Patents by Inventor Rick A. Laylock

Rick A. Laylock 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).

  • Patent number: 5988335
    Abstract: A control system diverts cooling and/or lubricating fluid from a selected one of a plurality of fluid actuated clutches in a transmission in response to the transmission being in a selected gear ratio. A diverter valve is placed between a source of cooling and/or lubricating fluid and the selected one of the fluid actuated clutches and operative to divert fluid therefrom in response to the transmission being placed in the selected gear ratio. A sensor arrangement is operative to sense the transmission gear ratio and deliver a signal to condition the diverter valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kent A. Kupferschmid, Rick A. Laylock, Timothy F. Nusz, Daniel J. Whiting
  • Patent number: 5924951
    Abstract: A planetary transmission is disclosed including a front section having a first, a second, and a third planetary gear set each having a sun gear, a planet carrier and a ring gear. An input shaft is connected to at least two of the sun gears and the carrier of the third planetary gear set serves as the output. The front section of the transmission is operatively connected to a rear section for multi-speed use particularly adaptable to trucks or other machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Winzeler, Rick A. Laylock, Timothy F. Nusz
  • Patent number: 4627302
    Abstract: A countershaft transmission provides two forward and two reverse speeds using an input shaft, an output shaft, an intermediate shaft, four rotating clutch assemblies, and seven gears. The directional clutch assemblies are mounted in back-to-back relation on the input shaft, the first speed clutch assembly is mounted on the output shaft, and the second speed clutch assembly is mounted on the intermediate shaft. Three of the clutch assemblies are radially aligned, and the output shaft includes a coupling substantially radially aligned with the remaining clutch assembly. A brake mechanism for stopping rotation of the output shaft is provided on the intermediate shaft in substantial radial alignment with the coupling. The transmission is relatively compact axially as well as radially, and is easy to assemble in a housing having two major portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1986
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rick A. Laylock, Michael R. Theobald