Patents by Inventor Mircea Dumitru
Mircea Dumitru 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: 11772724Abstract: A track chain member includes a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member. The first rail member includes a first lug defining a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first bushing retention shelf disposed in the first bore, as well as a second lug including a second bushing retention shelf disposed in the second bore. A third lug extends in a direction opposite that of the first lug and second lug and is disposed axially between the first lug and the second lug.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2020Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Patent number: 11530007Abstract: A replacement kit includes a first coupler that includes a first inner axial end, a first outer axial end, and a first coupler attachment portion including a first forked oblong structure that defines a first minor axis with a first minor axis length, and a first major axis with a first major axis length that is greater than the first minor axis length, and including a first prong, a second prong disposed axially away from the first prong, and defining a first predetermined axial distance, and a first cam surface disposed between the first prong and the second prong.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: December 20, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Benjamin I. Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20220348274Abstract: A track slider mounting plate kit includes a first shark fin configured mounting plate including a first bottom mounting surface, a first beveled surface extending from the first bottom mounting surface, and a second beveled surface that extends from the first beveled surface, forming a first oblique angle with the second beveled surface. A track slider is attached to the first shark fin configured mounting plate that has a top surface extending from the rear surface toward the front surface defining a top surface radius of curvature ranging from 2200 mm to 2600 mm.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Cristian Zaharia, Elizabeth J. Barnes, Michael W. Haws, Mircea Dumitru, Aruna Kinjarapu
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Publication number: 20220348273Abstract: A transition track slider has a hollow body including a first side surface, a second side surface, a bottom surface at least partially interposed between the first side surface and the second side surface, and that also defines a cavity. A front surface with a bullet nose configuration connects the first side surface to the second side surface, and to the bottom surface, while a rear surface connects the first side surface to the second side surface, and to the bottom surface. A top surface extends from the rear surface toward the front surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2021Publication date: November 3, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLCInventors: Cristian Zaharia, Elizabeth J. Barnes, Michael W. Haws, Mircea Dumitru, Aruna Kinjarapu
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Publication number: 20220289321Abstract: A track pad includes a shoe member that has two bottom voids extending upwardly from the ground engaging surface of the shoe member, and which form a central support pillar having a serpentine surface laterally on side of the central support pillar, and another serpentine surface laterally on the other side of the central support pillar. The two bottom voids form oval perimeters at the ground engaging surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2021Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20220242502Abstract: A slider includes a first segment and a second segment. The first segment includes a first upper surface, a first lower surface, and a first interior surface that connects the first upper surface to the first lower surface. The first upper surface is configured to support a track. The first interior surface includes a first component of an attachment mechanism. The second segment includes a second upper surface, a second lower surface, and a second interior surface that connects the second upper surface to the second lower surface. The second upper surface is configured to support the track. The second interior surface includes a second component of the attachment mechanism that is configured to be removably attached to the first component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Alex Daniel BALDWIN, Mircea DUMITRU
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Publication number: 20220234660Abstract: An onboard track machine wear measurement system has an ultra-sonic probe that is attached to an undercarriage of the machine that is disposed adjacent a track chain assembly, and a controller that is in communication with the ultra-sonic probe. The controller is configured to determine the thickness of a load bearing wall of a track component of the track chain assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2021Publication date: July 28, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20220194496Abstract: A roller assembly for a ground-engaging track system includes a roller forming a shaft bore, and a roller shaft within the shaft bore and having a circumferential ramp surface. A roller retention system for the roller assembly includes a roller retention collar with an outer peripheral surface, and an inner peripheral surface that may include a wedge surface structured to friction fit the retention collar, within a collar bore in the roller, upon the circumferential ramp surface to limit axial displacement of the roller upon the roller shaft. The roller assembly may include two roller retention collars supporting the roller against axial displacement without use of thrust washers or the like, and fixing the roller and roller shaft to rotate together relative to a track roller frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Roger Lee Recker, Mircea Dumitru, Zachary T. Donlan
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Patent number: 11312434Abstract: A replacement kit for a rotating member attachment assembly includes a first thrust washer defining a first thrust washer diameter and a first thrust washer axial thickness, and a first end cap defining a first end cap axial thickness and including a first end cap circumferential surface defining a first end cap diameter that is greater than the first thrust washer diameter. The first end cap circumferential surface includes external threads.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Mircea Dumitru
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Patent number: 10960944Abstract: A track chain member includes a first rib coupling the shoe member to the first lug; and a second rib coupling the shoe member to the second lug, defining a first side recess between the first rib and the second rib. The first side recess also extends from the exterior of the shoe member and underneath the first top surface, the first lateral end defines a first lateral end width along the track chain traveling direction, and the first side recess also spans the majority of the first lateral end width along the track chain traveling direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20210070385Abstract: A track chain member includes a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member. The first rail member includes a first lug defining a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first bushing retention shelf disposed in the first bore, as well as a second lug including a second bushing retention shelf disposed in the second bore. A third lug extends in a direction opposite that of the first lug and second lug and is disposed axially between the first lug and the second lug.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20210046981Abstract: A replacement kit for a rotating member attachment assembly includes a first thrust washer defining a first thrust washer diameter and a first thrust washer axial thickness, and a first end cap defining a first end cap axial thickness and including a first end cap circumferential surface defining a first end cap diameter that is greater than the first thrust washer diameter. The first end cap circumferential surface includes external threads.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20210046982Abstract: A replacement kit includes a first coupler that includes a first inner axial end, a first outer axial end, and a first coupler attachment portion including a first forked oblong structure that defines a first minor axis with a first minor axis length, and a first major axis with a first major axis length that is greater than the first minor axis length, and including a first prong, a second prong disposed axially away from the first prong, and defining a first predetermined axial distance, and a first cam surface disposed between the first prong and the second prong.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2019Publication date: February 18, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Benjamin I. Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Patent number: 10919588Abstract: A track chain member includes a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member. The first rail member includes a first lug defining a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first bushing retention shelf disposed in the first bore, a second lug including a second bushing retention shelf disposed in the second bore. A third lug extends in a direction opposite that of the first lug and second lug and is disposed axially between the first lug and the second lug.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Patent number: 10562574Abstract: A slider for a track assembly of a machine is provided. The slider includes an elongated base portion coupled to a frame and a sliding portion extending from the elongated base portion. The sliding portion includes an outer surface configured to slidably engage with a track link of the track assembly. The sliding portion includes a set of wear indicators defined in the outer surface. The set of wear indicators includes a first wear indicator and a second wear indicator. The first and the second wear indicators are located at a first predefined thickness and a second predefined thickness respectively, measured along a central axis of the sliding portion. Further, the first wear indicator indicates partial wear of the sliding portion and the second wear indicator indicates substantial wear of the sliding portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Mircea Dumitru
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Patent number: 10543876Abstract: A track support rail for slidably supporting a track assembly of a machine includes a body having a first body end, a second body end, a crown portion, and an upper support surface. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between the first and second body ends. The crown portion is disposed between the first and second body ends along the longitudinal axis. The upper support surface extends along the longitudinal axis between the first and second body ends. The upper support surface includes first and second curved segments. The first curved segment has a first curved shape and extends from the first body end toward the crown portion of the body. The second curved segment has a second curved shape and extends from the second body end toward the crown portion of the body. The first curved shape is different from the second curved shape.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2016Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Benoit Abello, Ben Pulley
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Publication number: 20190283819Abstract: A track chain member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a first rib coupling the shoe member to the first lug; and a second rib coupling the shoe member to the second lug, defining a first side recess between the first rib and the second rib, the first side recess also extending from the exterior of the shoe member and underneath the first top surface, the first lateral end defining a first lateral end width along the track chain traveling direction, the first side recess also spanning the majority of the first lateral end width along the track chain traveling direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2018Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Publication number: 20190263462Abstract: A track chain member may comprise a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member. The first rail member may include a first lug defining a first bore defining a first longitudinal axis and including a first bushing retention shelf disposed in the first bore, a second lug including a second bushing retention shelf disposed in the second bore. A third lug may extend in a direction opposite that of the first lug and second lug and may be disposed axially between the first lug and the second lug.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
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Patent number: 10189518Abstract: A track nut comprises a main body defining a central aperture with threads disposed in the central aperture, the aperture defining a cylindrical axis and a radial direction, a first end and a second end disposed along the cylindrical axis, and wherein the first end defines an at least partially circular perimeter and the second end defines a generally polygonal perimeter with a plurality of corners, the polygonal perimeter including at least one variable blend portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Jeffrey Paul Nash
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Patent number: D941886Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2019Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Mircea Dumitru