Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Fulkerson

Thomas R. Fulkerson 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: 4910662
    Abstract: Machines having a boom or arm pivotally disposed thereon wherein the length of the boom or arm and the angle thereof with respect to a reference plane are adjustable by means of actuators are well known. However, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously control the actuators in a coordinated fashion to move the end of the boom or arm in a straight line path. In order to overcome this problem, a boom control system for a boom according to the present invention controls the actuators in either of two modes of operation, the first mode of operation comprising independent control over each actuator to afford polar coordinate operation and the second mode of operation comprising synchronized control over the actuators so that the end of the member may be moved in a straight line. Means are provided for manually selecting one of the two modes of operation. Means may be provided for calculating the amount of remaining horizontal throw of the boom or arm when a command to move same is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 20, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand-Sauer
    Inventors: Richard K. Heiser, Thomas R. Fulkerson, Royal R. Hawkins, James R. Reed
  • Patent number: 4791549
    Abstract: Machines having a boom or arm pivotally disposed thereon wherein the length of the boom or arm and the angle thereof with respect to a reference plane are adjustable by means of actuators are well known. However, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously control the actuators in a coordinated fashion to move the end of the boom or arm in a straight line path. In order to overcome this problem, a boom control system for a boom according to the present invention controls the actuators in either of two modes of operation, the first mode of operation comprising independent control over each actuator to afford polar coordinate operation and the second mode of operation comprising synchronized control over the actuators so that the end of the member may be moved in a straight line. Means are provided for manually selecting one of the two modes of operation. Means may be provided for calculating the amount of remaining horizontal throw of the boom or arm when a command to move same is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Heiser, Thomas R. Fulkerson, Royal R. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4722044
    Abstract: Machines having a boom or arm pivotally disposed thereon wherein the length of the boom or arm and the angle thereof with respect to a reference plane are adjustable by means of actuators are well known. However, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to simultaneously control the actuators in a coordinated fashion to move the end of the boom or arm in a straight line path. In order to overcome this problem, a boom control system for a boom according to the present invention controls the actuators in either of two modes of operation, the first mode of operation comprising independent control over each actuator to afford polar coordinate operation and the second mode of operation comprising synchronized control over the actuators so that the end of the member may be moved in a straight line. Means are provided for manually selecting one of the two modes of operation. Means may be provided for calculating the amount of remaining horizontal throw of the boom or arm when a command to move same is issued.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1988
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Richard K. Heiser, Thomas R. Fulkerson, Royal R. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 4355509
    Abstract: For use on a vehicle having a split torque transmission, the split torque transmission including first and second throughputs and a summing junction connected to the first and second throughputs and having a transmission output dependent upon the first and second throughputs, each throughput having an input connected to an output of the engine of the vehicle, the system including a sensor adapted to sense the output of the engine, and a controller connected to the sensor and adapted to control the second throughput dependent upon the engine output, the second throughput being controlled from a negative value cancelling the first throughput to a positive value so that the transmission output is varied from idle to a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1979
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas R. Fulkerson, Royal R. Hawkins