Patents by Inventor Perry G. Cruce

Perry G. Cruce 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: 20150136560
    Abstract: A hydraulic piston system includes a housing that defines a piston pocket and a fluid inlet. A piston with a peripheral region and an end is movable within the piston pocket of the housing. The end of the piston has peripheral defined channels and a portion structured and arranged to engage the housing to limit travel of the piston. Further, a seal is configured to seal the peripheral region of the piston against the piston pocket. The seal is structured and arranged to receive fluid pressure when the piston is positioned with the portion of the piston is in engagement with the housing and fluid communication exists between the fluid inlet and the seal through the peripheral defined channels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: AMOGH A. DEO, MATTHEW T. BOBER, JAMIE W. CLARK, MATTHEW A. HANKS, ROBERT E. CAYLOR, MARK A. BATDORFF, PERRY G. CRUCE
  • Patent number: 8961359
    Abstract: A planet carrier and clutch housing for a transmission is provided. The planet carrier and clutch housing includes a first deck, a second deck, an annulus and a plurality of planet carrier posts. The first deck has an inner rim, an outer rim, planet shaft bores and control oil bores. The second deck has an inner rim, an outer rim, a piston recess disposed between the inner and outer rims, planet shaft bores and control oil bores fluidly coupled to the piston recess. The annulus extends from the second deck. The planet carrier posts connect the first deck to the second deck, and each post has a control oil bore fluidly coupling respective control oil bores in the first and second decks. The inner surface of each second deck planet shaft bore may include a groove to receive a planet shaft seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Floro, Thomas D. Koch, Michael Gross, Perry G. Cruce, Anthony R. Johnson, Clifford Garrison, Lawrence A. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 8951161
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, and third brakes and first, second and third clutches. The first, second and third brakes and first, second and third clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a four different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Patent number: 8915820
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a plurality of different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Patent number: 8845477
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a plurality of different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Patent number: 8840519
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, third, and fourth brakes and first and second clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a four different reverse speeds between the input and the output. The compact transmission also includes a first brake, second brake, third brake, fourth brake, first clutch, and second clutch associated with the planetary gear train, the first brake, second brake, third brake, fourth brake, first clutch, and second clutch being configured such that setting each forward and reverse speed of the compact transmission is accomplished via actuation of two of the first brake, second brake, third brake, fourth brake, first clutch, and second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Publication number: 20140041981
    Abstract: A planet carrier and clutch housing for a transmission is provided. The planet carrier and clutch housing includes a first deck, a second deck, an annulus and a plurality of planet carrier posts. The first deck has an inner rim, an outer rim, planet shaft bores and control oil bores. The second deck has an inner rim, an outer rim, a piston recess disposed between the inner and outer rims, planet shaft bores and control oil bores fluidly coupled to the piston recess. The annulus extends from the second deck. The planet carrier posts connect the first deck to the second deck, and each post has a control oil bore fluidly coupling respective control oil bores in the first and second decks. The inner surface of each second deck planet shaft bore may include a groove to receive a planet shaft seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Justin Floro, Thomas D. Koch, Michael Gross, Perry G. Cruce, Anthony R. Johnson, Clifford Garrison, Lawrence A. Rutledge
  • Publication number: 20140038768
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, and third brakes and first, second and third clutches. The first, second and third brakes and first, second and third clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a four different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Publication number: 20140038767
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, and third brakes and first, second and third clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a four different reverse speeds between the input and the output. The compact transmission also includes a first brake, second brake, third brake, fourth brake, first clutch, and second clutch associated with the planetary gear train, the first brake, second brake, third brake, fourth brake, first clutch, and second clutch being configured such that setting each forward and reverse speed of the compact transmission is accomplished via actuation of two of the first brake, second brake, third brake, fourth brake, first clutch, and second clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Publication number: 20140038766
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a plurality of different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Publication number: 20140038765
    Abstract: A compact five-speed transmission planetary gear train includes a first, second, third, fourth and fifth planetary gear sets between an input and an output as well as first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches. The first, second, third and fourth brakes and first and second clutches are selectively actuatable to provide five different forward speeds and a plurality of different reverse speeds between the input and the output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas D. Koch, Justin Floro, Michael Gross, Kevin G. Meyer, Kevin J. Knox, James Rice, James Elmer Winzeler, Peter H. Hodges, Perry G. Cruce
  • Patent number: 8296927
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for an electrical generator includes a rotor shaft and a rotor core mounted coaxially upon the rotor shaft. The rotor core defines a plurality of longitudinal core passages which include a segment of a rotor cooling circuit, and further includes a permanent magnet outer core component mounted on an inner core component and including a plurality of permanent magnets. A cooling liquid containment mechanism for the permanent magnet rotor includes a first liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component and a second liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component. The liquid containment covers are configured to contain cooling liquid passed from an inlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit defined by the rotor shaft into the plurality of longitudinal core passages, and thenceforth into an outlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit also defined by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Matthew W. Dames, Perry G. Cruce, David M. Fee
  • Publication number: 20110308071
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for an electrical generator includes a rotor shaft and a rotor core mounted coaxially upon the rotor shaft. The rotor core defines a plurality of longitudinal core passages which include a segment of a rotor cooling circuit, and further includes a permanent magnet outer core component mounted on an inner core component and including a plurality of permanent magnets. A cooling liquid containment mechanism for the permanent magnet rotor includes a first liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component and a second liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component. The liquid containment covers are configured to contain cooling liquid passed from an inlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit defined by the rotor shaft into the plurality of longitudinal core passages, and thenceforth into an outlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit also defined by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Baumann, Matthew W. Dames, Perry G. Cruce, David M. Fee
  • Patent number: 8022582
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for an electrical generator includes a rotor shaft and a rotor core mounted coaxially upon the rotor shaft. The rotor core defines a plurality of longitudinal core passages which include a segment of a rotor cooling circuit, and further includes a permanent magnet outer core component mounted on an inner core component and including a plurality of permanent magnets. A cooling liquid containment mechanism for the permanent magnet rotor includes a first liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component and a second liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component. The liquid containment covers are configured to contain cooling liquid passed from an inlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit defined by the rotor shaft into the plurality of longitudinal core passages, and thenceforth into an outlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit also defined by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Dames, Jonathan M. Baumann, Perry G. Cruce, David M. Fee
  • Publication number: 20100164310
    Abstract: A permanent magnet rotor for an electrical generator includes a rotor shaft and a rotor core mounted coaxially upon the rotor shaft. The rotor core defines a plurality of longitudinal core passages which include a segment of a rotor cooling circuit, and further includes a permanent magnet outer core component mounted on an inner core component and including a plurality of permanent magnets. A cooling liquid containment mechanism for the permanent magnet rotor includes a first liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component and a second liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component. The liquid containment covers are configured to contain cooling liquid passed from an inlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit defined by the rotor shaft into the plurality of longitudinal core passages, and thenceforth into an outlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit also defined by the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Matthew W. Dames, Jonathan M. Baumann, Perry G. Cruce, David M. Fee
  • Patent number: 4611505
    Abstract: Vehicle steering differential have heretofore had a number of assembly, disassembly and serviceability disadvantages or have not been compact enough. The instant differential drive assembly overcomes these deficiencies by including a differential steering mechanism having first and second input gears and a plurality of cooperatively associated planetary gear elements driven thereby, and a mounting structure for rotatably supporting the input gears and the planetary gear elements along a central axis and for modularly positioning the differential steering mechanism in a protected location within the opening of a vehicle case. The mounting structure includes a one-piece carrier body defining a mounting face that is adapted to engage another mounting face of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Cronin, Perry G. Cruce