Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.

Caterpillar Global Mining Equipment LLC

Christopher J Demick

Paul Anthony Dvorak

Christopher Mark Elliott

Nathan S Enderle

Michael William Ries

Charles Taylor Hudson

Rex Aaron Glover

William Christopher Swick

Kurt Steven Goslovich

Ananda S Ponnusamy

Mark Lee Norton

Michael P Chiaramonte

Christopher W Pruess

Jon Michael Scharf

Satish B Nutakki

Yuvaraj Shanmugam

Vincent Guyard

Sean McGrane

The pulldown apparatus may comprise a main stage and a secondary stage. The main stage may comprise a cylinder, a main head, a main gland, a piston and a main rod. The cylinder defines a chamber and includes a first end and a second end. The main gland and the piston is disposed in the chamber. The main rod is disposed in the chamber between the piston and the second end. The secondary stage includes a secondary head, a secondary gland, a secondary rod and a flange. The secondary gland is disposed in the chamber. The secondary rod is coupled to the flange. The flange is coupled to the main stage and disposed inside the cylinder between the piston and the secondary rod. The cylinder is slidable over the main rod, the piston and the secondary rod.

Pulldown apparatus

A method for monitoring a cable of an implement system. The implement system includes a drilling device, a tensioning device and the cable, the cable coupled to the drilling device and the tensioning device in a taut configuration to define a first length. The method includes determining, by a controller, an increment in the first length of the cable. The method further includes comparing, by the controller, the increment in the first length with a threshold value; and generating, by the controller, a warning signal if magnitude of the increment is greater than the threshold value.

System and method for monitoring cable life

A control system for actuating a drill pipe rack is provided. The drill pipe rack moves between a first position and a second position. The control system includes a first actuator to actuate a top end of the drill pipe rack and a second actuator to actuate a bottom end of the drill pipe rack. The control system includes a pump to supply pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator. The control system further includes at least one volumetric flow divider in fluid communication with the pump. The volumetric flow divider is configured to supply equal volumetric quantity of the pressurized fluid to the first actuator and the second actuator, and subsequently move the drill pipe rack between the first position and the second position.

Control system for actuating drill pipe rack

A hydraulic circuit may be used for controlling a plurality of hydraulic implements. The hydraulic circuit may include a first directional valve, a second directional valve, and a relief valve. A variable displacement pump may be fluidly coupled to the first directional valve, the second directional valve, and the relief valve. The hydraulic circuit may be communicably and operably coupled to a controller, and the controller may be programmed to selectably control the hydraulic circuit between a first operational mode and a second operational mode. Additionally, the controller may be programmed to actuate the first directional valve between an open position and a closed position and to actuate the second directional valve between a first open position, a second open position, a first closed position and a second closed position.

Dual pressure logic for a track drill circuit

A drive system for a machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine, a pump driven by the engine to pressurize fluid, a motor connected to the pump via an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a traction device driven by the motor. The drive system may also have an operator input device movable from a neutral position through a range to a maximum displaced position to affect a speed of the engine, and a controller in communication with the input device and at least one of the pump and motor. The controller may be configured to gradually adjust a displacement of the at least one of the pump and motor to slow the traction device over a period of time after the operator input device is returned to the neutral position.

Hystat drive system having coasting functionality

A closed hydrostatic circuit with variable charge and variable flushing systems is disclosed. A variable displacement charge pump is configured to supply charge fluid and pilot control fluid to the hydrostatic circuit. An electronically controlled pressure regulating valve is in communication with an output of the charge pump and is linked to a controller. When the hydrostatic control system detects a high hydraulic temperature condition, the electronically controlled pressure regulating valve, that is in communication with an output of the charge pump and that is linked to a controller, increases the charge pump flow. A bidirectional variable displacement hydrostatic motor is connected in parallel to two input/output lines. A flush valve is in communication with the hydrostatic motor and both input/output lines. The flush valve and hydrostatic motor are both in communication with the flush orifice and a flush relief valve. When the pressure regulating valve causes the charge pump to operate at or near a full capacity, fluid exits the flush valve and passes through both the flush orifice and the flush relief valve. In contrast, when the pressure regulating valve causes the charge pump to operate at a lower or near minimum capacity, fluid exits the flush valve and passes through the flush orifice only without passing through the flush relief valve.

Hydrostatic circuits with variable charge and variable flushing systems

A final drive for a vehicle is disclosed. The final drive includes a motor assembly, a planetary gear train and a drive sprocket. The motor assembly includes a hydraulic motor, an output shaft, a housing, a thrust bearing, a brake and first, second and third chambers. The housing includes a supply port, a first passageway, a second passageway and a drain port.

Motor assembly for final drive

A final drive assembly for a machine is disclosed. The final drive assembly may comprise a motor coupled with a motor housing, a driven component rotatably mounted on the motor housing by at least one bearing, and a planetary transmission configured to transfer power from the motor to the driven component. The planetary transmission may have a stationary carrier coupled with the motor housing, and the carrier may be adapted to retain the at least one bearing.

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Fuquay-Varina, NC, United States of America

Christopher J Demick