Patents by Inventor Michael Todd VerKuilen

Michael Todd 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).

  • Publication number: 20160265559
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may include an actuator configured to receive and discharge fluid via a first passage and a second passage, an input device configured to generate a signal indicative of a desire to operate the actuator, and pump configured to draw low-pressure fluid from one of the first and second passages and discharge fluid at an elevated pressure into the other of the first and second passages based on the signal from the input device. The hydraulic system may further include a charge circuit fluidly connected to the first and second passages, a force modulation control valve configured to selectively direct fluid from either of the first and second passages to the charge circuit based on the signal from the input device, and at least one relief valve configured to selectively direct fluid discharged from the pump to the charge circuit when the elevated pressure exceeds a pressure relief threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy PETERSON, Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Michael Todd Verkuilen
  • Patent number: 8190336
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a machine. The method includes receiving data relating to a current state of multiple parameters. The method also includes determining a parameter signature for each parameter of the multiple parameters based on the received data. In addition, the method includes comparing each parameter signature to reference data to determine which operating modes of the machine are indicated by each parameter signature. The method further includes adjusting one or more components of an implement control system according to the operating mode indicated by a threshold number of parameter signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Todd Verkuilen, Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Brian Mintah, Benjamin Yoo
  • Publication number: 20110072809
    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: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Todd Verkuilen, John J. Krone, Douglas W. Koehler, James A. Aardema
  • Patent number: 7832208
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electro-hydraulic system having an engine driving a variable displacement pump, a hydraulic valve and a hydraulic actuator in order to achieve more efficient engine operation is disclosed. The pressures in the electro-hydraulic system are monitored and commands are received indicating the desired movement of the hydraulic actuator. Based on the pressure and the commands, the operation being performed by the machine is determined and the engine is set to an efficient setting for the particular segment of machine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Caterpillar Japan Ltd
    Inventors: Randy N Peterson, Todd Lawrence Baker, Michael Todd Verkuilen, Aleksandar M Egelja, Tetsuya Yoshino
  • Publication number: 20100017074
    Abstract: A method is provided for operating a machine. The method includes receiving data relating to a current state of multiple parameters. The method also includes determining a parameter signature for each parameter of the multiple parameters based on the received data. In addition, the method includes comparing each parameter signature to reference data to determine which operating modes of the machine are indicated by each parameter signature. The method further includes adjusting one or more components of an implement control system according to the operating mode indicated by a threshold number of parameter signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Michael Todd Verkuilen, Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Brian Mintah, Benjamin Yoo
  • Patent number: 7614336
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed having a source of pressurized fluid, at least a one hydraulic actuator, and a first valve. The first valve has a first valve element movable relative to a first valve bore between a plurality of positions from a first position in which pressurized fluid is substantially blocked from flowing toward the at least one hydraulic actuator to a second position in which pressurized fluid is allowed to flow toward the at least one hydraulic actuator. The first valve element is configured to be selectively moved from a third position located between the first and second positions to a fourth position located between the third and second positions at least partially based on a pressure signal of pressurized fluid downstream of the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Michael Todd VerKuilen, Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Srinivas Kowta, Eko A. Prasetiawan, Shoji Tozawa
  • Publication number: 20090120083
    Abstract: A method of controlling an electro-hydraulic system having an engine driving a variable displacement pump, a hydraulic valve and a hydraulic actuator in order to achieve more efficient engine operation is disclosed. The pressures in the electro-hydraulic system are monitored and commands are received indicating the desired movement of the hydraulic actuator. Based on the pressure and the commands, the operation being performed by the machine is determined and the engine is set to an efficient setting for the particular segment of machine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicants: CATERPILLAR INC., SHIN CAT MITSUBISHI LTD.
    Inventors: Randy N. Peterson, Todd Lawrence Baker, Michael Todd Verkuilen, Aleksandar M. Egelja, Tetsuya Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7331175
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a hydraulic system having a first source of pressurized fluid and at least one fluid actuator. The hydraulic system further includes a first valve disposed between the first source and the at least one fluid actuator. The first valve is configured to selectively communicate pressurized fluid from the first source to a tank in response to a first command. The first command is at least partially based on a predetermined flow area of the first valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Todd VerKuilen, Shoji Tozawa
  • Patent number: 7210396
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a valve system including a controller and a valve including a valve element and a valve bore. The valve element is selectively movable relative to the valve bore at least partially in response to a signal communicated from a controller. The communicated signal is at least partially based on a load on the actuator and a determined pressured drop. The determined pressure drop is at least partially based on a hysteretic filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc, Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Michael Todd VerKuilen