Patents by Inventor NICHOLAS J. ARGENZIANO

NICHOLAS J. ARGENZIANO 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: 11932327
    Abstract: A machine comprises a frame, a plurality of ground engaging units, a plurality of moveable legs, and a hydraulic system. A first ground engaging unit and a second ground engaging unit connect a first leg and a second leg, respectively, with the frame. The hydraulic system controls heights of the plurality of moveable legs. The hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to control fluid flow into the fluid circuit, and first and second relief valves to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in opposite directions. A method for controlling slope of a construction machine comprises activating a relief valve connecting right and left lifting cylinders to control flow of hydraulic fluid between the lifting cylinders to control retraction of one of the lifting cylinders from retracting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Dario Sansone
  • Patent number: 11795664
    Abstract: A machine comprises a first ground engaging unit connected to a first leg, a second ground engaging unit connected to a second leg, and a hydraulic system to control heights of the legs, the hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to allow fluid into the fluid circuit, a control valve system to let fluid into the load holding valve, the control valve connected to a hydraulic fluid source and a reservoir, a first lock valve to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in a first direction, a second lock valve to control flow of fluid between the second and first legs in a second direction, and first and float valves configured to connect the first and second legs to the control valve system, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 11453436
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; at least two tracks coupled to the frame for propelling the milling machine; first and second hydraulic cylinders configured to steer each of the at least two tracks, respectively; an adjustable hydraulic tie rod extending between the at least two tracks; first and second steering collars coupled to the each of the tracks to move the tracks, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the first steering collar and the second hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the second steering collar, and wherein the adjustable hydraulic tie rod is coupled to both of the steering collars; one or more sensors to determine the positions of the at least two tracks; and a hydraulic steering control system coupled to the first and second hydraulic cylinders and the adjustable hydraulic tie rod and configured to vary a steering mode of the at least two tracks between a parallel steering mode and an Ackerman steering mode, wherein if one of the one or more sensors fails, the hydraulic st
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20220258815
    Abstract: A machine comprises a frame, a plurality of ground engaging units, a plurality of moveable legs, and a hydraulic system. A first ground engaging unit and a second ground engaging unit connect a first leg and a second leg, respectively, with the frame. The hydraulic system controls heights of the plurality of moveable legs. The hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to control fluid flow into the fluid circuit, and first and second relief valves to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in opposite directions. A method for controlling slope of a construction machine comprises activating a relief valve connecting right and left lifting cylinders to control flow of hydraulic fluid between the lifting cylinders to control retraction of one of the lifting cylinders from retracting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Dario Sansone
  • Publication number: 20220259827
    Abstract: A machine comprises a first ground engaging unit connected to a first leg, a second ground engaging unit connected to a second leg, and a hydraulic system to control heights of the legs, the hydraulic system comprises a fluid circuit to control fluid between the first and second legs, a load holding valve to allow fluid into the fluid circuit, a control valve system to let fluid into the load holding valve, the control valve connected to a hydraulic fluid source and a reservoir, a first lock valve to control flow of fluid between the first and second legs in a first direction, a second lock valve to control flow of fluid between the second and first legs in a second direction, and first and float valves configured to connect the first and second legs to the control valve system, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Publication number: 20210354749
    Abstract: A milling machine can include a frame; at least two tracks coupled to the frame for propelling the milling machine; first and second hydraulic cylinders configured to steer each of the at least two tracks, respectively; an adjustable hydraulic tie rod extending between the at least two tracks; first and second steering collars coupled to the each of the tracks to move the tracks, wherein the first hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the first steering collar and the second hydraulic cylinder is coupled to the second steering collar, and wherein the adjustable hydraulic tie rod is coupled to both of the steering collars; one or more sensors to determine the positions of the at least two tracks; and a hydraulic steering control system coupled to the first and second hydraulic cylinders and the adjustable hydraulic tie rod and configured to vary a steering mode of the at least two tracks between a parallel steering mode and an Ackerman steering mode, wherein if one of the one or more sensors fails, the hydraulic st
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Argenziano, Eric S. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 10611577
    Abstract: A cold planer including a conveyor system coupled to a frame. The conveyor system includes a conveyor with a conveyor belt that rotates about a conveyor roller. A belt tensioning system is coupled to the conveyor roller and includes an actuator for moving the conveyor roller to place tension on the conveyor belt. One or more processors are configured to receive information related to the conveyor belt and adjust the actuator on the conveyor belt based on the information related to the conveyor belt to provide a constant operating tension on the conveyor belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Colton J. Hirman, Nicholas J. Argenziano
  • Publication number: 20190367286
    Abstract: A cold planer including a conveyor system coupled to a frame. The conveyor system includes a conveyor with a conveyor belt that rotates about a conveyor roller. A belt tensioning system is coupled to the conveyor roller and includes an actuator for moving the conveyor roller to place tension on the conveyor belt. One or more processors are configured to receive information related to the conveyor belt and adjust the actuator on the conveyor belt based on the information related to the conveyor belt to provide a constant operating tension on the conveyor belt.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Eric S. Engelmann, Colton J. Hirman, Nicholas J. Argenziano
  • Patent number: 10428471
    Abstract: An example cold planer system includes a machine frame, a milling drum, a first conveyor, a second conveyor, a swivel sensor and a control module. The milling drum is rotatably coupled to the machine frame. The first conveyor is configured to convey a milled material away from the milling drum. The second conveyor is configured to convey the milled material from the first conveyor to a discharge location and the second conveyor is pivotably connected to the machine frame. The swivel sensor is configured to generate swivel data corresponding to a swivel position of the second conveyor. The control module is in electrical communication with the swivel sensor, and the control module is configured to receive the swivel data and to control motion of the second conveyor based on the swivel data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Colton Hirman, Eric S. Engelmann, Nicholas J. Argenziano, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Publication number: 20150175226
    Abstract: A hydraulic tensioning system for a tracked undercarriage is configured to position an idler wheel, supported by a frame assembly, relative to a drive sprocket. The hydraulic tensioning system includes at least one fluid actuator unit with a body that defines a recoil chamber, a tension chamber, and a wall in between the two chambers. A piston assembly is positioned between the body and idler wheel. A ram assembly is positioned between the body and frame assembly. A recoil circuit is in fluid communication with the recoil chamber and a tank. A fluid in the recoil chamber is relieved through a relief valve when the idler wheel is displaced. Fluid is introduced to the recoil chamber, urging the idler wheel away from the frame assembly, via the piston assembly. A tensioning fluid within the tension chamber selectively urges the idler wheel away from the frame assembly, via the ram assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS INC.
    Inventors: NICHOLAS B. JOHNSON, NICHOLAS J. ARGENZIANO, NATHAN L. MASHEK, JASON W. MUIR