Patents by Inventor William W. McCroskey

William W. McCroskey 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: 9493184
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle implements a steer maneuver to hug an object. A controller on the vehicle receives sensor data from at least one sensing device and detects that a selected object is in an environment proximate the vehicle using the received sensor data. The controller performs a steer maneuver by causing the vehicle to steer such that the vehicle is substantially maintained at a desired distance from the selected object as the vehicle travels on a desired heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Patent number: 9002581
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle automatically implements steer maneuvers when objects enter one or more zones proximate the vehicle, wherein the zones are monitored by a controller associated with the vehicle. The controller tracks objects in the zones via sensor data obtained from at least one obstacle sensor located on the vehicle and via dead reckoning. The objects are tracked by the controller until they are no longer in an environment proximate the vehicle. Different zones result in different steer maneuvers being implemented by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20140195121
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle implements a steer maneuver to hug an object. A controller on the vehicle receives sensor data from at least one sensing device and detects that a selected object is in an environment proximate the vehicle using the received sensor data. The controller performs a steer maneuver by causing the vehicle to steer such that the vehicle is substantially maintained at a desired distance from the selected object as the vehicle travels on a desired heading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Patent number: 8731777
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle automatically implements steer maneuvers when objects enter one or more zones proximate the vehicle, wherein the zones are monitored by a controller associated with the vehicle. The controller tracks objects in the zones via sensor data obtained from at least one obstacle sensor located on the vehicle and via dead reckoning. The objects are tracked by the controller until they are no longer in an environment proximate the vehicle. Different zones result in different steer maneuvers being implemented by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20130297151
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle automatically implements steer maneuvers when objects enter one or more zones proximate the vehicle, wherein the zones are monitored by a controller associated with the vehicle. The controller tracks objects in the zones via sensor data obtained from at least one obstacle sensor located on the vehicle and via dead reckoning. The objects are tracked by the controller until they are no longer in an environment proximate the vehicle. Different zones result in different steer maneuvers being implemented by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Patent number: 8452464
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle automatically applies a steer correction maneuver if an object is detected in a steer bumper zone in front of the vehicle. A controller detects whether an object is in front of the materials handling vehicle and automatically determines whether a steer correction maneuver should be to the right or left of the traveling direction of the materials handling vehicle. The materials handling vehicle automatically steer corrects the vehicle, e.g., at a determined steer angle that is opposite the direction to the detected position of the object, and accumulates the distance traveled by vehicle while steer correction is being performed. The vehicle then automatically counter steers the vehicle, e.g., by a determined steer amount, in the opposite direction as the steer correction for a percentage of accumulated steer distance traveled. After performing the counter steer maneuver, the vehicle may, for example, resume a substantially straight heading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20110166721
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle automatically implements steer maneuvers when objects enter one or more zones proximate the vehicle, wherein the zones are monitored by a controller associated with the vehicle. The controller tracks objects in the zones via sensor data obtained from at least one obstacle sensor located on the vehicle and via dead reckoning. The objects are tracked by the controller until they are no longer in an environment proximate the vehicle. Different zones result in different steer maneuvers being implemented by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20110046813
    Abstract: A materials handling vehicle automatically applies a steer correction maneuver if an object is detected in a steer bumper zone in front of the vehicle. A controller detects whether an object is in front of the materials handling vehicle and automatically determines whether a steer correction maneuver should be to the right or left of the traveling direction of the materials handling vehicle. The materials handling vehicle automatically steer corrects the vehicle, e.g., at a determined steer angle that is opposite the direction to the detected position of the object, and accumulates the distance traveled by vehicle while steer correction is being performed. The vehicle then automatically counter steers the vehicle, e.g., by a determined steer amount, in the opposite direction as the steer correction for a percentage of accumulated steer distance traveled. After performing the counter steer maneuver, the vehicle may, for example, resume a substantially straight heading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
  • Publication number: 20040184929
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor rack having a plurality of compressors and a controller associated with each compressor. Each controller is associated with a communication gateway and monitors operational characteristics of its respective compressor and communicates with an internet web server through the gateway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
  • Publication number: 20040184928
    Abstract: A compressor assembly includes a compressor, a controller, a gateway and a system controller. The controller includes a vibration sensor and monitors operational characteristics of the compressor. The gateway is in communication with the controller, the system controller is in communication with the controller through the gateway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
  • Publication number: 20040184930
    Abstract: A cooling system includes a compressor rack, a controller, a gateway, and a system master. The compressor rack includes a plurality of compressors. A controller is dedicated to each compressor and includes a memory storing configuration data for the compressor. A gateway is in communication with each controller and allows the system master to command the controller to send the configuration data to the system master, whereby the system master stores a copy of the configuration data for each compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
  • Publication number: 20040184931
    Abstract: The compressor assembly includes a compressor and a controller mounted on the compressor and operable to monitor operational characteristics of the compressor. The controller also controls the compressor unloader, liquid injection, oil injection and/or a crankcase heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
  • Publication number: 20020018724
    Abstract: A compressor protection and control subsystem for a rotary compressor provides temperature pressure, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection and control subsystem. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions the pressure system monitors operating pressures and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single subsystem which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
  • Patent number: 6302654
    Abstract: A compressor protection and control subsystem for a rotary compressor provides temperature pressure, mis-wiring and vibrational protection for the scroll machine. The vibrational protection comprises a vibration sensor which is integrated on the circuit board of the protection and control subsystem. The vibration sensor, in conjunction with at least one timer, monitors the vibrations of the scroll machine and will shut down the machine when excess vibrations are sensed over a prespecified period of time. The temperature system monitors operating temperature conditions the pressure system monitors operating pressures and the mis-wiring system monitors the power supplied to the compressor. Once an undesirable characteristic is identified, the operation of the scroll machine is stopped. These protection systems are integrated into a single subsystem which identifies the reason of shutting off the scroll machine in order to simplify repairs needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Copeland Corporation
    Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey