Caterpillar Inc.

Christopher J Stickling

Aaron Kenneth Amstutz

Thomas J Grabenstetter

Randall G Sommer

Richard E Livesay

Preston L Gale

Joseph W Puckett

Arun Kesavan

A system and method for encapsulating and protecting a component assembly is disclosed. A barrier system comprising a first layer having a first set of physical properties and a second layer having a second set of physical properties is adapted to protectively surround the component assembly. A continuous transitory material is formed between the first layer and the second layer at associated first and second margin portions such that the first layer and the second layer are not prone to delamination. The physical properties of each layer of the barrier system provide protection to the component assembly from various types of physical and environmental damage.

System and method for encapsulation and protection of components

An apparatus and method for providing a radio frequency identification. A barrier system is adapted to encase at least a portion of a radio frequency identification device. The barrier system includes a first layer defining a first set of physical properties and a second layer defining a second set of physical properties. A continuous transitory material is formed between the first and the second layers where they are interlinked at associated first and second margin portions. The physical properties of each layer of the barrier system provide protection to the component assembly from various types of physical and environmental damage.

A tip and adapter assembly for an earthworking bucket has a replaceable tip mounted on an adapter. The adapter has a mounting end fitted into a socket cavity of the tip, which are provided with suitable mating surfaces for transferring loading forces from the tip to the adapter. The adapter is provided with an ear that projects into a U-shaped notch in each side of the tip. A gap is provided between the ear and the notch to indicate that excessive wear has not occurred in the tip/adapter interface. However, contact between the ear and notch serves as a visual indicator that excessive wear has occurred. The notch also serves as a fuse to ensure that the tip breaks due to excessive loads before the adapter.

Tip and adapter for an earthworking bucket

A wear protection system is disclosed for protecting a parent member of an earthworking machine, such as a bed of an off-highway truck for instance. The protection system includes a replaceable wear member, which is detachably mounted to a mounting base by a retainer. The wear member is provided with a skeletal frame with a large window-like opening and outstretched legs to reduce the weight of the wear member. The pockets formed by the window opening and in the spaces between adjoining wear members fill with material so as to insulate the parent member of the truck bed from frictional wear due to material sliding over the bed when dumping material therefrom.

Replaceable wear member

An earthworking implement adapted to normally engage the ground in a primary direction of travel has a replaceable ground engaging tool retained onto a tool mounting portion of the implement by an elongated retainer. The tool mounting portion has an exterior surface with a first retainer pocket providing a first abutment surface facing in a direction substantially away from the primary direction of travel. The ground engaging tool, in turn, has an interior surface with a second retainer pocket positionable in alignment with the first retainer pocket and provides a second abutment surface disposed in a generally spaced, diametrically opposing relationship to the first abutment surface. An elongated retainer is positionable within the retainer pockets and has a pair of opposite solid end portions oriented to abut the first and second abutment surfaces such that the end portions restrict the tool from coming off the mounting portion in the direction of the primary direction of travel.

Ground engaging tools for earthworking implements and retainer therefor

A mechanical retention system is disclosed for detachably retaining a ground engaging tool onto an earthworking implement. The retention system uses an elongated steel retainer, which has a convolute spring portion between opposite the end portions of the retainer to allow the retainer to be compressible in one direction in order to be mounted through a retainer opening in the tool into a retainer pocket in the mounting portion of the implement.

Mechanical retention system for ground engaging tools

An earth working apparatus includes a first machine component and a second machine component which is movable relative to the first machine component. The apparatus also includes a motor for moving the second machine component relative to the first machine component, wherein the motor includes a motor shaft. The apparatus also includes a housing secured to the first machine component, the housing having a chamber defined therein. The apparatus further includes a sensor positioned within the chamber of the housing, wherein (1) the sensor includes a sensor body and a sensor shaft, (2) the sensor body is fixed in relation to the housing, and (3) the sensor shaft is movable in relation to the housing. The apparatus also includes a linkage assembly which mechanically couples the motor shaft to the sensor shaft.

Growing community of inventors

Dunlap, IL, United States of America

Christopher J Stickling