Patents by Inventor Roger Obourn

Roger Obourn 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: 7761254
    Abstract: A machine having an operator interface for requesting an action from an actuator of the machine includes a movable component of the operator interface. The movable component is movable among at least two positions. One of a magnet and a Hall effect sensor is positioned to move in response to movement of the movable component. The other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor has a stationary position relative to the movable component. A pulse width modulator is operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor for producing a first pulse width modulated signal. The first pulse width modulated signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other. An electronic controller is in communication with the pulse width modulator and the actuator and is configured to actuate the actuator in response to evaluation of the first pulse width modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Stephen Fouts, Matthew Vande Wiele, Rex Glover, Curtis Johnson, Kenneth Her, Roger Obourn, Dan Shearer
  • Patent number: 7701203
    Abstract: A method of sensing a position of a movable component of an operator interface includes a step of receiving a first signal from a first Hall effect sensor and a second signal from a second Hall effect sensor. The method also includes a step of determining the position of the movable component based on the first signal and the second signal if the first and second signals represent expected values. The method includes a further step of determining the position of the movable component based on one of the first and second signals if the other of the first and second signals represents an unexpected value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Fouts, Curtis Johnson, Kenneth Her, Roger Obourn, Robert Talley, Dan Shearer
  • Publication number: 20080278148
    Abstract: A method of sensing a position of a movable component of an operator interface includes a step of receiving a first signal from a first Hall effect sensor and a second signal from a second Hall effect sensor. The method also includes a step of determining the position of the movable component based on the first signal and the second signal if the first and second signals represent expected values. The method includes a further step of determining the position of the movable component based on one of the first and second signals if the other of the first and second signals represents an unexpected value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Fouts, Curtis Johnson, Kenneth Her, Roger Obourn, Robert Talley, Dan Shearer
  • Publication number: 20080278218
    Abstract: A machine having an operator interface for requesting an action from an actuator of the machine includes a movable component of the operator interface. The movable component is movable among at least two positions. One of a magnet and a Hall effect sensor is positioned to move in response to movement of the movable component. The other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor has a stationary position relative to the movable component. A pulse width modulator is operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor for producing a first pulse width modulated signal. The first pulse width modulated signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other. An electronic controller is in communication with the pulse width modulator and the actuator and is configured to actuate the actuator in response to evaluation of the first pulse width modulated signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Fouts, Matthew Vande Wiele, Rex Glover, Curtis Johnson, Kenneth Her, Roger Obourn, Dan Shearer