Patents by Inventor Richard B. League
Richard B. League 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).
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Patent number: 7731630Abstract: A calibration system for calibrating a transmission adjusts a clutch fill pulse width and hold level current for an oncoming clutch via calibration shifts during operation of the associated machine, thus establishing the desired shift timing and duration. The pulse width is calibrated based on torque transfer characteristics of the clutch during a test shift, and the hold level current is calibrated based on the shift duration of a further test shift.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: June 8, 2010Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard B. League, Joseph A. Grove, Todd R. Kabrich
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Publication number: 20080194384Abstract: A calibration system for calibrating a transmission adjusts a clutch fill pulse width and hold level current for an oncoming clutch via calibration shifts during operation of the associated machine, thus establishing the desired shift timing and duration. The pulse width is calibrated based on torque transfer characteristics of the clutch during a test shift, and the hold level current is calibrated based on the shift duration of a further test shift.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard B. League, Joseph A. Grove, Todd R. Kabrich
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Patent number: 7353725Abstract: A method of shifting gears in a work machine includes modulating an oncoming clutch pressure via a first segment of a predetermined curve, and modulating the clutch pressure via a second segment of the predetermined curve after the occurrence of a predetermined relative velocity state of a work machine transmission. A work machine having an electronic controller with an embedded shifting control algorithm that includes means for modulating the oncoming clutch pressure via a first segment of a predetermined curve, and via a second segment of a predetermined curve having a net slope different from the first segment after the occurrence of a predetermined relative velocity state of the work machine transmission.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2005Date of Patent: April 8, 2008Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Kabrich, Tom Brosowke, Vaibhav H. Shah, Andrew W. Sloan, Richard B. League, Brian E. Lister
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Patent number: 5668739Abstract: A system and method of tracking objects first receives returns from objects in the field of view of a detector. The sensor generates a current frame of datapoints, where an object in the field of view can be represented by multiple datapoints. The datapoints are converted into global coordinates and mapped into a next frame of datapoints and generated at a next sample time to create a new current frame of datapoints. This new current frame of datapoints is processed to form a list of objects with location and power information that includes information from one or more previous frames. This mapping and processing to form the list of objects allows the system to detect weak signal targets in a ground cluttered environment and minimizes the occurrence of false alarms.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1996Date of Patent: September 16, 1997Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard B. League, Norman Keith Lay
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Patent number: 5587929Abstract: A system and method of tracking objects first receives returns from objects in the field of view of a detector. The sensor generates a current frame of datapoints, where an object in the field of view can be represented by multiple datapoints. The datapoints are converted into global coordinates and mapped into a next frame of datapoints and generated at a next sample time to cream a new current frame of datapoints. This new current frame of datapoints is processed to form a list of objects with location and power information that includes information from one or more previous frames. This mapping and processing to form the list of objects allows the system to detect weak signal targets in a ground cluttered environment and minimizes the occurrence of false alarms.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1994Date of Patent: December 24, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Richard B. League, Norman K. Lay
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Patent number: 5580332Abstract: The present invention is directed toward determining when a clutch of an automatic transmission substantially fills with fluid. Once it is accurately determined when a clutch fills with fluid, then control over the transmission shifting may reliably be performed. The present invention determines when an on-coming speed clutch substantially fills with fluid in response to determining when an off-going speed clutch releases. Further, the present invention determines when an on-coming direction clutch substantially fills with fluid in response to determining when the torque converter output torque suddenly changes.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Randall M. Mitchell, Todd D. Creger, James R. Talbott, Gregory L. Williamson, Richard B. League
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Patent number: 5551930Abstract: The present invention relates to an adaptive control method for an automatic transmission. The method includes the steps of:(a) commanding a predetermined clutch to fill in accordance with a plurality of clutch fill parameters;(b) determining the actual time to completely fill the clutch;(c) comparing the actual fill time with a predetermined fill time; and(d) adjusting at least one of the plurality of clutch fill parameters in response to the comparison in order to modify the clutch fill period during subsequent shifts to the predetermined clutch. Accordingly, the present invention adapts future shifts based on past shifts to improve the shift quality of the transmission.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1995Date of Patent: September 3, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Todd D. Creger, Richard B. League, Randall M. Mitchell, David M. Spurlock, James R. Talbott, Gregory L. Williamson
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Patent number: 5483455Abstract: Vehicle navigation systems typically include devices for determining the location of the vehicle. In many situations it is advantageous to improve the resolution of such devices or to provide a back-up system for determining vehicle location. Simple and efficient systems are also desirable when used as the primary positioning systems. The subject invention provides a simple and efficient system for determining the location of a vehicle in a base reference frame. One or more targets are located at predefined positions with respect to the base reference frame. A target sensing device determines a position of one of the one or more targets with respect to the vehicle. A device determines an estimated vehicle position. A vehicle locating device determines the location of the vehicle with respect to the base reference frame in response to the position of the target with respect to the vehicle and the estimated vehicle position.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 1995Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Norman K. Lay, Carl A. Kemner, Joel L. Peterson, William E. Allen, Richard B. League
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Patent number: 5424623Abstract: The present invention provides, an apparatus for controllably moving a vehicle's work implement. The work implement includes a first appendage pivotally connected to the vehicle, and a second appendage pivotally connected to the first appendage. The apparatus senses the geometry of the work implement and responsibly producing a plurality of position signal and produces one of a manual control mode signal and an automatic control mode signal. An operator interface produces first and second lever command signals indicative of desired movement of the work implement. The apparatus receives the one control mode signal and the first and second lever control signals and responsively produces linear motion of the end point of the second appendage along first and second work axes if the one control mode signal is equal to the automatic control mode signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1993Date of Patent: June 13, 1995Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William E. Allen, Paul D. Anderson, Walter J. Bradbury, John M. Hadank, Richard B. League
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Patent number: 5160239Abstract: A control system is adapted to provide substantially linear movement of a work implement. The control system receives signals from at least one control lever and coordinates the movements of the work implement's appendages through coordination of hydraulic cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 1990Date of Patent: November 3, 1992Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: William E. Allen, Paul D. Anderson, Walter J. Bradbury, John M. Hadank, Richard B. League
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Patent number: 4438619Abstract: An attachment for a corn harvester to pick up loose ears off the ground. In the embodiment described, novel pickup and conveyor mechanism are substituted for the forward, pointed snout members at the forward ends of the longitudinally extending hoods which are part of the row dividers in a conventional corn head and which define throats aligned with rows of corn. The attachment cooperates with the conventional stripper plates, gathering chains, and snapping rolls, making the harvester doubly effective in that it collects loose ears from the ground as well as picking them from the stalks.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1983Date of Patent: March 27, 1984Inventors: Edward J. Heim, Stephen B. Hennessey, Curtis R. Janssen, R. Shannon Johnson, Richard B. League, Ronald D. Shinogle, Richard A. Weber