Patents by Inventor David M. Ruch

David M. Ruch 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: 6123061
    Abstract: A closed crankcase ventilation system for a turbocharger internal combustion engine which uses differential pressure between the turbo compressor inlet and the crankcase to force blow-by gases through a separation device. The zone of low pressure of the turbo compressor inlet is located at the innermost diameter of the compressor inlet shroud. The difference between the pressure in the compressor inlet and the crankcase creates a vacuum which pulls gas from the crankcase into the ventilation system. The ventilation system includes a high restriction separator for removing oil from the blow-by gases. A control valve bypasses the separation device when insufficient pressure differential exists to drive the separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn L. Baker, David M. Ruch, John M. Partridge, Brett Herrick
  • Patent number: 5669366
    Abstract: A closed crankcase ventilation system which relies on a vacuum assist from the turbocharger inlet to suction blow-by gases from the crankcase. The system includes a coalescer/filter which is operative to filter any oil particles which may be entrained in the blow-by gases before they are released into the turbocharger inlet. A pop off valve is also included in order to prevent the engine crankcase from becoming over pressurized as a result of back pressure caused by either a plugged coalescer/filter or some catastrophic engine malfunction. Further included is a vacuum limiting valve which prohibits the vacuum assist produced by the air inlet to the turbocharger from producing too low of an absolute pressure, thereby preventing an imbalance in pressure across the seals of the turbocharger. The system further includes a bypass valve which also prevents the crankcase from becoming over pressurized by routing the flow of blow-by gases around the coalescer/filter if the pressure in the crankcase becomes too great.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Fleetguard, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald W. Beach, Peter K. Herman, Alan Bounnakhom, David M. Ruch, John M. Partridge, J. E. Parlow
  • Patent number: 5456239
    Abstract: A crankcase ventilation system for a vehicle includes an arrangement of flow conduits and control valves which cooperate with a two-chamber accumulator and with various vehicle components to route crankcase gases to the intake manifold. The primary vehicle components include a compressor, an aftercooler positioned downstream from the compressor, and an engine having an intake manifold and a crankcase. One chamber of the accumulator is coupled by one conduit to the inlet side of the compressor and by a second conduit to the outlet side of the compressor. These two conduits are controlled by a dual valve arrangement. The other chamber of the accumulator is connected by one conduit to the crankcase and by a separate conduit to the intake manifold. Each conduit includes a control valve. The system operates on pressure differences existing between these various components. The cycle begins by opening the conduit which is connected to the inlet side of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1995
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory H. Henderson, David M. Ruch, Brian W. Zellmer, Chad L. Kelly, Philip C. Kreimer