Alan R Coutant

US Patent:

6904994, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Mar 19, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/101668

Inventors:

Alan R. Coutant - Peoria IL, US
Steven A. Daniel - East Peoria IL, US
Alan J. Griffiths - Wolverhampton, GB
Liam W. Keane - Apex NC, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60K008/00

US Classification:

180291, 180374

Abstract:

A power train arrangement having a prime mover and a transmission coupled to the prime mover for driving a cooling system with the prime mover through the transmission. The transmission is positioned intermediate to the prime mover and the cooling system in a manner to optimize the mechanical and functional operation of the work machine.

US Patent:

8118706, Feb 21, 2012

Filed:

Jun 30, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/216111

Inventors:

Alan R. Coutant - Dunlap IL, US
Michael G. Cronin - Peoria IL, US
Steven A. Daniel - East Peoria IL, US
Norval P. Thomson - Dunlap IL, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60W 10/04
B60W 10/10
G06F 7/00
G06F 17/00

US Classification:

477107, 477115, 701 54

Abstract:

The machine may have a power system that includes a prime mover, a multiple-ratio transmission, a propulsion device, and power-system controls. The method may include propelling the machine by transmitting power from the prime mover to the propulsion device through the multiple-ratio transmission, while controlling operation of the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission with the power-system controls. This may include determining with the power-system controls at least one energy-efficiency estimate based at least on energy-efficiency characteristics of the prime mover and energy-efficiency characteristics of the multiple-ratio transmission. Controlling the prime mover and the multiple-ratio transmission may further include controlling a prime-mover operating speed of the prime mover and a transmission drive ratio of the multiple-ratio transmission based at least in-part on the at least one energy-efficiency estimate.

US Patent:

20020190948, Dec 19, 2002

Filed:

Jun 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/883027

Inventors:

Alan Coutant - Peoria IL, US
Robert Price - Dunlap IL, US

International Classification:

G09G005/08

US Classification:

345/161000

Abstract:

The present invention discloses a method and apparatus of an arcuate track joystick assembly. In an embodiment of the present invention, a joystick assembly is disclosed. The joystick assembly includes a joystick shaft having a longitudinal joystick axis, at least one guide member through which the joystick shaft extends, at least one follower mechanism connected with the joystick shaft and operative with the guide member, and a force member adapted to urge the follower mechanism into contact with the guide member.

US Patent:

20040210372, Oct 21, 2004

Filed:

Dec 22, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/744311

Inventors:

Alan Coutant - Peoria IL, US

International Classification:

G06F017/00

US Classification:

701/051000, 701/001000

Abstract:

The present invention includes a method and system configured to analyze a powertrain having a plurality of gear members. The method includes the step of establishing a powertrain characteristic associated with the gear members, establishing a mechanism associated with the powertrain characteristic, and analyzing the mechanism in response to the powertrain characteristic

US Patent:

46191879, Oct 28, 1986

Filed:

Oct 25, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/638447

Inventors:

William W. Blake - Kewanee IL
Alan R. Coutant - Chillicothe IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F15B 1100

US Classification:

91523

Abstract:

A fluid control system (10) for selectively controlling two independent actuators or clutches (12, 14) has a pair of normally opened solenoid valves (62, 64) for controlling fluid pressure in a pair of actuating chambers (40, 42). This controls actuation of a pair of directional spools (36, 38) which in turn controls engagement and disengagement of the clutches (12, 14) such that failure of one of the solenoid valves to close properly would not allow engagement of the clutches. A common actuating chamber (44) is provided between the directional spools (36, 38) and in fluid communication with the first and second actuating chambers (40, 42) through orifices (58). The abutment of the first and second directional spools prevents simultaneous engagement of both clutches.

US Patent:

55757359, Nov 19, 1996

Filed:

Apr 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/416394

Inventors:

Alan R. Coutant - Chillicothe IL
Jerry D. Marr - Metamora IL
Sanjay Rajagopalan - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16H 4704

US Classification:

475 72

Abstract:

An integrated power transmitting system includes a hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission both being driven by an engine. The output of the hydrostatic transmission and the mechanical transmission are both selectively coupled to a work system through a final output shaft. A sensing arrangement senses the transmission input speed, the output of the hydrostatic transmission and the speed of the final output shaft and delivers the signals to the microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the received signals on a continuous basis and delivers a first set of command signals to control operation of the hydrostatic transmission and a second set of control signals to selectively control forward and reverse direction and high and low clutches within the mechanical transmission. A planetary arrangement within the mechanical transmission sums the speed of the hydrostatic transmission with a full range forward and reverse gear mechanism. This arrangement provides a smooth and continuous change in the speed of a machine in both the forward and reverse directions throughout its entire speed range.

US Patent:

58421440, Nov 24, 1998

Filed:

Sep 29, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/939266

Inventors:

Alan R. Coutant - Chillicothe IL
Michael G. Cronin - Peoria IL
Kenneth P. Liesener - Peoria IL
Jerry D. Marr - Metamora IL
Sanjay Rajagopalan - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60K 4100

US Classification:

701 62

Abstract:

A default mode control system for controlling a split torque transmission is disclosed. The default mode control system monitors various inputs to the control to detect an on board electrical, electronic fault or mechanical, hydraulic fault. When a fault is detected, the default mode control will recover from the default and then will limit operation of the split torque transmission based on the fault input.

US Patent:

44782373, Oct 23, 1984

Filed:

Jul 11, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/512259

Inventors:

William W. Blake - Kewanee IL
Alan R. Coutant - Chillicothe IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G05D 1610

US Classification:

1371163

Abstract:

A pressure modulating and reducing valve (10) communicates pressurized hydraulic fluid from a pump (11) to a hydraulically actuated clutch of a transmission at a modulated rate of pressure rise and at a reduced pressure. In order to provide a compact valve, the valve (10) has a pressure reducing valve spool (61) slidably nested within a sleeve member (46) of a load piston to provide a valving action therebetween for controlling fluid flow between an inlet port (24), a load port (26) and a drain port (27) in a body (19). Movement of the sleeve member (46) causes an increase in the pressure at the load port (26) which causes the pressure reducing valve spool (61) to move against a spring (77,78) to establish a pressure in the load port (26) proportional to the travel distance of the sleeve member (46). Movement of the sleeve member (46) is controlled by a solenoid control valve (85) having a spool (86) slidably nested within a projection (54) of an end wall (51) extending into a bore (62) of the pressure reducing valve spool (61).