Patents by Inventor Michael Thomas Jackson

Michael Thomas Jackson 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: 20230349128
    Abstract: A ladder motor pump system comprises a hydraulic fluid tank that holds hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic pump that draws and pressurizes the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic fluid tank, a one-way electric motor that drives the hydraulic pump, a hydraulic ladder actuator that actuates a ladder in first and second patterns, a hydraulic fluid circuit that routes the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ladder actuator to the hydraulic fluid tank, and a regulator that routes the pressurized hydraulic fluid from an outlet of the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic fluid tank when a pressure of the pressurized hydraulic fluid exceeds a preselected threshold pressure, mixing the pressurized hydraulic fluid with the unpressurized hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic fluid tank and reducing temperature of the pressurized hydraulic fluid. The electric motor and the pump include bosses providing increased ground connections to the electrical ground, thereby reducing electrical resistance and heat generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond Bassili Gerges, Michael Thomas Jackson
  • Patent number: 11053958
    Abstract: A regeneration valve includes a housing defining a first port, a second port, a third port, and a chamber fluidly communicating with the first, second, and third ports. The chamber has a valve element movable between a first position, in which the second port fluidly communicates with the first port, and a second position, in which the second port fluidly communicates with the third port. A resilient member biases the valve element towards the first position. In operation, a flow restrictor element moves between the first port and the second port for restricting fluid flow from the second port to the first port. At a predetermined flow rate between the second port and the first port, if a supply pressure of fluid at the actuation chamber exceeds the bias of the resilient member, the valve element moves to the second position for fluidly communicating the second and third ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Ferraz, Jr., Michael Thomas Jackson, William Norbert O'Neill
  • Patent number: 10858806
    Abstract: A control module for controlling an operation of a hydraulic actuator that is associated with an earthmoving machine includes a body. The body has a spool chamber and a load sensing passageway associated with the spool chamber. The body also has a spool positioned axially, and at least partially, within the spool chamber. The spool is spring-biased by an end cap located at a first end of the body. The body also has a pair of electrohydraulic spool actuators that are located at a second end of the body and operable to axially displace the spool within the spool chamber. The pair of spool actuators are positioned in parallel and disposed adjacent to one another. The body also has an inlet chamber disposed parallel to the spool chamber and in selective fluid communication with the spool chamber via a spool supply passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Ferraz, Jr., Michael Thomas Jackson, William Norbert O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20200299932
    Abstract: A regeneration valve includes a housing defining a first port, a second port, a third port, and a chamber fluidly communicating with the first, second, and third ports. The chamber has a valve element movable between a first position, in which the second port fluidly communicates with the first port, and a second position, in which the second port fluidly communicates with the third port. A resilient member biases the valve element towards the first position. In operation, a flow restrictor element moves between the first port and the second port for restricting fluid flow from the second port to the first port. At a predetermined flow rate between the second port and the first port, if a supply pressure of fluid at the actuation chamber exceeds the bias of the resilient member, the valve element moves to the second position for fluidly communicating the second and third ports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Ferraz, JR., Michael Thomas Jackson, William Norbert O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20200291611
    Abstract: A control module for controlling an operation of a hydraulic actuator that is associated with an earthmoving machine includes a body. The body has a spool chamber and a load sensing passageway associated with the spool chamber. The body also has a spool positioned axially, and at least partially, within the spool chamber. The spool is spring-biased by an end cap located at a first end of the body. The body also has a pair of electrohydraulic spool actuators that are located at a second end of the body and. operable to axially displace the spool within the spool chamber. The pair of spool actuators are positioned in parallel and disposed adjacent to one another. The body also has an inlet chamber disposed parallel to the spool chamber and in selective fluid communication with the spool chamber via a spool supply passageway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Ferraz, JR., Michael Thomas Jackson, William Norbert O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20200283995
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic arrangement for controlling operation of a pair of tilt actuators of an earthmoving machine includes a housing, and a directional control valve (DCV) and a regeneration valve (RV) disposed within the housing. The DCV and the RV are coupled in selective fluid communication with one another and with rod end and head end chambers of the actuators via ports defined on the housing. When the DCV is in a first or second operative position, the RV may be positioned in a regenerative position to allow the rod end chambers of respective ones of the first and second actuators to communicate fluid to the head end chamber of the second actuator. Optionally, the regeneration valve may be positioned in a drain position to allow the rod end chambers of respective ones of the first and second actuators to communicate fluid with a drain port of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Publication date: September 10, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Ferraz, JR., Michael Thomas Jackson, Kenneth Alan Dust
  • Patent number: 10753068
    Abstract: An electro-hydraulic arrangement for controlling operation of a pair of tilt actuators of an earthmoving machine includes a housing, and a directional control valve (DCV) and a regeneration valve (RV) disposed within the housing. The DCV and the RV are coupled in selective fluid communication with one another and with rod end and head end chambers of the actuators via ports defined on the housing. When the DCV is in a first or second operative position, the RV may be positioned in a regenerative position to allow the rod end chambers of respective ones of the first and second actuators to communicate fluid to the head end chamber of the second actuator. Optionally, the regeneration valve may be positioned in a drain position to allow the rod end chambers of respective ones of the first and second actuators to communicate fluid with a drain port of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John Ferraz, Jr., Michael Thomas Jackson, Kenneth Alan Dust
  • Patent number: 10267019
    Abstract: A hydraulic system and method of controlling such on a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may comprise a primary hydraulic circuit that includes a first load sense controlled pump, a secondary hydraulic circuit that includes a second load sense controlled pump, a flow sharing valve, and a load sense arrangement. The load sense arrangement may include a main resolver configured to select a higher pressure signal between the primary and secondary hydraulic circuits, and a load sense valve having an open position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is allowed, and a closed position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is blocked. In an embodiment, when the load sense valve is in the closed position, the second load sense controlled pump may be controlled only by the secondary hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Norbert O'Neill, Michael Thomas Jackson
  • Patent number: 10047502
    Abstract: A control system for a work implement of a machine having a frame is provided. The control system includes a fluid source configured to provide a supply of pressurized fluid and a pair of tilt cylinders in fluid communication with the fluid source. The tilt cylinders are configured to operatively tilt the work implement with respect to the frame of the machine. Each of the tilt cylinders has a rod end and a cap end between which a regenerative valve is disposed to selectively allow fluid communication between the rod end and the cap end of a corresponding tilt cylinder. The control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to each of the regenerative valves. The controller is configured to vary an amount of restriction in each regenerative valve to regulate an amount of fluid flowing between the rod end and the cap end of the corresponding tilt cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William N O'Neill, Michael Thomas Jackson
  • Publication number: 20170167113
    Abstract: A control system for a work implement of a machine having a frame is provided. The control system includes a fluid source configured to provide a supply of pressurized fluid and a pair of tilt cylinders in fluid communication with the fluid source. The tilt cylinders are configured to operatively tilt the work implement with respect to the frame of the machine. Each of the tilt cylinders has a rod end and a cap end between which a regenerative valve is disposed to selectively allow fluid communication between the rod end and the cap end of a corresponding tilt cylinder. The control system further includes a controller communicably coupled to each of the regenerative valves. The controller is configured to vary an amount of restriction in each regenerative valve to regulate an amount of fluid flowing between the rod end and the cap end of the corresponding tilt cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William N. O'Neill, Michael Thomas Jackson
  • Patent number: 9663335
    Abstract: A hydraulic winch assembly uses a control algorithm that separates brake control from drum rotation to permit fine control of load position. Actuation of an operator interface to a first position displacement threshold will release a drum brake but will not activate a hydraulic pump for operating a hydraulic motor coupled to the drum until the operator interface is moved to a second position displacement threshold. During the operating condition when the brake is released but the pump is not operating, the force of a load applied to a cable coupled to the drum may cause the cable to slowly unwind from and rotate the drum, thereby permitting fine control of drum rotation. Additionally, when the pump is activated upon further movement of the operator interface, a speed of the motor may be modulated, such as by a gear ratio command, to permit precise control over lower drum speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hsien Huang, Michael Thomas Jackson, Ragavender Mailwar
  • Publication number: 20170145660
    Abstract: A hydraulic system and method of controlling such on a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system may comprise a primary hydraulic circuit that includes a first load sense controlled pump, a secondary hydraulic circuit that includes a second load sense controlled pump, a flow sharing valve, and a load sense arrangement. The load sense arrangement may include a main resolver configured to select a higher pressure signal between the primary and secondary hydraulic circuits, and a load sense valve having an open position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is allowed, and a closed position at which pressure signal flow between the primary hydraulic circuit and the main resolver is blocked. In an embodiment, when the load sense valve is in the closed position, the second load sense controlled pump may be controlled only by the secondary hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: William Norbert O'Neill, Michael Thomas Jackson
  • Publication number: 20160060082
    Abstract: A hydraulic winch assembly uses a control algorithm that separates brake control from drum rotation to permit fine control of load position. Actuation of an operator interface to a first position displacement threshold will release a drum brake but will not activate a hydraulic pump for operating a hydraulic motor coupled to the drum until the operator interface is moved to a second position displacement threshold. During the operating condition when the brake is released but the pump is not operating, the force of a load applied to a cable coupled to the drum may cause the cable to slowly unwind from and rotate the drum, thereby permitting fine control of drum rotation. Additionally, when the pump is activated upon further movement of the operator interface, a speed of the motor may be modulated, such as by a gear ratio command, to permit precise control over lower drum speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hsien Huang, Michael Thomas Jackson, Ragavender Mailwar