Caterpillar Inc.

Stephen W Rector

Steven T Ufheil

Ashok Bellur

Robert R Siegler

David P Smith

John P Hoffman

Larry Ellis Kendrick

Steven R McCoy

Val G Boucher

Dennis J Hausman

Gerald D Hardy

Samir Med Kherat

Douglas D Schumann

Gwenne A Henricks

Glenda D Tullis

Paul J Piasse

David E Wiesehan

A short range peer-to-peer communications system for communicating between mobile machines includes a first machine having a first prime mover, a first ground engaging drive mechanism operatively connected to the first prime mover to propel the first machine about a work site, and a first peer-to-peer transmitter system on the first machine for transmitting a first signal indicative of a characteristic associated with operating of the first machine. A second machine has a second prime mover, a second ground engaging drive mechanism operatively connected to the second prime mover to propel the second machine about the work site, and a second peer-to-peer receiver system for receiving the first signal directly from the first peer-to-peer transmitter system.

Short range peer-to-peer communications system

Apparatuses and methods for configuring an input device. The input device includes a first housing, and a moveable member disposed within the first housing and extending a predetermined distance from the housing. A shaft is disposed in part within the first housing and is coupled with the moveable member. The shaft has a first portion extending a distance from the first housing, and the shaft moves as a function of movement of the moveable member. An interchangeable performance pack is coupled with the first housing and with the first portion of the shaft. The interchangeable performance pack includes a second housing and exerts one of several influences on the shaft.

Modular joystick

Apparatus and methods for restricting movement of a device. The detent device includes a housing, and a magnetic device, the magnetic device exerting a magnetic force and including a body and one of a recess defined therein and a protrusion. A magnetic body is located at least partially within the housing and is biased towards the magnetic device as a function of the magnetic force. The magnetic body includes a magnetic mass and the other of the recess defined therein and the protrusion, the other of the protrusion and the recess receiving the one of the protrusion and the recess of the magnetic device when the magnetic body is in a first predetermined position relative to the magnetic device. The magnetic mass of the magnetic body is spaced a first distance from the body of the magnetic device when the magnetic body is in the first predetermined position, and the magnetic mass of the magnetic body is spaced a second predetermined distance from the body of the magnetic device by the protrusion on the one of the magnetic device and the magnetic body when the magnetic body is in a second predetermined position relative to the magnetic device.

Magnetic detent device

A magnetic shunt device for use in a Hall effect sensor application wherein the shunt device is positioned and located relative to the Hall effect element and is shaped and dimensioned so as to shield and null the influence of the magnetic field when such field is substantially parallel to the sensitive plane of the Hall effect element. The present shunt device ensures that the null output voltage of the Hall effect element in a particular sensor application is consistent for a large number of such sensors despite misalignment problems and mechanical uncertainties in accurately arranging the magnetic devices that generate the magnetic field relative to the Hall effect element at the null or &ldquo;no action&rdquo; position of the sensor. The present device also obviates the requirement to use additional electronic circuitry to adjust the output voltage of the Hall effect element at the null or &ldquo;no action&rdquo; position.

Magnetic shunt device for hall effect applications

An apparatus and method for magnetically activating an output signal from a keyswitch. The rotation of a keyswitch rotates a magnetic device into a first position. A magnetic sensing device detects the magnetic field created by the magnetic device, and transmits a flag signal.

Magnetically coupled keystart switch

In one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for retaining a printed circuit board includes a hollow shell structure having an aperture and an inner slot for receiving the printed circuit board and a mounting bracket including a frame portion for receiving the shell structure. A rim extends around the perimeter of the aperture and flexible flanges extend from at least a portion of the rim. The flexible flanges include a neck portion and a lower tab that provide means to retain the shell structure in the mounting bracket. The inner slot is sized to fit snugly around the perimeter of the printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is inserted in the shell structure. The shell structure is constructed of a dielectric material that substantially insulates the printed circuit board from electro-static discharge and/or other types of electrical damage or interference, as well as shock and vibrations. The present mounting bracket optionally includes support structure for mounting additional hardware components within a device and a mounting tab for attaching the mounting bracket within a device.

Apparatus for retaining a printed circuit board

The present invention provides a pressure sensing device for sensing pressure which is adapted to provide an electrical indication of a sensed pressure. The pressure sensing device has a top lamination, a middle lamination, and a bottom lamination. A pressure sensor is located within an aperture defined in the middle lamination. First and a second electrical connectors, being exposed by the aperture, make electrical connection with the pressure sensor when pressure or compression is applied to the pressure sensing device. An output electrical signal indicative of the applied pressure is produced when the pressure sensor has electrical contact with the electrical conductors.

Laminated pressure sensing device

An electrical transmission control mechanism for shifting a transmission of a machine is provided. The control mechanism includes a control assembly that has rotational motion. A plurality of contactless sensors detect the amount of rotational movement of the control assembly and responsively produce signals that are indicative of a desired speed and/or direction of the transmission. A coupling arrangement couples the rotational motion of the control assembly to the contactless sensors to isolate the contactless sensors from mechanical loading that is imposed on the control assembly.

Electrically noncontacting transmission control mechanism

The present invention provides a ride control 100 for a machine having an implement and a hydraulic lift cylinder. The hydraulic lift cylinder is adapted for moving the implement to and between a plurality of positions. The ride control is controllable between a RIDE CONTROL ON mode, a RIDE CONTROL OFF mode and a RIDE CONTROL PROGRAM mode. In the RIDE CONTROL ON mode, the ride control connects and disconnects an accumulator from the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit as a function of machine velocity. In the RIDE CONTROL OFF mode, the ride control disconnects the accumulator from the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit. In the RIDE CONTROL PROGRAM mode, the ride control sets the threshold for activation of the ride control to the current machine velocity.

Programmable ride control

An apparatus and method for controlling a variable displacement motor of a hydrostatic transmission is provided. The apparatus includes an engine, and a hydraulic pump mechanically coupled to the engine. The variable hydraulic motor includes an output shaft. The apparatus monitors rotational speed of the output shaft. The apparatus and method control motor displacement and detect and/or predict the occurrence of an overspeed condition. The displacement of the motor is modified if an overspeed condition is predicted and/or detected.

Adaptive overspeed control for a hydrostatic transmission

Implement draft control devices are typically utilized on agricultural vehicles such as tractors and on other earthworking type vehicles. Advantageously, such control systems should respond quickly to changing soil conditions, while remaining stable so that the hitch and implement systems do not oscillate or are not changed in a rapid or erratic fashion. The instant embodiment of a draft control system includes a control system that receives hitch position control signals and engine acceleration signals, and controllably modifies the hitch position control signals in response to the rate of acceleration and deceleration of the engine. By utilizing engine acceleration and deceleration rates as opposed to mere changes in engine speed, the system is able to respond quickly to needed changes in implement depth while remaining stable during operation.

Draft control apparatus and method

An apparatus for filtering radio frequency interference from digital signals. The filter uses a resistor, an inductor and a capacitor to provide a filter with a broad bandwidth capable of passing high frequency digital signals, while severely attenuating radio frequencies coupled to the digital signals. The filter is used primarily in conjunction with an electronic control to filter input signals to the control from remote sensors.

Growing community of inventors

Metamora, IL, United States of America

Stephen W Rector