Patents by Inventor Bryan E. Nelson

Bryan E. Nelson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20100021281
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a method for power management in a machine. The method for power management may include sensing a parameter indicative of a torque applied to a torque consuming device rotatably driven by a power source. The method may further include modifying a quantity of fuel supplied to the power source as a function of the sensed parameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090274564
    Abstract: A floating cup pump assembly incorporating a tilted swashplate structure with cup elements projecting away from either side of the swashplate structure. The swashplate structure is positioned between a first group of matedly engaged piston elements and a second group of matedly engaged piston elements. The piston elements rotate around a first axis and the cup elements rotate around a different axis causing the cups to reciprocate relative to the piston elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Kirat Shah
  • Publication number: 20090196768
    Abstract: A pump assembly with a rotor adapted to rotate around a first axis and supporting outwardly projecting piston elements includes at least one drum plate adapted to rotate around a second axis in angled relation to the first axis. The drum plate supports outwardly projecting cup elements such that the cup elements mateably engage distal portions of corresponding piston elements. A curved surface support element is mounted in sliding relation along a rotatable shaft structure and operatively engages the drum plate. A biasing element urges the curved surface support element and drum plate away from the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Viral S. Mehta, Kirat Shah
  • Patent number: 6986646
    Abstract: Electronically controlled variable delivery pumps produce output based upon a control signal generated by an electronic control module. The electronic control module includes programming that acknowledges that each pump may have performance characteristics that deviate from a hypothetical nominal pump. Actual pump performance characteristics are then programmed into the electronic control module so that pump control signals are customized or electronically trimmed to suit the performance characteristics of that individual pump. The performance characteristics of the individual pump are gained through testing. The electronic pump trimming strategy of the present invention is particularly applicable to hydraulic systems, such as fuel injection systems, used in internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Bettenhausen, Bryan E. Nelson, Larry R. Mitzelfelt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6896491
    Abstract: A mounting flange for housing a bearing cup of a roller bearing is disclosed. The mounting flange includes a recess sized to receive the bearing cup. A radial wall is defined by the recess and an outer periphery of the mounting flange. The radial wall includes at least one region of greater radial thickness than the radial thickness at another region. The at least one region of radial thickness defines at least one ear. The mounting flange also includes at least one flexibility pocket in the at least one ear. The flexibility pocket is configured to provide substantially uniform, radial deformation to the mounting flange when the bearing cup is fit into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Timur T. Trubnikov, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6893228
    Abstract: A pump includes a stationary pump housing having a central longitudinal axis and a housing chamber, a rotating pump shaft extending through the pump housing and into the housing chamber, a rotating barrel fixed to the pump shaft and including a plurality of pump chambers, and a plurality of rotating and reciprocating pump pistons. Each pump piston is at least partially contained within a respective pump chamber. A fluid delivery control assembly is provided to selectively vary the amount of fluid delivered by the pump. At least one pressurized fluid pool is located between a portion of the rotating barrel and a portion of the pump housing. The pressurized fluid pool may be located along an end surface of the rotating barrel and/or along a side of the rotating barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6817344
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes a first pump adapted to generate a flow of fuel and a second pump in fluid connection with the first pump and adapted to increase the flow of fuel to a predetermined pressure. A fuel filter is disposed between the first pump and the second pump. A sensing line is adapted to provide an indication of the pressure of the flow of fuel between the filter and the second pump. A pressure regulator is adapted to receive the indication of the pressure of the flow of fuel and to control the flow of fuel delivered to the fuel filter based on the indication of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Issac R. Dandan, Amy Marie Hess, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6799953
    Abstract: A pump includes a stationary pump housing having a housing chamber, a rotating pump shaft having a central longitudinal axis and extending through a proximal end of the pump housing into the housing chamber, and a rotating swash plate fixed to the pump shaft. The swash plate includes a pump inlet passage with an opening in a surface of the rotating swash plate. A plurality of reciprocating pump pistons are also included with the pump, each pump piston is at least partially contained within a respective pump chamber formed in the stationary pump housing and has an axial bore extending completely therethrough. The axial bore of each pump piston may selectively communicate with the swash plate surface opening to permit the supply of inlet fluid to the axial bore from the inlet passage. A sealing plate substantially seals the swash plate surface opening from a flow of fluid into the inlet passage from the swash plate surface opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6783337
    Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a plug having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis of the check valve assembly. The check valve assembly also includes a first valve seat, wherein the first end of the plug sealingly contacts the first valve seat. A second valve seat is spaced from the first valve seat in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The check valve assembly further includes a resilient member between the plug and the second valve seat and a spring member urging the resilient member into sealing contact with the second valve seat and the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040123842
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine is provided. The system includes a first pump adapted to generate a flow of fuel and a second pump in fluid connection with the first pump and adapted to increase the flow of fuel to a predetermined pressure. A fuel filter is disposed between the first pump and the second pump. A sensing line is adapted to provide an indication of the pressure of the flow of fuel between the filter and the second pump. A pressure regulator is adapted to receive the indication of the pressure of the flow of fuel and to control the flow of fuel delivered to the fuel filter based on the indication of the pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: July 1, 2004
    Inventors: Issac R. Dandan, Amy Marie Hess, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040109626
    Abstract: A mounting flange for housing a bearing cup of a roller bearing is disclosed. The mounting flange includes a recess sized to receive the bearing cup. A radial wall is defined by the recess and an outer periphery of the mounting flange. The radial wall includes at least one region of greater radial thickness than the radial thickness at another region. The at least one region of radial thickness defines at least one ear. The mounting flange also includes at least one flexibility pocket in the at least one ear. The flexibility pocket is configured to provide substantially uniform, radial deformation to the mounting flange when the bearing cup is fit into the recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timur T. Trubnikov, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040101419
    Abstract: A pump includes a stationary pump housing having a central longitudinal axis and a housing chamber, a rotating pump shaft extending through the pump housing and into the housing chamber, a rotating barrel fixed to the pump shaft and including a plurality of pump chambers, and a plurality of rotating and reciprocating pump pistons. Each pump piston is at least partially contained within a respective pump chamber. A fluid delivery control assembly is provided to selectively vary the amount of fluid delivered by the pump. At least one pressurized fluid pool is located between a portion of the rotating barrel and a portion of the pump housing. The pressurized fluid pool may be located along an end surface of the rotating barrel and/or along a side of the rotating barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040099247
    Abstract: A pump includes a stationary pump housing having a housing chamber, a rotating pump shaft having a central longitudinal axis and extending through a proximal end of the pump housing into the housing chamber, and a rotating swash plate fixed to the pump shaft. The swash plate includes a pump inlet passage with an opening in a surface of the rotating swash plate. A plurality of reciprocating pump pistons are also included with the pump, each pump piston is at least partially contained within a respective pump chamber formed in the stationary pump housing and has an axial bore extending completely therethrough. The axial bore of each pump piston may selectively communicate with the swash plate surface opening to permit the supply of inlet fluid to the axial bore from the inlet passage. A sealing plate substantially seals the swash plate surface opening from a flow of fluid into the inlet passage from the swash plate surface opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040091376
    Abstract: A check valve assembly includes a plug having a first end and a second end spaced along a longitudinal axis of the check valve assembly. The check valve assembly also includes a first valve seat, wherein the first end of the plug sealingly contacts the first valve seat. A second valve seat is spaced from the first valve seat in a direction of the longitudinal axis. The check valve assembly further includes a resilient member between the plug and the second valve seat and a spring member urging the resilient member into sealing contact with the second valve seat and the plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6718950
    Abstract: A hydraulically-actuated system includes a fix displacement variable delivery pump with a plurality of parallel disposed pistons that reciprocate in a pump housing the defines a high pressure portion and a low pressure area. A control device is attached to the pump housing and moveable between a first position in which the pistons displace fluid into the high pressure portion and a second position in which pistons spill fluid back to the low pressure area. The control device includes an electrically driven linear motion device, a linkage and a plurality of sleeves, one being disposed on each piston. Linear movement of the control device in turn causes linear movement of the sleeves. The position of the sleeves in turn determines the amount of output of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Haoran Hu, Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6715467
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes a pump associated with a source of fluid, the pump supplying pressurized fluid to fuel injectors associated with the engine. An electronic controller is associated with the engine and determines a desired engine braking level as a function of various engine operating conditions and operator inputs. The engine controller produces a pump signal as a function of the desired engine braking level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Joshua C. Ruedin, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jeffrey M Thate
  • Publication number: 20040035387
    Abstract: An engine braking system includes a pump associated with a source of fluid, the pump supplying pressurized fluid to fuel injectors associated with the engine. An electronic controller is associated with the engine and determines a desired engine braking level as a function of various engine operating conditions and operator inputs. The engine controller produces a pump signal as a function of the desired engine braking level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventors: Bryan E. Nelson, Joshua C. Ruedin, Gregory J. Speckhart, Jeffrey M. Thate
  • Patent number: 6662558
    Abstract: A variable delivery pump is provided for use in a work system. The variable delivery pump includes a variable delivery control arrangement that uses reduced pressure from the variable delivery pump to control the delivery of fluid from the pump. The reduced pressure is directed to a first port of the variable delivery control arrangement and acts to bias the flow changing mechanism to a maximum position when the work system does not require fluid flow. When the work system needs pressurized fluid, the reduced pressure that is also being directed across a flow restrictor is progressively blocked thus causing a variable valve arrangement to controllably direct reduced pressurized fluid to a second fluid port of the flow changing mechanism in opposition to the pressurized fluid at the first fluid port. In the subject arrangement, small orifices requiring large flows is eliminated. Consequently, the subject control arrangement is not adversely subject to high viscosity oils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6648605
    Abstract: A pump includes a pump housing that defines an inlet and an outlet. Within the pump housing, there is a barrel that is adjacent to at least one reciprocating piston. A sleeve surrounds the annular outer surface of the piston and is movable. The temperature change within the pump is compensated for by making at least one of the sleeve and the barrel of a material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than the material of the piston. A clearance defined by an inner surface of the sleeve and the annular outer surface of the piston increases when the temperature is low and decreases when the temperature is high.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Bryan E. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20030194326
    Abstract: Electronically controlled variable delivery pumps produce output based upon a control signal generated by an electronic control module. The electronic control module includes programming that acknowledges that each pump may have performance characteristics that deviate from a hypothetical nominal pump. Actual pump performance characteristics are then programmed into the electronic control module so that pump control signals are customized or electronically trimmed to suit the performance characteristics of that individual pump. The performance characteristics of the individual pump are gained through testing. The electronic pump trimming strategy of the present invention is particularly applicable to hydraulic systems, such as fuel injection systems, used in internal combustion engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Inventors: Craig A. Bettenhausen, Bryan E. Nelson, Larry R. Mitzelfelt