Patents by Inventor Richard J. Lech
Richard J. Lech 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: 9347200Abstract: A fluid control system including a variable displacement pump having a load system control and configured to operate in an open center mode. A pump control is operable between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. The pump control receives pressurized fluid from a first load sensor pressure in fluid communication with the pump and an actuator return pressure in fluid communication with an actuator configured to operate using pressurized fluid from the system, the pump control providing a selective pump control pressure to the pump load system control. When the system is operating in a standby mode, the pump operates in a first minimized displacement condition. When the system is in a stall mode, the pump operates in a second minimized displacement condition.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Matthew J. Hennemann, Richard J. Lech
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Publication number: 20130318957Abstract: A fluid control system including a variable displacement pump having a load system control and configured to operate in an open center mode. A pump control is operable between a first arrangement and a second arrangement. The pump control receives pressurized fluid from a first load sensor pressure in fluid communication with the pump and an actuator return pressure in fluid communication with an actuator configured to operate using pressurized fluid from the system, the pump control providing a selective pump control pressure to the pump load system control. When the system is operating in a standby mode, the pump operates in a first minimized displacement condition. When the system is in a stall mode, the pump operates in a second minimized displacement condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Matthew J. HENNEMANN, Richard J. Lech
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Patent number: 8353157Abstract: An open center hydraulic system that includes a variable displacement pump having an inlet, an outlet and a sensing port, the pump configured to provide reduced fluid flow in response to a predetermined fluid pressure differential between the outlet and the sensing port. A first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit each serve as signal lines with the pump sensing port. During operation of the second fluid circuit, reduced fluid flow from the pump outlet is achieved as a result of the sum of induced fluid pressure reductions of respective controlled pressure reduction devices approaching the predetermined pump fluid pressure differential.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2009Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Richard J. Lech, Garrett Anderson, Matthew J. Hennemann, C. David Anderson
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Patent number: 8142132Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control circuit for automatically bringing a hydraulically operated work arm into a particular position without having to manually reverse the direction of the hydraulic operating system.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Richard J. Lech, Vlad P. Patrangenaru
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Patent number: 7891459Abstract: A multiple-speed steering system for an off-road vehicle having a loading mechanism and a hydraulic steering system associated with guiding the vehicle. The multiple-speed steering system includes a hydraulic steering cylinder and a first component fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. A second component is selectively fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a supplemental metered flow in addition to the primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. Addition of the supplemental metered flow is selectable by an operator of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Richard J. Lech, Roger D. Mickelson
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Publication number: 20110030363Abstract: An open center hydraulic system that includes a variable displacement pump having an inlet, an outlet and a sensing port, the pump configured to provide reduced fluid flow in response to a predetermined fluid pressure differential between the outlet and the sensing port. A first fluid circuit and a second fluid circuit each serve as signal lines with the pump sensing port. During operation of the second fluid circuit, reduced fluid flow from the pump outlet is achieved as a result of the sum of induced fluid pressure reductions of respective controlled pressure reduction devices approaching the predetermined pump fluid pressure differential.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2009Publication date: February 10, 2011Inventors: Richard J. LECH, Garrett Anderson, Matthew J. Hennemann, C. David Anderson
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Publication number: 20100172730Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control circuit for automatically bringing a hydraulically operated work arm into a particular position without having to manually reverse the direction of the hydraulic operating system.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 5, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Applicant: CNH AMERICA LLCInventors: Richard J. LECH, Vlad P. PATRANGENARU
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Patent number: 7674084Abstract: A system is used with a boom pivoted on a frame about a horizontal pivot axis between raised and lowered positions by a first fluid ram joining the frame and the boom. A releasable locking mechanism locks the boom relative to the frame to prevent pivotal movement of the boom about its horizontal pivot axis. A second fluid ram is disposed between the frame and the boom, the second fluid ram compressed between the frame and the boom when the boom is adjacent the raised position, but prior to the boom achieving a latched position substantially coinciding with the raised position. A fluid circuit of the second fluid ram has two selectable pressure levels. The first level substantially prevents the boom from achieving the latched position, the second level permits the boom to achieve the latched position while providing fluid cushioning to dissipate impact forces between the boom and frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: March 9, 2010Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: Richard J. Lech
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Publication number: 20080267755Abstract: A system is used with a boom pivoted on a frame about a horizontal pivot axis between raised and lowered positions by a first fluid ram joining the frame and the boom. A releasable locking mechanism locks the boom relative to the frame to prevent pivotal movement of the boom about its horizontal pivot axis. A second fluid ram is disposed between the frame and the boom, the second fluid ram compressed between the frame and the boom when the boom is adjacent the raised position, but prior to the boom achieving a latched position substantially coinciding with the raised position. A fluid circuit of the second fluid ram has two selectable pressure levels. The first level substantially prevents the boom from achieving the latched position, the second level permits the boom to achieve the latched position while providing fluid cushioning to dissipate impact forces between the boom and frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventor: Richard J. Lech
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Publication number: 20080006468Abstract: A multiple-speed steering system for an off-road vehicle having a loading mechanism and a hydraulic steering system associated with guiding the vehicle. The multiple-speed steering system includes a hydraulic steering cylinder and a first component fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. A second component is selectively fluidly coupled to the steering cylinder to provide a supplemental metered flow in addition to the primary metered flow of hydraulic fluid to the steering cylinder. Addition of the supplemental metered flow is selectable by an operator of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2007Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventors: Richard J. Lech, Roger D. Mickelson
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Patent number: 7251934Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic system for a work vehicle is provided that includes a first fixed displacement hydraulic pump whose outlet is connected to a priority valve. The priority valve, in turn, directs the pump's flow to a first group of closed center backhoe valves on a primary circuit and a second group of open center loader valves on a secondary circuit. A second hydraulic pump is provided with independent load sensing capability to supplement fluid flow provided by the first pump.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Richard J. Lech, Matthew J. Hennemann
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Patent number: 7032332Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: April 25, 2006Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
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Patent number: 6941687Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
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Patent number: 6886278Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2003Date of Patent: May 3, 2005Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
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Publication number: 20030230010Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
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Publication number: 20030226292Abstract: An electronic control for damping oscillation of a swinging backhoe assembly includes a crossover valve that connects the hydraulic lines that supply hydraulic fluid to the boom swing cylinders to each other whenever an electronic controller senses incipient oscillation or swinging of the backhoe assembly. The electronic controller senses such parameters as pressure in the conduits and the position of the operator controls or the position of the boom swing control valve that the operator controls to determine incipient oscillation when the backhoe assembly is stopped. The crossover valve may remain open for a predetermined period of time.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2003Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
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Patent number: 6647721Abstract: The invention provides a system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms to suppress oscillation in heavy equipment. The system includes a first and second hydraulic lines, a crossover valve in communication with each of the first and second hydraulic lines, a timing system in communication with the crossover valve, and a motion detector in communication with a heavy equipment component. The motion detector senses a linkage motion and operatively opens the crossover valve, which remains open as directed by the timing system.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2001Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Case, LLCInventors: Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech, Eric Sharkness, David W. Swaim, Guy T. Stoever, Ian MacLeod
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Patent number: 6640409Abstract: A method for retrofitting a swing damping circuit to a work vehicle such as a backhoe includes disconnecting a boom swing valve from a boom swing cylinder, and coupling the swing damping circuit to the boom swing valve. Alternatively, it may include replacing a boom swing valve with a combined boom swing valve and swing damping circuit that form a unitary valve body.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: November 4, 2003Assignee: Case CorporationInventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech
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Publication number: 20030084663Abstract: The invention provides a system for regulating pressure equalization in hydraulic mechanisms to suppress oscillation in heavy equipment. The system includes a first and second hydraulic lines, a crossover valve in communication with each of the first and second hydraulic lines, a timing system in communication with the crossover valve, and a motion detector in communication with a heavy equipment component. The motion detector senses a linkage motion and operatively opens the crossover valve, which remains open as directed by the timing system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2001Publication date: May 8, 2003Inventors: Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech, Eric Sharkness, David W. Swaim, Guy T. Stoever, Ian MacLeod
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Publication number: 20030056353Abstract: A method for retrofitting a swing damping circuit to a work vehicle such as a backhoe includes disconnecting a boom swing valve from a boom swing cylinder, and coupling the swing damping circuit to the boom swing valve. Alternatively, it may include replacing a boom swing valve with a combined boom swing valve and swing damping circuit that form a unitary valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Applicant: CASE CORPORATIONInventors: Eric Sharkness, Dennis Heyne, Richard J. Lech