Patents by Inventor Robert L. Meyer

Robert L. Meyer 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).

  • Publication number: 20130082846
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting information related to a machine component of a mobile machine that is configured to perform work on a worksite. The sensor system may be installed on or within the machine component, and the machine component may be installed with the sensor system on the mobile machine. The information may be collected with the sensor system while the machine is performing work on the worksite, the information relating to a characteristic experienced by the machine component. The information may be transmitted with the sensor system. The sensor system may collect information related to a tracked undercarriage of the mobile machine, or the cutting head of a tunnel boring machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Mark Steven Diekevers, John M. Plouzek, Mathew William Trone, Robert L. Meyer, Gregory W. Tomlins, Andrew Caruana
  • Patent number: 7997659
    Abstract: A rotary cutter for a tunnel boring machine or similar machine has a cutter ring mounted to a hub. The hub is mounted on a shaft. A sleeve bearing system is positioned between the hub and the shaft for supporting the hub on the shaft and allowing relative rotation. A duo-cone seal assembly is positioned between the hub and the shaft to seal out contaminants from the sleeve bearing system. An oil gallery with lubricating oil for lubricating the sleeve bearing system is provided in the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Oertley, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Robert L. Meyer, Dennis R. Shookman
  • Patent number: 7981174
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases are distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Bailey, Michael J. Pollard, Michael Readey, Craig F. Habeger, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090272263
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases may be distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. The filter cartridges may be cylindrical or wedge-shaped, or of a variety of other configurations. Regeneration may take place according to a non-axial regeneration propagation profile. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett M. Bailey, Clifford E. Cotton, Christopher J. Rynders, JR., Michael J. Readey, Michael J. Pollard, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090133382
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes an array of filter cartridges positioned within a shell, each of the cartridges having an electrically powered heating element coupled therewith. Exhaust gases are distributed among the cartridges according to a single distribution pattern, and the filter can be regenerated without diverting, dividing or bypassing exhaust gases from the filter. Other aspects include feedback control and feedforward control of regeneration based on sensing an electrical resistance property of each of the electrically powered heating elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Brett Bailey, Michael J. Pollard, Michael Readey, Craig F. Habeger, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20090079256
    Abstract: A rotary cutter for a tunnel boring machine or similar machine has a cutter ring mounted to a hub. The hub is mounted on a shaft. A sleeve bearing system is positioned between the hub and the shaft for supporting the hub on the shaft and allowing relative rotation. A duo-cone seal assembly is positioned between the hub and the shaft to seal out contaminants from the sleeve bearing system. An oil gallery with lubricating oil for lubricating the sleeve bearing system is provided in the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas E. Oertley, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Robert L. Meyer, Dennis R. Shookman
  • Publication number: 20080236119
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a shell shaped to fit the particulate filter within a predefined spatial envelope. Filter elements are arranged in a composite filter assembly and are packed within a housing. Each of the filter elements includes a cartridge having a frame wrapped with fibrous metallic filter media. The composite filter assembly has a shape corresponding to the shape of the shell. Each cartridge of the composite filter assembly is reversibly coupled with a frame internal of the shell via trapping elements having a release state and a trapping state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Timothy J. Boland, Thomas E. Paulson, Herbert F. M. DaCosta, Ronak Shah, Robert L. Meyer, Philip Bruza, Michael J. Pollard
  • Publication number: 20080236118
    Abstract: An exhaust particulate filter for an engine system includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet and a shell shaped to fit the particulate filter within a predefined spatial envelope. Filter elements arranged in a bundle and having a packing arrangement are positioned within the housing. Each of the filter elements includes a perforated tube wrapped with fibrous metallic filter media. The bundle defines a perimetric line at least partially matched to the shape of the shell. An assembly method for a particulate filter includes arranging filter elements in a packing structure within a bundle, the bundle having peripherally located filter elements and internally located filter elements. The filter elements each include a perforated tube wrapped with fibrous metallic filter media. The assembly method further includes positioning the bundle of filter elements within a housing having a shape at least partially matched to a shape of the bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Darrel H. Meffert, Michael J. Pollard, Herbert F.M. Dacosta, Ronak Shah
  • Patent number: 7332016
    Abstract: A particulate trap has a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The particulate trap also has a plurality of fluidly isolated filters stacked within the housing, between the inlet and the outlet. The stacked plurality of filters have a stack direction and a transverse direction and the flow of exhaust is directed through the plurality of filters in the transverse direction. The particulate trap further has an actuator with a blocking portion configured for linear movement to selectively block exhaust flow through each of the plurality of filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joanna Louise Costura, Matthew E. Williams, Matthew T. Kiser, Cornelius N. Opris, J. Josh Driscoll, Dave Michael Thaler, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7264643
    Abstract: An electrical connection element for providing an electrical connection to a porous material may include a first electrically conductive plate disposed on at least a portion of a first side of the porous material. A second electrically conductive plate may be disposed on at least a portion of a second side of the porous material, opposite to the first side. An electrically conductive material may impregnate the porous material in a region between the first and second electrically conductive plates, and an electrical connector may be attached to at least one of the first and second electrically conductive plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Earnest Williams, Matthew Thomas Kiser, Michael J. Pollard, Jo L. Costura, Cornelius Nicolae Opris, Hind M. Abi-Akar, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6964139
    Abstract: A column for use in post-frame construction having a two piece construction in which a first or foundation column portion of the column is set into the earth with a proximal end thereof protruding from the earth. The proximal end of the foundation column includes a column bracket for joining the foundation column to a wooden column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention. The foundation column of the present invention comprises a precast concrete column. The foundation column of the present invention advantageously resists degradation of its mechanical properties due to environmental influences while providing the necessary strength to support a post-frame building, including, e.g., the environmental loads received by the building. The wood column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention advantageously provides ease of workability to complete construction of a post-frame building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Perma-Column, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Phillip T. Stoller
  • Patent number: 6884762
    Abstract: A lubricating composition containing one or more esters obtained as a reaction product from a reaction mixture of a glycerol component, a fatty acid component, and a carboxylic acid component wherein said glycerol component comprises glycerol, glycerol oligomers, or combinations thereof and further wherein said glycerol oligomers comprise linear chains, branched chains, cyclic chains, or combinations thereof and further wherein said glycerol oligomers have at least 2 repeat glycerol units and further no more than about 32 repeat glycerol units; wherein said fatty acid component comprises alkyl groups having at least about 8 carbon atoms and further wherein said alkyl groups have no more than about 32 carbon atoms; wherein said carboxylic component has at least one carbon atom per molecule and no more than about 8 carbon atoms per molecule; and wherein the fatty acid component comprises at least 50 percent by weight of the fatty acid component of oleic acid; wherein the fatty acid component comprises at least
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Newpark Drilling Fluids, L.L.C.
    Inventors: David L. Breeden, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20040082487
    Abstract: A lubricating composition containing one or more esters obtained as a reaction product from a reaction mixture of a glycerol component, a fatty/acid component, and a carboxylic acid component. The lubricating composition can additionally contain a water-insoluble fluid. The lubricating composition is suitable for use as a lubricant and rate of penetration enhancing additive in drilling muds for oilwell drilling operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2002
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventors: David L. Breeden, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6726293
    Abstract: Star carrier roller assemblies have been used in certain tracked mobile machines, such as those used in the timber industry, that must operate in cold weather and/or over rough terrain. Due to interaction of the star carrier roller assembly with a track chain assembly, undesirable wear on the star carrier roller assembly occurs. The present invention includes at least one star carrier roller assembly for a tracked mobile machine that limits the wear on the star carrier roller assembly. The star carrier roller assembly includes a carrier roller positioned adjacent to a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. Each tooth includes a tooth width and a tooth angle. A ratio between the tooth width and a difference of a pitch length and a bushing diameter of a track chain assembly is less than 0.3, and the tooth angle is greater than or equal to zero degrees (0°).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Robert E. Brashers, Robert L. Meyer, Albert L. Woody
  • Publication number: 20040026996
    Abstract: Star carrier roller assemblies have been used in certain tracked mobile machines, such as those used in the timber industry, that must operate in cold weather and/or over rough terrain. Due to interaction of the star carrier roller assembly with a track chain assembly, undesirable wear on the star carrier roller assembly occurs. The present invention includes at least one star carrier roller assembly for a tracked mobile machine that limits the wear on the star carrier roller assembly. The star carrier roller assembly includes a carrier roller positioned adjacent to a sprocket having a plurality of teeth. Each tooth includes a tooth width and a tooth angle. A ratio between the tooth width and a difference of a pitch length and a bushing diameter of a track chain assembly is less than 0.3, and the tooth angle is greater than or equal to zero degrees (0°).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Albert L. Woody, Robert E. Brashers, Peter W. Anderton, Robert L. Meyer
  • Publication number: 20030159381
    Abstract: A column for use in post-frame construction having a two piece construction in which a first or foundation column portion of the column is set into the earth with a proximal end thereof protruding from the earth. The proximal end of the foundation column includes a column bracket for joining the foundation column to a wooden column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention. The foundation column of the present invention comprises a precast concrete column. The foundation column of the present invention advantageously resists degradation of its mechanical properties due to environmental influences while providing the necessary strength to support a post-frame building, including, e.g., the environmental loads received by the building. The wood column comprising the second portion of the two piece column of the present invention advantageously provides ease of workability to complete construction of a post-frame building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Phillip T. Stoller