Patents Assigned to CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • Publication number: 20220072688
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for tensioning a connecting element fastened to a component to be tightened, which comprises an engagement element having an engagement section receiving and holding the connecting element, a support element configured to support the device against the component, and an actuating unit having a fluid chamber for receiving a fluid, wherein the actuating unit is configured to manipulate a volume of the fluid chamber so as to move the engagement element relative to the support element. The device further comprises a vent opening fluid-communicatively connectable to the fluid chamber which is disposed in the region of the engagement section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Inigo GUISASOLA, Daniela Ehlers, Michael Weitzel
  • Publication number: 20220065142
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method of determining a lubrication oil condition of a stationary gas engine comprising the steps of retrieving a lubrication oil temperature information and retrieving a lubrication oil level information from a lubrication oil level sensor, wherein the lubrication oil level sensor is a capacitance sensor, and a step of normalizing a lubrication oil level information over the lubrication oil temperature information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Darshit SHAH, Jan-Rudolf SPITZER, Markus FRANK
  • Publication number: 20220065156
    Abstract: The present invention pertains to a spark plug for an internal combustion engine, comprising a metal outer shell extending in a longitudinal direction from a proximal end to a distal tip end configured to be oriented towards a combustion chamber, said outer shell comprising a fixation portion for attachment of the spark plug to a metal sleeve of the internal combustion engine and arranged at a region proximal of the tip end, wherein the outer shell furthermore comprises a first contact surface arranged at a region distal of the fixation portion and configured to contact a distal end of the sleeve, when the spark plug is attached to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: lnigo Guisasola
  • Publication number: 20220055193
    Abstract: The present invention refers to system for tensioning at least one connecting element fastened to a component to be tightened, The system comprises at least one connecting element tensioning device having an engagement element connectable to the connecting element, and an actuating unit for translating a rotational movement applied to an actuating element into a translational movement of the engagement element relative to the component; at least one electric actuator for rotationally actuating the actuating element; and a control unit (CPU) for actuating the at least one electric actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 24, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Inigo GUISASOLA
  • Publication number: 20220040835
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a device for tensioning a connecting element fastened to a component be tightened, comprising a fixation element for holding the connecting element; a support element for supporting the device against the component; and an actuating unit with a fluid chamber for receiving a fluid and a piston which is translationally guided in the fixation element. The actuating unit is configured for manipulating a volume of the fluid chamber by translationally actuating the piston so as to move the fixation element relative to the support element. The piston is coupled to the fixation element by means of at least one ball or roller screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Inigo Guisasola
  • Patent number: 11224946
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a connecting rod relative to one or more components underlying a cylinder of an engine block, in tandem with assembling a cylinder liner to the cylinder of the engine block. The apparatus has a holder mechanism releasably holding a bottom end of the cylinder liner. A portion of the holder mechanism is configured to extend beyond the bottom end of the cylinder liner to define a groove that is disposed parallel to a circumference of the cylinder liner. A link pivotally connects the cylinder liner to the connecting rod. The link includes a first end defining a pin that is slidably engaged with the groove of the holder mechanism and a second end that defines an opening therethrough. The opening facilitates insertion of a fastener for releasably securing the link to a bottom end of the connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Inigo Guisasola
  • Patent number: 11207767
    Abstract: A screw tensioning device for tensioning or loosing tensionable screw connections comprises a fixation element to be connected to a screw, a support element moveable relative to the fixation element. The support element is arranged moveable relative to the fixation element to apply tension to or remove tension from the screw. A piston is positioned and movable within the fixation element. A volume containing a hydraulic fluid is defined at least partly by the piston, the fixation element or the support element. The movement of the piston manipulates the volume and thereby moves the fixation element with respect to the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Inigo Guisasola
  • Patent number: 11014739
    Abstract: A cover assembly is disclosed. The cover assembly may cover a gap between a first container and a second container. The cover assembly may have a first rigid element. The cover assembly may also have a second rigid element. Further, the cover assembly may have an elastic body. The elastic body may be positioned between the first rigid element and the second rigid element. The cover assembly may also have a bolt. The bolt may connect the first rigid element with the second rigid element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Benno Kokoschka
  • Patent number: 11015568
    Abstract: A method for controlling the ignition energy of a sparkplug electrode of an ignition system comprises: providing a base current (Ibase) and a base duration (Dbase) which corresponds to the current and duration, respectively, of a physical model at a fixed engine operating point; multiplying the base current (Ibase) and the base duration (Dbase) with a sparkplug state indicator (SSI) based correction factor and with an engine operating state (EOS) based factor for achieving a final global current (Iglo) and a final global duration (Dglo), respectively; and communicating the final global current (Iglo) and the final global duration (Dglo) to a control unit for controlling the ignition energy and ignition duration of the sparkplug electrode. Further executing real-time energy control based on misfire flag status and, in the end, making sure that the optimum energy is into application by realizing optimum energy tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Darshit Shah
  • Publication number: 20210138593
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for positioning a connecting rod relative to one or more components underlying a cylinder of an engine block, in tandem with assembling a cylinder liner to the cylinder of the engine block. The apparatus has a holder mechanism releasably holding a bottom end of the cylinder liner. A portion of the holder mechanism is configured to extend beyond the bottom end of the cylinder liner to define a groove that is disposed parallel to a circumference of the cylinder liner. A link pivotally connects the cylinder liner to the connecting rod. The link includes a first end defining a pin that is slidably engaged with the groove of the holder mechanism and a second end that defines an opening therethrough. The opening facilitates insertion of a fastener for releasably securing the link to a bottom end of the connecting rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Inigo GUISASOLA
  • Patent number: 10961973
    Abstract: A method for determining the wear rate of a spark plug electrode of an ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprises determining a risetiine number indicating the time required for raising the current and thereby the primary energy which is supplied to an ignition coil of the spark plug from an inactive level to a predetermined level, determining an operating condition indicator configured to indicate an operating condition of the ignition system, determining a wear rate of the spark plug electrode based on a difference of a first spark plug state indicator at a first time instance and a second spark plug state indicator at a second time instance, wherein the first time instance and the second time instance are separated by a predetermined time interval, wherein the spark plug state indicator is determined as a value based on the risetime number and the operating condition indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Darshit Shah
  • Patent number: 10590903
    Abstract: A method for monitoring an ignition system including a spark plug of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The method comprises determining an operation value associated with an electrical parameter indicative of an operation of the ignition system during actuation of the spark plug. The method further comprises determining at least one parameter indicative of a current engine operation condition of the internal combustion engine, and determining a current spark plug state of the spark plug based on the at least one engine parameter and the operation value associated with the electrical parameter of the ignition system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Darshit Shah, Heiko Lenhardt
  • Publication number: 20200003173
    Abstract: A method for controlling the ignition energy of a sparkplug electrode of an ignition system comprises: providing a base current (Ibase) and a base duration (Dbase) which corresponds to the current and duration, respectively, of a physical model at a fixed engine operating point; multiplying the base current (Ibase) and the base duration (Dbase) with a sparkplug state indicator (SSI) based correction factor and with an engine operating state (EOS) based factor for achieving a final global current (Iglo) and a final global duration (Dglo), respectively; and communicating the final global current (Iglo) and the final global duration (Dglo) to a control unit for controlling the ignition energy and ignition duration of the sparkplug electrode. Further executing real-time energy control based on misfire flag status and, in the end, making sure that the optimum energy is into application by realizing optimum energy tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Darshit Shah
  • Publication number: 20190376486
    Abstract: A method for determining the wear rate of a spark plug electrode of an ignition system of an internal combustion engine comprises determining a risetiine number indicating the time required for raising the current and thereby the primary energy which is supplied to an ignition coil of the spark plug from an inactive level to a predetermined level, determining an operating condition indicator configured to indicate an operating condition of the ignition system, determining a wear rate of the spark plug electrode based on a difference of a first spark plug state indicator at a first time instance and a second spark plug state indicator at a second time instance, wherein the first time instance and the second time instance are separated by a predetermined time interval, wherein the spark plug state indicator is determined as a value based on the risetime number and the operating condition indicator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2019
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Darshit Shah
  • Patent number: 10337396
    Abstract: A prechamber assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The prechamber assembly may have a prechamber housing with a first prechamber housing portion and a second prechamber housing portion. The first prechamber housing portion and the second prechamber housing portion may define a prechamber volume. The prechamber assembly may also have a cooling system. The cooling system may be configured to cool at least one of the first prechamber housing portion and the second prechamber housing portion based on a flow of a cooling fluid through the cooling system. The cooling system may have at least one cooling channel formed within the prechamber housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Maier
  • Patent number: 10208652
    Abstract: A pre-chamber body for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The pre-chamber body may have a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber body may also have a flow transfer passage, which may fluidly connect the pre-chamber and an exterior of the pre-chamber body. In addition, the pre-chamber body may have at least one backflow channel, which may fluidly connect the pre-chamber and the flow transfer passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Maier, Enrico Drehobl
  • Patent number: 10208653
    Abstract: A pre-chamber body for an engine is disclosed. The pre-chamber body may have a pre-chamber. The pre-chamber body may also have flow transfer channels fluidly connecting the pre-chamber and an exterior of the pre-chamber body. Each flow transfer channel extends along a flow transfer channel axis (B) from an inner opening via a throat section to an outer opening. A cross-section of the flow transfer channels converges from a first cross section (A1) of the inner opening to a second cross-section (A2) of the throat section and diverges from the second cross-section (A2) to a third cross-section (A3) of the outer opening along the flow transfer channel axis (B). At least one of the inner opening and the outer opening has an oval shape with a maximum diameter (a1, a3) and a minimum diameter (b1, b3), the maximum diameter (a1, a3) being greater than the minimum diameter (b1, b3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Maier
  • Patent number: 10113512
    Abstract: A gas mixer for mixing gaseous fuel and air for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The gas mixer may have a housing defining an air path for mixing the gaseous fuel and the air within the air path. The housing may have a narrowed portion. The gas mixer may also have a displacement body axially displaceable and coaxially arranged within the air path. The displacement body and the housing may define an air passage disposed at the narrowed portion. The gas mixer may further have a fuel inlet fluidly connected to the air passage. The fuel inlet may be configured to supply gaseous fuel to the air passage. Further, the gas mixer may have an adjusting unit disposed at least partially within the air path. The adjusting unit may be connected to the displacement body and may be configured to axially displace the displacement body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Böwing, Steffen Gruber
  • Patent number: 10041438
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine may have a cylinder that defines a combustion chamber for combusting an air/fuel mixture. The engine may also have a piston reciprocally movable within the cylinder between a top dead center (TDC) and a bottom dead center (BDC). The piston may have an uppermost piston ring configured to sealingly contact the cylinder. The engine may have an annular crevice facing the combustion chamber. The crevice may be defined by the cylinder, the piston, and the uppermost piston ring. The engine may also have a flow channel fluidly connected to the combustion chamber. The flow channel may direct unburned air/fuel-mixture out of the combustion chamber. The at least one flow channel may be fluidly connected to the annular crevice for a crank angle range of about 85° to 95° and about 265° to 275° after the top dead center (TDC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Karl Stellwagen
  • Publication number: 20180215022
    Abstract: A screw tensioning device 2, 102 for tensioning or loosing tensionable screw connections comprises a fixation element 4, 104 to be connected to a screw 6, 106, a support element 8, 108 moveable relative to the fixation element 4, 104. The support element 8, 108 is arranged moveable relative to the fixation element 4, 104 to apply tension to or remove tension from the screw 6, 106. A piston 10, 110 is positioned and movable within the fixation element 4, 104. A volume 8, 108 containing a hydraulic fluid is defined at least partly by the piston 10, 110, the fixation element 4, 104 or the support element 8, 108. The movement of the piston 10, 110 manipulates the volume 8, 108 and thereby moves the fixation element 4, 104 with respect to the support element 8, 108.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Energy Solutions GmbH
    Inventor: Inigo Guisasola