Patents by Inventor Paul Anthony Dvorak

Paul Anthony Dvorak 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: 20190193558
    Abstract: A system for providing torque assist in a vehicle includes a hydrostatic transmission that is associated with otherwise unpowered wheels of the vehicle. Operation of the hydrostatic transmission can be commanded by a controller based on sensor inputs, indicative of wheel speeds of each wheel present in the vehicle, to provide torque to the otherwise unpowered wheels of the vehicle. Moreover, when torque difference exists between one wheel and another from the otherwise unpowered wheels, the controller can independently and selectively actuate one or more pumps that are included in the hydrostatic transmission so that each wheel from the set of otherwise unpowered wheels rotates at the same wheel speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: June 27, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Dvorak, Corwin Eugene Storer, Richard D. Johnston
  • Patent number: 10119556
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic system may have a closed-loop, meterless hydraulic circuit with a first pump fluidly connected to a first actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a closed-loop, metered hydraulic circuit with a second pump fluidly connected to a second actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a combiner valve configured to selectively direct fluid from the closed-loop metered hydraulic circuit to the closed-loop meterless hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Todd Peterson, Jeffrey Lee Kuehn, Bryan E. Nelson, Paul Anthony Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20170159678
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic system may have a closed-loop, meterless hydraulic circuit with a first pump fluidly connected to a first actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a closed-loop, metered hydraulic circuit with a second pump fluidly connected to a second actuator. The hydraulic system may further have a combiner valve configured to selectively direct fluid from the closed-loop metered hydraulic circuit to the closed-loop meterless hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy Todd PETERSON, Jeffrey Lee KUEHN, Bryan E. NELSON, Paul Anthony DVORAK
  • Publication number: 20130291527
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a hydraulic power system that includes a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor is provided. A relief valve is provided that is configured to release hydraulic fluid from a location between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor when a pressure of the hydraulic fluid exceeds a predetermined pressure. A controller is in communication with the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. The controller is configured to determine a first hydraulic fluid flow across the relief valve and determine a desired maximum flow across the relief valve. The controller also can regulate one or both of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor to control the first hydraulic fluid flow based on the desired maximum flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christopher M. Elliott, Paul Anthony Dvorak
  • Patent number: 7707829
    Abstract: A flushing system for a transmission is disclosed. The system has a first pump and a first actuator connected to the first pump to form a first loop. The system also has a second pump and a second actuator connected to the second pump to form a second loop. The system further has a charge pump configured to replenish the first and second loops. The system also has a single charge relief valve situated to receive fluid from the first pump, the second pump, and the charge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Dvorak, Matthew Chad Full, Paul Alan Rousseau
  • Publication number: 20090064675
    Abstract: A flushing system for a transmission is disclosed. The system has a first pump and a first actuator connected to the first pump to form a first loop. The system also has a second pump and a second actuator connected to the second pump to form a second loop. The system further has a charge pump configured to replenish the first and second loops. The system also has a single charge relief valve situated to receive fluid from the first pump, the second pump, and the charge pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Dvorak, Matthew Chad Full, Paul Alan Rousseau
  • Patent number: 7096772
    Abstract: A method of flowing hydraulic fluid in a work machine is disclosed. The method includes generating a control signal from an input mechanism and generating a property signal indicative of a viscosity of the hydraulic fluid. The control signal and the property signal are received at a control module. The method also includes determining a desired volume flow rate for the control signal and determining a valve control signal required to achieve the desired volume flow rate for the control signal. The valve control signal is based upon the property signal. The valve control signal is output to a proportional valve to provide the desired volume flow rate through the valve for the command signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Mark Andrew Sporer, Dante Toran Thomas, Michael Steven Freberg, Paul Anthony Dvorak