Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Clark Krieger

Jeffrey Clark Krieger 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: 11885246
    Abstract: An engine valve includes a stem, a head comprising an outer lip surface, a seating surface extending from the outer lip surface toward the stem, and a combustion surface extending from the outer lip surface on the opposite side of the head as compared to the seating surface. The combustion surface includes a first convex arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a raised ring, and a first concave arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael D. Roley, Kyle Michael Rader
  • Patent number: 11371466
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of valve pockets formed in a piston rim, the valve pockets forming fluid flow paths through the piston rim. Each of the valve pockets includes a central step standing proud of a pocket floor to limit a fluid flow area through the pocket and slow combustion gas flow from a combustion bowl toward a cylinder liner and thereby reduce displacement of an engine oil film thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Morgan, Jeffrey Clark Krieger
  • Patent number: 11333048
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation system includes a hydro-mechanical valve actuation module having a first hydro-mechanical linkage and a second hydro-mechanical linkage, each within a different housing block of a housing. Each of the first hydro-mechanical linkage and the second hydro-mechanical linkage includes a cam-follower piston in contact with a cam of a camshaft, and a valve-actuation piston hydraulically co-acting with the respective cam-follower piston. The hydro-mechanical valve actuation module may include hydro-mechanical linkages for an intake valve, for an exhaust valve, and for engine braking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Stephan Donald Roozenboom, Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael Dean Roley
  • Publication number: 20220034243
    Abstract: An engine valve includes a stem, a head comprising an outer lip surface, a seating surface extending from the outer lip surface toward the stem, and a combustion surface extending from the outer lip surface on the opposite side of the head as compared to the seating surface. The combustion surface includes a first convex arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a raised ring, and a first concave arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a dimple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Publication date: February 3, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael D. Roley, Kyle Michael Rader
  • Patent number: 11215092
    Abstract: An engine valve includes a stem, a head comprising an outer lip surface, a seating surface extending from the outer lip surface toward the stem, and a combustion surface extending from the outer lip surface on the opposite side of the head as compared to the seating surface. The combustion surface includes a first convex arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a raised ring, and a first concave arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a dimple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael D. Roley, Kyle Michael Rader
  • Patent number: 11215089
    Abstract: An engine head assembly includes a valve seat insert having a valve seating surface defining a center axis, and each of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface extending circumferentially around the valve seat center axis. The outer peripheral surface includes an upper section interference-fitted with the engine head, and a lower section. A stiffness relief channel is formed by a relief cutout in the valve seat insert, and extends radially between the lower section of the outer peripheral surface and the engine head. The stiffness relief channel permits flexing of the valve seat insert to cushion valve seating to prolong engine valve and valve seat insert service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael Dean Roley
  • Publication number: 20210180480
    Abstract: An engine valve includes a stem, a head comprising an outer lip surface, a seating surface extending from the outer lip surface toward the stem, and a combustion surface extending from the outer lip surface on the opposite side of the head as compared to the seating surface. The combustion surface includes a first convex arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a raised ring, and a first concave arcuate surface spaced away from the outer lip surface, at least partially forming a dimple.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael D. Roley, Kyle Michael Rader
  • Publication number: 20210180540
    Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine includes a plurality of valve pockets formed in a piston rim, the valve pockets forming fluid flow paths through the piston rim. Each of the valve pockets includes a central step standing proud of a pocket floor to limit a fluid flow area through the pocket and slow combustion gas flow from a combustion bowl toward a cylinder liner and thereby reduce displacement of an engine oil film thereon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Morgan, Jeffrey Clark Krieger
  • Publication number: 20210180478
    Abstract: An engine head assembly includes a valve seat insert having a valve seating surface defining a center axis, and each of an inner peripheral surface and an outer peripheral surface extending circumferentially around the valve seat center axis. The outer peripheral surface includes an upper section interference-fitted with the engine head, and a lower section. A stiffness relief channel is formed by a relief cutout in the valve seat insert, and extends radially between the lower section of the outer peripheral surface and the engine head. The stiffness relief channel permits flexing of the valve seat insert to cushion valve seating to prolong engine valve and valve seat insert service life.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Clark Krieger, Michael Dean Roley