Patents by Inventor Nathaniel K. Harshman
Nathaniel K. Harshman 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).
-
Publication number: 20210054594Abstract: A sealing assembly for a circle member of a motor grader is provided. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of cover segments disposed adjacent to an inner circumference of the circle member. At least one of the plurality of cover segments defines a gap in association with a component disposed adjacent to the at least one of the plurality of cover segments. The sealing assembly also includes a sealing element removably disposed on the at least one of the plurality of cover segments and extending into the gap. The sealing element is adapted to sealingly engage each of the at least one of the plurality of cover segments and the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2019Publication date: February 25, 2021Inventors: Benjamin Kovalick, Nathaniel K. Harshman, Lankesh Mathur Shanmukappa, Bruce Raymond Vahling
-
Publication number: 20210002856Abstract: A control system for a grading machine includes a circle angle sensor coupled to a circle. The circle is coupled to and supports a grading blade, and the circle angle sensor is configured to measure an angular position of the circle. The control system also includes a blade load sensor configured to measure a load on the grading blade. The control system also includes a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a controller. The circle drive motor is configured to engage with and rotate the circle around a circle axis, and the controller is configured to control the rotation of the circle under a circle rotation command by monitoring the angular position of the circle and the load on the grading blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2019Publication date: January 7, 2021Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Nathaniel K. HARSHMAN
-
Publication number: 20200370276Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system including a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The gear box includes a first gear that rotates about a first axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis, and the gear box also includes a second gear that rotates about a second axis that is parallel to the circle axis and spaced away from the first axis of rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2019Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel K. HARSHMAN, Akilan APPAVU, Anand KESHEOREY
-
Publication number: 20200263387Abstract: A grading machine includes a machine body, a grading blade supported by a circle, a drawbar connecting the grading blade and the circle to the machine body, and a circle drive system. The circle drive system includes a circle drive motor and a gear box. The gear box is configured to engage with and rotate the circle relative to the drawbar around a circle axis. The circle drive motor includes an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the circle axis, and the gear box includes an axis of rotation that is parallel to the circle axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel K. HARSHMAN, David L. COX, Benjamin J. KOVALICK, Bruce R. VAHLING
-
Patent number: 10458081Abstract: A work attachment for a motor grader includes a moldboard and a trip edge assembly coupled to the moldboard. The moldboard defines a plurality of first apertures. The trip edge assembly includes a trip edge structure. The trip edge assembly also includes a pivoting mechanism for pivoting a portion of the trip edge assembly in a first direction with respect to the moldboard when the trip edge assembly encounters an object in a drive path of the motor grader. The trip edge assembly further includes a mounting structure defining a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of second apertures are aligned with the plurality of first apertures to receive mechanical fasteners for removably coupling the trip edge assembly with the moldboard.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sean Michael Hayes, Benjamin J. Kovalick, David L. Cox, Nathaniel K. Harshman
-
Publication number: 20190063569Abstract: A turnbuckle has a first turnbuckle end and a second turnbuckle end. The turnbuckle includes a first member coupled to the first turnbuckle end. The turnbuckle includes a sleeve having a first end and a second end. The sleeve receives the first member at the first end of the sleeve. The turnbuckle includes a gear mechanism coupled to the sleeve. The turnbuckle further includes an adjustment tool receiver provided on the gear mechanism. The adjustment tool receiver receives a common, non-custom driving tool to adjust a length of the turnbuckle between the first turnbuckle end and the second turnbuckle end.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Nathaniel K. Harshman, David L. Cox
-
Publication number: 20190063021Abstract: A work attachment for a motor grader includes a moldboard and a trip edge assembly coupled to the moldboard. The moldboard defines a plurality of first apertures. The trip edge assembly includes a trip edge structure. The trip edge assembly also includes a pivoting mechanism for pivoting a portion of the trip edge assembly in a first direction with respect to the moldboard when the trip edge assembly encounters an object in a drive path of the motor grader. The trip edge assembly further includes a mounting structure defining a plurality of second apertures. The plurality of second apertures are aligned with the plurality of first apertures to receive mechanical fasteners for removably coupling the trip edge assembly with the moldboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sean Michael Hayes, Benjamin J. Kovalick, David L. Cox, Nathaniel K. Harshman
-
Publication number: 20180080194Abstract: A drawbar assembly for a motor grader is provided. The drawbar assembly includes a yoke plate, a backbar, a drawbar tube, and a sleeve. The yoke plate includes a first surface and a second surface. The backbar is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate. The backbar includes a tube facing surface. The drawbar tube includes a first end and a second end. The drawbar tube is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate, defining a clearance between the first end of the drawbar tube and the tube facing surface of the backbar. The sleeve encloses at least a portion of the drawbar tube. The sleeve includes a backbar attachment portion and a yoke attachment portion. The backbar attachment portion is attached to the tube facing surface of the backbar and the yoke attachment portion is attached to the first surface of the yoke plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2016Publication date: March 22, 2018Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Sean M. Hayes, Nathaniel K. Harshman, Lingfei Zhang