Patents by Inventor Scott D. Vollmer

Scott D. Vollmer 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: 9366272
    Abstract: A hydraulic fan circuit is provided. The hydraulic fan circuit includes a tank, a motor having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a pump to draw fluid at a low pressure from the tank and discharge the fluid at elevated pressures to the motor via the fluid inlet. The hydraulic fan circuit further includes a directional control valve disposed between the fluid outlet of the motor and the tank. The directional control valve is operable to move between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position. Further, the directional control valve is configured to reduce a positive speed of the motor below a lowest positive speed attainable through control of pump output. Furthermore, the hydraulic fan circuit includes a pressure control circuit configured to provide a pilot fluid flow at varying pressure to move the directional control valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Susan E. Bieker, Eric P. Jakubiak, Dennis R. Barber, John J. Kaufman, Edward W. Mate, Scott D. Vollmer, Michael D. Hudson, Moses I. Akpan
  • Publication number: 20150040548
    Abstract: A hydraulic fan circuit is provided. The hydraulic fan circuit includes a tank, a motor having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a pump to draw fluid at a low pressure from the tank and discharge the fluid at elevated pressures to the motor via the fluid inlet. The hydraulic fan circuit further includes a directional control valve disposed between the fluid outlet of the motor and the tank. The directional control valve is operable to move between a flow blocking position and a flow passing position. Further, the directional control valve is configured to reduce a positive speed of the motor below a lowest positive speed attainable through control of pump output. Furthermore, the hydraulic fan circuit includes a pressure control circuit configured to provide a pilot fluid flow at varying pressure to move the directional control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Susan E. Bieker, Eric P. Jakubiak, Dennis R. Barber, John J. Kaufman, Edward W. Mate, Scott D. Vollmer, Michael D. Hudson, Moses I. Akpan
  • Publication number: 20130187353
    Abstract: A brake system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The brake system may have a first brake associated with a first traction device of the mobile machine, and a second brake associated with a second traction device of the mobile machine. The brake system may also have an operator input device movable through a range from a neutral position to a maximum displaced position to generate a signal indicative of a desire to brake the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the operator input device. The controller may be configured to activate only the first brake based on the signal when the operator input device has been displaced to a position less than a threshold position within the range, and to activate both the first and second brakes based on the signal when the operator input device has been displaced to a position greater than the threshold position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: Erwin Mock, John J. Kaufman, Dylan C. Hayden, Scott D. Vollmer
  • Patent number: 7886705
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first hydraulic circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the engine. The thermal management system may also have a second hydraulic circuit pressurized by the engine to heat the fluid during operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Scott D. Vollmer, Travis S. Johnson, Sudhakar R. Kakani, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, Jr., Robert C. Horst
  • Publication number: 20080295791
    Abstract: A thermal management system for an engine is disclosed. The thermal management system may have a first hydraulic circuit configured to circulate a fluid through the engine. The thermal management system may also have a second hydraulic circuit pressurized by the engine to heat the fluid during operation of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Dennis P. Holler, Scott D. Vollmer, Travis S. Johnson, Sudhakar R. Kakani, Matthew R. Hulen, Randall J. Anliker, Michael W. Edwards, Larry L. Spurgeon, Victor L. Sheldon, JR., Robert C. Horst