Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Suelflow

Thomas J. Suelflow 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).

  • Publication number: 20250113966
    Abstract: A cleaning machine for cleaning along an intended direction of use includes a drive assembly, a cleaning element, and a multi-directional wheel. The Drive assembly includes a motor and a pair of drive wheels operable connected to the motor. Each wheel of the pair of wheels can be configured to be driven independently of the other wheel. The cleaning element can be disposed forward of the pair of drive wheels along the intended direction of use of the cleaning machine. The multi-directional wheel disposed forward along the intended direction of use of the pair of drive wheels. The multi-directional wheel can define a pivot axis and can be configured to swivel about the pivot axis in a range of direction extending 360°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Nilfisk A/S
    Inventors: Thomas J. Suelflow, Kurt Vetse, Stephen Klopp
  • Publication number: 20250113967
    Abstract: A cleaning machine includes a driving assembly, a cleaning element, and a controller assembly. The driving assembly includes a pair of drive wheels, a rear motor, a multi-directional wheel, and a front motor. Each wheel of the pair of drive wheels is configured to be driven independently of the other wheel of the pair of drive wheels. The rear motor is operably coupled to the pair of drive wheels and is disposed to drive at least one wheel of the pair of drive wheels. The multi-directional wheel is disposed forward of the pair of drive wheels. The front motor is operably coupled to is disposed to steer the multi-directional wheel. The cleaning element is disposed forward of the pair of drive wheels. The controller assembly is disposed to control at least one of the rear motor, the front motor, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventors: Thomas J. Suelflow, Kurt Vetse, Stephen Klopp
  • Patent number: 6551020
    Abstract: A vibratory mechanism 26 is provided for a compacting work machine 10. The vibratory mechanism 26 includes a first/outer eccentric weight 50 and a second/inner eccentric weight 80. The second weight 80 has a cavity 88 with a movable mass 90 that when rotated in a first direction 124 opposes the first eccentric weight 50 and when rotated in a second direction 126 the movable mass 90 combines with the first eccentric 50. The second eccentric weight 80 is also manually indexable relative to the first eccentric 50 to a plurality of distinct positions giving a plurality of different amplitude vibratory impact forces when rotated in either of the first and second directions 124,126.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Donald J. Swanson, Dean R. Potts, Gregory H. Dubay, Thomas J. Suelflow
  • Publication number: 20030021629
    Abstract: A vibratory mechanism 26 is provided for a compacting work machine 10. The vibratory mechanism 26 includes a first/outer eccentric weight 50 and a second/inner eccentric weight 80. The second weight 80 has a cavity 88 with a movable mass 90 that when rotated in a first direction 124 opposes the first eccentric weight 50 and when rotated in a second direction 126 the movable mass 90 combines with the first eccentric 50. The second eccentric weight 80 is also manually indexable relative to the first eccentric 50 to a plurality of distinct positions giving a plurality of different amplitude vibratory impact forces when rotated in either of the first and second directions 124,126.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Donald J. Swanson, Dean R. Potts, Gregory H. Dubay, Thomas J. Suelflow
  • Patent number: 6247233
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a work machine, such as a mining dump truck, comprises a rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard rims mounted thereto. The outboard rim is mounted to a segmented rim-mounting flange which is secured to the inboard side of a flange projecting from the wheel. A final drive adapter is secured to the outboard end of the wheel opposite the segmented rim mounted flange. The segmented mounting flange permits the use of a larger final drive ring gear than in known wheel assemblies. Moreover, because the mounting flange is segmented, it can be fastened to the wheel inboard of the gear reduction housing, which permits the final drive assembly to be serviced without removal of the outboard rim from the wheel. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hinton, Eric A. Morr, Thomas J. Suelflow
  • Patent number: 6148941
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a work machine, such as a mining dump truck, having a rotatable wheel having inboard and outboard rims mounted thereto. The outboard rim is mounted to a segmented rim-mounting flange which is secured to the inboard side of a flange projecting from the wheel. A final drive adapter is secured to the outboard end of the wheel opposite the segmented rim mounted flange. The segmented mounting flange permits the use of a larger final drive ring gear than in known wheel assemblies. Moreover, because the mounting flange is segmented, it can be fastened to the wheel inboard of the gear reduction housing, which permits the final drive assembly to be serviced without removal of the outboard rim from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Hinton, Eric A. Morr, Thomas J. Suelflow