Caterpillar Inc.

Other

Michael Paul May

Ryan Patrick Shea

Bart A Fisher

Intermittent screw thread geometry with a rapid step-wise lead feature when external threads are engaged with internal threads of reflective geometry. In an embodiment, thread segments are alternated with unthreaded segments of equal arc length along a helical path of a single-start thread form which results in an odd number of alternating thread/gap features along the helical path per revolution of the thread body. When such external intermittent threads engage internal intermittent threads of reflective geometry, an external thread body can be axially advanced or retracted through an internal thread body in a rapid step-wise fashion by turning the external thread body in either the clockwise or counterclockwise direction, or in both directions alternately, with respect to the internal thread body when a net axial force is applied to the external threaded body with respect to the internal thread body in the desired linear direction of travel.

Step threads

A snow wing assembly for a machine is provided. The snow wing assembly includes a wing blade provided on a first side of the machine. The snow wing assembly also includes a first cylinder coupled to the wing blade. The snow wing assembly further includes a controller coupled to the first cylinder and an articulation determination device. The controller is configured to receive a signal indicative of an articulation of the machine towards a second side from the articulation determination device. The controller is configured to extend the first cylinder freely based on the received signal and an amount of articulation. The controller is also configured to receive a signal indicative of the articulation of the machine towards the first side from the second side from the articulation determination device. The controller is further configured to lock the first cylinder in an extended position based on the received signal.

Snow wing assembly

A strut assembly for coupling an implement to a frame of a machine is provided. The strut assembly includes a first elongated member configured to couple to the frame of the machine. The strut assembly further includes a second elongated member slidably disposed within the first elongated member. The second elongated member is configured to couple to the implement. The strut assembly further includes a shear system configured to engage the second elongated member with the first elongated member. The shear system includes a first shear pin configured to be inserted through a first opening defined in the first elongated member and a second opening defined in the second elongated member. The first shear pin includes a first fracture zone positioned within a gap defined between the first elongated member and the second elongated member.

Strut assembly of machine

An axial piston pump may comprise a valve plate assembly including a plurality of valve plates rotatably disposed adjacent to each other and configured to control the flow of fluid between a piston chamber and inlet and outlet port passages. The piston pump may also comprise a swashplate arrangement that is capable of being angled in two different directions to be used in combination with the valve plate assembly. A fixed displacement axial piston pump may also comprise the valve plate assembly disclosed herein in which pressure transitions are facilitated in the same fashion, but without the variable of changing swashplate angles which control pump flow.

Valve plate arrangement for an axial piston pump

A coupling assembly for a machine includes a work implement having a float mode, in which the work implement moves relative to the machine, and a lock mode, in which the work implement has a fixed position relative to the machine. A pin assembly connects the work implement to the machine and itself is movable between a float position, in which the pin assembly supports the work implement in the float mode, and a lock position, in which the pin assembly supports the work implement in a lock mode. A retainer has a float assembly configuration, in which the retainer holds the pin assembly in the float position, and a lock assembly configuration, in which the retainer holds the pin assembly in the lock position, thereby facilitating adjustment of the work implement between float and lock modes.

Pin assembly for work implement coupling assembly having float and lock positions

A hard link, which is connected to a moldboard of a machine, includes a first range of float capability and a second range of float capability. The second range of float capability may provide a greater float height to the moldboard than the first range of float capability. In another embodiment, a machine includes a moldboard, a jib arm operatively configured to raise and lower the moldboard, and a link attaching the jib arm to the moldboard. The link includes two discrete float capabilities.

Snow wing hard link with adjustable float capability

Blade rake tine

An adjustable blade rake includes a mounting plate configured to mount to a machine. A backup plate is coupled to the mounting plate and includes a plurality of slots. A moldboard is attached to the backup plate. A plurality of tines are slidably located in the plurality of slots adjacent the rear side of the moldboard. A crossbar couples the plurality of tines together and a lifting device is operatively coupled to the plurality of tines and is configured to slide the plurality of tines in the plurality of slots.

Adjustable blade rake

A tractor blade assembly is disclosed having a first blade member and one or more replaceable, supplemental blade members. The first blade member has a supplemental blade mounting section extending laterally beyond the side edge of the first blade member and a supplemental blade member that removably attaches to the supplemental blade mounting section such that a side edge of the supplemental blade member abuts the side edge of the first blade member. The tractor blade assembly may include alignment structure to restrict vertical movement of the supplemental blade member relative to the first blade member and align the side edges.

Tractor blade assembly

A variable displacement axial piston pump is typically used to receive fluid from a tank and supply pressurized fluid through a control valve to move an actuator. The present variable displacement axial piston pump has a swashplate arrangement that is capable of being angled in two different directions to control the pressure transitions between the low pressure inlet port passage and the higher pressure outlet port passage as cylinder bores in a barrel of a rotating group rotate through trapped volume regions situated between inlet and outlet port passages of the axial piston pump. Movement of the swashplate arrangement in two different directions provides smooth pressure transitions and increases the operating efficiency of the variable displacement axial piston pump.

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Wamego, KS, United States of America

Michael Paul May