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:
Jul. 20, 2010
Filed:
May. 11, 2007
Stephen Fouts, Washington, IL (US);
Matthew Vande Wiele, Peoria, IL (US);
Rex Glover, Deer Creek, IL (US);
Curtis Johnson, Peoria, IL (US);
Kenneth Her, Peoria, IL (US);
Roger Obourn, Washington, IL (US);
Dan Shearer, Metamora, IL (US);
Stephen Fouts, Washington, IL (US);
Matthew Vande Wiele, Peoria, IL (US);
Rex Glover, Deer Creek, IL (US);
Curtis Johnson, Peoria, IL (US);
Kenneth Her, Peoria, IL (US);
Roger Obourn, Washington, IL (US);
Dan Shearer, Metamora, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc, Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A machine having an operator interface for requesting an action from an actuator of the machine includes a movable component of the operator interface. The movable component is movable among at least two positions. One of a magnet and a Hall effect sensor is positioned to move in response to movement of the movable component. The other of the magnet and the Hall effect sensor has a stationary position relative to the movable component. A pulse width modulator is operably coupled to the Hall effect sensor for producing a first pulse width modulated signal. The first pulse width modulated signal is altered in response to movement of one of the Hall effect sensor and the magnet relative to the other. An electronic controller is in communication with the pulse width modulator and the actuator and is configured to actuate the actuator in response to evaluation of the first pulse width modulated signal.