Richard G Ingram

US Patent:

6371214, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

May 22, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/575778

Inventors:

Sohel Anwar - Canton MI
Sabri Cetinkunt - Oak Park IL
Chenyao Chen - Glenview IL
Richard G. Ingram - Saint Charles IL
Unnat Pinsopon - Bangkok, TH

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

A01B 63112

US Classification:

172 1, 701 50

Abstract:

A control system implements several methods for automating work functions of a machine. Single activation of an operator switch generates a command to automatically perform a desired work function. A controller determines whether conditions are satisfactory to perform the desired function. When the conditions are satisfactory, the work function is performed automatically without requiring the operator to manipulate levers that are otherwise used to control the work implement of the machine.

US Patent:

6427107, Jul 30, 2002

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/894357

Inventors:

George T. Chiu - West Lafayette IN
Grant A. Ingram - West Lafayette IN
Matthew A. Franchek - West Lafayette IN
Richard G. Ingram - Saint Charles IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 50, 701 36, 307 91, 172 2

Abstract:

A power management controller for a machine which may be subjected to work assignments taxing the available power of the machine which automatically allocates power to the machine subsystems to ensure continued acceptable machine performance as power demands change.

US Patent:

6718246, Apr 6, 2004

Filed:

Apr 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/131392

Inventors:

Thomas E. Griffith - Aurora IL
Richard G. Ingram - Saint Charles IL
Satish Kale - Lemont IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G06F 700

US Classification:

701 50, 701207, 34235717

Abstract:

A work machine is often used to spread material from an initial location across a wider area. It is desirable to raise and lower a work implement of the work machine such that the material can be quickly and easily spread to a uniform or otherwise desirable thickness. The present invention provides a method and apparatus of automatically controlling the position of the work implement. The automatic implement control system of the present invention lowers and raises the work implement based on at least one of a directional characteristic of the work machine and a position of an operator input device. The work implement is then automatically lowered or raised to the desired position to facilitate an efficient work cycle for spreading material.

US Patent:

20020104431, Aug 8, 2002

Filed:

Feb 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/507433

Inventors:

Sohel Anwar - Canton MI, US
Richard Ingram - Saint Charles IL, US

International Classification:

F15B013/044

US Classification:

091/459000

Abstract:

An apparatus and method of controllably moving a moveable element within a hydraulic motor is disclosed. A lever device produces an operator command signal indicative of a desired velocity of the moveable element. An electronic controller receives the operator command signal, compares the operator command signal to a limit value, and produces a limited command signal in response to the operator command signal being greater than the limit value. An electrohydraulic controller receives the operator command signal and responsively controls the movement of the moveable element.

US Patent:

58732446, Feb 23, 1999

Filed:

Nov 21, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/976152

Inventors:

Michael A. Cobo - Saint Charles IL
Richard G. Ingram - Saint Charles IL
Eric A. Reiners - Saint Charles IL
Matthew F. Vande Wiele - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16D 3102

US Classification:

60422

Abstract:

A positive flow control system is provided that uses open-centered control valves in a series connection to provide priority between different fluid circuits and to provide requested flow regardless of the load pressure while minimizing unused or wasted flow. This is accomplished by providing a restriction in the last open-centered control valve to controllably restrict the flow therethrough when the valve is in its neutral position and having the source of pressurized fluid at a minimum displacement position that substantially matches the rate of flow across the restriction. A controller controls the displacement of the source of pressurized fluid and the displacement of the respective open-centered control valves in proportional to the respective input commands. Initial movement of the last open-centered control valve closes off the restricted flow thereacross to the reservoir prior to the source of pressurized fluid being communicated to the associated actuator. The subject system provides priority control and an effective control of wasted fluid while providing the needed flow rate regardless of the load without needing a special control arrangement for priority or separate bypass valve to control wasted flow.

US Patent:

20130080005, Mar 28, 2013

Filed:

Nov 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/684741

Inventors:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL, US
Brian Douglas Hoff - East Peoria IL, US
Richard George Ingram - St. Charles IL, US
Benjamin B. Schmuck - Glen Allen IL, US
Alberto Martinez, JR. - Lisle IL, US
Yaang Zhao - Surrey, CA

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR INC. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16H 61/66

US Classification:

701 58

Abstract:

One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.

US Patent:

20090143948, Jun 4, 2009

Filed:

Nov 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/987520

Inventors:

Kristofor Lee Dahl - Yorkville IL, US
Richard George Ingram - St. Charles IL, US
Alberto Martinez, JR. - Lisle IL, US
Yaang Zhao - Malden MA, US
Ellen Jean Hoffman - Washington IL, US

International Classification:

F16H 61/66

US Classification:

701 56, 701 59

Abstract:

A continuously variable transmission is provided having a driven element. The continuously variable transmission also has a first operator input device configured to transmit a first displacement signal corresponding to a displacement of the first operator input device. The continuously variable transmission further has a second operator input device configured to transmit a second displacement signal corresponding to a displacement of the second operator input device. In addition, the continuously variable transmission has a third operator input device configured to transmit a transmission operating mode request. Furthermore, the continuously variable transmission has at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter indicative of an operating condition of the transmission. Additionally, the continuously variable transmission has a controller configured to determine a driven element output request based on the operating request mode, the first displacement signal, the second displacement signal, and the at least one sensed parameter. The controller is also configured to regulate an output of the driven element in response to the operating mode request, the driven element output request, and the at least one sensed parameter.

US Patent:

20090112424, Apr 30, 2009

Filed:

Oct 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/979208

Inventors:

Kristofor Lee Dahl - Yorkville IL, US
Brian Douglas Hoff - East Peoria IL, US
Richard George Ingram - St. Charles IL, US
Benjamin B. Schmuck - Glen Ellyn IL, US
Alberto Martinez, JR. - Lisle IL, US
Yaang Zhao - Surrey, CA

International Classification:

G06F 17/00

US Classification:

701 61

Abstract:

One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.