Kenneth F Stratton from Metamora, IL, age 83

Us Patents

Method And Apparatus For Determining The Status Of A Relief Valve
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US Patent:

6408676, Jun 25, 2002
Filed:

Mar 31, 1999
Appl. No.:

09/282381
Inventors:

Kenneth L. Stratton - Dunlap IL
Steven R. Genseal - Chillicothe IL
Steven R. Krause - Chillicothe IL
Patrick M. Pecchio - Peoria IL
Richard J. Skiba - Peoria IL
Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL
International Classification:

G01M 1900
US Classification:

73 172
Abstract:

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for determining a status of a relief valve located within a fluid system having a pump and an actuator valve. The fluid system is located on an earth moving machine, and the pump delivers fluid to the actuator through the actuator valve. The system includes a pressure compensation assembly adapted to control the fluid pressure of the system by bypassing fluid flow. The system also includes a relief valve, and a pressure sensor. The method includes the steps of positioning the actuator valve in a closed position, deactivating the pressure compensation assembly, and sensing a relief pressure of the system.

Calibration System And Method For Work Machines Using Electro Hydraulic Controls
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US Patent:

6615114, Sep 2, 2003
Filed:

Dec 15, 1999
Appl. No.:

09/464469
Inventors:

Richard J. Skiba - Peoria IL
Kenneth L. Stratton - Dunlap IL
Jean-Jacques Clar - Tremont IL
Steven R. Genseal - Chillicothe IL
Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL
International Classification:

G05B 1300
US Classification:

700275, 73 101, 172 2, 700254, 700301, 701 50, 702105
Abstract:

A calibration system for use on a work machine wherein electro hydraulic controls are utilized to control the operation of a particular work element, the present calibration system being operable in both a semi-automatic mode and an automatic mode. In the semi-automatic mode, operator interaction is required and the calibration process is preferably initialized and controlled via a service tool which is in communication with a work machine controller. A command signal having a command signal value indicative of a command state of the component being calibrated is generated by a command signal generator, and a detector in communication with the component receives the component signal and detects when the component has reached the command state, and generates a detector signal having a value representing a calibration factor to be used in correlating the component signal value with the actual state of the component. In the automatic mode, no operator interaction is required and the controller automatically and dynamically correlates and compares the current state of the particular component being calibrated with its last stored state and thereafter calibrates the component upon detecting a difference therebetween.

Site Profile Based Control System And Method For Controlling A Work Implement
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US Patent:

6845311, Jan 18, 2005
Filed:

Nov 4, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/701273
Inventors:

Kenneth Lee Stratton - Dunlap IL, US
Daniel E. Henderson - Washington IL, US
Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL
International Classification:

E02F 376
US Classification:

701 50, 37348, 37417, 34087016
Abstract:

An automatic control system for a work machine includes a positioning system, a site model, and a controller. The work machine operates at a work site containing material to be operated on by the work machine. The positioning system determines a relative location of the work machine within the work site and produces a machine position signal. The site model contains data related to a condition of the material. The controller is coupled to the site model, receives the machine position signal and determines a current condition of the material as a function of the position signal and the site model, and controls the work machine as a function of the current condition of the material.

Automated Lost Load Response System
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US Patent:

7594441, Sep 29, 2009
Filed:

Sep 27, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/905042
Inventors:

Adam John Gudat - Chillicothe IL, US
Bradley Scott Kriel - Peoria IL, US
Kenneth Lee Stratton - Dunlap IL, US
Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL
International Classification:

G01B 5/30
E01C 23/00
US Classification:

73760, 73146
Abstract:

An automated lost load response system for work machines is disclosed. The response system has a first sensor situated to detect the contour of the road surface forward of a first machine, and a second sensor situated to detect the contour of the road surface rearward of the first machine. Each of the first and second sensors generates a signal corresponding to its detection of the contour of the road surface. The response system also has a controller that is in communication with both sensors. The controller is configured to provide a load loss warning based on the signals.

System And Method For Controlling An Implement Based Upon A Gear Shift
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US Patent:

7654335, Feb 2, 2010
Filed:

Feb 8, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/349165
Inventors:

Kenneth Lee Stratton - Dunlap IL, US
Assignee:

Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC - Dayton OH
International Classification:

A01B 63/111
US Classification:

172 45, 172 2
Abstract:

Systems and methods for controlling an implement based upon a gear shift include a shift detector circuit which detects a direction of the gear shift and an implement controller circuit which adjusts an implement in response to the direction of the gear shift.

System And Method For Automatically Adjusting Control Gains On An Earthmoving Machine
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US Patent:

7677323, Mar 16, 2010
Filed:

Mar 15, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/374971
Inventors:

Kenneth Lee Stratton - Dunlap IL, US
Randall Dean Pruitt - Washington IL, US
Assignee:

Caterpillar Trimble Control Technologies LLC - Dayton OH
International Classification:

A01B 63/12
US Classification:

172 7
Abstract:

System and method for automatically adjusting control gains on an earthmoving machine include a control system for controlling mechanisms that supply power to an earthmoving implement. The gains associated with the force to the implement are automatically adjusted depending on a blade load that may be determined by a calculation of torque attributable to a blade load. The control gains include a proportional gain and a derivative gain that may be used to determine a control effort lift command associated with the control gains for supplying an appropriate gain to the mechanisms that control the implement.

Method And System Of Enabling A Software Option On A Remote Machine
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US Patent:

7761921, Jul 20, 2010
Filed:

Oct 31, 2003
Appl. No.:

10/699125
Inventors:

Julie A. Gannon - Washington IL, US
Steven W. O'Neal - Bartonville IL, US
April D. Scott - Dunlap IL, US
Vernon R. Smith - Peoria IL, US
Kenneth L. Stratton - Dunlap IL, US
Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL
International Classification:

G06F 7/04
G06F 17/30
H04N 7/16
US Classification:

726 26, 700 90
Abstract:

The present disclosure is associated with a user requesting access to the software option associated with a machine, a remote facility receiving the request, authorizing access to the software option, and sending an enabling signal to enable the software. The enabling signal (e. g. , a software key) may then be used to access and use the software option. An intermediary may be used to authenticate the enabling signal.

Acceleration Based Automated Slip Control System
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US Patent:

7779947, Aug 24, 2010
Filed:

Jan 31, 2007
Appl. No.:

11/700193
Inventors:

Kenneth L. Stratton - Dunlap IL, US
Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL
International Classification:

B60K 41/02
US Classification:

180197, 180 91, 701 90
Abstract:

A system for controlling slip of a machine is disclosed. The system has a power source configured to produce a power output, at least one driven traction device, and a transmission operably connected to transmit the power output from the power source to the at least one driven traction device. The system further has at least one sensor configured to detect an acceleration of the machine and to generate a corresponding signal, and a controller configured to receive the signal and to reduce a magnitude of power or torque transmitted to the at least one driven traction device when the detected acceleration indicates slip of the at least one driven traction device.