Patents by Inventor Steven D. SPENCER

Steven D. SPENCER 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: 11840826
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a health status of a hydraulic system is disclosed. The system may comprise a controller configured to receive a request to determine a health status and in response to the request, automatically conduct a health test and determine the health status. The health test may include: move a member or the upper frame; receive information indicative of measurements associated with movement; determine one or more parameters; compare each parameter to a check range or value; and if the pump status, the main control valve leakage status, the in-line relief valve leakage status, the cylinder drift status or the cylinder seal leak status associated with the component is currently failing, predicted to fail or out of specification, identify the component as a service-needed on a display or log and activate an alarm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Adam Martin Nackers, Christopher Michael Ruemelin, Steven D. Spencer, Rustin Glenn Metzger
  • Patent number: 11608610
    Abstract: A hydraulic system may include a first actuator to control a first linkage member, a second actuator to control a second linkage member, a first primary hydraulic circuit and a first secondary hydraulic circuit that include the first actuator, a second primary hydraulic circuit and a second secondary hydraulic circuit that include the second actuator, a first pump to cause fluid to flow through the first primary hydraulic circuit and the second secondary hydraulic circuit, a second pump to cause fluid to flow through the second primary hydraulic circuit and the first secondary hydraulic circuit, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine that an operator assistance mode is enabled, and cause closing of a first valve that controls fluid flow through the first secondary hydraulic circuit and a second valve that controls fluid flow through the second secondary hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Martin Nackers, Rustin Glenn Metzger, Chris Rustu Cesur, Steven D Spencer
  • Publication number: 20230043231
    Abstract: A hydraulic system may include a first actuator to control a first linkage member, a second actuator to control a second linkage member, a first primary hydraulic circuit and a first secondary hydraulic circuit that include the first actuator, a second primary hydraulic circuit and a second secondary hydraulic circuit that include the second actuator, a first pump to cause fluid to flow through the first primary hydraulic circuit and the second secondary hydraulic circuit, a second pump to cause fluid to flow through the second primary hydraulic circuit and the first secondary hydraulic circuit, and a controller. The controller may be configured to determine that an operator assistance mode is enabled, and cause closing of a first valve that controls fluid flow through the first secondary hydraulic circuit and a second valve that controls fluid flow through the second secondary hydraulic circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Martin NACKERS, Rustin Glenn METZGER, Chris Rustu CESUR, Steven D. SPENCER
  • Patent number: 9556807
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Brian D. Hoff, Mark E. Rettig, Michael D. Beyer, Steven D. Spencer
  • Publication number: 20150354474
    Abstract: A transmission system is disclosed for use with an engine. The transmission system may have a plurality of gear sets, an input member configured to be powered by the engine and to drive the plurality of gear sets, an output member driven by the plurality of gear sets, and at least one clutch configured to selectively engage select gears of the plurality of gear sets. The transmission system may also have a controller in communication with the engine. The controller may be configured to generate an estimated temperature of the at least one clutch. The controller may further be configured to selectively derate the engine based on the estimated temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Brian D. HOFF, Mark E. RETTIG, Michael D. BEYER, Steven D. SPENCER