Patents by Inventor Michael W. Ries
Michael W. Ries 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).
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Patent number: 11447052Abstract: A control pod bracket assembly for an operator seat of a work machine adjusts a spacing distance between a right control pod and a left control pod. A right side bracket and a left side bracket having the control pods mounted thereon may be slidably coupled to a center bracket to move between inward and outward positions. Right side bracket and left side bracket locking mechanisms are selectively engageable to lock the side brackets at the inward or outward positions, and to unlock and allow the side brackets to move between the inward and outward positions. Adjustment of the side brackets allows the control pod spacing to be varied between a minimum control pod spacing distance and a maximum control pod spacing distance.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2020Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Keith Daniel Koshiol, Joel N. Thieschafer, Michael W. Ries
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Patent number: 11427972Abstract: A compactor machine includes a machine frame, at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine, and a first light attached to the machine frame, the light shining a line of light on a surface that indicates a location of an edge of the roller drum.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, John L. Marsolek
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Patent number: 11338860Abstract: A cover configured for attachment to the roof of an operator station of a work machine is disclosed. The cover may include at least one first compartment configured for partially containing a lighting device of the work machine. In addition, the cover may include at least one second compartment configured for partially containing a roof-mounted antenna of the work machine, the second compartment disposed in a generally upwardly-exposed portion of the cover when the cover is attached to the roof. Further, a roof assembly for an operator station of a work machine that incorporates the cover is disclosed. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the cover is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: May 24, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Joel N. Thieschafer, Keith D. Koshiol, Eric S. LeDoux
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Publication number: 20210284244Abstract: A cover configured for attachment to the roof of an operator station of a work machine is disclosed. The cover may include at least one first compartment configured for partially containing a lighting device of the work machine. In addition, the cover may include at least one second compartment configured for partially containing a roof-mounted antenna of the work machine, the second compartment disposed in a generally upwardly-exposed portion of the cover when the cover is attached to the roof. Further, a roof assembly for an operator station of a work machine that incorporates the cover is disclosed. Furthermore, a method of manufacturing the cover is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Joel N. Thieschafer, Keith D. Koshiol, Eric S. LeDoux
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Publication number: 20210284019Abstract: A control pod bracket assembly for an operator seat of a work machine adjusts a spacing distance between a right control pod and a left control pod. A right side bracket and a left side bracket having the control pods mounted thereon may be slidably coupled to a center bracket to move between inward and outward positions. Right side bracket and left side bracket locking mechanisms are selectively engageable to lock the side brackets at the inward or outward positions, and to unlock and allow the side brackets to move between the inward and outward positions. Adjustment of the side brackets allows the control pod spacing to be varied between a minimum control pod spacing distance and a maximum control pod spacing distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2020Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Keith Daniel Koshiol, Joel N. Thieschafer, Michael W. Ries
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Publication number: 20200332480Abstract: A compactor machine includes a machine frame, at least one cylindrical roller drum rotatably coupled to the machine frame and rotatable about a drum axis oriented generally transverse to a direction of travel of the compactor machine, and a first light attached to the machine frame, the light shining a line of light on a surface that indicates a location of an edge of the roller drum.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2019Publication date: October 22, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, John L. Marsolek
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Patent number: 9931891Abstract: A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor includes a bolster frame and a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes a support arm coupled to the at least one support member. The suspension system further includes a vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, David J. Knopp
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Publication number: 20180072122Abstract: A suspension system for a pneumatic compactor is provided. The suspension system includes a bolster frame. The suspension system includes a steering input member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes at least one support member coupled to the bolster frame. The suspension system includes a support arm coupled to the at least one support member. The suspension system further includes a vibration absorber having a first end coupled to the bolster frame and a second end coupled to the support arm.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: MICHAEL W. RIES, DAVID J. KNOPP
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Patent number: 9469947Abstract: A modular compactor includes a frame assembly having a first motive section including at least one first wheel, a second motive section including at least one second wheel, and a central ballast section including ballast. The ballast provides weight to the frame assembly to provide a desired compacting force. A first coupling arrangement secures the first motive section to the central ballast section, and a second coupling arrangement secures the second motive section to the central ballast section.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Michael W. Ries
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Publication number: 20160102437Abstract: A modular compactor includes a frame assembly having a first motive section including at least one first wheel, a second motive section including at least one second wheel, and a central ballast section including ballast. The ballast provides weight to the frame assembly to provide a desired compacting force. A first coupling arrangement secures the first motive section to the central ballast section, and a second coupling arrangement secures the second motive section to the central ballast section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Michael W. Ries
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Patent number: 9303633Abstract: A hydraulic power control system includes an engine driving a variable displacement pump. The variable displacement pump is fluidly connected to a first passageway and a second passageway, and has a selectively variable displacement that is adjustable in response to a pump displacement command signal. A hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the first and second passageways operates by a flow of hydraulic fluid originating from the pump. A controller receives an engine speed signal and adjusts pump displacement based on the engine speed signal to reduce the rotation speed of the pump when an overrun condition is present.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sudarshan Maiyur, Paul Dvorak, Michael W. Ries
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Publication number: 20160076206Abstract: A compacting machine is provided. The compacting machine includes a compacting member configured to engage a ground surface. The compacting machine also includes a heat retention system having a lower boundary. The compacting machine further includes an adjustment system for raising and lowering the heat retention system relative to the compacting member. The adjustment system includes a first position and a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: March 17, 2016Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventor: Michael W. Ries
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Publication number: 20150369261Abstract: A drive system includes a variable displacement pump and a variable displacement motor hydraulically driven by the pump. A controller is configured to determine a motor displacement command to shift the motor displacement, and a pump displacement command to change the pump displacement. The controller modifies the motor and pump displacement commands based on hydraulic fluid temperature, the grade on which the machine is travelling and the speed of the prime mover. The controller further coordinates transmittal of the pump and motor displacement commands to maintain the travel speed of the machine while changing the displacements of the pump and motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2014Publication date: December 24, 2015Inventor: Michael W. Ries
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Patent number: 9139964Abstract: A compactor includes a frame, an engine coupled to the frame, an exhaust system coupled to the engine and configured to remove heated exhaust air from the engine, a compacting member rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to rotate in contact with a substrate of paving material, and an air system. The air system couples the exhaust system to the compacting member.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2013Date of Patent: September 22, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Bryan J. Downing, Keng Y. Low, Jon M. Scharf
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Patent number: 9096230Abstract: A drive system for a machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine, a pump driven by the engine to pressurize fluid, a motor connected to the pump via an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a traction device driven by the motor. The drive system may also have an operator input device movable from a neutral position through a range to a maximum displaced position to affect a speed of the engine, and a controller in communication with the input device and at least one of the pump and motor. The controller may be configured to gradually adjust a displacement of the at least one of the pump and motor to slow the traction device over a period of time after the operator input device is returned to the neutral position.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Paul A. Dvorak, Mark L. Norton, Jon M. Scharf, Christopher J. Demick, Christopher M. Elliott
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Publication number: 20150198245Abstract: A drive system includes a continuously variable displacement pump and a motor hydraulically driven by the pump. A controller is configured to determine a motor displacement command to shift the motor from a first displacement to a second displacement, and a pump displacement command to change the displacement of the pump. The controller further coordinates transmittal of the pump displacement command and the motor displacement command to maintain the travel speed of the machine while changing the displacement of the pump and shifting the motor from the first motor displacement to the second motor displacement.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2014Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Paul A. Dvorak, Sudarshan Maiyur
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Publication number: 20150167258Abstract: A compactor includes a frame, an engine coupled to the frame, an exhaust system coupled to the engine and configured to remove heated exhaust air from the engine, a compacting member rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to rotate in contact with a substrate of paving material, and an air system. The air system couples the exhaust system to the compacting member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Bryan J. Downing, Keng Y. Low, Jon M. Scharf
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Patent number: D896283Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2019Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Hemry, Michael W. Ries, Paco Romero
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Patent number: D926823Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Hemry, Michael W. Ries, Paco Romero
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Patent number: D926824Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2020Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Hemry, Michael W. Ries, Paco Romero