Patents by Inventor Michael F. Hopkins

Michael F. Hopkins 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: 6622484
    Abstract: An hydraulic pressure control system in the hydrostatic system of a split torque transmission uses a shunt circuit to redirect hydraulic fluid in a loop between a first pump and a second pump or motor. The shunt is opened by restricting a variable area or valve in the primary loop and opening a variable area or valve in the shunt. Adjusting the openings of the valves prevents overloading of the engine, lugging under instantaneous loads and overspeed due to backloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael F. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20030005693
    Abstract: An hydraulic pressure control system in the hydrostatic system of a split torque transmission uses a shunt circuit to redirect hydraulic fluid in a loop between a first pump and a second pump or motor. The shunt is opened by restricting a variable area or valve in the primary loop and opening a variable area or valve in the shunt. Adjusting the openings of the valves prevents overloading of the engine, lugging under instantaneous loads and overspeed due to backloading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventor: Michael F. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20020082138
    Abstract: In the operation of work machines it has been a problem to control the work machine's velocity aspects such as velocity, acceleration, deceleration and jerk because of the plurality of operator interfaces required for such control. The present invention provides an operator interface system for a work machine in which a first pedal is displaceable from a neutral position, and a sensor is operatively coupled with the first pedal and is operable to output a displacement signal corresponding to a location of the first pedal. An electronic controller receives the displacement signal and provides a pre-determined control to a velocity aspect of the work machine in response to the displacement signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Howard N. Cannon, Michael G. Cronin, Michael F. Hopkins, Igor Strashny
  • Patent number: 5188502
    Abstract: Construction vehicles of the type having a pair of lift arms extending from the frame to support a work implement, have generally been restricted to operating one specific tool. The attempt to combine the operation of several different work implements has been met with severe functional restrictions since some work implements have specific requirements not found in the operation of others. In order to provide a lift arm linkage arrangement that incorporates the functional requirements necessary to operate a plurality of work implements while maintaining a simple, yet efficient construction, an electronic controller has been included in the design. The electronic controller includes a plurality of sensors that are operatively associated with the lift and tilt linkage of the lift arm arrangement. The sensors enable the electronic controller to constantly monitor the current position of the lift arms and the work implement and compare them with a programmed sequence of movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Tonsor, Wilton E. Quant, Javad Hosseini, Michael F. Hopkins, William E. Allen
  • Patent number: 4334415
    Abstract: A universal coupling (40) for joining two rotatable shafts (42,43) in driving relation includes a pair of opposed yoke members (48,49) connected together by a multi-legged spider element (51). The ends of the spider legs (52) are journaled within bearing caps (60) which are secured to yoke flanges (56) by bolts (67). Each of the caps carry a pair of tapered keys (70) which seat in a pair of keyways (71) defined in the yoke flanges when the caps are fixed thereto. The keys (70) and keyways (71) are aligned on the bores (64,65) through which the securing bolts extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Hopkins, Alvin D. Mayerchin
  • Patent number: 4289047
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/01010 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 13, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 13, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 13, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/01450 PCT Pub. Date May 28, 1981A differential gear assembly (10) wherein the tooth face loading is utilized to maintain the driven idler gear (17) in a preselected disposition without the need for a thrust washer. The positioning of the idler gear is controlled by the use of a single tapered roller bearing assembly (18) which serves as a thrust absorbing structure. The driver gear is maintained against the roller (28) of the roller bearing by the toothed loading during operation of the differential gear assembly and by a spring (30) at all other times. One race (25) of the single tapered roller bearing assembly (18) may be formed integrally with the bevel gear and, more specifically, may be defined by a surface portion of the bevel gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Michael F. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4149607
    Abstract: A stabilizer for stabilizing a drive carried on a frame. The stabilizer includes a stiffener element which is connected between a portion of the frame and the drive. The stiffener element is connected by means of an eccentric connector which is adjustably secured to provide an effective length of the stabilizer for positively securing the drive to the frame portion. A pair of such eccentrics may be provided at opposite ends of the stiffener element for further adjustability of the stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Hopkins, Rodger L. Moring