Patents by Inventor Zachary R. Carter

Zachary R. Carter 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: 20240103061
    Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Willey, Eric J. Ruth, Zachary R. Carter, Bradley Scott Bailey
  • Patent number: 11874314
    Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A Willey, Eric J. Ruth, Zachary R. Carter, Bradley S. Bailey
  • Publication number: 20230251295
    Abstract: A system for monitoring electrical contacts for an overhead trolley line may include a wear sensor arranged such that an electrical contact on a vehicle or work machine for contacting the overhead trolley line is continually or periodically in its line of sight. The wear sensor may be configured to capture spatial data defining the surface profile of the electrical contact. The system may also include a data processing module configured to receive the spatial data and identify a defect in the electrical contact based on the spatial data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Willey, Eric J. Ruth, Zachary R. Carter, Bradley S. Bailey
  • Patent number: 9550424
    Abstract: A mounting structure for supporting one or more pantographs in a machine is disclosed. The mounting structure includes a bottom support structure and a middle support structure removably mounted on the bottom support structure. The middle support structure includes a pair of secondary front legs removably coupled to the pair of primary front legs. The middle support structure includes reinforcement members for removably connecting the top portion of one of a secondary front leg and a rear leg with a deck. The mounting structure includes a top platform removably mounted on the middle support structure for supporting the pantographs. The top platform includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member. Each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is supported along a first side arm and a second side arm of the deck, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Goldwin, Zachary R. Carter, Pathik Patel, Christopher A. Willey, Vipin Kalathil, Sai R. Rachakonda
  • Publication number: 20160152142
    Abstract: A mounting structure for supporting one or more pantographs in a machine is disclosed. The mounting structure includes a bottom support structure and a middle support structure removably mounted on the bottom support structure. The middle support structure includes a pair of secondary front legs removably coupled to the pair of primary front legs. The middle support structure includes reinforcement members for removably connecting the top portion of one of a secondary front leg and a rear leg with a deck. The mounting structure includes a top platform removably mounted on the middle support structure for supporting the pantographs. The top platform includes a first supporting member and a second supporting member. Each of the first supporting member and the second supporting member is supported along a first side arm and a second side arm of the deck, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nirmal Goldwin, Zachary R. Carter, Pathik Patel, Christopher A. Willey, Vipin Kalathil, Sai R. Rachakonda
  • Publication number: 20150134163
    Abstract: An electric drive control system for a machine is provided. The electric drive control system includes a sensor and a drivetrain control module operatively coupled to the sensor. The sensor is configured to determine one or more operational parameters associated with the machine. The drivetrain control module is further operatively coupled to a power source controller associated with a power source and a generator controller associated with a generator. The drivetrain control module is configured to determine a desired operating mode of the machine and selectively regulate one or parameters associated with the power source based on a predefined dataset corresponding to the desired operating mode of the machine. The drivetrain control module is further configured to selectively adjust an amount of power produced by the generator based on the predefined dataset corresponding to the desired operating mode of the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary R. Carter, Srikar Thaduvayi, Karl Schneider, Michael A. McKeever, Joseph E. Roth
  • Patent number: 8672380
    Abstract: A handhold assembly for a machine chassis includes a handhold and a mounting structure. The handhold includes a gripping member, an elongate member extending from the gripping member, and a locking member provided at a distal portion of the elongate member. Further, an adapter provided at a distal end of the elongate member. The mounting structure is configured to be attached with the machine chassis and includes a first opening and a second opening. The first and the second openings configured to removably receive the elongate member and the adapter, respectively. Further, a slot provided on the first opening, the slot configured to engage with the locking member of the handhold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary R. Carter, Scott M. Hauser
  • Publication number: 20130241242
    Abstract: A handhold assembly for a machine chassis includes a handhold and a mounting structure. The handhold includes a gripping member, an elongate member extending from the gripping member, and a locking member provided at a distal portion of the elongate member. Further, an adapter provided at a distal end of the elongate member. The mounting structure is configured to be attached with the machine chassis and includes a first opening and a second opening. The first and the second openings configured to removably receive the elongate member and the adapter, respectively. Further, a slot provided on the first opening, the slot configured to engage with the locking member of the handhold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Zachary R. Carter, Scott M. Hauser