JOHN E FRANCIS
Engineers in Raleigh, NC

6481749, Nov 19, 2002

May 18, 1999

09/314728

Kem D. Ahlers - Apex NC
Robert Q. Elliott - Raleigh NC
John E. Francis - Raleigh NC
Gerald L. Graf - Cary NC
Kenneth J. McGuire - Garner NC
Terry A. Moore - Apex NC

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

B60S 902

2807641, 2807631, 212304, 212305

Automatic and simultaneous retraction of a pair of stabilizer legs for a backhoe loader machine is beneficial for the operator when operation of the backhoe loader is complete. Instead of retracting the stabilizer legs by manually holding a pair of control switches continuously in a control position, the operator may simply push an auto-up switch with a single, “one-touch” contact. Once the auto-up switch has been activated by the “one-touch” contact, a timer relay is enabled. The timer relay acts independently of the auto-up switch to control the simultaneously retraction of the stabilizer legs without any further contact to the auto-up switch. When the timer relay is enabled, it sends a signal to activate the control switches for a preselected time. The activation of the control switches actuates a pair of solenoid valves which control the movement of the stabilizer legs from any one of a plurality of extended positions to a fully retracted position within the preselected time.

6363832, Apr 2, 2002

Jun 21, 2000

09/598873

John E. Francis - Raleigh NC

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

F01B 2504

91171

A method and apparatus for minimizing the loader frame stress induced by the twisting action which results from unequal travel in the actuators. The method includes the use of electro-hydraulics in conjunction with feedback from actuators displacement sensors. Each actuator is controlled by an individual control valve. The amount of extension of each actuators piston is monitored. Control signals are sent to the control valves which control fluid flow to each actuator to maintain the actuators piston extensions at the same amount.

6725105, Apr 20, 2004

Nov 30, 2000

09/726878

John E. Francis - Raleigh NC
Mark D. Shane - Garner NC

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

G05B 1500

700 75, 700172, 700257, 700 85, 318592, 60445

The present invention is a control system for conditioning movement of a work implement during a work cycle. In one embodiment, the control system comprises an electronic-hydraulic valve connected to the work implement and a computer system having a central processing unit and a memory device. The control system further comprises a mode control module stored on the memory device. The mode control module is generally adapted to detect whether the control handle of the work implement is signaling for operating in a smooth mode or an abrupt mode, and to output a control signal to the electronic-hydraulic valve to control operation of the work implement during the smooth mode or the abrupt mode. The mode control module comprises a smooth mode module and an abrupt mode module. The smooth mode module and the abrupt mode module are adapted to optimize movement of the work cycle during the smooth mode, and abrupt mode, respectively.

6182634, Feb 6, 2001

Oct 13, 1999

9/416997

Sarah D. Caldwell - Raleigh NC
Robert Q. Elliott - Raleigh NC
John E. Francis - Raleigh NC
W. Frank Landon - Abingdon IL
David M. Smith - Moravia NY
Stephen M. Sturhahn - Peoria IL

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

F02D 4102, F02D 3100

12333916

The present invention includes preventing an engine from stalling at a preselected low idle range during operation of a work machine. To accomplish this, a controller is located within a tachometer and disposed on the work machine. The controller is responsive to a first specified low idle RPM signal from the engine. The controller converts the RPM signal to an electrical signal that is directed to a relay. The relay is responsive to the electrical signal to automatically switch at least one device operating on the work machine from a first power output level to a second power output level lower than the first power output level. The controller is responsive to a second specified low idle RPM signal from the engine and converts it to another electrical signal. The relay is responsive to the another electrical signal to automatically switch the at least one device from the second power output level to the first power output level so that the engine is maintained within the preselected low idle range throughout operation of the work machine. This allows the preselected low idle range of the engine to have a lower RPM capability for smoother and more precise operational control of the work machine.

5759061, Jun 2, 1998

Aug 15, 1996

8/698498

Michael Lind Jensen - Raleigh NC
John Ervin Francis - Raleigh NC
Eric Kelly Vann - Selma NC

Raychem Corporation - Menlo Park CA

H01R 424

439402

An (IDC) (10) includes a first pair of arms (12a and b) depending from a bridge (14) and defining a first conductive slot (15) for receiving an insulated wire, displacing the insulation thereon, and completing an electrical connection thereto. A detent (20) depending from one of the arms forms a narrower passage (23) for retaining a wire in the slot. A similar detent (40) in the slot (35) of a second pair of arms (32a and b) is farther from the bridge (14) than the detent (20) in the first slot (15).

5359654, Oct 25, 1994

May 12, 1992

7/881958

Michael L. Jensen - Cary NC
Thomas M. Baum - Apex NC
John E. Francis - Raleigh NC
John C. Mason - Cary NC
Jack A. Smith - Garner NC

Raychem Corporation - Menlo Park CA

H04M 100

379397

Modules integral with the body of the assembly include one for drop wire connections, one for subscriber wire connections, one for an electronics interface, and one for a network interface device. Protective sealant material within the assembly protects contacts from corrosion and other deterioration, and from shorting. Sealant plungers and a chamber containing a compressed gas impose compressive forces upon the sealant material. Shunt plugs associated with two of the modules permit signal transmission across the modules at desired times, and when removed eliminate the possibility of a subscriber being shocked or transmitting a spark when accessing subscriber components of the assembly. The main body and the modules of the assembly preferably are integrally connected and form a unitary sealed assembly.

D335866, May 25, 1993

Mar 5, 1991

7/665148

Richard C. Powell - Fuquay-Varina NC
John E. Francis - Raleigh NC
Daniel P. Sedlecky - Raleigh NC

D13152

D339794, Sep 28, 1993

Mar 5, 1991

7/665144

Richard C. Powell - Fuquay-Varina NC
John E. Francis - Raleigh NC
Daniel P. Sedlecky - Raleigh NC

D13152