Patents by Inventor Vance M. Buatte

Vance M. Buatte 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: 10294634
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a high drive track-type tractor with a rear entry electric drive motor module. The method includes inserting the rear entry electric drive motor module into a frame housing. The rear entry electric drive motor module includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly, and an electric motor. The method further includes attaching a reaction member to the rear entry electric drive motor module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
  • Patent number: 9676411
    Abstract: An electric drive retrofit kit includes a rear entry electric drive motor module that includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly and a second electric drive planetary gear assembly which can be inserted into a rear final drive cavity of a frame housing for a tracked tractor with a high track drive. The electric drive retrofit kit may further include a generator, a cooling package, an additional water pump, a steering pump, a steering motor, power inverters with control modules, and electric cables.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
  • Publication number: 20160096548
    Abstract: An electric drive system including an electric drive motor module. The electric drive motor module includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly, and an electric motor having a rotor shaft. The electric drive system further includes a first output member, a second output member, and a reaction member operatively associated with the rotor shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
  • Publication number: 20160097185
    Abstract: A method for retrofitting a high drive track-type tractor with a rear entry electric drive motor module. The method includes inserting the rear entry electric drive motor module into a frame housing. The rear entry electric drive motor module includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly, and an electric motor. The method further includes attaching a reaction member to the rear entry electric drive motor module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
  • Publication number: 20160096563
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electric drive retrofit kit for a high drive track-type tractor. The electric drive retrofit kit may include a rear entry electric drive motor module that includes an electric drive planetary gear assembly and a second electric drive planetary gear assembly which can be inserted into a rear final drive cavity of a frame housing for a high drive track-type tractor. The electric drive retrofit kit may further include a generator, a cooling package, an additional water pump, a steering pump, a steering motor, power inverters with control modules, and electric cables.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. Tigue, Vance M. Buatte, Jonathan M. Baumann, Gregory Austin, Timothy J. Schlack
  • Publication number: 20130213023
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed for use with a machine. The hydraulic system may have a tank, a motor with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, and a pump configured to draw fluid from the tank and discharge the fluid at elevated pressures to the motor. An output of the pump is adjustable to regulate a speed of the motor. The hydraulic system may also have a low-speed valve located between the fluid outlet of the motor and the tank. The low-speed valve may be configured to reduce a positive speed of the motor below a lowest positive speed attainable through control of pump output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Peter K. Eckstein, Timothy L. Hand, Mohammad A. Hussain, Joseph M. Huelsmann, David D. Tallon, Scott A. Keeley, Vance M. Buatte