Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Hoefft

Thomas M. Hoefft 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: 6846051
    Abstract: Joint assemblies are useful for connecting one structure to another structure. When the various structures deflect or bend, edge loading occurs therebetween. The subject joint assembly includes a pin positioned between a first and second structure. An insert is free floating positioned around the pin for contacting either of the first or second structures. A crown shaped surface is utilized on the insert at a substantially central location therealong. The crown shaped surface directs forces to the center of the insert to reduce edge loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Michael S. Bottom, Thomas M. Hoefft, Jeff A. Jensen, Jason L. Kupferschmid, Eric A. Mathewson, Thomas E. Oertley, John M. Plouzek, Dennis R. Shookman
  • Publication number: 20020145336
    Abstract: Joint assemblies are useful for connecting one structure to another structure. When the various structures deflect or bend, edge loading occurs therebetween. The subject joint assembly includes a pin positioned between a first and second structure. An insert is free floating positioned around the pin for contacting either of the first or second structures. A crown shaped surface is utilized on the insert at a substantially central location therealong. The crown shaped surface directs forces to the center of the insert to reduce edge loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventors: Michael S. Bottom, Thomas M. Hoefft, Jeff A. Jensen, Jason L. Kupferschmid, Eric A. Mathewson, Thomas E. Oertley, John M. Plouzek, Dennis R. Shookman
  • Patent number: 6047969
    Abstract: A metal-to-metal face seal assembly comprises a static seal ring secured to a rotating element, such as a track roller of a tracked machine. The static seal ring has a seal face, and a dynamic seal ring has a seal face in sealing engagement with the seal face of the static ring. The dynamic seal ring has a ramp thereon extending at 8 degrees relative to horizontal in a direction away from the seal face thereof. The seal assembly further includes a seal housing, which may be the end collar of the track roller, having an annular ramp formed thereon confronting the ramp of the dynamic seal ring, which seal housing ramp extends at 10 degrees relative to horizontal. The ramps converge in a direction away from a seal plane defined by the mutually-engaging faces of the seal rings. A load ring disposed between the ramps is pre-compressed to its maximum strain level to provide the desired face loads on the seal faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas M. Hoefft, Billy R. Bedford, Michael D. Hasselbusch