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).
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Patent number: 9493184Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Patent number: 9002581Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 10, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Publication number: 20140195121Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: July 10, 2014Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Patent number: 8731777Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 23, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Publication number: 20130297151Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Applicant: CROWN EQUIPMENT CORPORATIONInventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Patent number: 8452464Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Crown Equipment CorporationInventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Publication number: 20110166721Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: July 7, 2011Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Publication number: 20110046813Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventors: Anthony T. Castaneda, William W. McCroskey, James F. Schloemer, Mark E. Schumacher, Vernon W. Siefring, Timothy A. Wellman
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Publication number: 20040184929Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
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Publication number: 20040184928Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
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Publication number: 20040184930Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
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Publication number: 20040184931Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2004Publication date: September 23, 2004Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
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Publication number: 20020018724Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Inventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey
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Patent number: 6302654Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 29, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Copeland CorporationInventors: Hank E. Millet, Natarajan Rajendran, William W. McCroskey