Caterpillar Inc.

Robert A Aarestad

John James Krone

David P Smith

Jason Brinkman

Chad Timothy Brickner

Rudy Van Mills

Paul Douglas Hagen

George M Romack

A cylinder assembly is disclosed. The cylinder assembly may include a cylinder body having an internal cavity therein and a piston and rod assembly disposed for axial movement within the internal cavity of the cylinder body. The piston and rod assembly may have an axial passage extending therein. The cylinder assembly may further include a tubular element received within the axial passage of the piston and rod assembly. At least a portion of the tubular element may extend out of the axial passage and into the internal cavity of the cylinder body between the axial passage and a wall of the cylinder body.

Cylinder with internal pushrod

A fluid circuit for raising and lowering an implement including a quick drop valve member movable between at least a first position and a second position, the first position corresponding to a non-quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit and the second position corresponding to a quick drop hydraulic fluid flow path of the fluid circuit, the quick drop valve member being movable between at least the first and second positions based on pressures in the fluid circuit produced by hydraulic fluid. The fluid circuit further including a control system configured to selectively apply a biasing force against the quick drop valve member biasing the quick drop valve in the first position, the control system providing the biasing force independent of pressures in the fluid circuit produced by the hydraulic fluid.

Hydraulic quick drop circuit

The present invention is a control arrangement that includes a detent assist assembly for assisting a detent arrangement in holding a control device in a predetermined position. Additionally, the detent assist assembly serves as an actuator for a control valve operative with the control device. Further, the detent assist assembly provides tactile feedback to an operator through the control device. The present invention is a simple and efficient device for providing a detent assist with tactile feedback.

Magnetic detent assist assembly

Growing community of inventors

Washington, IL, United States of America

Robert A Aarestad