Patents by Inventor Michael Hasselbusch

Michael Hasselbusch 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: 9592866
    Abstract: A track assembly may have a chain assembly including a plurality of track links, a traction assembly including track shoes secured to the plurality of track links, a drive sprocket, an idler assembly including an idler and a mount, and a roller assembly including a plurality of rollers and a roller frame. A wear monitoring system may have a wear sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of a first component of the track assembly, and a controller in communication with the at least one wear sensor, the controller being configured to determine an amount of wear experienced by the track assembly based on the signal. The first component may be configured such that wear of at least a second component causes the first component to move to the current position from a previous position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hasselbusch, Kevin L. Steiner, Eric James Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20160129954
    Abstract: A track assembly having a wear monitoring system is disclosed. The track assembly may have a chain assembly including a plurality of track links, a traction assembly including track shoes secured to the plurality of track links, a drive sprocket, an idler assembly including an idler and a mount, and a roller assembly including a plurality of rollers and a roller frame. The wear monitoring system may have a wear sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a current position of a first component of the track assembly, and a controller in communication with the at least one wear sensor, the controller being configured to determine an amount of wear experienced by the track assembly based on the signal. The first component may be configured such that wear of at least a second component causes the first component to move to the current position from a previous position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpilar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hasselbusch, Kevin L. Steiner, Eric James Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20150337522
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the status of machine components of a track-type mobile machine. The method and apparatus includes a sensor system on or within a machine component of a track-type mobile machine that monitors the status or a characteristic of the machine component. The sensor system transmits the information relating to the status or characteristic to an ECU of the track-type mobile machine and the ECU performs an action based thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Diekevers, Michael Hasselbusch, William Spicher
  • Patent number: 9126645
    Abstract: A cartridge for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge includes a track pin. The cartridge also includes a rotatable bushing and a rotatable bearing located on the track pin. The cartridge further includes a first thrust bearing located on the track pin between the bearing and the bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the rotatable bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads. The cartridge may further include a collar located at an end of the track pin. The cartridge includes a second thrust bearing located between the bearing and the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Hasselbusch, Eric James Johannsen
  • Patent number: 9045180
    Abstract: A ground-engaging track system for a machine includes a track extending about a rotatable track engaging element, and having a track chain with a plurality of elongate links each including an upper rail surface formed of a sacrificial wear material and having a convex longitudinal profile configured to delay scallop formation therein. A link for a track chain and related methodology are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Caroline Marie Brewer, Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier, Kevin Steiner, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Michael Hasselbusch, Timothy Michael Nenne
  • Publication number: 20140083782
    Abstract: A ground-engaging track system for a machine includes a track extending about a rotatable track engaging element, and having a track chain with a plurality of elongate links each including an upper rail surface formed of a sacrificial wear material and having a convex longitudinal profile configured to delay scallop formation therein. A link for a track chain and related methodology are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Caroline Marie Brewer, Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier, Kevin Steiner, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Michael Hasselbusch, Timothy Michael Nenne
  • Publication number: 20130002010
    Abstract: A cartridge for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge includes a track pin. The cartridge also includes a rotatable bushing and a rotatable bearing located on the track pin. The cartridge further includes a first thrust bearing located on the track pin between the bearing and the bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the rotatable bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads. The cartridge may further include a collar located at an end of the track pin. The cartridge includes a second thrust bearing located between the bearing and the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Hasselbusch, Eric James Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20060284485
    Abstract: A cartridge bearing assembly for a track chain of a track type work machine is provided. The cartridge bearing assembly includes axial/radial load bearing insert members positioned about a pin, and a rotatable bushing positioned therebetween. Crowned sleeve bearings are disposed between the insert members and the pin, as well as between the pin and the rotatable bushing. Collars are disposed at opposite ends of the pin and fixedly coupled thereto, trapping the other components of the cartridge assembly therebetween. A method of operating a track type work machine is further provided, including reducing wear between coupled track links by reacting axial loads via insert members positioned about a track pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Eric Johannsen, Mark Diekevers, Michael Hasselbusch