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).

  • Patent number: 11772724
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 11530007
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Benjamin I. Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20220348274
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Cristian Zaharia, Elizabeth J. Barnes, Michael W. Haws, Mircea Dumitru, Aruna Kinjarapu
  • Publication number: 20220348273
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Cristian Zaharia, Elizabeth J. Barnes, Michael W. Haws, Mircea Dumitru, Aruna Kinjarapu
  • Publication number: 20220289321
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20220242502
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Daniel BALDWIN, Mircea DUMITRU
  • Publication number: 20220234660
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20220194496
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Lee Recker, Mircea Dumitru, Zachary T. Donlan
  • Patent number: 11312434
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 10960944
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20210070385
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20210046981
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20210046982
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary T. Donlan, Benjamin I. Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 10919588
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 10562574
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 10543876
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Benoit Abello, Ben Pulley
  • Publication number: 20190283819
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Publication number: 20190263462
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Isaac Jones, Mircea Dumitru
  • Patent number: 10189518
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mircea Dumitru, Jeffrey Paul Nash
  • Patent number: D941886
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mircea Dumitru