Patents by Inventor Michael T. Verkuilen

Michael T. Verkuilen 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: 10344784
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may include a fluid source and an actuator having a first passage and a second passage. The hydraulic system may further include a pump having a first port connected to the first passage, a second port connected to the second passage, and a third port connected to the fluid source. The first and second passages may be connected to each other via the first and second ports, and the first passage and the low-pressure fluid source may be connected to each other via the first and third ports. They hydraulic system may further include a charge circuit fluidly connected to the first and second passages, and at least one damping control valve configured to selectively allow fluid from the pump to pass into the charge circuit to dampen pressure oscillations between the actuator and the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Todd Peterson, Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Michael L. Knussman, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Publication number: 20160333903
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may include a fluid source and an actuator having a first passage and a second passage. The hydraulic system may further include a pump having a first port connected to the first passage, a second port connected to the second passage, and a third port connected to the fluid source. The first and second passages may be connected to each other via the first and second ports, and the first passage and the low-pressure fluid source may be connected to each other via the first and third ports. They hydraulic system may further include a charge circuit fluidly connected to the first and second passages, and at least one damping control valve configured to selectively allow fluid from the pump to pass into the charge circuit to dampen pressure oscillations between the actuator and the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Todd PETERSON, Jeffrey Lee KUEHN, Michael L. KNUSSMAN, Michael T. VERKUILEN
  • Patent number: 8973358
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a unidirectional variable displacement first pump, a first actuator connected to the first pump via a closed-loop first circuit, and a first switching valve disposed between the first actuator and the first pump. The first switching valve may be configured to control a fluid flow direction through the first actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a second actuator connected to the first pump in parallel with the first actuator via the first circuit, and a second switching valve disposed between the second actuator and the first pump. The second switching valve may be configured to control a fluid flow direction through the second actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a modulation valve associated with the first circuit and configured to selectively modulate a pressure of the first circuit during actuation of the first or second switching valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Brad A. Edler, Jeremy T. Peterson, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 8919114
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having first, second, and third pumps. The hydraulic system may also have a first actuator connected to the first pump in closed-loop manner, a second actuator connected to the second pump in closed-loop manner, and a third actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a selector valve associated with the third pump, and a first switching valve associated with the third pump and the third actuator. The first switching valve may be movable between a first position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a first direction, a second position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a second direction, and a third position at which the third pump is connected to the selector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brad A. Edler, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Jeremy T. Peterson, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 8631650
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having at least two hydraulic circuits. The disclosed system apportions flow between the two hydraulic circuits based on an assumed flow rate that is held constant in both power-limited and non-power-limited conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Verkuilen, John J. Krone, Douglas W. Koehler, James A. Aardema
  • Publication number: 20130098014
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a unidirectional variable displacement first pump, a first actuator connected to the first pump via a closed-loop first circuit, and a first switching valve disposed between the first actuator and the first pump. The first switching valve may be configured to control a fluid flow direction through the first actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a second actuator connected to the first pump in parallel with the first actuator via the first circuit, and a second switching valve disposed between the second actuator and the first pump. The second switching valve may be configured to control a fluid flow direction through the second actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a modulation valve associated with the first circuit and configured to selectively modulate a pressure of the first circuit during actuation of the first or second switching valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Brad A. Edler, Jeremy T. Peterson, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Publication number: 20130098010
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having first, second, and third pumps. The hydraulic system may also have a first actuator connected to the first pump in closed-loop manner, a second actuator connected to the second pump in closed-loop manner, and a third actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a selector valve associated with the third pump, and a first switching valve associated with the third pump and the third actuator. The first switching valve may be movable between a first position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a first direction, a second position at which the third pump is connected to the third actuator in a closed-loop manner to move the third actuator in a second direction, and a third position at which the third pump is connected to the selector valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Brad A. Edler, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Jeremy T. Peterson, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Publication number: 20130098013
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a plurality of pumps with unidirectional functionality and being variable displacement, a common discharge passage connected to the plurality of pumps, and a common intake passage connected to the plurality of pumps. The hydraulic system may also have at least one actuator connected in closed-loop manner to the common discharge and common intake passages, and a switching valve associated with the at least one actuator and disposed between the at least one actuator and the common discharge and intake passages. The hydraulic system may additionally have at least one isolation valve configured to selectively isolate a portion of the common discharge passage and a portion of the common intake passage associated with one pump of the plurality of pumps from another pump of the plurality of pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Brad A. EDLER, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Jeremy T. Peterson, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Publication number: 20130098463
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a unidirectional variable displacement first pump, a first hydraulic actuator connected to the first pump via a closed-loop first circuit, a unidirectional variable displacement second pump, and a second hydraulic actuator connected to the second pump via a closed-loop second circuit. The hydraulic system may also have a third pump selectively connectable in closed-loop manner to the first or second circuits, and a first valve disposed between the first hydraulic actuator and the first pump and configured to selectively direct fluid from the first circuit to the second and third pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. KUEHN, Brad A. EDLER, Jeremy T. PETERSON, Michael T. VERKUILEN
  • Publication number: 20100043418
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having at least two hydraulic circuits. The disclosed system compares pressures between the hydraulic circuits and alters valve commands of the circuit associated with higher pressures in order to reduce overall system pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Verkuilen, Eko A. Prasetiawan, Jeffrey L. Kuehn, Shoji Tozawa, Srinivas Kowta
  • Patent number: 7559197
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system may have a first fluid actuator, a first pump configured to produce a first stream of pressurized fluid, a second fluid actuator, and a second pump configured to produce a second stream of pressurized fluid. The hydraulic control system may further have a combiner valve, and a controller. The controller may be configured to receive an operator input indicative of a desired velocity for the first fluid actuator, determine a flow rate for the first fluid actuator corresponding to the desired velocity, and determine a flow capacity of the first pump. The controller may also be configured to move the combiner valve to combine the second stream of pressurized fluid with the first stream of pressurized fluid when the determined flow rate for the first fluid actuator is greater than the determined flow capacity of the first pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 7412827
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a work machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system has a first pump, a second pump, an operator control device, and a controller. The first and second pumps are configured to pressurize a fluid. The operator control device is movable through a range of motion from a neutral position to a maximum position to generate a corresponding control signal. The controller is in communication with the first pump, the second pump, and the operator control device. The controller is configured to receive the control signal, affect operation of the first pump in response to the control signal as the operator control device is moved throughout the range of motion, and affect operation of the second pump in response to the control signal only as the operator control device is moved through a portion of the range of motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 7320216
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hydraulic system. The system includes a first source of pressurized fluid and at least one fluid actuator. The system also includes a first valve disposed between the first source and the at least one fluid actuator being configured to selectively communicate pressurized fluid from the first source to a source of low pressure. The system further includes a controller configured to determine a first amount of displacement of the first valve, determine a second amount of displacement of the first valve, and modify the first amount of displacement as a function of the second amount of displacement when a first pressure is less than or equal to a pressure of pressurized fluid acting on the at least one fluid actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Michael T. VerKuilen, Aleksandar M. Egelja
  • Patent number: 7260931
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a work machine is disclosed. The hydraulic control system has a fluid actuator, a supply of pressurized fluid, and a control valve movable to selectively pass pressurized fluid to the fluid actuator. The hydraulic control system also has a sensor configured to sense the pressure of the pressurized fluid passed to the fluid actuator and a controller in communication with the control valve and the sensor. The controller is configured to receive an input indicative of a desired velocity of the fluid actuator and to determine a fluid flow rate corresponding to the desired velocity. The controller is also configured to determine a ratio of the sensed pressure to a stall pressure of the supply and to scale down the determined flow rate an amount based on the determined ratio. The controller is further configured to move the control valve an amount corresponding to the scaled down flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Aleksandar M. Egelja, Shoji Tozawa, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 7251935
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system has an actuator with first and second chambers, first and second valves having elements movable to fill and drain the first and second chambers, and at least one sensor configured to generate a load signal indicative of a load on the fluid actuator. The system has an interface device movable to generate a desired velocity signal of the actuator. The system has a controller in communication with the first and second valves, the at least one sensor, and the interface device. The controller is configured to move the element of the first valve to a position based on the desired velocity signal and to move the element of the second valve to a position based on the load signal and a desired pressure within the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Jiao Zhang, Pengfei Ma, Aleksandar Egelja, Michael T. Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 7146808
    Abstract: A hydraulic system has a source, a plurality of fluid actuators, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an input indicative of which of the plurality of fluid actuators are a first and a second type of fluid actuator, to receive an input indicative of a desired flow rate for the plurality of fluid actuators, and to determine a current flow rate of the source. The controller is further configured to demand the desired flow rate for the first type of fluid actuator and to demand a scaled down desired flow rate for the second type of fluid actuator when a total desired flow rate exceeds the current flow rate of the source, and to demand a scaled down desired flow rate for all of the plurality of fluid actuators when the desired flow rate for the first type of fluid actuator exceeds the current flow rate of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Lonnie J. Devier, Shoji Tozawa, Michael T. Verkuilen