The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 19, 2000
Filed:
Mar. 20, 1998
Paul C Pawelski, Cary, NC (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A fluid cylinder assembly for a work machine includes a fluid cylinder having a housing which includes a first end wall, a second end wall, and a cylindrical side wall which collectively cooperate so as to define a piston chamber. The fluid cylinder also includes a piston housed for translation within the piston chamber, and a rod which extends through an opening defined in the second end wall. An ultrasonic transducer is secured to the cylindrical side wall of the fluid cylinder for transmitting ultrasonic vibrations into the piston chamber during a first time period and receiving ultrasonic vibrations from the piston chamber during a second time period. A control circuit is operatively coupled to the transducer. The control circuit generates a trigger signal which causes the transducer to transmit the ultrasonic vibrations during the first time period. The control circuit analyzes returned energy or echoes from within the piston chamber in order to determine piston location within the piston chamber. The output from the control circuit may be used to selectively disengage an 'automatic lift' feature of a hydraulic lever assembly.