Patents by Inventor Richard F. Shults

Richard F. Shults 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).

  • Differential steering control for a continuously variable transmission machine
    Patent number: 8025114
    Abstract: A differential steering control system and method for a machine includes a motor for steering the machine in a leftwards or a rightwards direction, a continuously variable transmission for moving the machine in a forwards or a backwards direction, and a control unit connected to the motor and the continuously variable transmission. The control unit determines the speed of the continuously variable transmission and based upon the determined speed, modifies a speed of the motor in order to achieve/maintain a desired turn radius for the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Harold D. Dabbs, Eric D. Stemler, Lance M. Cowper, Richard F. Shults
  • DIFFERENTIAL STEERING CONTROL FOR A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION MACHINE
    Publication number: 20110186361
    Abstract: A differential steering control system and method for a machine includes a motor for steering the machine in a leftwards or a rightwards direction, a continuously variable transmission for moving the machine in a forwards or a backwards direction, and a control unit connected to the motor and the continuously variable transmission. The control unit determines the speed of the continuously variable transmission and based upon the determined speed, modifies a speed of the motor in order to achieve/maintain a desired turn radius for the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Harold D. Dabbs, Eric D. Stemler, Lance M. Cowper, Richard F. Shults
  • Differential steering control for a continuously variable transmission machine
    Patent number: 7942220
    Abstract: A differential steering control system and method for a machine includes a motor for steering the machine in a leftwards or a rightwards direction, a continuously variable transmission for moving the machine in a forwards or a backwards direction, and a control unit connected to the motor and the continuously variable transmission. The control unit determines the speed of the continuously variable transmission and based upon the determined speed, modifies a speed of the motor in order to achieve/maintain a desired turn radius for the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Harold D. Dabbs, Eric D. Stemler, Lance M. Cowper, Richard F. Shults
  • Multi-purpose mobile power generating machine
    Patent number: 7673713
    Abstract: A dual purpose mobile machine is disclosed. The mobile machine may have a power source configured to propel the mobile machine and generate electrical power for use offboard the mobile machine. The machine may also have a work tool driven by the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Betz, Michael A. Caruthers, Stephen C. Garnett, Richard F. Shults, Bruce E. Unger
  • High voltage indication system
    Publication number: 20090085759
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for detecting and indicating high-voltage presences on a machine. In one embodiment a high-voltage indication system is disclosed and may include a voltage detector configured to compare the voltage level associated with an element with a threshold voltage value, and provide an indication signal when the voltage level associated with the element is greater than the threshold voltage value. The system may also include an indicator powered by a separate power source independent from the voltage detector. The indicator may be configured to detect the indication signal provided by the voltage detector, and provide one or more warning signals in response to the indication signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert W. Lindsey, Richard F. Shults, Curtis Brian Johnson, Rex Aaron Glover
  • Differential steering control for a continuously variable transmission machine
    Publication number: 20080153662
    Abstract: A differential steering control system and method for a machine includes a motor for steering the machine in a leftwards or a rightwards direction, a continuously variable transmission for moving the machine in a forwards or a backwards direction, and a control unit connected to the motor and the continuously variable transmission. The control unit determines the speed of the continuously variable transmission and based upon the determined speed, modifies a speed of the motor in order to achieve/maintain a desired turn radius for the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Harold D. Dabbs, Eric D. Stemler, Lance M. Cowper, Richard F. Shults
  • Multi-purpose mobile power generating machine
    Publication number: 20080099257
    Abstract: A dual purpose mobile machine is disclosed. The mobile machine may have a power source configured to propel the mobile machine and generate electrical power for use offboard the mobile machine. The machine may also have a work tool driven by the power source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Inventors: Michael D. Betz, Michael A. Caruthers, Stephen C. Garnett, Richard F. Shults, Bruce E. Unger