Patents by Inventor Thomas S. Lane

Thomas S. Lane 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).

  • Min/Max speed governor for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 6076501
    Abstract: A two speed governor for an internal combustion engine includes a flyweight assembly rotatably mounted in a housing. The riser is positioned in the housing and operably connected to the flyweight assembly. The riser is moveable between a retracted position, and intermediate position and an advanced position. A first spring is operably mounted in the housing to bias the riser toward its retracted position when the riser is located anywhere between its retracted position and its advanced position. A second spring is operably mounted in the housing to bias the riser toward its retracted position when the riser is between its intermediate and advanced positions. The second spring has a pre-load but is inoperable when the riser is between its retracted position and its intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory E. Costley, Thomas S. Lane, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr., Jeffrey R. Ries