Patents by Inventor Nathan A. Ruetten

Nathan A. Ruetten 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).

  • Control system for drilling machines
    Patent number: 10837233
    Abstract: A control system for a drilling machine includes a vertically movable and rotatable drill string having a drill bit at a distal end, a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the drill string to provide a motive force for the vertical movement of the drill string, the hydraulic cylinder having an extend chamber and a retract chamber, a counterbalance valve selectively opening to fluidly couple the retract chamber to a drain, and a holdback valve selectively controlled to adjust the opening of the counterbalance valve based on a weight of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Ruetten, Carl J. Moberg
  • CONTROL SYSTEM FOR DRILLING MACHINES
    Publication number: 20200325729
    Abstract: A control system for a drilling machine includes a vertically movable and rotatable drill string having a drill bit at a distal end, a hydraulic cylinder coupled to the drill string to provide a motive force for the vertical movement of the drill string, the hydraulic cylinder having an extend chamber and a retract chamber, a counterbalance valve selectively opening to fluidly couple the retract chamber to a drain, and a holdback valve selectively controlled to adjust the opening of the counterbalance valve based on a weight of the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan A. Ruetten, Carl J. Moberg