Michael James Ries

US Patent:

8500363, Aug 6, 2013

Filed:

Apr 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/459393

Inventors:

Michael W. Ries - Coon Rapids MN, US
Mark L. Norton - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 19/23

US Classification:

404129, 404104, 404117

Abstract:

A compactor includes a frame and a compacting element coupled to the frame. An edge wheel assembly is also coupled to the frame and is adjustable between a raised configuration and a lowered configuration at which an edge wheel contacts a substrate outboard of the compacting element. The compactor further includes a spray system for the edge wheel, and a control device in control communication with the spray system and configured to command activation of the spray system responsive to detecting lowering of the edge wheel.

US Patent:

8636443, Jan 28, 2014

Filed:

May 9, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/467433

Inventors:

Michael W. Ries - Coon Rapids MN, US
Mark L. Norton - Eden Prairie MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paying Products Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 19/00

US Classification:

404 8405, 404129, 239 1

Abstract:

A compactor includes a rotatable compacting element, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a liquid onto an outer surface of the compacting element to prevent sticking of paving material. The compactor further includes an electronic control mechanism configured to activate the dispensing mechanism, and further configured to deactivate the dispensing mechanism responsive to data indicating an extent of coverage of the outer surface with the liquid is sufficient. Related systems and methodology are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20130103268, Apr 25, 2013

Filed:

Oct 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/278870

Inventors:

Mark Lee Norton - Eden Prairie MN, US
Jon Michael Scharf - Maple Grove MN, US
Michael William Ries - Coon Rapids MN, US

Assignee:

CATERPILLAR PAVING PRODUCTS - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

G06F 7/00

US Classification:

701 50

Abstract:

A ground contact pressure controller may be configured to automatically manage tire inflation pressure in a pneumatic compactor machine. The controller may determine a target tire inflation pressure for the machine according to the parameters of, inter alia, machine weight, number of tires on the machine, ground contact area of the tires, compaction surface type, and ambient temperature. The machine may include a compressor and vent unit coupled to the pneumatic tires, and the compressor and vent unit may be configured to adjust the tire pressure of the pneumatic tires according to a target tire pressure. A unified pressure subsystem coupled to the compressor and vent unit may be configured to measure pressure of the tires, and to adjust tire pressure to the target pressure.

US Patent:

20130104532, May 2, 2013

Filed:

May 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/470968

Inventors:

Michael W. RIES - Coon Rapids MN, US
Paul A. Dvorak - Sanford NC, US
Mark L. Norton - Eden Prairie MN, US
Jon M. Scharf - Maple Grove MN, US
Christopher J. Demick - Fuquay-Varina NC, US
Christopher M. Elliott - Apex NC, US

International Classification:

F16D 39/00

US Classification:

60327, 60491

Abstract:

A drive system for a machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine, a pump driven by the engine to pressurize fluid, a motor connected to the pump via an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a traction device driven by the motor. The drive system may also have an operator input device movable from a neutral position through a range to a maximum displaced position to affect a speed of the engine, and a controller in communication with the input device and at least one of the pump and motor. The controller may be configured to gradually adjust a displacement of the at least one of the pump and motor to slow the traction device over a period of time after the operator input device is returned to the neutral position.

US Patent:

20130110363, May 2, 2013

Filed:

May 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/470934

Inventors:

Michael W. RIES - Coon Rapids MN, US
Paul A. DVORAK - Sanford NC, US
Mark L. NORTON - Eden Prairie MN, US
Jon M. SCHARF - Maple Grove MN, US

International Classification:

B60W 10/06
B60W 10/30
B60W 10/10

US Classification:

701 54

Abstract:

A drive system for a mobile machine is disclosed. The drive system may have an engine-driven pump, and a motor connected to the pump. The drive system may also have a speed input to select a maximum allowable engine speed, a throttle input to indicate a desired speed of the engine as a function of the maximum allowable engine speed, a transmission input to select a desired transmission control setting, and a controller configured to selectively adjust operation of the engine based on the throttle input and to selectively limit the actual engine speed based on the maximum allowable speed. The controller may also select for use a particular relationship between the actual engine speed and a travel speed from a plurality of available relationships based on the desired transmission control setting, and selectively adjust displacements of the pump and motor based on the actual engine speed and the selected particular relationship.

US Patent:

20210284019, Sep 16, 2021

Filed:

Mar 13, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/819002

Inventors:

- Brooklyn Park MN, US
Joel N. Thieschafer - Champlin MN, US
Michael W. Ries - Andover MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Brooklyn Park MN

International Classification:

B60K 26/02
B60N 2/02
B60N 2/38
F16M 13/02
E02F 9/16

Abstract:

A control pod bracket assembly for an operator seat of a work machine adjusts a spacing distance between a right control pod and a left control pod. A right side bracket and a left side bracket having the control pods mounted thereon may be slidably coupled to a center bracket to move between inward and outward positions. Right side bracket and left side bracket locking mechanisms are selectively engageable to lock the side brackets at the inward or outward positions, and to unlock and allow the side brackets to move between the inward and outward positions. Adjustment of the side brackets allows the control pod spacing to be varied between a minimum control pod spacing distance and a maximum control pod spacing distance.

US Patent:

20180100275, Apr 12, 2018

Filed:

Oct 11, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/290292

Inventors:

- Brooklyn Park MN, US
Michael William Ries - Coon Rapids MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Brooklyn Park MN

International Classification:

E01C 19/23
E01C 19/26

Abstract:

A scraper coupled to a drum surface of a compactor is provided. The scraper includes an inlet port. The scraper includes a first channel fluidly coupled to the inlet port. The first channel extends across the scraper in a first direction. The scraper includes at least one second channel fluidly coupled to the first channel. The second channel extends across the scraper in a second direction. The scraper further includes at least one outlet port fluidly coupled to the second channel.

US Patent:

20160251809, Sep 1, 2016

Filed:

May 9, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/149786

Inventors:

- Peoria IL, US
Michael William Ries - Coon Rapids MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E01C 19/26
E02D 3/026

Abstract:

A ballast system for a machine is provided. The ballast system includes a plurality of ballast assemblies interlocked with one another. Each of the plurality of ballast assemblies includes a body defining a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is distal to the second surface. The body includes a hollow configuration. The ballast assembly includes a first cover plate affixed to the first surface. The ballast assembly also includes a second cover plate affixed to the second surface. The ballast assembly further includes a passage provided on at least one of the first cover plate and the second cover plate. The passage is adapted to interlock with a passage of an adjacent ballast assembly of the plurality of ballast assemblies. The passage is further adapted to allow flow of a ballast material therethrough.