Patents by Inventor Michael H. Hinrichsen

Michael H. Hinrichsen 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).

  • Publication number: 20130025890
    Abstract: A compactor, compactor wheel and compactor wheel tip are disclosed. The shape of the tips substantially prevent refuse from packing in the round of the tips. More specifically, tips having relatively flat or constant side surfaces may lend themselves to adherence of moist or malleable refuse. However, by providing the plurality of surface facets and varying dimensions, angular dispositions and shapes of the surface facets, this ability of the refuse to pack in and around the tips is greatly reduced. Moreover, by providing the plurality of surface facets and side surfaces with the inclusion of shoulders and sharp edges therebetween, the ability of the tip to sever or otherwise destroy the refuse being compacted is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Randy E. Schoepke, Michael H. Hinrichsen
  • Publication number: 20090313805
    Abstract: A compactor tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base and a tip that are formed from dissimilar materials. The tip may be formed from high carbon steel for wear resistance, while the base may be formed from low carbon steel for easy welding. The compactor tip assembly is attached to the compactor wheel by welding the base to the wheel. The tip and the base each have ground engaging surfaces which may be complementary to one another. A hollow pocket may be formed through the base and in the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: James D. McPhail, Michael H. Hinrichsen
  • Publication number: 20090045669
    Abstract: A compactor tip assembly for a landfill or soil compactor comprises a base and a tip that are formed from dissimilar materials. The tip may be formed from high carbon steel for wear resistance, while the base may be formed from low carbon steel for easy welding. The compactor tip assembly is attached to the compactor wheel by welding the base to the wheel. The tip and the base each have ground engaging surfaces which may be complementary to one another. A hollow pocket may be formed through the base and in the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: James D. McPhail, Michael H. Hinrichsen
  • Patent number: 6843434
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set controlled respectively by inner and outer needle value members. The homogenous charged nozzle outlet set is defined by an outer needle value member that is moveably positioned in an injector body, which defines the conventional nozzle outlet set. The inner needle valve member is positioned in the outer needle valve member. The outer needle valve member is a piece component that includes at least one external guide surface, an external value surface and an internal valve seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Keith E. Lawrence, Michael H. Hinrichsen, Colby Buckman
  • Publication number: 20040195385
    Abstract: A fuel injector includes a homogenous charge nozzle outlet set and a conventional nozzle outlet set controlled respectively by inner and outer needle valve members. The homogenous charged nozzle outlet set is defined by an outer needle valve member that is moveably positioned in an injector body, which defines the conventional nozzle outlet set. The inner needle valve member is positioned in the outer needle valve member. The outer needle valve member is a one piece component that includes at least one external guide surface, an external valve surface and an internal valve seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Keith E. Lawrence, Michael H. Hinrichsen, Colby Buckman
  • Patent number: 6299391
    Abstract: A boring tool assembly is provided and has a cutting tool mounted on one end thereof and permits the boring of a straight hole through a member. The boring tool assembly includes a boring bar having integral guide members disposed thereon that follows behind the cutting tool and maintains contact with the machined surface just cut in order to keep the cutting tool in proper alignment. To permit the continued use of the boring bar after the outer diameter of the cutting tool has been reduced due to wear, each of the integral guide members are resiliently mounted on the boring bar. This permits the guide members to collapses inwardly to maintain a perfect fit with the pilot pore while maintaining bearing contact of the guide members with the pilot bore. The positive bearing contact helps to provide a dampening feature for the boring bar and a spring type force for the hardened guide members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Endsley, Michael H. Hinrichsen
  • Patent number: 5957630
    Abstract: A boring tool assembly is provided and has a cutting tool mounted on one end thereof and permits the boring of a straight hole through a member. The boring tool assembly includes a boring bar having integral guide members disposed thereon that follows behind the cutting tool and maintains contact with the machined surface just cut in order to keep the cutting tool in proper alignment. To permit the continued use of the boring bar after the outer diameter of the cutting tool has been reduced due to wear, each of the integral guide members are resiliently mounted on the boring bar. This permits the guide members to collapses inwardly to maintain a perfect fit with the pilot pore. This collapse inwardly of the guide members is important to maintain bearing contact of the guide members with the pilot bore if the hole being cut by the cutting tool reduces in size due to wear or if the cutting tool has been re-sharpened or replaced with a different cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Endsley, Michael H. Hinrichsen
  • Patent number: 5724733
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing a piston assembly adapted for use in a hydraulic pump or motor and having an overall length shorter than previously known piston assemblies while maintaining a strong mechanical connection and a high, efficient volumetric output. The method includes the steps of forming a slipper with a spherical ball on one end; forming a piston having a body portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion having a spherical bottom surface, a groove spaced from the bottom surface and a contoured portion having an angled outer surface and an inner surface; inserting the spherical ball into the cavity; forcing the contoured portion inwardly to place the inner surface into contact with the spherical ball and to substantially longitudinally align the outer surface of the piston body with the angled surface of the contoured portion; heat treating the piston to a predetermined hardness and depth; and finishing the total longitudinal length of the piston to a finished size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William K. Engel, Michael H. Hinrichsen, Howard Savage, Donald H. Sherman, Kenneth R. Watts