Caterpillar Inc.

John M Spangler

Mark E Dietz

Connor John Haas

Anca Marcu

Joseph Jeffery Every

Bao Feng

Daniel Patrick Vertenten

Brent Skinner

Salwa Batour Zoghbi

David G Bilson

Jonathan Savage

Gregory Osborn

Jonathan Chase Catton

Alexander C Striegel

George M Mitchell

A seal ring for a seal assembly includes a body and a seal flange. The body is generally cylindrical, extending along a longitudinal axis between a load end and a seal end. The seal flange is disposed adjacent the seal end of the body, projecting radially in a circumscribing manner from the body. The seal flange includes a sealing face having a sealing band for sealing contact with a mating seal ring. A layer of coating composition formulated to help increase the corrosion resistance of the seal ring is applied to at least the body. A mask is applied to the seal ring to cover at least a portion of the seal ring having the layer of coating composition applied thereto such that the sealing band remains exposed. The sealing band is polished by an isotropic finishing process. The mask is removed after the sealing band is isotropically polished.

Appliance for making isotropically finished seal ring of seal assembly for machine

Method and appliance for making isotropically finished seal ring of seal assembly for machine

A process and system to protect an apparatus such as parts, components, equipment, vehicles and the like from environmental effects such as corrosion or rust using the oil-based VCI and a water-based film. In one aspect of the disclosure, the water-based film can be applied on top of a layer of an oil-based VCI that has been applied on an apparatus such as a vehicle (described below). In other aspects of the disclosure, the oil-based VCI is mixed in with the water-based film and then applied on top of the apparatus. In still other aspect of the disclosure, the oil-based VCI is applied on top of a layer of water-based film that has been applied to the apparatus.

Corrosion preventative film

A seal having a body defining an inner surface and an outer surface. The seal includes a layer of coating deposited on the body, the layer of coating including a material exhibiting oleophobic and hydrophobic properties for both the inner surface and the outer surface.

Coating for seal assembly

A modular manufacturing line includes first and second modular manufacturing stations. Each station includes a framework defining a manufacturing space, and an overhead friction drive system supported on the framework for moving a suspended article through the manufacturing space. A control system is in communication with each drive system and is configured to simultaneously control a first article at the first station according to one operation pattern and control a second article at the second station according to a different operation pattern. A work tool including a work tool spray nozzle is positioned at the first station and is movable along a floor mounted work tool support track. The first article moves through an article pathway volume that intersects with a work tool pathway volume defined by the work tool movement.

Modular manufacturing line including work tool having work tool spray nozzle and method of operation therefor

A method for coating a metallic substrate includes applying a powder coating composition to a majority of a surface of the metallic substrate, and applying an autodepositable coating composition to less than the majority of the surface of the metallic substrate. According to a preferred embodiment, the powder coating composition is applied to at least one continuous surface of the metallic substrate, while the autodepositable coating composition is applied to at least one discontinuous surface, such as an edge, of the metallic substrate.

Method for coating a metallic substrate with a powder coating composition and an autodepositable coating composition

A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of manufacturing modules positioned in series. Each of the manufacturing modules includes a utility transfer module for transferring at least one of electric power, fluid, and data through the manufacturing module. Each utility transfer module includes an entry port for engaging a utility transfer module of a preceding manufacturing module and an exit port for engaging a utility transfer module of a succeeding manufacturing module.

Modular manufacturing chain including a utility transfer module and method of operation therefor

A paint line includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. Each modular manufacturing station includes an article transportation device for moving at least one carrier through the modular manufacturing station. At least one of the modular manufacturing stations includes a piece of paint application equipment. A control system is in communication with each article transportation device and configured to independently move the carrier of each modular manufacturing station according to a unique operation pattern. The control system is also configured to index the carrier of each modular manufacturing station as the carrier traverses to a contiguous modular manufacturing station.

Modular paint line and method of operation therefor

A manufacturing chain includes a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series and defining a forward transport direction. An article transportation device of at least one modular manufacturing station is configured to move a carrier in a reverse transport direction while an article transportation device of at least one other modular manufacturing station is driven in the forward transport direction.

Modular manufacturing chain including a reverse transport direction and method of operation therefor

A material handling system includes a composite beam including an upper rail and a lower track connected through a plurality of spaced apart transverse members. A trolley includes an upper set of wheels and a lower set of wheels. The lower set of wheels is received within two parallel channels defined by the lower track. A drive tube is positioned between the upper rail and the lower track such that the upper set of wheels are in frictional engagement with the drive tube. A drive system is configured to rotate the drive tube.

Friction drive material handling system including composite beam and method of operating same

A material handling system includes a first independent track assembly configured to transport a forward trolley along a first path, and a second independent track assembly configured to transport a trailing trolley along a second path. The second path is substantially parallel to the first path. A carrier is configured to support an article and has a first end pivotably supported by the forward trolley and a second end pivotably supported by the trailing trolley. The material handling system also includes a third independent track assembly configured to transport the forward trolley and the trailing trolley along a third path. Each of the first independent track assembly, the second independent track assembly, and the third independent track assembly includes an independent drive system for independently moving a respective one of the forward trolley and the trailing trolley and a station control system including a microprocessor in communication with the independent drive system.

Material handling system including dual track assembly and method of operating same

One aspect of the present disclosure includes an oil removal reclamation clarifier system in communication with a body of oil laden wastewater fluid and a conduit for transporting the fluid to the reclamation clarifier system. The reclamation clarifier system includes an oil removal mixing containment device having an influent port, an agent inlet, a sludge collection section in a lower portion of the device for collecting the dispersed liquid, a sludge outlet, and, at least one decant valves located on or near an upper portion of a sidewall of the oil removal clarifier device for permitting unsettled material to exit from the clarifier.

Oil removal reclamation clarifier system and process for use

A control system for a manufacturing chain having a plurality of modular manufacturing stations positioned in series includes a memory for storing a plurality of unique operation patterns thereon. The control system also includes at least one communications conduit for receiving a first position signal from a first position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station. A processor is configured to independently transmit at least one operation signal corresponding to one of the unique operation patterns to an article transportation device of each modular manufacturing station via the communications conduit based, at least in part, on the first position signal from each modular manufacturing station. The communications conduit further receives a second position signal from a second position tracking device of each modular manufacturing station. The processor is further configured to transmit an index signal to the article transportation device of each modular manufacturing station via the communications conduit based, at least in part, on the second position signal from each modular manufacturing station.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

John M Spangler