Patent 8515637

Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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Prior art

Earlier patents, publications, and products that may anticipate or render the claims unpatentable.

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To determine the most relevant prior art for US patent 8515637, we will examine the "Citations" section of the patent, which lists the references cited by the examiner. For each citation, I'll provide the requested details and an assessment of its potential to anticipate the claims under 35 U.S.C. § 102. A reference anticipates a claim if it discloses every element of the claim, either expressly or inherently, in a single prior art document.

Here's an analysis of the patent citations for US8515637:

Patent Citations:

  • US4107776A

    • Full Citation: US4107776A, Vehicle power transmission arrangements and electronic power controls.
    • Publication Date: 1978-08-15
    • Filing Date: 1975-10-23
    • Description: This patent describes vehicle power transmission arrangements and electronic power controls.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference broadly covers vehicle power transmissions and electronic controls. Depending on the specificity of its disclosure regarding hydrostatic transmissions, torque inputs, operator requests, and adjusted commands, it could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1, 12, and 17, particularly concerning the general concept of electronically controlling a transmission based on operational parameters. However, the details of its control logic for managing torque load within a desired range, as claimed in US8515637, would need closer examination.

  • US4122732A

    • Full Citation: US4122732A, Hydromechanical mechanical continuously variable transmission.
    • Publication Date: 1978-10-31
    • Filing Date: 1977-01-17
    • Description: This patent relates to hydromechanical continuously variable transmissions.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US4107776A, this reference broadly deals with transmission technology. If it discloses a control system that uses torque inputs to adjust operator requests to maintain a torque load within a desired range in a hydromechanical transmission, it could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17. The key would be the specific control methodology described.

  • US4135121A

    • Full Citation: US4135121A, Variable-speed drive system with hydrostatic transmission and electric shunt motor.
    • Publication Date: 1979-01-16
    • Filing Date: 1974-04-04
    • Description: This patent describes a variable-speed drive system incorporating a hydrostatic transmission and an electric shunt motor.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is more specific by mentioning a "hydrostatic transmission." If it details a control system that receives torque inputs, processes operator requests, and determines commands to keep the torque load on a power source within a desired range, it could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17. The combination of hydrostatic transmission and control system makes it highly relevant.

  • US4444286A

    • Full Citation: US4444286A, Torque-control with overspeed regulation and method of controlling a hydrostatic drive.
    • Publication Date: 1984-04-24
    • Filing Date: 1982-05-13
    • Description: This patent discloses a torque control system with overspeed regulation and a method for controlling a hydrostatic drive.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it explicitly addresses "torque-control" and a "method of controlling a hydrostatic drive." If it details a system or method that receives torque inputs, processes an operator request, determines a factor to adjust that request, and issues commands to keep the torque load on the power source within a desired range (e.g., through overspeed regulation), it has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17. Claims 2, 3, and 5 (regarding torque load limit, actual torque load, and torque error) would also need to be closely scrutinized against this reference.

  • US4445329A

    • Full Citation: US4445329A, Full torque transmission control.
    • Publication Date: 1984-05-01
    • Filing Date: 1980-05-08
    • Description: This patent describes a full torque transmission control system.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While not explicitly mentioning "hydrostatic transmission," a "full torque transmission control" system could involve similar principles. If this patent describes receiving torque inputs, an operator request, and adjusting the request to manage torque load within a desired range, it could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17.

  • US4593555A

    • Full Citation: US4593555A, Speed and torque sensor for hydraulic motor.
    • Publication Date: 1986-06-10
    • Filing Date: 1983-12-16
    • Description: This patent discloses a speed and torque sensor specifically for a hydraulic motor.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is relevant to the "input receiving portion" and "torque inputs" described in claims 1, 12, and 17, particularly the use of sensors to provide torque-related information (claim 4). While it doesn't describe the entire control system, it provides a key component. It could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1, 12, and 17 that rely on receiving torque inputs, and directly anticipates claim 4 regarding the use of sensors.

  • US4802336A

    • Full Citation: US4802336A, Hydrostatic transmission having a control and regulating device for adjusting the driving torque with superimposed output power limit regulation.
    • Publication Date: 1989-02-07
    • Filing Date: 1980-11-13
    • Description: This patent describes a hydrostatic transmission with a control and regulating device for adjusting driving torque, including output power limit regulation.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant. It explicitly mentions a "hydrostatic transmission" and a "control and regulating device for adjusting the driving torque with superimposed output power limit regulation." This directly addresses the core inventive concept of US8515637, which is managing torque load within a desired range. Therefore, it has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and potentially dependent claims 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 if its control strategy involves determining torque error, torque command, torque request, and a factor based on these.

  • US4813298A

    • Full Citation: US4813298A, Continuously variable power converter.
    • Publication Date: 1989-03-21
    • Filing Date: 1986-12-15
    • Description: This patent describes a continuously variable power converter.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is a broad category. Without more specific details about its control system and how it manages torque load in the context of an operator request and hydrostatic transmission, it's difficult to assess direct anticipation. It could potentially be relevant to general control principles.

  • US4815335A

    • Full Citation: US4815335A, Continuously variable power converter.
    • Publication Date: 1989-03-28
    • Filing Date: 1986-12-15
    • Description: This patent also describes a continuously variable power converter.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US4813298A, it's difficult to assess direct anticipation without more detailed information about its control system and torque management specific to the claims of US8515637.

  • US4903792A

    • Full Citation: US4903792A, Hydraulic motors and vehicle hydrostatic transmission system of wheel motor type.
    • Publication Date: 1990-02-27
    • Filing Date: 1986-09-30
    • Description: This patent relates to hydraulic motors and vehicle hydrostatic transmission systems, specifically of the wheel motor type.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is relevant due to its explicit mention of a "hydrostatic transmission system." If it includes a control system that incorporates torque inputs, operator requests, and adjusted commands to manage torque load on a power source, it could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17.

  • US4936095A

    • Full Citation: US4936095A, Hydrostatic transmission system and power limiter control therefor.
    • Publication Date: 1990-06-26
    • Filing Date: 1988-10-28
    • Description: This patent discloses a hydrostatic transmission system and a power limiter control for it.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it explicitly describes a "hydrostatic transmission system and power limiter control." The concept of a "power limiter control" directly aligns with the objective of US8515637 to keep the torque load within a desired range. It has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and potentially many dependent claims (2, 3, 5-11, 13-16, 18-20) if its power limiter control operates based on torque inputs, operator requests, and an adjustment factor, as detailed in US8515637.

  • US4981050A

    • Full Citation: US4981050A, Continuously variable power converter.
    • Publication Date: 1991-01-01
    • Filing Date: 1987-07-27
    • Description: This patent describes a continuously variable power converter.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Similar to US4813298A and US4815335A, without specific details about its control system and torque management in the context of hydrostatic transmissions and operator requests, direct anticipation is difficult to assess.

  • US5073157A

    • Full Citation: US5073157A, Mechanically variable transmission.
    • Publication Date: 1991-12-17
    • Filing Date: 1990-02-20
    • Description: This patent describes a mechanically variable transmission.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference pertains to mechanical transmissions, not hydrostatic. While some control principles might overlap, its direct relevance to the hydrostatic transmission aspects of US8515637 is likely limited.

  • US5211015A

    • Full Citation: US5211015A, Hydraulic circuit for limiting the torque of a hydrostatic hydraulic motor connected in closed circuit to a hydraulic pump.
    • Publication Date: 1993-05-18
    • Filing Date: 1989-10-17
    • Description: This patent details a hydraulic circuit designed to limit the torque of a hydrostatic hydraulic motor connected in a closed circuit to a hydraulic pump.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant because it specifically describes a "hydraulic circuit for limiting the torque of a hydrostatic hydraulic motor." This directly aligns with the goal of managing torque load in US8515637. It has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, as well as claims relating to torque limits (claim 2) and actual torque (claim 3). The specifics of how it interacts with operator requests and determines adjustment factors would need further investigation for dependent claims.

  • US5468126A

    • Full Citation: US5468126A, Hydraulic power control system.
    • Publication Date: 1995-11-21
    • Filing Date: 1993-12-23
    • Description: This patent describes a hydraulic power control system.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is broadly relevant to hydraulic control. If its "hydraulic power control system" involves the specific elements of US8515637, such as receiving torque inputs, an operator request, adjusting it with a factor, and sending a command to a hydrostatic transmission to maintain a desired torque load, it could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17.

  • US6010309A

    • Full Citation: US6010309A, Control device for variable capacity pump.
    • Publication Date: 2000-01-04
    • Filing Date: 1997-01-31
    • Description: This patent describes a control device for a variable capacity pump.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): Given that US8515637's hydrostatic transmission includes a pump (e.g., pump 24 in FIG. 2), this reference is relevant. Controlling the displacement of a pump is a means of controlling torque. If this control device uses torque inputs and an operator request to adjust pump capacity to manage torque load, it could potentially anticipate aspects of claims 1, 12, and 17, particularly those related to the pump control and determination of displacement commands (claim 58 in the specification refers to this).

  • US6170587B1

    • Full Citation: US6170587B1, Hybrid propulsion system for road vehicles.
    • Publication Date: 2001-01-09
    • Filing Date: 1997-04-18
    • Description: This patent discloses a hybrid propulsion system for road vehicles.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is for a hybrid propulsion system. While it might include some form of power management, its direct relevance to the specific hydrostatic transmission control aspects of US8515637 would depend on whether its control system incorporates the claimed features in the context of a hydrostatic transmission.

  • US6190280B1

    • Full Citation: US6190280B1, Multispeed powershift transmission.
    • Publication Date: 2001-02-20
    • Filing Date: 1998-01-16
    • Description: This patent describes a multispeed powershift transmission.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference pertains to powershift transmissions, not hydrostatic. Its direct relevance to the specific control methods for hydrostatic transmissions in US8515637 is likely limited.

  • US6427441B2

    • Full Citation: US6427441B2, Hydrostatic vehicle drive with control device and control device for hydrostatic drives.
    • Publication Date: 2002-08-06
    • Filing Date: 2000-01-04
    • Description: This patent describes a hydrostatic vehicle drive with a control device for hydrostatic drives.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it explicitly covers "hydrostatic vehicle drive with control device." If its control device utilizes torque inputs, operator requests, and determines an adjustment factor to manage the torque load on the power source within a desired range, it has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and potentially many dependent claims (2, 3, 5-11, 13-16, 18-20) depending on the specific control algorithms and parameters disclosed.

  • US7192374B2

    • Full Citation: US7192374B2, System and method for controlling a continuously variable transmission.
    • Publication Date: 2007-03-20
    • Filing Date: 2004-06-14
    • Description: This patent describes a system and method for controlling a continuously variable transmission.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): While a hydrostatic transmission is a type of continuously variable transmission (CVT), the term "continuously variable transmission" is broader. If this reference specifically teaches the claimed control system and method in the context of a hydrostatic transmission, using torque inputs, operator requests, and adjusted commands to manage torque load, it could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17.

  • US7512471B2

    • Full Citation: US7512471B2, Control device for working vehicle.
    • Publication Date: 2009-03-31
    • Filing Date: 2003-08-12
    • Description: This patent relates to a control device for a working vehicle.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is a general "control device for working vehicle." The specific nature of the control system and its application to hydrostatic transmissions for torque load management would need to be thoroughly examined to determine anticipation of claims 1, 12, and 17.

  • US7513110B2

    • Full Citation: US7513110B2, Control apparatus of construction machine and method for calculating input torque.
    • Publication Date: 2009-04-07
    • Filing Date: 2002-09-26
    • Description: This patent describes a control apparatus for a construction machine and a method for calculating input torque.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is relevant to the context of "machines" (such as a tracked loader) and specifically addresses "calculating input torque," which is a key aspect of the "torque inputs" in US8515637. It could potentially anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, particularly regarding the receipt and calculation of torque inputs (claims 2, 3, and 4), if it further discloses the other elements of the claims.

  • US20090112415A1

    • Full Citation: US20090112415A1, Work Machine With Torque Limiting Control For An Infinitely Variable Transmission.
    • Publication Date: 2009-04-30
    • Filing Date: 2007-10-31
    • Description: This patent application describes a work machine with torque limiting control for an infinitely variable transmission.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it describes "torque limiting control" for an "infinitely variable transmission" (which can include hydrostatic transmissions). If it discloses a control system or method that receives torque inputs and operator requests, determines a factor to adjust the request, and issues commands to an infinitely variable transmission to ensure the torque load is within a desired range, it has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and likely many dependent claims. The term "torque limiting control" strongly suggests the core functionality of US8515637.

  • US20090118993A1

    • Full Citation: US20090118993A1, Adapting Indicated Engine Torque During Regeneration of a Diesel Particulate Filter.
    • Publication Date: 2009-05-07
    • Filing Date: 2007-11-01
    • Description: This patent application describes adapting indicated engine torque during regeneration of a diesel particulate filter.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is primarily focused on engine torque adaptation during DPF regeneration. While it deals with engine torque, its specific application to controlling a hydrostatic transmission based on operator requests and a derived adjustment factor, as claimed in US8515637, is less direct. It might be relevant as background art for understanding engine torque management, but likely not a direct anticipation of the claims of US8515637.

  • US20090223215A1

    • Full Citation: US20090223215A1, Work machine, control system and method for controlling an engine in a work machine.
    • Publication Date: 2009-09-10
    • Filing Date: 2008-03-05
    • Description: This patent application describes a work machine, a control system, and a method for controlling an engine in a work machine.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This is a general "control system and method for controlling an engine in a work machine." While it addresses engine control in a work machine, its direct anticipation of the specific hydrostatic transmission control, factor determination, and operator request adjustment of US8515637 would depend on the detailed disclosure within this application.

  • US20090319136A1

    • Full Citation: US20090319136A1, Torque load control system and method.
    • Publication Date: 2009-12-24
    • Filing Date: 2008-06-20
    • Description: This patent application describes a torque load control system and method.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant as it explicitly describes a "torque load control system and method." If it details the receipt of torque inputs, an operator request, the determination of an adjustment factor, and the sending of a command to a transmission (especially a hydrostatic one) to keep the torque load on a power source within a desired range, it has a very high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and likely many dependent claims (2, 3, 5-11, 13-16, 18-20). The title itself is very close to the core inventive concept of US8515637.

  • US20100089051A1

    • Full Citation: US20100089051A1, Hydraulic drive apparatus.
    • Publication Date: 2010-04-15
    • Filing Date: 2007-01-24
    • Description: This patent application describes a hydraulic drive apparatus.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is broadly related to hydraulic drives. Its potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17 would depend on whether it specifically describes a control system for a hydrostatic transmission that manages torque load using an operator request and an adjustment factor.

  • US20100127654A1

    • Full Citation: US20100127654A1, Machine control system and method.
    • Publication Date: 2010-05-27
    • Filing Date: 2008-11-25
    • Description: This patent application describes a machine control system and method.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference has the same title as US8515637, indicating a very high likelihood of significant overlap. If its "machine control system and method" specifically involves a hydrostatic transmission, torque inputs, operator requests, determining a factor to adjust the request, and sending a command to keep the torque load on a power source within a desired range, it has a very high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and likely many if not all dependent claims. Given the identical title and common assignee (Caterpillar Inc. also owns US8515637), this could be a related or earlier application by the same entity, making it highly relevant prior art.

  • WO2010070961A1

    • Full Citation: WO2010070961A1 (JP2010143891A), Control device for hydrostatic transmission vehicle.
    • Publication Date: 2010-06-24
    • Filing Date: 2008-12-17
    • Description: This international patent application describes a control device for a hydrostatic transmission vehicle.
    • Potential Anticipation (35 U.S.C. § 102): This reference is highly relevant due to its explicit mention of a "control device for hydrostatic transmission vehicle." If its control device includes the features of US8515637 concerning torque inputs, operator requests, adjustment factors, and torque load management within a desired range, it has a high potential to anticipate claims 1, 12, and 17, and potentially many dependent claims.

Most Relevant Prior Art (Summary):

Based on their titles and descriptions, the following prior art references appear to be the most relevant and have a high potential to anticipate the claims of US patent 8515637:

  1. US4444286A: "Torque-control with overspeed regulation and method of controlling a hydrostatic drive."
  2. US4802336A: "Hydrostatic transmission having a control and regulating device for adjusting the driving torque with superimposed output power limit regulation."
  3. US4936095A: "Hydrostatic transmission system and power limiter control therefor."
  4. US5211015A: "Hydraulic circuit for limiting the torque of a hydrostatic hydraulic motor connected in closed circuit to a hydraulic pump."
  5. US6427441B2: "Hydrostatic vehicle drive with control device and control device for hydrostatic drives."
  6. US20090112415A1: "Work Machine With Torque Limiting Control For An Infinitely Variable Transmission."
  7. US20090319136A1: "Torque load control system and method."
  8. US20100127654A1: "Machine control system and method." (Especially due to the identical title, suggesting a very close relationship or continuation).
  9. WO2010070961A1: "Control device for hydrostatic transmission vehicle."

These references directly address hydrostatic transmissions, torque control, power limiting, and related control systems, which are central to the claims of US8515637. A thorough claim-by-claim analysis against each of these "most relevant" references would be necessary to establish actual anticipation.

Generated 5/27/2026, 12:03:17 PM