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: 8965638Abstract: A controller for use in a vibratory work machine may include a vibratory frequency selection system having a user interface with a discrete amplitude selection input device and a discrete frequency selection input device. The controller may receive a frequency selection signal from the frequency input device and generate a frequency control signal having a characteristic corresponding to the frequency setting of the input device. The controller may also receive an amplitude selection signal from the amplitude input device and output at least the frequency control signal to cause a vibrator mechanism of the machine to generate vibrations having a frequency and amplitude corresponding to the settings of the input devices.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2011Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Ryan P. Lenton, Ryan J. Nelson
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Patent number: 8858117Abstract: A weight sensing system for a pneumatic compactor is provided. The weight sensing system includes a pressure sensor in communication with a pneumatic cylinder. The pressure sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure exerted on the pneumatic cylinder. Further, a controller is communicably coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the pressure exerted on the pneumatic cylinder. The controller is also configured to determine a compaction weight of the pneumatic compactor based on the received signal, a weight distribution on the pneumatic compactor, and a fixed volume of the pneumatic cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2013Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Mark L. Norton, Timothy J. Lindholm
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Patent number: 8714869Abstract: A pneumatic compactor includes a frame and a compacting member rotatably coupled to the frame and configured to rotate in contact with a substrate of paving material. The compacting member is a tire. The compactor further includes a heating element located within the compacting member, a sensor thermally coupled to the heating element, and an electronic control module. The electronic control module is in communication with the heating element and the sensor and is configured to energize the heating element.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Matthew S. Frantz, Jon M. Scharf, Paul D. Weiss
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Publication number: 20140079484Abstract: A weight sensing system for a pneumatic compactor is provided. The weight sensing system includes a pressure sensor in communication with a pneumatic cylinder. The pressure sensor is configured to generate a signal indicative of a pressure exerted on the pneumatic cylinder. Further, a controller is communicably coupled to the pressure sensor. The controller is configured to receive the signal indicative of the pressure exerted on the pneumatic cylinder. The controller is also configured to determine a compaction weight of the pneumatic compactor based on the received signal, a weight distribution on the pneumatic compactor, and a fixed volume of the pneumatic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2013Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Mark L. Norton, Timothy J. Lindholm
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Publication number: 20140075930Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2012Publication date: March 20, 2014Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sudarshan Maiyur, Paul Dvorak, Michael W. Ries
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Patent number: 8636443Abstract: A compactor includes a rotatable compacting element, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a liquid onto an outer surface of the compacting element to prevent sticking of paving material. The compactor further includes an electronic control mechanism configured to activate the dispensing mechanism, and further configured to deactivate the dispensing mechanism responsive to data indicating an extent of coverage of the outer surface with the liquid is sufficient. Related systems and methodology are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2012Date of Patent: January 28, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Paying Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Mark L. Norton
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Publication number: 20130223928Abstract: A compactor includes a frame and a compacting element coupled to the frame. An edge wheel assembly is also coupled to the frame and is adjustable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration at which an edge wheel contacts a substrate outboard of the compacting element. The compactor further includes a spray system for the edge wheel, and a control device in control communication with the spray system and configured to command activation of the spray system responsive to detecting lowering of the edge wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Mark L. Norton
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Publication number: 20130223933Abstract: A compactor includes a rotatable compacting element, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a liquid onto an outer surface of the compacting element to prevent sticking of paving material. The compactor further includes an electronic control mechanism configured to activate the dispensing mechanism, and further configured to deactivate the dispensing mechanism responsive to data indicating an extent of coverage of the outer surface with the liquid is sufficient. Related systems and methodology are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: August 29, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Mark L. Norton
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Patent number: 8500363Abstract: A compactor includes a frame and a compacting element coupled to the frame. An edge wheel assembly is also coupled to the frame and is adjustable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration at which an edge wheel contacts a substrate outboard of the compacting element. The compactor further includes a spray system for the edge wheel, and a control device in control communication with the spray system and configured to command activation of the spray system responsive to detecting lowering of the edge wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Michael W. Ries, Mark L. Norton
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Publication number: 20130110363Abstract: A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine-driven pump, and a motor connected to the pump. The drive system may also have a speed input to select a maximum allowable engine speed, a throttle input to indicate a desired speed of the engine as a function of the maximum allowable engine speed, a transmission input to select a desired transmission control setting, and a controller configured to selectively adjust operation of the engine based on the throttle input and to selectively limit the actual engine speed based on the maximum allowable speed. The controller may also select for use a particular relationship between the actual engine speed and a travel speed from a plurality of available relationships based on the desired transmission control setting, and selectively adjust displacements of the pump and motor based on the actual engine speed and the selected particular relationship.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Michael W. RIES, Paul A. DVORAK, Mark L. NORTON, Jon M. SCHARF
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Publication number: 20130104532Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 14, 2012Publication date: May 2, 2013Inventors: Michael W. RIES, Paul A. Dvorak, Mark L. Norton, Jon M. Scharf, Christopher J. Demick, Christopher M. Elliott
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Publication number: 20130006483Abstract: A controller for use in a vibratory work machine may include a vibratory frequency selection system having a user interface with a discrete amplitude selection input device and a discrete frequency selection input device. The controller may receive a frequency selection signal from the frequency input device and generate a frequency control signal having a characteristic corresponding to the frequency setting of the input device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2011Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTSInventors: Michael W. Ries, Ryan P. Lenton, Ryan J. Nelson
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Publication number: 20100111605Abstract: An apparatus for actuating a vibratory mechanism in a vehicle comprising a sensor configured to produce an operational value signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the vehicle; a computing device operable to receive the operational value signal and determine actuation values based at least in part on the operational value signal and to produce a corresponding control signal for selectively actuating the vibratory mechanism; and an input device configured to modify the actuation values during operation of the vehicle. A method for controlling a vibratory mechanism in a vehicle comprising the steps of producing an operational value signal indicative of an operational characteristic of the vehicle; determining actuation values from the operational value signal; modifying actuation values during operation of the vehicle; and signaling the vibratory mechanism to actuate in response to actuation values.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2009Publication date: May 6, 2010Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Timothy J. Sturos, Michael W. Ries, Jonathan A. Anderson, Ryan P. Lenton, John L. Marsolek
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Patent number: D724109Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2011Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.Inventors: Jason A. Haro, Tim J. Lindholm, Michael W. Ries