Patents by Inventor Rick William Berlage

Rick William Berlage 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: 10502213
    Abstract: A compressed air system may comprise an air compressor configured to generate compressed air, a reservoir configured to store the compressed air, a reservoir pressure sensor configured to monitor an actual reservoir pressure of the compressed air stored in the reservoir, an outlet valve configured to regulate a flow of the compressed air out of the reservoir, and an outlet electronic actuator configured to adjust a position of the outlet valve. The compressed air system may further comprise an electronic control module (ECM) configured to transmit a command to the outlet electronic actuator to cause the outlet electronic actuator to open the outlet valve when the actual reservoir pressure is above a target reservoir pressure, and transmit a command to the electronic actuator to cause the electronic actuator to close the outlet valve when the actual reservoir pressure is below the target reservoir pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Rick William Berlage, Brian Daniel Rockwood, Jerry E. Berkeland
  • Publication number: 20180172005
    Abstract: A compressed air system may comprise an air compressor configured to generate compressed air, a reservoir configured to store the compressed air, a reservoir pressure sensor configured to monitor an actual reservoir pressure of the compressed air stored in the reservoir, an outlet valve configured to regulate a flow of the compressed air out of the reservoir, and an outlet electronic actuator configured to adjust a position of the outlet valve. The compressed air system may further comprise an electronic control module (ECM) configured to transmit a command to the outlet electronic actuator to cause the outlet electronic actuator to open the outlet valve when the actual reservoir pressure is above a target reservoir pressure, and transmit a command to the electronic actuator to cause the electronic actuator to close the outlet valve when the actual reservoir pressure is below the target reservoir pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Rick William Berlage, Brian Daniel Rockwood, Jerry E. Berkeland
  • Publication number: 20180100362
    Abstract: A compressed air system for a machine is disclosed. The compressed air system may comprise an air compressor having an inlet, an inlet valve configured to regulate a flow of air to the inlet of the air compressor, a reservoir configured to store compressed air generated by the air compressor, and a reservoir pressure sensor configured to monitor an actual reservoir pressure of the compressed air stored in the reservoir. The system may further comprise an electronic control system configured to regulate a position of the inlet valve. The electronic control system may include an electronic control module (ECM) in electronic communication with the reservoir pressure sensor and an electronic actuator operatively associated with the inlet valve to adjust the position of the inlet valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC
    Inventors: Rick William Berlage, Christopher Michal Ruemelin, Brian Daniel Rockwood, Jerry E. Berkeland
  • Patent number: 7962768
    Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device, a work implement, and a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The operator input device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation. The work implement may be driven by the power source to accomplish a task. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed task, and adjust power source operation based on the task signal and the classification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Lynn Grill, Rick William Berlage, Lucas Adam Knapp, Eric Wade Cler
  • Publication number: 20080202468
    Abstract: A control system for a machine is disclosed. The control system may have a power source, an operator input device, a work implement, and a controller in communication with the power source and the operator input device. The operator input device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a desired mode of power source operation. The work implement may be driven by the power source to accomplish a task. The controller may be configured to classify a currently performed task, and adjust power source operation based on the task signal and the classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Lynn Grill, Rick William Berlage, Lucas Adam Knapp, Eric Wade Cler