Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

John Styfhoorn

Ronald C Beal

William G Clelland, Iii

Richard C Ostrowski

Darryl J Brincks

Arden E Baldwin

Duane K Edwards

Gary F Stewart

Robert C Brown

Kevin K Fanter

Apparatus and method for leak testing and adding lubricating oil to enclosed reservoirs of undercarriage components of crawler-type equipment. Barometric pressure is measured by a transducer mounted on a handle from which an elongated wand extends, the wand having a nozzle on the end opposite the handle. The wand is inserted into the reservoir and communication is successively established and terminated between the handle and a source of pressurized nitrogen, a vacuum generator and a source of lubricating oil. After raising the pressure in the reservoir by connecting it to the nitrogen source, pressure is again measured at the end of a wait period to determine if the drop is greater or less than a predetermined amount indicating seal integrity. The vacuum generator is then placed in communication with the handle to lower the pressure within the reservoir to 15% of the previously measured barometric pressure, following which oil is pumped into the reservoir until the pressure therein equals the sum of the barometric pressure and back pressure of the oil flow. Communications are established and terminated by pneumatically operated valves which receive air through solenoid operated pilot valves controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC). A switch on the handle is actuated by the operator to initiate action of the PLC and an operator keypad is also provided for manually initiating other operations.

Method and apparatus for leak testing and lubricating track joint

An apparatus for crimping connectors on the ends of hoses includes a clamping machine having first and second moveable portions, a first measuring device associated with the clamping machine for delivering a signal representative of the linear distance between the moveable portions, and a controller operatively connected to the first measuring device and the clamping machine, for receiving the signal and stopping the relative movement of the first and second moving portions when the signal reaches a predetermined setting. The controller adjusts the relative movement of the moveable portions in response to input recorded on crimped connectors.

Self adjusting hose connector crimping apparatus and method of use

An apparatus for cleaning a filter includes a support frame and a turn table for supporting the filter, wherein the turntable rotates in relation to the support frame during a filter cleaning operation. The apparatus also includes an air flow director for directing a flow of air against the filter, wherein the air flow director is fixed in relation to the support frame during the filter cleaning operation. A method of cleaning a filter is also disclosed.

Apparatus and method for cleaning an air filter of a vehicle

An automatic honing apparatus for honing the internal surface of a cylindrical member has a wheel member for tightening the honing stones against the internal surface. A brake assembly is associated with the wheel member, and when activated contacts the wheel member and when de-activated releases the wheel member. A sensing device detects the load on a first motor and activates or de-activates the brake assembly in response to preset motor load values. As the load on the first motor increases and decreases, the sensing device cycles the brake on and off to tighten the honing stones. A second motor drives a carriage assembly forward and backward to run the honing stones in and out of the cylindrical member to hone the entire internal surface of the cylindrical member.

Automatic honing apparatus

Apparatus for crushing and severely reducing the overall dimensions of used fluid filters before they are discarded includes a housing assembly having a base portion, a head portion, and side wall portions joining the base portion to the head portion. First and second cylindrical sleeves positioned within the housing substantially completely enclose each filter during the crushing operation. During the crushing operation, each filter rests on the base portion and a hydraulically operated ram assembly forces a piston against the filter and crushes the filter between the base portion and the piston. The side walls portions and the first cylindrical sleeve restrict lateral movement of the piston and filter during the crushing operation. A considerable amount of used fluid is re-claimed from the filters as a result of the crushing operation.

Oil filter crusher

Test benches are useful, for example, for testing the operation of new or repaired pumps and motors. Current test benches involve directly driving the test pump with an electric motor, the horsepower of which must at least equal the horsepower rating of the test pump. The subject test bench utilizes an electric motor to drive a variable displacement pressure compensated pump. The discharge fluid from the pump drives a variable displacement hydraulic motor which in turn drives the test pump. The discharge fluid from the test pump is also directed to the hydraulic motor to add additional driving energy thereto in a regenerative manner. Thus, pumps having a higher horsepower rating several times greater than the horsepower rating of the electric motor can be effectively tested at their maximum rated displacement and pressure settings. The electric motor also drives another variable displacement pressure compensated pump, the discharge flow of which is directed to a test motor. The test motor in turn drives the variable displacement motor which thus functions as a pump to direct pressurized fluid to the variable displacement pump, which in turn functions as a motor to add additional power to the variable displacement pump through the electric motor in a regenerative manner. Thus, motors having a higher horsepower rating than the horsepower of the electric motor can also be tested on the same test bench.

Test bench for testing hydraulic pumps and motors

An apparatus is provided for joining first and second fusible elements. The apparatus includes apparatus for controllably heating the first element to a temperature sufficient for forming a bond with the second element and apparatus for controllably moving the heating apparatus relative to the first element.

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Dunlap, IL, United States of America

John Styfhoorn