Patents by Inventor Ross Paul Wietharn

Ross Paul Wietharn 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: 11299002
    Abstract: A center link has a bolt portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the bolt portion, forming a bolt portion contact surface extending transversely, and defining a bolt portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width. The center link also has a mushroom head portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the mushroom head portion, forming a mushroom head portion contact surface, and defining a mushroom head portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Publication number: 20210129618
    Abstract: A center link has a bolt portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the bolt portion, forming a bolt portion contact surface extending transversely, and defining a bolt portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width. The center link also has a mushroom head portion contact pad extending longitudinally and transversely from the mushroom head portion, forming a mushroom head portion contact surface, and defining a mushroom head portion contact surface transverse width that is less than the shaft portion transverse width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Patent number: 9897158
    Abstract: An isolation mount assembly comprises a resilient member defining a central aperture that defines a load axis and an annular depression about the load axis, and an adapter plate including an outer mechanical attachment structure that defines a first thickness and an inner attachment structure that is closer to the load axis than the outer attachment structure along a direction that is perpendicular to the load axis and that defines a second thickness. The inner attachment structure is disposed in the annular depression and the second thickness is at least twice the first thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett D. Ellen, Daniel Joshua Smith, Wen Zhong, Hong Lian, Matt Schwarzendruber, Ross Paul Wietharn, James D. Neirynck
  • Publication number: 20180003254
    Abstract: An isolation mount assembly comprises a resilient member defining a central aperture that defines a load axis and an annular depression about the load axis, and an adapter plate including an outer mechanical attachment structure that defines a first thickness and an inner attachment structure that is closer to the load axis than the outer attachment structure along a direction that is perpendicular to the load axis and that defines a second thickness. The inner attachment structure is disposed in the annular depression and the second thickness is at least twice the first thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brett D. Ellen, Daniel Joshua Smith, Wen Zhong, Hong Lian, Matt Schwarzendruber, Ross Paul Wietharn, James D. Neirynck
  • Patent number: 8622644
    Abstract: A seal assembly and method of forming a seal assembly provides a seal body having reduced strain during use, thereby increasing service life. The seal body may be formed within certain parameters, such as ranges of height-to-thickness and offset-to-height ratios, which have been found to reduce strain. Additionally or alternatively, the seal body may be modified from an initial configuration to a pre-strained configuration by axially displacing an inner section of the seal with respect to an outer section of the seal, which also reduces strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dan J. Becker, Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Patent number: 8070143
    Abstract: A resilient mount including a first mounting member and a second mounting member is provided. The mount includes a first plurality of stiffening elements located between the first and second mounting members. At least a first stiffening element of the first plurality of stiffening elements is non-parallel to a second stiffening element of the first plurality of stiffening elements. Each of the first plurality of stiffening elements has a material thickness and an out-of-plane dimension that is greater than the material thickness. Each stiffening element of the first plurality of stiffening elements is substantially rigid so as to substantially limit the deformation of the stiffening element under load. The mount may also include a resilient material located between and coupled to adjacent stiffening elements of the first plurality of stiffening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Publication number: 20110293360
    Abstract: A seal assembly and method of forming a seal assembly provides a seal body having reduced strain during use, thereby increasing service life. The seal body may be formed within certain parameters, such as ranges of height-to-thickness and offset-to-height ratios, which have been found to reduce strain. Additionally or alternatively, the seal body may be modified from an initial configuration to a pre-strained configuration by axially displacing an inner section of the seal with respect to an outer section of the seal, which also reduces strain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Dan J. Becker, Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Patent number: 7201367
    Abstract: A resilient mount including a first mounting member and a second mounting member is provided. The mount may include a first plurality of stiffening elements located between the first and second mounting members. At least a first stiffening element may be non-parallel to a second stiffening element. The mount may also include a resilient material located between and coupled to adjacent stiffening elements of the first plurality of stiffening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn
  • Publication number: 20040113338
    Abstract: A resilient mount including a first mounting member and a second mounting member is provided. The mount may include a first plurality of stiffening elements located between the first and second mounting members. At least a first stiffening element may be non-parallel to a second stiffening element. The mount may also include a resilient material located between and coupled to adjacent stiffening elements of the first plurality of stiffening elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar
    Inventor: Ross Paul Wietharn