Patents by Inventor Timothy Allen McKinley

Timothy Allen McKinley 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: 10518829
    Abstract: A track pin may comprise a body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the body defining a first end, a second end and a peripheral surface extending from the first end to the second end. The peripheral surface may include a first lobed portion spaced axially away from the first end and the second end and including a series of convex arcuate segments and concave arcuate segments joined to each other tangentially, forming an undulating surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Zhiyong Hu, Weixue Tian, William Henry Baar, III
  • Patent number: 10190618
    Abstract: A track bolt for an undercarriage system includes a head portion. The track bolt also includes a body portion extending from the head portion. The track bolt further includes a piezo ceramic sensor mounted in a counter bore provided in the track bolt. The piezo ceramic sensor measures a value of track bolt elongation such that the value of the track bolt elongation is used to calculate a clamping force in the track bolt. The track bolt includes a plug member disposed in the counter bore for sealing the piezo ceramic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Zachary Tyler Donlan
  • Publication number: 20180372142
    Abstract: A track bolt for an undercarriage system includes a head portion. The track bolt also includes a body portion extending from the head portion. The track bolt further includes a piezo ceramic sensor mounted in a counter bore provided in the track bolt. The piezo ceramic sensor measures a value of track bolt elongation such that the value of the track bolt elongation is used to calculate a clamping force in the track bolt. The track bolt includes a plug member disposed in the counter bore for sealing the piezo ceramic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Zachary Tyler Donlan
  • Publication number: 20180370583
    Abstract: A track pin may comprise a body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the body defining a first end, a second end and a peripheral surface extending from the first end to the second end. The peripheral surface may include a first lobed portion spaced axially away from the first end and the second end and including a series of convex arcuate segments and concave arcuate segments joined to each other tangentially, forming an undulating surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Zhiyong Hu, Weixue Tian, William Henry Baar, III
  • Patent number: 9475526
    Abstract: A track link having a wear sensing device is disclosed. The track link may include a link body including a surface, a cavity, and at least one hole configured to receive a track pin. The track link may further include the wear sensing device positioned in the cavity. The wear sensing device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a wear parameter of the surface. The track link may further include a containment mechanism configured to secure the wear sensing device in position inside the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Andrew Alfred Knitt, Mark Steven Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20160052572
    Abstract: A track link having a wear sensing device is disclosed. The track link may include a link body including a surface, a cavity, and at least one hole configured to receive a track pin. The track link may further include the wear sensing device positioned in the cavity. The wear sensing device may be configured to generate a signal indicative of a wear parameter of the surface. The track link may further include a containment mechanism configured to secure the wear sensing device in position inside the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Andrew Alfred Knitt, Mark Steven Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20130082846
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for collecting information related to a machine component of a mobile machine that is configured to perform work on a worksite. The sensor system may be installed on or within the machine component, and the machine component may be installed with the sensor system on the mobile machine. The information may be collected with the sensor system while the machine is performing work on the worksite, the information relating to a characteristic experienced by the machine component. The information may be transmitted with the sensor system. The sensor system may collect information related to a tracked undercarriage of the mobile machine, or the cutting head of a tunnel boring machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: Timothy Allen McKinley, Mark Steven Diekevers, John M. Plouzek, Mathew William Trone, Robert L. Meyer, Gregory W. Tomlins, Andrew Caruana