Patents by Inventor Viral S. Mehta

Viral S. Mehta 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).

  • Publication number: 20160290505
    Abstract: A cylinder-piston assembly includes a cylinder barrel having a first end and a second end. An end cap is coupled to the cylinder barrel at the first end having a cylindrical opening. A piston slidably disposed in the cylinder barrel has a piston rod connected to the piston. The piston rod passes through the cylindrical opening of the end cap. A spring is disposed circumferentially around the piston rod. A load cell disposed in the end cap is adapted to generate a signal indicative of the cylinder displacement based on a spring force exerted on the load cell during a movement of the piston in the cylinder barrel, wherein the load cell is pressure balanced to minimize effect of forces other than the spring force exerted on the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: JEREMY TODD PETERSON, JEFFREY LEE KUEHN, VIRAL S. MEHTA, NOAH DENVER MANRING, ROGER CLAYTON FALES
  • Publication number: 20160116904
    Abstract: A method for mobile three-dimensional (3-D) printing of a component of a machine is disclosed. The method includes determining a distance between a transport and a customer based on, at least, positioning information provided by a positioning system. The method further includes determining a route for the transport to travel to the customer based on, at least, the distance between the transport and the customer. The method further includes printing, at least in part, the component of the machine using a 3-D printer while the transport travels along the route, the 3-D printer being associated with the transport and travelling with the transport along the route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2014
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Edward Jensen, Viral S. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20150059325
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system includes a first actuator fluidly coupled to a first rotating group in a first closed-loop circuit, a flow control module fluidly coupled to the first closed-loop circuit via a first conduit, a second actuator fluidly coupled to the flow control module via a second conduit, a second rotating group in selective fluid communication with the first conduit and the second conduit via the flow control module, and a controller operatively coupled to the flow control module. The controller is configured to operate the flow control module in a first mode and a second mode. The first mode effects fluid communication between the second rotating group and the first closed-loop circuit via the first conduit, and blocks fluid communication between the second rotating group and the second actuator via the second conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Knussman, Jeffrey Kuehn, Jeremy Peterson, Viral S. Mehta
  • Patent number: 8887499
    Abstract: A method for overpressure control in a hydraulic system having multiple hydraulic pumps, with each hydraulic pump being connected by a respective hydraulic circuit for actuating a single respective hydraulic actuator, includes actuating a first variable displacement hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic pump being fluidly linked by a first hydraulic circuit to a first hydraulic actuator for powering the first hydraulic actuator. Upon detecting a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, the flow rate of the first hydraulic pump is electronically modified to a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate whereby the pressure in the first hydraulic circuit is reduced to a pressure that is below the predetermined threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., Purdue University
    Inventors: Brad Edler, Viral S. Mehta, Lawrence Tognetti, Christopher Williamson
  • Patent number: 8790091
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, a body rotatably disposed within the housing and at least partially defining a plurality of barrels, a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a swashplate tiltable by a swivel torque to vary a displacement of the plurality of plungers relative to the plurality of barrels. The pump may also have a port plate with an inlet port, a discharge port, and a protrusion. The port plate may be configured to engage an end of the rotatable body. The pump may further have at least one piston disposed within the housing and configured to selectively engage the protrusion of the port plate to rotate the port plate and adjust the swivel torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignees: Caterpillar Inc., The Curators of the University of Missouri
    Inventors: Viral S. Mehta, Noah D. Manring, Hongliu Du, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20140165549
    Abstract: A hydraulic system is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a first pump, a boom cylinder, and a first closed loop fluidly connecting the first pump to the boom cylinder. The hydraulic system may also have a second pump, a swing motor, and a second closed loop fluidly connecting the second pump to the swing motor. The hydraulic system may further have a third pump, an auxiliary actuator, and a third closed loop fluidly connecting the third pump to the auxiliary actuator. The hydraulic system may additionally have a combining valve configured to selectively connect the second closed loop to the first closed loop during a boom raising operation, and a control valve configured to selectively connect the third closed loop to the first closed loop during a boom lowering operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Magomed GABIBULAYEV, Jeffrey L. KUEHN, Michael L. KNUSSMAN, Jeremy T. PETERSON, Viral S. MEHTA, Benjamin T. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20140134008
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, and a body disposed within the housing and at least partially defining a plurality of barrels. The pump may also have a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a plunger engagement surface. The plunger engagement surface may have geometry configured to reciprocate the plurality of plungers within the plurality of barrels as the plurality of plungers rotate relative to the plunger engagement surface, and a plurality of undulations configured to reduce a flow pulsation of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Viral S MEHTA, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20130000292
    Abstract: A method for overpressure control in a hydraulic system having multiple hydraulic pumps, with each hydraulic pump being connected by a respective hydraulic circuit for actuating a single respective hydraulic actuator, includes actuating a first variable displacement hydraulic pump, the first hydraulic pump being fluidly linked by a first hydraulic circuit to a first hydraulic actuator for powering the first hydraulic actuator. Upon detecting a pressure that exceeds a predetermined threshold pressure, the flow rate of the first hydraulic pump is electronically modified to a second flow rate lower than the first flow rate whereby the pressure in the first hydraulic circuit is reduced to a pressure that is below the predetermined threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: BRAD EDLER, VIRAL S. MEHTA, LAWRENCE TOGNETTI, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMSON
  • Publication number: 20120324875
    Abstract: A method and system for operating a machine having first and second movable elements, first and second hydromechanical movers for moving the first and second movable elements, respectively, and first and second hydraulic pumps linked to the first and second hydromechanical movers, respectively. Movement requests for moving the first and second movable elements are processed such that the movement command to the second hydromechanical mover is reduced by a variable amount based on the magnitude of the first movement request. For commanded first hydromechanical mover movements below a certain level, flow to the second hydromechanical mover may optionally not be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: BRAD EDLER, VIRAL S. MEHTA, CHRISTOPHER WILLIAMSON, JEFFREY KUEHN
  • Patent number: 8336856
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiment can be characterized as a threadless quick connect coupling release tool having a main body portion fixedly attached to a handle portion, and a head portion having two engagement projection fingers, the head portion being removably attached to the main body portion. An inlet port is coupled to the head portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Daniel L. Mikrut, Kirat Shah
  • Patent number: 8333571
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, and a body disposed within the housing and at least partially defining a plurality of barrels. The pump may also have a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a plunger engagement surface. The plunger engagement surface may have geometry configured to reciprocate the plurality of plungers within the plurality of barrels as the plurality of plungers rotate relative to the plunger engagement surface, and a plurality of undulations configured to reduce a flow pulsation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Viral S. Mehta, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20120301326
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, a body rotatably disposed within the housing and at least partially defining a plurality of barrels, a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a swashplate tiltable by a swivel torque to vary a displacement of the plurality of plungers relative to the plurality of barrels. The pump may also have a port plate with an inlet port, a discharge port, and a protrusion. The port plate may be configured to engage an end of the rotatable body. The pump may further have at least one piston disposed within the housing and configured to selectively engage the protrusion of the port plate to rotate the port plate and adjust the swivel torque.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Viral S. MEHTA, Noah D. MANRING, Hongliu DU, Bryan E. NELSON
  • Publication number: 20100150741
    Abstract: A hydraulic unit is disclosed. The hydraulic unit may have a rotatable body at least partially defining a plurality of barrels, a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a swashplate tiltable to vary a displacement of the plurality of plungers relative to the plurality of barrels. The hydraulic unit may also have an orifice plate located adjacent the rotatable body. The orifice plate may include an inlet port, a discharge port, and a first plurality of control orifices located between first ends of the inlet and discharge ports. The hydraulic unit may further have a first plurality of control valves, each of the first plurality of control valves being associated with a different control orifice of the first plurality of control orifices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Viral S. MEHTA, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100150747
    Abstract: A pump is disclosed. The pump may have a housing, and a body disposed within the housing and at least partially defining a plurality of barrels. The pump may also have a plurality of plungers associated with the plurality of barrels, and a plunger engagement surface. The plunger engagement surface may have geometry configured to reciprocate the plurality of plungers within the plurality of barrels as the plurality of plungers rotate relative to the plunger engagement surface, and a plurality of undulations configured to reduce a flow pulsation of the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Viral S. Mehta, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20100078931
    Abstract: The presently disclosed embodiment can be characterized as a threadless quick connect coupling release tool having a main body portion fixedly attached to a handle portion, and a head portion having two engagement projection fingers, the head portion being removably attached to the main body portion. An inlet port is coupled to the head portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Daniel L. Mikrut, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20100028169
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards a hydraulic device. The hydraulic device may include a rotor, a plurality of piston members extending from the rotor, and a plurality of piston sleeves receiving the plurality of piston members. Each piston sleeve may have a piston receiving end and a piston sleeve axis. The hydraulic device may further include a plate component supporting the plurality of piston sleeves. The plate component may have a plate component axis. The hydraulic device may also include an alignment component having a plurality of arms spaced in a non-contact relationship with a piston receiving end of a respective piston sleeve when the plate component axis is parallel with the piston sleeve axis of the respective piston sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20090290997
    Abstract: A method for reducing the flow pulsations in a tandem floating cup pump having an odd number of pistons includes determining a low noise net index angle that produces reduced flow pulsations relative to those produced when the net index angle is either zero or half the separation angle and offsetting a first rotating group relative to a second rotating group by the low noise net index angle. The net index angle is the sum of a piston index angle and the port plate index angle. The piston index angle is the angle between a piston from a first rotating group and an adjacent piston from a second rotating group whereas the port plate index angle is the angle by which a first port plate is offset relative to a second port plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventors: Viral S. Mehta, Bryan Nelson, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20090274564
    Abstract: A floating cup pump assembly incorporating a tilted swashplate structure with cup elements projecting away from either side of the swashplate structure. The swashplate structure is positioned between a first group of matedly engaged piston elements and a second group of matedly engaged piston elements. The piston elements rotate around a first axis and the cup elements rotate around a different axis causing the cups to reciprocate relative to the piston elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20090196768
    Abstract: A pump assembly with a rotor adapted to rotate around a first axis and supporting outwardly projecting piston elements includes at least one drum plate adapted to rotate around a second axis in angled relation to the first axis. The drum plate supports outwardly projecting cup elements such that the cup elements mateably engage distal portions of corresponding piston elements. A curved surface support element is mounted in sliding relation along a rotatable shaft structure and operatively engages the drum plate. A biasing element urges the curved surface support element and drum plate away from the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Kirat Shah