Patents by Inventor Rick Dean Vance

Rick Dean Vance 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).

  • Method for calibrating independent metering valves
    Patent number: 7562554
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a valve having a valve element movable between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position includes pressurizing fluid directed to the valve, increasing a current directed to the valve for controlling a position of the valve element, and sensing a pressure of the fluid. The method for calibrating the valve also includes determining if a time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold over a predetermined period of time, and determining a cracking point current command directed to the valve. The cracking point current command is directed to the valve when the time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Shin Caterpillar Mistubishi Ltd
    Inventors: Benjamin Yoo, Eric Charles Hughes, Rick Dean Vance
  • Method for calibrating independent metering valves
    Publication number: 20080053191
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a valve having a valve element movable between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position includes pressurizing fluid directed to the valve, increasing a current directed to the valve for controlling a position of the valve element, and sensing a pressure of the fluid. The method for calibrating the valve also includes determining if a time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than a predetermined threshold over a predetermined period of time, and determining a cracking point current command directed to the valve. The cracking point current command is directed to the valve when the time-derivative of the sensed fluid pressure is greater than the predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventors: Benjamin Yoo, Eric Charles Hughes, Rick Dean Vance