Patents by Inventor Troy Curtis Robl
Troy Curtis Robl 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).
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Patent number: 9217235Abstract: A tool coupler system is disclosed for use with a machine. The tool coupler system may have a tool coupler with a hydraulic actuator configured to selectively lock a tool to a machine. The tool coupler system may also have a first hydraulic pump configured to generate a first flow of pressurized fluid, and a second hydraulic pump configured to generate a second flow of pressurized fluid. The tool coupler system may further have a valve configured to selectively direct the first or second flows of pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator of the tool coupler.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Troy Curtis Robl, Andy Lee Vering, Trent Randall Stefek
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Publication number: 20140308061Abstract: The present disclosure is in the field of construction and mining machinery and is directed to a quick coupler, a machine incorporating a quick coupler, and a method for detecting positive engagement between a quick coupler and a work tool accessory. The various embodiments involve detecting the strain exerted on an engagement mechanism of the quick coupler by an attachment mechanism of a work tool accessory or determining the proximity between the engagement mechanism and the attachment mechanism in order to determine if the work tool accessory is positively coupled with the quick coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventor: Troy Curtis Robl
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Publication number: 20140212210Abstract: A tool coupler for connecting a machine to a tool is disclosed. The tool coupler may have a first frame module having a first pair of side plates and a pair of aligned bores passing through the first pair of side plates. The aligned bores may be configured to receive pins that are connectable to a linkage of the machine. The tool coupler may also have a second frame module releasably attached to the first frame module. The second frame module may have a second pair of side plates and a pair of hooks fixedly connected to the second pair of side plates. The pair of hooks may be configured to receive corresponding pins that are connectable to the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Troy Curtis Robl, Andrew Lee Vering, Ethan Pauly, Trent Randall Stefek, Richard Kent Oswald, Jason Randal Johnson
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Patent number: 8684623Abstract: A tool coupler for a machine is provided herein. In an embodiment, the tool coupler may have a coupler frame, a hook coupled to the coupler frame and configured to receive a first pin of a tool, and a wedge operatively connected to the coupler frame. The tool coupler may also have an actuator connected to move the wedge away from the hook to bias a second pin of the tool against the coupler frame, and a latch associated with the wedge. The latch may be movable between a first position at which the wedge is allowed to move away from the second pin, and a second position at which the wedge is constrained from moving away from the second pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Troy Curtis Robl, Andy Lee Vering, Richard Kent Oswald, Trent Randall Stefek
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Publication number: 20130318841Abstract: A tool coupler system is disclosed for use with a machine. The tool coupler system may have a tool coupler with a hydraulic actuator configured to selectively lock a tool to a machine. The tool coupler system may also have a first hydraulic pump configured to generate a first flow of pressurized fluid, and a second hydraulic pump configured to generate a second flow of pressurized fluid. The tool coupler system may further have a valve configured to selectively direct the first or second flows of pressurized fluid to the hydraulic actuator of the tool coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Troy Curtis ROBL, Andy Lee Vering, Trent Randall Stefek
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Publication number: 20130322959Abstract: A tool coupler for a machine is disclosed. The tool coupler may have a coupler frame, a hook coupled to the coupler frame and configured to receive a first pin of a tool, and a wedge operatively connected to the coupler frame. The tool coupler may also have an actuator connected to move the wedge away from the hook to bias a second pin of the tool against the coupler frame, and a latch associated with the wedge. The latch may be movable between a first position at which the wedge is allowed to move away from the second pin, and a second position at which the wedge is constrained from moving away from the second pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2012Publication date: December 5, 2013Inventors: Troy Curtis ROBL, Andy Lee Vering, Richard Kent Oswald, Trent Randall Stefek
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Publication number: 20130008153Abstract: A tool coupler assembly for a machine is disclosed. The tool coupler assembly may have a coupler frame, a first latch, a second latch, and a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame. The hydraulic actuator may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and a pressure valve with a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber. The tool coupler assembly may additionally have a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element, and a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Inventors: Trent Randall STEFEK, Troy Curtis Robl
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Patent number: 8281506Abstract: A tool coupler assembly for a machine. The tool coupler assembly may have a coupler frame, a first latch, a second latch, and a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame. The hydraulic actuator may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and a pressure valve with a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber. The tool coupler assembly may additionally have a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element, and a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 9, 2012Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Trent Randall Stefek, Troy Curtis Robl
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Publication number: 20110209608Abstract: A tool coupler assembly for a machine is disclosed. The tool coupler assembly may have a coupler frame, a first latch, a second latch, and a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame. The hydraulic actuator may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and a pressure valve with a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber. The tool coupler assembly may additionally have a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element, and a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2010Publication date: September 1, 2011Inventors: Trent Randall Stefek, Troy Curtis Robl
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Patent number: 7984575Abstract: A quick coupler for connecting and disconnecting an implement such as a bucket to and from a machine such as an excavator. In an example, the quick coupler includes a frame having recesses configured to receive pins located on the implement. The quick coupler includes first and second securing latches that are movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the pins of the implement in the recesses. A rocker assembly and a connector link are provided for moving the second latch between latched and unlatched positions.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2007Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Troy Curtis Robl, Trent Randall Stefek
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Publication number: 20090007465Abstract: A quick coupler for connecting and disconnecting an implement such as a bucket to and from a machine such as an excavator. In an example, the quick coupler includes a frame having recesses configured to receive pins located on the implement. The quick coupler includes first and second securing latches that are movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the pins of the implement in the recesses. A rocker assembly and a connector link are provided for moving the second latch between latched and unlatched positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: TROY CURTIS ROBL, Trent Randall Stefek