Patents by Inventor Curtis J. Graham

Curtis J. Graham 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).

  • Patent number: 9551242
    Abstract: A method for repairing a rocker arm including smoothing out a bore in an injector arm of the rocker arm to remove at least a portion of worn threads within the bore, and securing a threaded insert within the bore. The threaded insert may include threads on an internal surface of the threaded insert, a smooth portion on an external surface of the threaded insert, and a flange on an end of the threaded insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Jonathan R. Eggemeyer
  • Patent number: 9523564
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method of determining a height of an upper surface of an insert relative to a top deck surface of a cylinder block. The method includes detachably coupling a fixture to the top deck surface of the cylinder block. The method also includes disposing a dial gauge on the top deck surface adjacent to each of a plurality of notches defined in the fixture. The method includes inserting a probe of a dial gauge through each of the plurality of notches to contact each of corresponding portions of the upper surface of the insert. The method also includes determining local heights of the upper surface of the insert relative to the top deck surface at the corresponding portions of the upper surface. The height of upper surface of the insert relative to the top deck surface is determined based on the local heights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Publication number: 20160356240
    Abstract: A cylinder block of an engine is provided. The cylinder block includes a top deck. The cylinder block also includes a cylindrical surface defining a bore extending from the top deck along a longitudinal axis. The cylinder block includes a shoulder portion formed on the top deck. The top deck includes an abutment surface. The cylinder block further includes an insert disposed in the shoulder portion. The insert includes an outer surface adapted to fuse with the abutment surface of the shoulder portion. A predetermined force and a predetermined electric current are applied to the insert for fusing the outer surface of the insert with the abutment surface of the shoulder portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Cavanaugh, Nguyenbao H. Chu, Curtis J. Graham, Justin C. Embrey, Kevin P. Reardon, Bharat K. Meduru
  • Patent number: 9488076
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a rocker arm having a body defining a socket portion is disclosed. The method includes machining the socket portion to remove a worn surface and form a seat configured to receive an insert member therein. The method further includes disposing the insert member within the seat and coupling the insert member to the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Young, Jonathan R. Eggemeyer, Donald G. Clark, Curtis J. Graham
  • Patent number: 9459178
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of checking an alignment between a first gear and a second gear using a tool is provided. The tool includes a base portion defining a longitudinal axis and an elongate portion extending from the base portion along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Further, the second gear is received in an inner bore of the first gear. The method includes inserting at least partially the base portion of the tool within an inner bore of the second gear. The method also includes inserting a first pin extending from the elongate portion within a space between adjacent teeth of the first gear. The method further includes determining that the first gear is aligned with the second gear if a second pin extending from the elongate portion is received within a space between adjacent teeth of the second gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bharatkumar Meduru, Curtis J. Graham, Gunasekar Thangarasu, Ramshankar Muthukumar
  • Publication number: 20160195163
    Abstract: A method for remanufacturing of a flywheel is provided. The flywheel has a damage area thereon. The method includes removing a portion of a material from a face of the flywheel containing the damage area to form a recessed portion, wherein the recessed portion has a ring shaped profile. The method also includes aligning an insert within the recessed portion of the flywheel, wherein the insert is ring shaped and is configured to fit within the recessed portion of the flywheel. The method further includes coupling the insert within the recessed portion of the flywheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel T. Cavanaugh, Curtis J. Graham
  • Patent number: 9382871
    Abstract: A method for repair of a cylinder block including a water ferrule having damage in an area proximate to the water ferrule is disclosed. The repair method includes removing material from the area containing and surrounding the damage. The method also includes providing a counter bore sized to surround the removed material. The counter bore is configured to define a seat at the one end of the water ferrule. A sealing member is aligned and introduced into the seat of the counter bore. The method includes aligning a stepped insert coaxially with the sealing member and the seat. The method also includes a step of introducing the insert into the seat of the counter bore to form an interference fit therewith. The method further includes providing a seal formed by a combination of the sealing member and the insert within the seat of the counter bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Trent A. Simpson, Adam Ostein, Bharat K. Meduru
  • Publication number: 20160146063
    Abstract: A method for repairing a rocker arm including smoothing out a bore in an injector arm of the rocker arm to remove at least a portion of worn threads within the bore, and securing a threaded insert within the bore. The threaded insert may include threads on an internal surface of the threaded insert, a smooth portion on an external surface of the threaded insert, and a flange on an end of the threaded insert.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Jonathan R. Eggemeyer
  • Publication number: 20160138436
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a rocker arm having a body defining a contact surface is provided. The contact surface is configured to engage with a braking member and having a worn portion thereon. The method includes machining the contact surface to remove the worn portion and to form an opening configured to receive an insert member therein. The insert member includes an upper surface configured to engage with the braking member. The method further includes coupling the insert member to the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor D. Young, Luis A. Vazquez, Curtis J. Graham, Jonathan R. Eggemeyer
  • Publication number: 20160069222
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a rocker arm having a body defining a socket portion is disclosed. The method includes machining the socket portion to remove a worn surface and form a seat configured to receive an insert member therein. The method further includes disposing the insert member within the seat and coupling the insert member to the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Taylor Young, Jonathan R. Eggemeyer, Donald G. Clark, Curtis J. Graham
  • Publication number: 20160047331
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing an engine block is provided. An insert is removed from a recess in a top deck of the engine block that surrounds a cylinder bore in the engine block. A used cylinder liner is removed from the cylinder bore. The used cylinder liner has a flange on an upper edge thereof having a first thickness. The recess in the top deck of the engine block is cleaned. A replacement cylinder liner is positioned in the cylinder bore. The replacement cylinder liner has a flange on an upper edge thereof that is received in the cleaned recess. The flange of the replacement cylinder liner has a second thickness that corresponds to the sum of the first thickness and the depth of the cleaned recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. GRAHAM, Adam W. Ostein, Luis A. Vazquez
  • Publication number: 20150217414
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing a component having a heat treated hardened layer over a substrate material is disclosed. The method includes removing at least the heat treated hardened layer of the component to expose the substrate material. The method also includes providing a cladding material on the substrate material. The method further includes melting the cladding material via a laser beam to form a single layered coating with hardness greater than or substantially equal to hardness of the heat treated hardened layer, on the substrate material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kegan Luick, Benjamin C. Thomas, Curtis J. Graham, Adam Ostein, Jarrod D. Moss, Patrick W. Savage, Jr., Waylon Walker, Kristin A. Schipull, Robert E. Sharp
  • Publication number: 20150211436
    Abstract: A method for repair of a cylinder block including a water ferrule having damage in an area proximate to the water ferrule is disclosed. The repair method includes removing material from the area containing and surrounding the damage. The method also includes providing a counter bore sized to surround the removed material. The counter bore is configured to define a seat at the one end of the water ferrule. A sealing member is aligned and introduced into the seat of the counter bore. The method includes aligning a stepped insert coaxially with the sealing member and the seat. The method also includes a step of introducing the insert into the seat of the counter bore to form an interference fit therewith. The method further includes providing a seal formed by a combination of the sealing member and the insert within the seat of the counter bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Trent A. Simpson, Adam Ostein, Bharat K. Meduru
  • Publication number: 20150159585
    Abstract: A method for repairing a cast component having a damaged area is provided. The method includes scanning an area adjacent to the damaged area to create a scan. The method includes forming a dam with a void. The void has a profile corresponding to the scan. The method includes positioning the dam adjacent to the damaged area. The method includes heating the cast component. The method includes introducing a repair material into the dam. The method also includes cooling the cast component. The method further includes removing an excess material from the cast component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kinney, Benjamin J. Rasmussen, Kegan J. Luick, Trent A. Simpson, Bradley Rice, Thomas Parnell, Curtis J. Graham
  • Publication number: 20150143890
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of checking an alignment between a first gear and a second gear using a tool is provided. The tool includes a base portion defining a longitudinal axis and an elongate portion extending from the base portion along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Further, the second gear is received in an inner bore of the first gear. The method includes inserting at least partially the base portion of the tool within an inner bore of the second gear. The method also includes inserting a first pin extending from the elongate portion within a space between adjacent teeth of the first gear. The method further includes determining that the first gear is aligned with the second gear if a second pin extending from the elongate portion is received within a space between adjacent teeth of the second gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2015
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bharatkumar Meduru, Curtis J. Graham, Gunasekar Thangarasu, Ramshankar Muthukumar
  • Publication number: 20150135545
    Abstract: The present disclosure is related to a method of determining a height of an upper surface of an insert relative to a top deck surface of a cylinder block. The method includes detachably coupling a fixture to the top deck surface of the cylinder block. The method also includes disposing a dial gauge on the top deck surface adjacent to each of a plurality of notches defined in the fixture. The method includes inserting a probe of a dial gauge through each of the plurality of notches to contact each of corresponding portions of the upper surface of the insert. The method also includes determining local heights of the upper surface of the insert relative to the top deck surface at the corresponding portions of the upper surface. The height of upper surface of the insert relative to the top deck surface is determined based on the local heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Curtis J. Graham
  • Publication number: 20150107545
    Abstract: A method of remanufacturing an engine is provided. The method includes drilling a cylinder block to form at least one opening. The method further includes tapping the at least one opening to form screw threads. The method further includes securing a mounting boss to the cylinder block using the screw threads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Publication date: April 23, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Adam W. Ostein, Jonathan R. Eggemeyer, Donald G. Clark
  • Publication number: 20150105212
    Abstract: A method for salvaging a surface of a pin-bore assembly associated with a carrier is provided. The method includes inserting a sleeve within a bore of the carrier. The method also includes installing a retention mechanism that secures the sleeve within the bore of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Donald G. Clark, Deven J. Efta, Charles G. Leeper, Jamie L. Krank, Kristin A. Schipull
  • Publication number: 20150068485
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine system is disclosed. The cylinder head has at least one fuel injector. Further, the cylinder head has at least one valve reciprocally moveable with at least one valve guide disposed within the cylinder head. The cylinder head includes a portion. The portion defines an injector mount surface. The cylinder head also includes at least one injector bore disposed within the cylinder head. The injector bore is structured and arranged to receive the injector therein. The cylinder head also includes a peening area being defined on the injector mount surface of the cylinder head. The peening area defines a region being laser peened, such that a compressive stress is induced in the peening area. The compressive stress is induced to an effective depth of approximately up to 2 mm from the injector mount surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Trent A. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8833330
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block includes removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a first opening to create a first recessed area, placing a first seal within the first recessed area, positioning a first insert within the first recessed area and against the first seal. The method may also include removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a second opening to create a second recessed area that at least partially overlaps the first recessed area, placing a second seal in the second recessed area and positioning a second insert within the second recessed area and against the second seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Curtis J. Graham, Adam W. Ostein, Christian E. Sabotta, Robert E. Sharp, Trent A. Simpson