Patents by Inventor William Christopher Swick

William Christopher Swick 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: 11933290
    Abstract: An axial piston pump controller for an axial piston pump having a fixed valve plate and a variable displacement is provided. The axial piston pump controller is configured to determine a displacement of the axial piston pump, and to calculate a pump displacement control current to be supplied to the axial piston pump to control the displacement of the axial piston pump. Calculating the pump displacement control current comprises calculating a nominal value for the pump displacement control current based on a rotational speed of the axial piston pump, calculating a pump stiffness adjustment factor based on a pump stiffness control map having as inputs: an output pressure of the axial piston pump; and the estimated pump displacement, and calculating the pump displacement control current to be supplied to the axial piston pump based on the nominal value and the pump stiffness adjustment factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Arick Bakken, Paul John Cairns, William Christopher Swick
  • Patent number: 11624379
    Abstract: The hydraulic braking or steering system of a vehicle driven by a hydraulic motor is provided with a secondary supply of hydraulic pressure in the event of failure of the primary supply to the system. The secondary supply is generated by the hydraulic motor when ground-driven by the momentum of the moving vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Niall Mc Namee, William Christopher Swick
  • Publication number: 20200386248
    Abstract: The hydraulic braking or steering system of a vehicle driven by a hydraulic motor is provided with a secondary supply of hydraulic pressure in the event of failure of the primary supply to the system. The secondary supply is generated by the hydraulic motor when ground-driven by the momentum of the moving vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Niall Mc Namee, William Christopher Swick
  • Patent number: 8833069
    Abstract: A closed hydrostatic circuit with variable charge and variable flushing systems is disclosed. A variable displacement charge pump is configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydrostatic circuit. An electronically controlled pressure regulating valve is in communication with an output of the charge pump and is linked to a controller. When the hydrostatic control system detects a high hydraulic temperature condition, the electronically controlled pressure regulating valve, that is in communication with an output of the charge pump and that is linked to a controller, increases the charge pump flow. A bidirectional variable displacement hydrostatic motor is connected in parallel to two input/output lines. A flush valve is in communication with the hydrostatic motor and both input/output lines. The flush valve and hydrostatic motor are both in communication with the flush orifice and a flush relief valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Demick, Paul A. Dvorak, William Christopher Swick, Vincent Guyard, Christopher Mark Elliott, Christopher Pruess
  • Publication number: 20140069092
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump control circuit may include a pressure reducing valve selectively operable to limit the amount of fluid pressure available to an actuator operably coupled to a pump displacement volume adjusting mechanism of a variable displacement pump. The pump may be hydraulically coupled to a motor configured to provide a torque output. The reduced pressure to the actuator limits actuator travel, thereby limiting pump displacement. Accordingly, torque output of the motor may be reduced, thereby improving traction control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Mark Elliott, William Christopher Swick, Jeremy T. Peterson, Paul A. Dvorak
  • Publication number: 20120317964
    Abstract: A closed hydrostatic circuit with variable charge and variable flushing systems is disclosed. A variable displacement charge pump is configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydrostatic circuit. An electronically controlled pressure regulating valve is in communication with an output of the charge pump and is linked to a controller. When the hydrostatic control system detects a high hydraulic temperature condition, the electronically controlled pressure regulating valve, that is in communication with an output of the charge pump and that is linked to a controller, increases the charge pump flow. A bidirectional variable displacement hydrostatic motor is connected in parallel to two input/output lines. A flush valve is in communication with the hydrostatic motor and both input/output lines. The flush valve and hydrostatic motor are both in communication with the flush orifice and a flush relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Demick, Paul A. Dvorak, William Christopher Swick, Vincent Guyard, Christopher Mark Elliott, Christopher Pruess
  • Patent number: 7344465
    Abstract: A machine, including a hydraulic pump and one or more hydraulic implements connected to the hydraulic pump. The machine may also include a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump and one or more propulsion devices. Additionally, the machine may include drive-system controls operable to selectively cause the hydraulic motor to supply power to one or more of the propulsion devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: William Christopher Swick, Jerry Dwight Marr, Friedrich Konrad Diecke
  • Patent number: 7204085
    Abstract: A protection system is provided for a work machine with a power source. At least one sensor is configured to monitor a fluid parameter of a work machine system external to the power source. The sensor is further configured to produce a signal indicative of a value of the fluid parameter. The component protection system has a control module in communication with the at least one sensor, the control module being configured to derate a power source output base upon the value of the fluid parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Christopher Erik Bright, Gregory August Epplin, William Christopher Swick