Patents by Inventor Patrick M. Pecchio

Patrick M. Pecchio 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).

  • Method and apparatus for determining the status of a relief valve
    Patent number: 6408676
    Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining a status of a relief valve located within a fluid system having a pump and an actuator valve. The fluid system 102 is located on an earth moving machine, and the pump delivers fluid to the actuator 110, 112 through the actuator valve 108. The system 102 includes a pressure compensation assembly 130 adapted to control the fluid pressure of the system by bypassing fluid flow. The system 102 also includes a relief valve, and a pressure sensor. The method includes the steps of positioning the actuator valve in a closed position, deactivating the pressure compensation assembly, and sensing a relief pressure of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Steven R. Genseal, Steven R. Krause, Patrick M. Pecchio, Richard J. Skiba