Christopher M Elliott

US Patent:

7958725, Jun 14, 2011

Filed:

May 21, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/153563

Inventors:

Christopher Mark Elliott - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

60445

Abstract:

A drivetrain system for use in a mobile machine is disclosed. The drivetrain system may have a first rotary fluid actuator, a second rotary fluid actuator, an input device, and a controller in communication with the first rotary fluid actuator, the second rotary fluid actuator, and the input device. The controller may be configured to determine a desired change in an effective gear ratio of the drivetrain system, and determine a total displacement change associated with the first and second rotary fluid actuators that produces the desired change in the effective gear ratio. The controller may also be configured to compare the total displacement change to a threshold change level, affect simultaneous displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change exceeds the threshold change level, and affect sequential displacement changes in the first and second rotary fluid actuators when the total displacement change is less than the threshold change level.

US Patent:

20070023009, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

Jul 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/192037

Inventors:

Christopher Elliott - Apex NC, US
Scott Schuricht - Edwards IL, US
Travis Barnes - Metamora IL, US

International Classification:

F02M 57/02
F02M 59/36
F04B 49/00

US Classification:

123446000, 123458000, 417026000

Abstract:

A pump for a fuel system is disclosed. The pump has a housing defining at least one pumping chamber, and a plunger. The plunger is movable to draw a fluid into and displace the fluid from the at least one pumping chamber. The pump also has a metering valve and a controller. The metering valve has a valve element movable to selectively meter fluid drawn into the at least one pumping chamber. The controller is configured to receive an indication of a desired discharge characteristic and reference a first map to determine an inlet opening area corresponding to the desired discharge characteristic. The controller is also configured to reference a second map to determine a position of the metering valve corresponding to the determined inlet opening area, and to send a control signal to the metering valve indicative of the determined position.

US Patent:

20090320640, Dec 31, 2009

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/216123

Inventors:

Christopher Mark Elliott - Apex NC, US
Brian Mintah - Washington IL, US
David Alan Lapen - Peoria IL, US

International Classification:

F16F 15/31

US Classification:

7457221

Abstract:

A variable inertia flywheel includes a generally circular body coupled to a shaft, and a cavity positioned radially on the body. The flywheel may also include a mass configured to translate radially in the cavity and form an inner chamber proximate a center of the body and an outer chamber distal to the center of the body. The flywheel may further include a conduit fluidly coupling a hydraulic fluid to the outer chamber, and a control valve coupled to the conduit and configured to direct the fluid to the outer chamber.

US Patent:

20130133972, May 30, 2013

Filed:

Nov 29, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/305811

Inventors:

Christopher M. ELLIOTT - Apex NC, US

International Classification:

F16H 39/02
F16H 59/00

US Classification:

180337, 60459, 60327

Abstract:

A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic transmission including a hydraulic pump configured to be coupled to a prime mover, a hydraulic motor configured to be coupled to an output shaft, and fluid lines coupling the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor to provide a fluid circuit providing flow communication between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, such that operation of the hydraulic pump provides fluid flow to the hydraulic motor, and the hydraulic motor supplies torque to the output shaft. A controller is configured to control operation of the hydraulic transmission. The controller is configured to receive signals indicative of pressure in the fluid circuit and reduce an output of the hydraulic pump when the pressure in the fluid circuit reaches a pressure level, and a rate of response of the reduction of the output of the hydraulic pump is varied based on a temperature of fluid in the fluid circuit.

US Patent:

20130229272, Sep 5, 2013

Filed:

Mar 5, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/412354

Inventors:

Christopher M. Elliott - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G08B 6/00
G05G 9/047

US Classification:

3404072, 74471 XY

Abstract:

A manual control device for a machine includes a handle having a variable damper configured to alter a stiffness thereof in response to a control signal. A displacement sensor provides a displacement signal indicative of the displacement of the handle. A controller is associated with the variable damper, the manual control device, the displacement sensor, and the actuator. The controller determines a then present operating state of the actuator and a command provided to the actuator based on the displacement signal, and provides the control signal to stiffen the variable damper such that the displacement of the handle is limited to an additional displacement of the handle that corresponds to a difference between the then present operating state of the actuator and a maximum allowable operating state of the actuator.

US Patent:

20130291527, Nov 7, 2013

Filed:

May 7, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/465536

Inventors:

Christopher M. Elliott - Apex NC, US
Paul Anthony Dvorak - Sanford NC, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16D 31/00

US Classification:

60327, 60459

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling a hydraulic power system that includes a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor is provided. A relief valve is provided that is configured to release hydraulic fluid from a location between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor when a pressure of the hydraulic fluid exceeds a predetermined pressure. A controller is in communication with the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. The controller is configured to determine a first hydraulic fluid flow across the relief valve and determine a desired maximum flow across the relief valve. The controller also can regulate one or both of the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor to control the first hydraulic fluid flow based on the desired maximum flow.

US Patent:

20130312397, Nov 28, 2013

Filed:

May 25, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/481458

Inventors:

Joshua Callaway - Cary NC, US
Christopher Elliott - Apex NC, US
Grant Peterson - Metamora IL, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16D 31/02

US Classification:

60327, 60452

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for controlling a hydraulic power system is provided that includes a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump configured to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor. A relief valve is provided that is configured to release hydraulic fluid from a location between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor when a pressure of the hydraulic fluid exceeds a predetermined relief pressure. Above a predetermined threshold pressure for the system, the displacement of the pump is adjusted to at least a minimum displacement that is based on a total demanded flow for the system that includes a desired flow of hydraulic fluid across the relief valve and a first hydraulic fluid flow consumed by the motor.

US Patent:

20130313033, Nov 28, 2013

Filed:

May 22, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/477692

Inventors:

Christopher Elliott - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60K 28/16

US Classification:

180197, 701 99

Abstract:

A method of managing operation of a machine is described herein. The machine includes drive components that supply a propulsive force exerted by the machine on a traveled surface. The machine includes a programmed controller that controls power output by a motor to the drive components of the machine, in accordance with a slippage model, to actively manage excessive slippage at a physical interface between the machine and the traveled surface. The programmed controller determines a track force indicative of the propulsive force exerted by the machine on the traveled surface. The programmed controller further determines a modeled slippage based, at least in part, upon the track force and the slippage model. The machine conditionally causes a reduction of the power output by the motor based upon a comparison, by the programmed controller, between the modeled slippage and a slippage limit.