Dean R Potts

US Patent:

6561729, May 13, 2003

Filed:

Dec 14, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/020148

Inventors:

Dean R. Potts - Maple Grove MN

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 1926

US Classification:

404117, 404122, 404132

Abstract:

A compacting drum for a work machine has first and second drum sections. The first and second coaxial drum sections rotate independently from one another. The first and second drum sections are coupled together by a controllable coupling arrangement that can be varied between fully coupled and fully uncoupled.

US Patent:

6698974, Mar 2, 2004

Filed:

Dec 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/015100

Inventors:

George Codina - Gardena CA
Dean R. Potts - Maple Grove MN
Thomas J. Richards - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E01C 1938

US Classification:

404117, 404122

Abstract:

A system for variably powering and vibrating a compaction roller on a compacting machine for use in compacting surfaces. The system includes a chassis and at least one compaction roller rotatably journaled to the chassis. The compaction roller forms the rotor of a variable reluctance motor for driving the roller in a rotational manner and for vibrating the roller.

US Patent:

6837650, Jan 4, 2005

Filed:

Dec 17, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/321190

Inventors:

Kevin J. Magee - Buffalo MN, US
Clint W. Paulson - Brooklyn Park MN, US
Dean R. Potts - Maple Grove MN, US
Federico B. Rio - Minneapolis MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 1926

US Classification:

404132, 404122

Abstract:

A split drum is provided for a compacting work machine and includes a first and a second drum section. A differential arrangement is operatively positioned between the first and second drum sections. Rotational power is supplied to the first and second drum sections through the differential arrangement which is connected with a propel motor. The first and second drum sections are rotated simultaneously by grounding either the first or second drum section with the propel motor. Releasing the grounding allows the first drum section to counter rotate relative to the second drum section.

US Patent:

7413376, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/117523

Inventors:

Dean Rogers Potts - Maple Grove MN, US
Andrew Harold Tilstra - Luverne MN, US
Jeffrey A. Renard - Forest Lake MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 23/12
E01C 23/00
E01C 23/07

US Classification:

404 90, 404 91, 404 92, 404 93, 404 94

Abstract:

A work machine for removing asphalt from a roadway is disclosed. The work machine includes a removal device configured to remove asphalt from a roadway surface, and a grinding device configured to fracture the removed asphalt. The work machine also includes a funnel-shaped ramp configured to guide the removed asphalt from the removal device to the grinding device. A width of the removal device is larger than a width of the grinding device, and the funnel-shaped ramp is configured to fold the outer edges of the removed asphalt over itself before the removed asphalt reaches the grinding device.

US Patent:

7419328, Sep 2, 2008

Filed:

Apr 29, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/117313

Inventors:

Dean Roger Potts - Maple Grove MN, US
Andrew Harold Tilstra - Luverne MN, US
Jeffrey A. Renard - Forest Lake MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E01C 23/12
E01C 23/08

US Classification:

404 90, 404 91

Abstract:

A work machine for removing asphalt from a roadway is disclosed. The work machine includes a plurality of blade members to remove asphalt from the roadway. The plurality of blade members are interconnected by way of hinges.

US Patent:

7523995, Apr 28, 2009

Filed:

Jul 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/180688

Inventors:

Federico B. Rio - Bologna, IT
Dean R. Potts - Maple Grove MN, US
Gregory H. Dubay - Bologna, IT
Dario Sansone - Castello d'Argile, IT

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 23/088

US Classification:

299 396, 404 90, 180209, 299 394

Abstract:

Work machines such as road mills having a frame supported by tracked or wheeled ground engaging support units may require the ability to move one or more of the ground engaging units between projecting and retracted positions relative to the frame without reversing the running direction of the repositioned unit. A disclosed work machine has a machine frame supportable by a plurality of ground engaging units. A support device connected between the machine frame and at least one of the ground engaging units has a lifting column adapted to controllably raise and lower the ground engaging unit relative to the frame. A first actuator is connected to the support device to move the one ground engaging unit between the projecting and retracted positions, and a second actuator is connected to the lifting column to maintain the running direction of the associated ground engaging unit in each of the projecting and retracted positions.

US Patent:

7886864, Feb 15, 2011

Filed:

Sep 23, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/948639

Inventors:

Dean R. Potts - Maple Grove MN, US
Mario Souraty - Plymouth MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

B62D 7/15
B62D 5/06

US Classification:

180408, 180402

Abstract:

A vehicle with a compound steering system has the ability to reorient both a forward and aft steering axis with respect to a chassis. The compound steering system is controlled in a manner in which one of a forward steering actuator and an aft steering actuator will reach its mechanical limit before the other, when a steering command from an operator input results in an oversteer condition. An oversteer feedback system provides an indication to the operator that the vehicle is in a oversteer condition, such as by increasing the rotational resistance level of the steering wheel to a medium level when in an oversteer condition.

US Patent:

7938595, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Apr 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/797027

Inventors:

Dean Roger Potts - Maple Grove MN, US
Mario Joseph Souraty - Plymouth MN, US
Nicholas A. Oetken - Maple Grove MN, US

Assignee:

Caterpillar Paving Products Inc. - Minneapolis MN

International Classification:

E01C 23/07

US Classification:

404 841

Abstract:

A method of operating a surface compactor is provided. The method may include supporting a base of the surface compactor on a surface. The method may also include generating a fluctuating vertical force on the base with a vibratory mechanism, which may include moving one or more weights of the vibratory mechanism with a drive system of the vibratory mechanism. Additionally, the method may include sensing a parameter of the operation of the vibratory mechanism that fluctuates in reaction to moving the one or more weights to generate the fluctuating vertical force. The method may also include automatically adjusting the operation of the vibratory mechanism to adjust the fluctuating vertical force based at least in part on the sensed parameter.