Patents by Inventor Thomas ELLMANN

Thomas ELLMANN 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: 12606258
    Abstract: A track joint assembly may include a first track shoe including at least one forward pin lug, a second track shoe including at least one back pin lug, a pin extending through a pin bore coupling the first track shoe to the second track shoe, a retainer plate positioned within the pin bore and including an interior surface adjacent the pin, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and a recess extending at least partially along an outer circumferential edge of the exterior surface, a stop ring positioned within a stop groove formed in an inner circumferential surface of the pin bore, the stop ring positioned adjacent the exterior surface of the retainer and extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface such that the stop ring blocks the retainer plate from withdrawing from the pin bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ellmann, Brian Konrad Loeffler, Jacob John Pitman
  • Publication number: 20240417009
    Abstract: A track joint assembly may include a first track shoe including at least one forward pin lug, a second track shoe including at least one back pin lug, a pin extending through a pin bore coupling the first track shoe to the second track shoe, a retainer plate positioned within the pin bore and including an interior surface adjacent the pin, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and a recess extending at least partially along an outer circumferential edge of the exterior surface, a stop ring positioned within a stop groove formed in an inner circumferential surface of the pin bore, the stop ring positioned adjacent the exterior surface of the retainer and extending radially inward from the inner circumferential surface such that the stop ring blocks the retainer plate from withdrawing from the pin bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2023
    Publication date: December 19, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas ELLMANN, Brian Konrad LOEFFLER, Jacob John PITMAN
  • Patent number: 11565761
    Abstract: A track joint assembly includes a first track shoe and a second track shoe, and a cartridge pin coupling together the first track shoe and the second track shoe. A sealed and lubricated track joint is formed by pin lugs on the first and the second track shoes, a cartridge pin, a pin retainer, a pin bore extending through pin lugs of the coupled-together track shoes, and a pin stop located in one of the pin lugs to inhibit displacement of the cartridge pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jones, Thomas Ellmann, Thomas Oertley
  • Patent number: 11333249
    Abstract: A ring seal system is disclosed. The ring seal system may include a first ring assembly that includes a first sealing surface. The ring seal system may include a second ring assembly that includes a second sealing surface. The ring seal system may include a plate, between the first ring assembly and the second ring assembly, that includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The ring seal system may include a coating on the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The first contact surface may be mechanically connected to the first sealing surface to form a first seal with the first sealing surface. The second contact surface may be mechanically connected to the second sealing surface form a second seal with the second sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jones, David Hakes, Jacob Pitman, Thomas Ellmann
  • Publication number: 20200247489
    Abstract: A track joint assembly includes a first track shoe and a second track shoe, and a cartridge pin coupling together the first track shoe and the second track shoe. A sealed and lubricated track joint is formed by pin lugs on the first and the second track shoes, a cartridge pin, a pin retainer, a pin bore extending through pin lugs of the coupled-together track shoes, and a pin stop located in one of the pin lugs to inhibit displacement of the cartridge pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin Jones, Thomas Ellmann, Thomas Oertley
  • Publication number: 20200191275
    Abstract: A ring seal system is disclosed. The ring seal system may include a first ring assembly that includes a first sealing surface. The ring seal system may include a second ring assembly that includes a second sealing surface. The ring seal system may include a plate, between the first ring assembly and the second ring assembly, that includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface. The ring seal system may include a coating on the first contact surface and the second contact surface. The first contact surface may be mechanically connected to the first sealing surface to form a first seal with the first sealing surface. The second contact surface may be mechanically connected to the second sealing surface form a second seal with the second sealing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin JONES, David HAKES, Jacob PITMAN, Thomas ELLMANN
  • Patent number: 9988109
    Abstract: A track driven machine is provided comprising an undercarriage drive system that includes a track, and a motor that powers the drive system, wherein the undercarriage drive system further includes at least one of a capless track roller mounting system and a central unibeam track roller mounting system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ellmann, Roger E. Lawson
  • Publication number: 20170327162
    Abstract: A track driven machine is provided comprising an undercarriage drive system that includes a track, and a motor that powers the drive system, wherein the undercarriage drive system further includes at least one of a capless track roller mounting system and a central unibeam track roller mounting system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Ellmann, Roger E. Lawson
  • Patent number: 9688325
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a mobile machine includes a continuous track having a plurality of mated track links that can translate with respect to the machine. Each track link may include a shoe portion and a body portion. The body portion includes a plurality of projecting pin lugs each having a pin bore to receive a bin and link adjacent track links together. The pin lugs can include a pair of sprocket lugs for making rolling contact with a sprocket, a pair of roller lugs for making rolling contact with a plurality of rollers, and a side lug having a protruding shoulder to assist in aligning the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Hakes, Tom Oertley, Jason R. Beckerdite, Benoit Abello, Thomas Ellmann, Thomas J. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 9592865
    Abstract: A track assembly is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The track assembly may have a plurality of crawler shoes. Each of the plurality of crawler shoes may include a ground engaging surface and first and second pairs of links laterally spaced apart on a side opposite the ground engaging surface. The track assembly may also have a first pin connecting the first pair of links of each of the plurality of crawler shoes to form a first continuous chain, and a second pin connecting the second pair of links of each of the plurality of crawler shoes to form a second continuous chain. The track assembly may further have a drive wheel having dual sprockets configured to simultaneously engage the first and second continuous chains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Ellmann
  • Publication number: 20170057574
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a mobile machine includes a continuous track having a plurality of mated track links that can translate with respect to the machine. Each track link may include a shoe portion and a body portion. The body portion includes a plurality of projecting pin lugs each having a pin bore to receive a bin and link adjacent track links together. The pin lugs can include a pair of sprocket lugs for making rolling contact with a sprocket, a pair of roller lugs for making rolling contact with a plurality of rollers, and a side lug having a protruding shoulder to assist in aligning the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: David Hakes, Tom Oertley, Jason R. Beckerdite, Benoit Abello, Thomas Ellmann, Thomas J. Kowalski
  • Patent number: 9446805
    Abstract: A crawler shoe is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a track assembly with a sprocket. The crawler shoe may have a ground engaging surface, and laterally spaced-apart links connected at a side opposite the ground engaging surface. The laterally spaced-apart links may each have an arcuate wear surface configured to provide hub support against bearing forces of the sprocket, and at least one bore configured to receive a pin that transfers tractive forces from the sprocket to the plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Ellmann
  • Publication number: 20160052571
    Abstract: A crawler shoe is disclosed for use with a mobile machine having a track assembly with a sprocket. The crawler shoe may have a ground engaging surface, and laterally spaced-apart links connected at a side opposite the ground engaging surface. The laterally spaced-apart links may each have an arcuate wear surface configured to provide hub support against bearing forces of the sprocket, and at least one bore configured to receive a pin that transfers tractive forces from the sprocket to the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Thomas ELLMANN
  • Publication number: 20160052570
    Abstract: A track assembly is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The track assembly may have a plurality of crawler shoes. Each of the plurality of crawler shoes may include a ground engaging surface and first and second pairs of links laterally spaced apart on a side opposite the ground engaging surface. The track assembly may also have a first pin connecting the first pair of links of each of the plurality of crawler shoes to form a first continuous chain, and a second pin connecting the second pair of links of each of the plurality of crawler shoes to form a second continuous chain. The track assembly may further have a drive wheel having dual sprockets configured to simultaneously engage the first and second continuous chains.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Thomas ELLMANN