Patents by Inventor Christopher L. Brubaker
Christopher L. Brubaker 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).
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Publication number: 20240093659Abstract: A piston may have an annular body including a crown portion defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, a plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, and a contoured combustion bowl. In the plane containing the longitudinal axis and the radial direction, the crown portion includes a radially outer squish surface, and a swirl pocket having a reentrant surface that extends axially downwardly and radially outwardly from the squish surface defining a tangent that forms a reentrant angle with the squish surface that ranges from 53.0 degrees to 57.0 degrees.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Aaron S. Ness, Andrew J. Loetz, John R. Brubaker, Christopher L. Batta
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Patent number: 10358118Abstract: A controller includes a foot brake valve electrical input port, which is capable of receiving an electrical signal indicative of a foot brake delivery pressure, and a trailer brake valve electrical input port, which is capable of receiving an electrical signal indicative of a trailer brake delivery pressure. The controller also includes control logic that is capable of receiving the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure, receiving the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure, based on an electrical level of the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure, determining if the foot brake delivery pressure is above a predetermined threshold pressure, and based on a presence of the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure, determining if the trailer brake delivery pressure is above the predetermined threshold pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventor: Christopher L Brubaker
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Patent number: 10174861Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a valve comprises a first member having a generally spherical surface on a first side of a bisecting line and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second side of the bisecting line. The first member is rotatable around a central point of the bisecting line. The valve has a second member with a truncated ellipsoidal surface on both sides of a bisecting line. The second member matingly engages the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface. The valve also includes a longitudinal member coupled to the second member and a biasing member coupled to the longitudinal member. The first member is rotated around the central point from a first position to a second position to move the second member and the longitudinal member linearly. The biasing member returns the first member and second member to the first position upon release of the first member.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 8, 2019Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Christopher L. Brubaker, Eugene E. Clair
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Patent number: 10001225Abstract: An apparatus for an actuating mechanism comprises a first member having a first axis; the first member has a generally spherical surface on a first half of the first axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second half of the first axis. The first member is rotatable around a centerpoint of the first axis. A second member has a second axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface. The second member matingly engages the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface and has a torsion spring coupled to the second member. The first member is actuated manually to move the second member. The torsion spring torque increases as the first member is rotated.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventor: Christopher L. Brubaker
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Publication number: 20180073660Abstract: An actuation mechanism for a valve comprises a first member having a generally spherical surface on a first side of a bisecting line and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second side of the bisecting line. The first member is rotatable around a central point of the bisecting line. The valve has a second member with a truncated ellipsoidal surface on both sides of a bisecting line. The second member matingly engages the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface. The valve also includes a longitudinal member coupled to the second member and a biasing member coupled to the longitudinal member. The first member is rotated around the central point from a first position to a second position to move the second member and the longitudinal member linearly. The biasing member returns the first member and second member to the first position upon release of the first member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Christopher L. Brubaker, Eugene E. Clair
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Publication number: 20180073661Abstract: An apparatus for an actuating mechanism comprises a first member having a first axis; the first member has a generally spherical surface on a first half of the first axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface on a second half of the first axis. The first member is rotatable around a centerpoint of the first axis. A second member has a second axis and a generally ellipsoidal surface. The second member matingly engages the first member at the first member ellipsoidal surface and has a torsion spring coupled to the second member. The first member is actuated manually to move the second member. The torsion spring torque increases as the first member is rotated.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventor: Christopher L. Brubaker
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Publication number: 20180015873Abstract: A controller includes a foot brake valve electrical input port, which is capable of receiving an electrical signal indicative of a foot brake delivery pressure, and a trailer brake valve electrical input port, which is capable of receiving an electrical signal indicative of a trailer brake delivery pressure. The controller also includes control logic that is capable of receiving the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure, receiving the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure, based on an electrical level of the electrical signal indicative of the foot brake delivery pressure, determining if the foot brake delivery pressure is above a predetermined threshold pressure, and based on a presence of the electrical signal indicative of the trailer brake delivery pressure, determining if the trailer brake delivery pressure is above the predetermined threshold pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2016Publication date: January 18, 2018Inventor: Christopher L. Brubaker
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Patent number: 9114789Abstract: A foot brake valve apparatus is provided for a heavy vehicle braking system. The foot brake valve apparatus comprises a valve body having a first side face and a second side face opposite the first side face. The apparatus further comprises a primary supply pressure port associated with a primary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face, and a primary delivery pressure port associated with the primary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face. The apparatus also comprises a secondary supply pressure port associated with a secondary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face, and a secondary delivery pressure port associated with the secondary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Daniel J. Cellura, Christopher L. Brubaker
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Patent number: 9061671Abstract: A driver braking demand indicator apparatus comprises a brake valve including (i) a brake valve member movable in response to a driver moving a brake applicator member, and (ii) a delivery pressure line to operate a vehicle service brake circuit. The apparatus also comprises a travel sensor arranged to (i) sense movement of the brake valve member, and (ii) provide a first signal indicative of the extent of travel of the brake valve member when movement of the brake valve member is sensed. The apparatus further comprises a delivery pressure line sensor arranged to (i) sense pressure in the delivery pressure line of the brake valve, and (ii) provide a second signal indicative of the pressure in the delivery pressure line. The apparatus also comprises a controller arranged to process the first and second signals to provide a driver braking demand signal for at least one external device.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2013Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Christopher L. Brubaker, Daniel J. Cellura
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Publication number: 20150066321Abstract: A driver braking demand indicator apparatus comprises a brake valve including (i) a brake valve member movable in response to a driver moving a brake applicator member, and (ii) a delivery pressure line to operate a vehicle service brake circuit. The apparatus also comprises a travel sensor arranged to (i) sense movement of the brake valve member, and (ii) provide a first signal indicative of the extent of travel of the brake valve member when movement of the brake valve member is sensed. The apparatus further comprises a delivery pressure line sensor arranged to (i) sense pressure in the delivery pressure line of the brake valve, and (ii) provide a second signal indicative of the pressure in the delivery pressure line. The apparatus also comprises a controller arranged to process the first and second signals to provide a driver braking demand signal for at least one external device.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Christopher L. Brubaker, Daniel J. Cellura
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Publication number: 20150061367Abstract: A foot brake valve apparatus is provided for a heavy vehicle braking system. The foot brake valve apparatus comprises a valve body having a first side face and a second side face opposite the first side face. The apparatus further comprises a primary supply pressure port associated with a primary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face, and a primary delivery pressure port associated with the primary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face. The apparatus also comprises a secondary supply pressure port associated with a secondary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face, and a secondary delivery pressure port associated with the secondary braking circuit and adjoining the first side face.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLCInventors: Daniel J. Cellura, Christopher L. Brubaker