Patents by Inventor Michael D. Wetzel

Michael D. Wetzel 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: 10934684
    Abstract: Power machines such as excavators with control inputs that are configurable to control various functions on the excavator. In some modes, selected control inputs are manipulable to control the position of a lift arm, bucket, and house position. In other modes, the same control inputs are used to control travel and an implement on an undercarriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael D. Wetzel, Jonathan J. Roehrl
  • Publication number: 20190127953
    Abstract: Power machines such as excavators with control inputs that are configurable to control various functions on the excavator. In some modes, selected control inputs are manipulable to control the position of a lift arm, bucket, and house position. In other modes, the same control inputs are used to control travel and an implement on an undercarriage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 2, 2019
    Inventors: Michael D. Wetzel, Jonathan J. Roehrl
  • Patent number: 8037680
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a swiveling construction machine includes at least one hydraulic travel motor, a first hydraulic actuation device, a second hydraulic actuation device and a hydraulic diverter valve assembly. The at least one hydraulic travel motor is configured to move the swiveling construction machine in a first travel speed and a second travel speed based on a variable pilot pressure signal. The first hydraulic actuation device is configured to actuate a first function of an implement. The second hydraulic actuation device is configured to actuate a second function of an implement. The hydraulic diverter valve assembly is configured to divert hydraulic power between the first hydraulic actuation device and the second hydraulic actuation device while maintaining operation of the at least one hydraulic travel motor in one of the first and the second speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Alvin A. Liebel
  • Patent number: 8024875
    Abstract: A compact excavator includes a base frame, an upper frame and first and second track assemblies supporting the base frame. The compact excavator also includes a primary implement assembly coupled to the upper frame and a secondary implement assembly. The secondary implement assembly includes a lift arm assembly pivotally coupled to the base frame and an implement coupler pivotally coupled to the lift arm assembly. The implement coupler is configured to latch an implement to the lift arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Michael D. Wetzel, James M. Breuer, Thomas M. Sagaser
  • Publication number: 20090044434
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a swiveling construction machine includes at least one hydraulic travel motor, a first hydraulic actuation device, a second hydraulic actuation device and a hydraulic diverter valve assembly. The at least one hydraulic travel motor is configured to move the swiveling construction machine in a first travel speed and a second travel speed based on a variable pilot pressure signal. The first hydraulic actuation device is configured to actuate a first function of an implement. The second hydraulic actuation device is configured to actuate a second function of an implement. The hydraulic diverter valve assembly is configured to divert hydraulic power between the first hydraulic actuation device and the second hydraulic actuation device while maintaining operation of the at least one hydraulic travel motor in one of the first and the second speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: CLARK EQUIPMENT COMPANY
    Inventors: James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Alvin A. Liebel
  • Publication number: 20080078917
    Abstract: A mounting arrangement for an internal combustion engine. The mounting arrangement includes first and second engine mounts supporting substantially all weight of the engine, and a third engine mount interconnected to the engine and resisting pivoting of the engine on the first and second engine mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Jonathan J. Roehrl, Michael D. Wetzel, J. J. Osmecki
  • Publication number: 20040068984
    Abstract: A compact construction vehicle includes a pump drive system including an engine having a flywheel. A first pump assembly is coupled directly to the flywheel such that a rotation rate of the first pump assembly is the same as a rotation rate of the flywheel. A power transfer system is coupled directly to the flywheel and provides a rotation rate which is different than the rotation rate of the flywheel. A second pump assembly is coupled to the power transfer system such that a rotation rate of the second pump assembly is the same as the rotation rate of the power transfer system. One of the first and second pump assemblies provides power for travel of the compact construction vehicle, while the other of the first and second pump assemblies provides power for a work group of the compact construction vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Wetzel, Jason J. Asche
  • Publication number: 20040060288
    Abstract: A hydraulic travel controller, for use in controlling travel of a hydraulically driven machine, includes a travel control portion coupled to an operator mechanical user interface by a linkage. The travel control portion has an inlet hydraulically coupled to a pressure source. The travel control portion provides a plurality of outputs for controlling travel of the machine in response to positioning of the operator mechanical user interface. A brake control portion of the travel controller is hydraulically coupled to the plurality of outputs of the travel control portion. The brake control portion has an output hydraulically coupled to an input of a travel brake of the hydraulically driven machine. In response to a pressure at one or more of the plurality of outputs of the travel control portion, the brake control portion provides a pressure to the travel brake to thereby engage or disengage the travel brake.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Wetzel, Daniel J. Krieger
  • Publication number: 20040060747
    Abstract: A mini-excavator includes a base supported by first and second track assemblies on which the vehicle travels. The base supports an operator support, which includes first and second travel control devices, such as travel levers. Each of first and second closed-loop hydrostatic systems of the mini-excavator are coupled between different ones of the travel control devices and the track assemblies to control the speed and direction of travel of the track assemblies. Each of the closed-loop hydrostatic systems includes a closed-loop travel motor and a closed-loop pump coupled directly to the closed-loop travel motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventors: Michael D. Wetzel, John W. Henline, Russ A. Honeyman, Steven M. Sundvor, Henry J. Weber
  • Patent number: D494986
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Tokach, Michael D. Wetzel, Henry J. Weber, Troy D. Kraft
  • Patent number: D607904
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Daniel L. Reisenauer, Michael D. Wetzel, Scott W. Becker
  • Patent number: D607905
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Daniel L. Reisenauer, Michael D. Wetzel, Scott W. Becker
  • Patent number: D607906
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Daniel L. Reisenauer, Michael D. Wetzel, Scott W. Becker
  • Patent number: D772308
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M. Bauer, Jinhup Yeu
  • Patent number: D772954
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M. Bauer, Jinhup Yeu
  • Patent number: D772955
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M. Bauer, Jinhup Yeu
  • Patent number: D772956
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M. Bauer, Jinhup Yeu
  • Patent number: D776724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M Bauer, Jinhup Yeu
  • Patent number: D776725
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M. Bauer, Jinhup Yeu
  • Patent number: D777218
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Harms, James M. Breuer, Michael D. Wetzel, Shawn M. Bauer, Jinhup Yeu