a track shoe by friction welding a first track shoe portion that includes a grouser to a second track shoe portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Publication date: January 19, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Timothy Thorson, David P. Fitzgibbons, Michael D. Hasselbusch, Mark S. Diekevers, Tao Lin, Cedric Tabone
  • Patent number: 9481411
    Abstract: A roller for a machine undercarriage may include a roller body constructed from a single, unitary piece of parent material. The roller may also include a first roller tread disposed between a first end of the roller body and a second end of the roller body. Additionally, the roller may include a second roller tread disposed between the first and second ends of the roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9469358
    Abstract: An idler for a machine undercarriage includes a hub. The idler may also include a body extending radially outward from the hub, the body including a single solid disk with a first substantially planar side and a second substantially planar side opposite the first substantially planar side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20160297487
    Abstract: A method for connecting a track shoe to a link is disclosed. The method may include joining the track shoe and the link using friction welding. A method for constructing a track assembly is also disclosed. The method may include utilizing friction welding to attach a plurality of links to a plurality of track shoes. A track assembly is also disclosed. The track assembly may include a link and a track shoe attached to the link via friction welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Tim Thorson, Greg J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, David G. Kaminski, David Hakes
  • Publication number: 20160297486
    Abstract: A method for connecting a track shoe to a link is disclosed. The method may include joining the track shoe and the link using electric resistance welding. A method for constructing a track assembly is also disclosed. The method may include utilizing electric resistance welding to attach a plurality of links to a plurality of track shoes. A track assembly is also disclosed. The track assembly may include a link and a track shoe attached to the link via electric resistance welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Tim Thorson, Greg J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, David G. Kaminski, Donald J. Kalmes
  • Patent number: 9457852
    Abstract: A cartridge assembly for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a pin that has a lubricant channel therein. The pin is accommodated in an inner bushing that also has a channel extending therethrough for accommodating the pin. The pin extends beyond either end of the inner bushing. The pin and inner bushing are partially disposed in an outer bushing that also has a channel for accommodating the pin in inner bushing. The ends of the inner bushing and pin extend beyond the ends of the outer bushing. First and second inserts are disposed at either end of the inner bushing. The first and second inserts are disposed between the outer bushing and a pair of opposing collars which are disposed on the ends of the pin beyond the inserts and beyond the ends of the inner bushing. The inserts and collars each include seals. The seals of the collars are supported by one or more thrust rings as opposed to the inserts or partially by the inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Johannsen, Roger Recker, Jason Sebright, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20160236736
    Abstract: A link assembly for a track-type machine is disclosed. The link assembly includes a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of track links and a plurality of track shoes engaged with the corresponding pairs of track links. Each track link includes an elongate body having a first end, a second end distal to the firs end, a shoe face extending between the first end and the second end and one or more protrusions extending from the shoe face. The track shoe includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface distal to the top surface and apertures extending between the top surface and the bottom surface configured to receive the protrusions therethrough. The protrusions are configured to be deformed to fixedly engage the track shoe with the track link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Ajay D. Yadav, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Robert L. Meyer, Mark S. Diekevers, Angela M. LaMere, Rohit A. Bhapkar
  • Patent number: 9388906
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member of a joint, the first member being able to pivot about an axis of the joint relative to the second member, is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a first ring, a load ring, a first seal ring, and a resilient second seal ring. The first ring is for a first seal cavity of the first member. The load ring is for a second seal cavity of the second member. The first seal ring may have a sealing surface extending in a radial direction. The resilient second seal ring may have an annular seal lip. The first seal ring is held stationary by the first ring in the first seal cavity of the first member, and the second seal ring is forced axially by the load ring into axial sealing engagement with the first seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Kupper, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20160176454
    Abstract: A track pin joint assembly includes a pin, a first link, a second link pivotable with respect to the first link about the pin, and a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a seal ring, a load ring, and a seal lip. The load ring is mounted to the seal ring and is sealingly engaged with the first link. The seal lip is connected to the second link such that the seal lip circumscribes the pin passage of the second link and extends axially from the second link toward the seal ring. The seal lip is in sealing contact with the radial flange of the seal ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Darren B. Antoine
  • Patent number: 9359023
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly includes a link assembly, including a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of track links pivotally connected to one another at pivot joints to form an endless chain. The assembly may also include an idler, the idler including a solid disk with substantially planar sides and an outer tread surface engaging an inner portion of the endless chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9359024
    Abstract: A track link has a link body. The link body of the track link may include a first substantially planar side surface, a second substantially planar side surface opposite the first substantially planar side surface, a shoe face extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces, and a roller rail extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces opposite the shoe face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9359025
    Abstract: A link assembly for an endless track may include a first track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the first track link having substantially planar sides. The link assembly may also include a second track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the second track link having substantially planar sides. Additionally, the link assembly may include a third track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the third track link having substantially planar sides, the third track link being pivotally connected to the first track link at a first pivot joint, and the third track link being pivotally connected to the second track link at a second pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9333998
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly includes a link assembly, including a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of track links pivotally connected to one another at pivot joints to form an endless chain, each laterally spaced pair of track links including a first track link and a second track link with a space between the first track link and the second track link. The undercarriage assembly may also include a first carrier skid projecting upward into the space between the first track link and the second track link of at least one of the laterally spaced pairs of track links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Patent number: 9227679
    Abstract: A track link connector is disclosed herein that includes an elongate, substantially cylindrical body having a length dimension and including a substantially annular exterior surface and first and second opposing end portions. The track link connector further includes a textured region extending less than 360 degrees around a circumference of the exterior surface of the body at one of the end portions thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Mark S. Diekevers, Benoit Abello, Gerald T. Otten, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150266527
    Abstract: A link for a track assembly for a machine is provided. The link includes a link body defining an aperture configured to receive a track pin therein. The link body further includes a first surface configured to contact a rotatable element of the track assembly and a second surface configured to contact a track shoe coupled to the link body. The link further includes a plurality of markings defined on the link body proximal to the first surface. Each of the plurality of markings is indicative of a progressive wear of the link body with respect to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Temitope O. Akinlua, David J. Hakes, Daniel I. Knobloch, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20150197293
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a pin extending through the first and second bores. The track joint assembly may also include a pair of seal assemblies positioned within a cavity at least partially defined by the first bore, the second bore, and the pin. The seal assemblies may form a hermetic seal between the first and second links. The track joint assembly may also include a washer positioned between the seal assemblies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Gregory J. Kaufmann