Patents by Inventor Robert D. Greer

Robert D. Greer 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: 5467541
    Abstract: Vehicles (12) having implements (14) are typically used to perform repetitive functions in work cycles. Advantageously, such vehicles (12) include control systems (10) for maintaining a control lever (26) in a predetermined position until an associated work cycle function is completed. The subject control (10) includes a rocker bar (46) connected to the control lever (26) and a solenoid (50) having an actuator rod (52) disposed adjacent the rocker bar (46). The control (10) energizes the solenoid (50) to hold the control lever (26) in the predetermined position in response to a position of the implement (14), a position of the control lever (26), and a desired kickout position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Greer, Daniel E. Henderson, Javad Hosseini, Noel J. Rytter, Gerald P. Simmons
  • Patent number: 5182980
    Abstract: Cylinder position sensor apparatuses are useful for monitoring the location of a piston within a hydraulic cylinder. The present position sensor mounting apparatus includes a resilient tubular electrical insulator positioned in a bore of a housing and has a leg of a sensor element extending therethrough. The sensor element is fixedly retained relative to the housing in one embodiment by a bolt which squeezes the insulator radially inwardly to clamp against the leg of the sensor element. In another embodiment, an insert slidably engages a tapered portion of a bore and is urged radially inwardly to squeeze the insulator inwardly to clamp against the sensor element. Thus, the insulator serves the dual purpose of electrically insulating the sensor element from the housing and the hydraulic cylinder while being utilized to clamp against the sensor element for retaining the sensor element within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1993
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Greer