Patents by Inventor Timothy Arthur Thorson

Timothy Arthur Thorson 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: 10633040
    Abstract: A thrust ring comprises a body including a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical inner surface, defining a central axis, an axial direction, a circumferential direction, a first axial end, a second axial end, and at least one recess on the first axial end, and at least one protrusion extending from the cylindrical inner surface toward the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Steiner, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua
  • Patent number: 10040495
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an undercarriage track joint assembly includes forming at least a first portion of a seal assembly by laser brazing an annular, metal sealing washer to a first track link of the undercarriage track joint assembly. The method may also include performing the laser brazing to form at least one of an annular fillet of braze material between the first track link and at least a portion of an inner diameter surface of the washer and an annular fillet of braze material between the first track link and at least a portion of an outer diameter surface of the washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Andre Marchione, Brent David Widder, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann
  • Publication number: 20180154955
    Abstract: A thrust ring comprises a body including a cylindrical outer surface, a cylindrical inner surface, defining a central axis, an axial direction, a circumferential direction, a first axial end, a second axial end, and at least one recess on the first axial end, and at least one protrusion extending from the cylindrical inner surface toward the central axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2018
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Steiner, JR., Timothy Arthur Thorson, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua
  • Patent number: 9951872
    Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a seal ring, the seal ring including an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, and a generally annular body extending between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces. An annular flange projects radially from the annular body to an outer perimeter of the flange and a sealing band is on the annular flange. A slot may extend radially into the seal ring from the inner circumferential surface of the seal ring. A cooling channel may be in and extend generally circumferentially through at least one of the annular body and annular flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Arthur Thorson, Dennis Michael Turczyn, Thierry Andre Marchione
  • Publication number: 20170198577
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a rotatable cutting tool is disclosed. The method may comprise fabricating a body of a holder for the cutting tool, wherein the body of the holder extends along an axis and includes a head portion and a shank portion. The head portion may extend from a first end to a second end, and the first end may be configured to receive a cutting tip. The method may further comprise applying a plurality of rotation-assisting strips along an outer surface of the head portion that extend between the first end and the second end. The rotation-assisting strips may project from the outer surface of the head portion. The method may further comprise heat treating the holder having the plurality of rotation-assisting strips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Steinmetz, Robert Carr, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Conwell K. Rife, Thierry Marchione
  • Publication number: 20170158269
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an undercarriage track joint assembly includes forming at least a first portion of a seal assembly by laser brazing an annular, metal sealing washer to a first track link of the undercarriage track joint assembly. The method may also include performing the laser brazing to form at least one of an annular fillet of braze material between the first track link and at least a portion of an inner diameter surface of the washer and an annular fillet of braze material between the first track link and at least a portion of an outer diameter surface of the washer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thierry Andre MARCHIONE, Brent David WIDDER, Timothy Arthur THORSON, Gregory Jerome KAUFMANN
  • Patent number: 9623920
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned between the first link and the second link to form a hermetic seal between the first link and the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Patent number: 9604681
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in the second bore. The second link may include a sealing portion surrounding an axial end of the axial end portion. The sealing portion may include material having a different wear resistance than material of another portion of the second link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Publication number: 20170021879
    Abstract: A track link assembly is disclosed for a machine. The track link assembly may include a first track link having a first thru hole and a second track link having a second thru hole aligned with the first thru hole. The track link assembly may further include a track pin disposed within the first and second thru holes. The track pin may have an end protruding from the first and second track links. The track link assembly may also include a ring-shaped flange integrally formed from the end of the track pin after insertion of the track pin into the first and second track links. The ring-shaped flange may have an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the first and second thru holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Arthur THORSON, Robert Lee MEYER, Mark Steven DIEKEVERS, Gregory Jerome KAUFMANN
  • Publication number: 20160369896
    Abstract: A mechanical face seal includes a seal ring, the seal ring including an inner circumferential surface, an outer circumferential surface, and a generally annular body extending between the inner and outer circumferential surfaces. An annular flange projects radially from the annular body to an outer perimeter of the flange and a sealing band is on the annular flange. A slot may extend radially into the seal ring from the inner circumferential surface of the seal ring. A cooling channel may be in and extend generally circumferentially through at least one of the annular body and annular flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Arthur Thorson, Dennis Michael Turczyn, Thierry Andre Marchione
  • Patent number: 9505453
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore including first and second portions. The first and second portions may have different diameters. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in and contacting the first portion of the second bore. The bushing may also include an axial end-adjacent portion disposed in and contacting the second portion of the second bore. An outer diameter of the end-adjacent portion may be larger than an outer diameter of the end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Patent number: 9434425
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a second link having a second bore. The track joint assembly may also include a bushing. The bushing may include a first axial end portion disposed in the first bore. In addition, the bushing may include a second axial end portion disposed in the second bore. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned at an axial end of the first axial end portion. The seal assembly may contact the first link at a seal-link interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier
  • Publication number: 20160194039
    Abstract: A link assembly for a track comprises a first side plate, and a second side plate coupled with the first side plate such that proximal surfaces of the first and second side plates are disposed in abutment with one another. The link assembly further includes a wear plate assembly that is coupled to a top face of the first side plate and a top face of the second side plate. The wear plate assembly is formed from a material having a wear resistance greater than a wear resistance of the first and second side plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Patrick Fitzgibbons, JR., Timothy Arthur Thorson, Cedric Hervé Tabone, Jeff Alan Jensen, Douglas Trent Weaver
  • Patent number: 9290217
    Abstract: A track link for a ground-engaging track includes an elongate link body having a lower hardness material forming a lower mounting surface for mounting a track shoe, and a sacrificial higher hardness material forming an upper rail surface for contacting rotatable track engaging elements. The lower hardness and higher hardness materials transition at a material interface within the elongate link body, and the material interface is longitudinally non-uniform, such that the sacrificial higher hardness material has a varying depth from the upper rail surface to retard scalloping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Steiner, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua
  • Publication number: 20150338839
    Abstract: A setup verification system for a machining process is disclosed. The setup verification system includes a console, a master component, and a modified machining station. The consoled includes a console fixture and a locator affixed to the console fixture. The master component is within the console fixture and in contact with the locator. The master component includes a feature machined into the master component. The modified machining station includes a housing and an instrumented tool coupled to the housing. The instrumented tool includes a tool shaft and a sensor attached to the tool shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Rohit Arun Bhapkar, Nien Lung Lee, Timothy Arthur Thorson
  • Publication number: 20150061373
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a joint bushing for a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the joint bushing may include a generally cylindrical outer surface. The joint bushing may also include a generally cylindrical inner bearing surface defining a bore. The inner bearing surface may include a plurality of valley-shaped recesses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Steiner, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua
  • Publication number: 20150061369
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a thrust ring for a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the thrust ring may include a generally cylindrical outer surface. The thrust ring may also include a generally cylindrical inner surface including at least one protrusion extending toward a central axis of the thrust ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier
  • Publication number: 20150061370
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned between the first link and the second link to form a hermetic seal between the first link and the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150061374
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in the second bore. The second link may include a sealing portion surrounding an axial end of the axial end portion. The sealing portion may include material having a different wear resistance than material of another portion of the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150061371
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore including first and second portions. The first and second portions may have different diameters. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in and contacting the first portion of the second bore. The bushing may also include an axial end-adjacent portion disposed in and contacting the second portion of the second bore. An outer diameter of the end-adjacent portion may be larger than an outer diameter of the end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Robert Lee Meyer