Patents by Inventor Clifford Cotton

Clifford Cotton 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: 20040083994
    Abstract: A system for actuating a valve element in an engine valve assembly of an internal combustion engine is provided. The system has a first piston that includes a first rod and is disposed in a first chamber. The system also includes a second piston that has a second rod with an end being separated from the engine valve assembly by a predetermined distance. The second piston is disposed in a second chamber that is in fluid connection with the first chamber such that movement of the first piston causes a corresponding movement of the second piston. A cam having a cam lobe is operatively engaged with the first rod such that rotation of the cam and cam lobe moves the first piston to thereby move the second piston. The cam lobe has a shape adapted to cause the second rod to move through the predetermined distance and to engage the engine valve assembly to move the valve element at a predetermined point in the operating cycle of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Homa Afjeh, Scott A. Leman, Clifford Cotton
  • Patent number: 6725838
    Abstract: A solitary fuel injector for a diesel engine that is capable of injecting fuel for a homogeneous charge compression ignition injection event, a conventional injection event. The solitary fuel injector also has a mixed mode that includes a homogeneous charge compression ignition injection and a conventional injection in a single compression stroke for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Clifford Cotton, Joseph Angelino, Robert Dieffenbach, Ye Tian, Richard Holtman
  • Publication number: 20030066509
    Abstract: A solitary fuel injector for a diesel engine that is capable of injecting fuel for a homogeneous charge compression ignition injection event, a conventional injection event. The solitary fuel injector also has a mixed mode that includes a homogeneous charge compression ignition injection and a conventional injection in a single compression stroke for the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: April 10, 2003
    Inventors: Scott Shafer, Clifford Cotton, Joseph Angelino, Robert Dieffenbach, Ye Tian, Richard Holtman