Patents by Inventor Wesley Thomas Payne

Wesley Thomas Payne 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: 11506297
    Abstract: A valve body defines a work passage, a high-pressure channel fluidly connected to the work passage, a tank passage, and a cavity disposed between the high-pressure channel and the tank passage. The cavity fluidly connects the high-pressure channel and the tank passage. The cavity is defined at least in part by a first portion within which a relief valve threadedly engages, a second portion disposed adjacent to the high-pressure channel, and an annulus interposed between the first portion and the second portion. The annulus fluidly connects to the tank passage. A surface area of the relief valve exposed to the annulus is greater than a cross-sectional area of the high-pressure channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail A. Sorokin, Salik Abdul Syed, Wesley Thomas Payne
  • Publication number: 20220178454
    Abstract: A valve body defines a work passage, a high-pressure channel fluidly connected to the work passage, a tank passage, and a cavity disposed between the high-pressure channel and the tank passage. The cavity fluidly connects the high-pressure channel and the tank passage. The cavity is defined at least in part by a first portion within which a relief valve threadedly engages, a second portion disposed adjacent to the high-pressure channel, and an annulus interposed between the first portion and the second portion. The annulus fluidly connects to the tank passage. A surface area of the relief valve exposed to the annulus is greater than a cross-sectional area of the high-pressure channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mikhail A. Sorokin, Salik Abdul Syed, Wesley Thomas Payne
  • Patent number: 8997476
    Abstract: A machine includes a hydraulic cylinder configured to raise and lower a boom of the machine, and an accumulator selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator is configured to receive fluid from the hydraulic cylinder during lowering of the boom. The machine also includes a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the accumulator via an independent metering valve. The machine further includes a fan driven by the hydraulic motor and configured to assist in cooling fluid displaced from the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Lee Brinkman, Wesley Thomas Payne, Aristoteles Rosa Neto
  • Patent number: 8763388
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system has a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid actuator, and a tank. The hydraulic system utilizes a directional control valve to direct flow between the source, the actuator, and the tank. The hydraulic further utilizes a variable backpressure control valve to control the system backpressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Thomas Payne
  • Publication number: 20140026546
    Abstract: A regeneration valve for a hydraulic circuit may include a valve element for controlling flow between first, second, and third ports. The valve element may be formed with a flow slot that generates a slot flow force when hydraulic fluid flows therethrough. The flow slot may be configured so that a predetermined fluid low rate may generate a slot flow force sufficient to actuate the valve element from a first position to a second position. In the second position, the valve element may divert a portion of flow from the second port to the first port is diverted to the third port. The flow slot may be configured so that the fluid exits the slot at an exit angle that varies as the valve element moves between first and second positions, thereby to provide a more uniform flow force across the range of travel of the valve element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Kevin A. Bacon, Gang Victor Wen, Wesley Thomas Payne
  • Publication number: 20140026550
    Abstract: A machine includes a hydraulic cylinder configured to raise and lower a boom of the machine, and an accumulator selectively fluidly connected to the hydraulic cylinder. The accumulator is configured to receive fluid from the hydraulic cylinder during lowering of the boom. The machine also includes a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to the accumulator via an independent metering valve. The machine further includes a fan driven by the hydraulic motor and configured to assist in cooling fluid displaced from the hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jason Lee Brinkman, Wesley Thomas Payne, Aristoteles Rosa Neto
  • Patent number: 8387378
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a mobile machine having an implement is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a hydraulic actuator configured to move the implement, a storage device configured to store pressurized fluid, and a valve operable to fluidly communicate the storage device with the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a sensor associated with the mobile machine to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the valve and the sensor. The controller may be configured to compare the speed of the mobile machine to a setpoint and to determine an amount of time elapsed while the speed of the mobile machine exceeds the setpoint. The controller may further be configured to selectively operate the valve to fluidly communicate the storage device with the actuator based on the elapsed amount of time and the speed to cushion movement of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Wesley Thomas Payne, Eric Alexander Rost
  • Publication number: 20110083762
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a machine is disclosed. The hydraulic system has a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid actuator, and a tank. The hydraulic system utilizes a directional control valve to direct flow between the source, the actuator, and the tank. The hydraulic further utilizes a variable backpressure control valve to control the system backpressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Thomas Payne
  • Publication number: 20100024411
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for a mobile machine having an implement is disclosed. The hydraulic system may have a hydraulic actuator configured to move the implement, a storage device configured to store pressurized fluid, and a valve operable to fluidly communicate the storage device with the hydraulic actuator. The hydraulic system may also have a sensor associated with the mobile machine to generate a signal indicative of a speed of the mobile machine, and a controller in communication with the valve and the sensor. The controller may be configured to compare the speed of the mobile machine to a setpoint and to determine an amount of time elapsed while the speed of the mobile machine exceeds the setpoint. The controller may further be configured to selectively operate the valve to fluidly communicate the storage device with the actuator based on the elapsed amount of time and the speed to cushion movement of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Wesley Thomas Payne, Eric Alexander Rost
  • Patent number: 7293494
    Abstract: A hydraulic valve stack for a work machine is disclosed. The hydraulic valve stack has a base with a first mounting surface and a second mounting surface. The base is connectable to the work machine and has at least one fluid passageway extending through the base from the first mounting surface to the second mounting surface. The hydraulic valve stack also has a permanent valve assembly configured to control a permanent function of the work machine and an optional valve assembly configured to control an optional function of the work machine. The permanent valve assembly is connectable to the first mounting surface of the base, while the optional valve assembly is connectable to the second mounting surface of the base. Each of the permanent and the optional valve assemblies have at least one fluid passageway in communication with the at least one fluid passageway of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Michael Morency, Edward Lee Stapleton, Wesley Thomas Payne