Patents by Inventor Jeffrey Hritz
Jeffrey Hritz 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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Patent number: 11913441Abstract: Systems are provided for an air compressor system. In one example, a system includes a housing, a piston arranged in the housing, and a crankshaft arranged in the housing, the crankshaft coupled to a connecting rod of the piston, and the crankshaft forces the piston to oscillate from a first end of the housing to a second end, the piston pressurizing air in the housing to a first pressure at the first end and to a second pressure at the second end, the second pressure greater than the first.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2021Date of Patent: February 27, 2024Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Andrew Miller, Christopher Lucke, Jeffrey Hritz, Matthew Chatham, Wesley Martincic
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Publication number: 20230204022Abstract: Systems are provided for an air compressor system. In one example, a system includes a housing, a piston arranged in the housing, and a crankshaft arranged in the housing, the crankshaft coupled to a connecting rod of the piston, and the crankshaft forces the piston to oscillate from a first end of the housing to a second end, the piston pressurizing air in the housing to a first pressure at the first end and to a second pressure at the second end, the second pressure greater than the first.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2021Publication date: June 29, 2023Inventors: Andrew Miller, Christopher Lucke, Jeffrey Hritz, Matthew Chatham, Wesley Martincic
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Patent number: 11555759Abstract: A system and method monitor operation of a compressor, determine whether the operation of the compressor is outside of a designated range of values, and, responsive to determining that the operation of the compressor is outside of the designated range of values, one or more of (a) prevent communication of a signal to a system controller that controls operation of the compressor, (b) direct a gas from a reservoir to a pressure sensor used by the system controller to determine a gas pressure generated by the compressor, and/or (c) communicate the signal to the system controller that controls operation of the compressor.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Christopher Lucke, Jeffrey Hritz, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
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Publication number: 20200132570Abstract: A system and method monitor operation of a compressor, determine whether the operation of the compressor is outside of a designated range of values, and, responsive to determining that the operation of the compressor is outside of the designated range of values, one or more of (a) prevent communication of a signal to a system controller that controls operation of the compressor, (b) direct a gas from a reservoir to a pressure sensor used by the system controller to determine a gas pressure generated by the compressor, and/or (c) communicate the signal to the system controller that controls operation of the compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2019Publication date: April 30, 2020Inventors: Christopher Lucke, Jeffrey Hritz, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
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Patent number: 10208743Abstract: A piston cylinder arrangement for an air compressor including a cylinder, a connecting rod having a wrist pin receiving end, a wrist pin provided in the wrist pin receiving end of the connecting rod, and a piston provided on the connecting rod via the wrist pin and positioned within the cylinder. At least one passageway may be defined in the wrist pin to permit air to flow into the wrist pin from the cylinder.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Patent number: 10077800Abstract: An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a compressor housing, a first low pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, a second low pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, a first high pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, a second high pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, and a crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing and linked to pistons of the piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The first and second low pressure piston cylinders and the first and second high pressure piston cylinders are positioned in an X-shaped configuration around an outer circumference of the compressor housing. The first and second high pressure piston cylinders are configured as first and second lower legs of the X-shaped configuration, and the first and second low pressure piston cylinders are configured as first and second upper legs of the X-shaped configuration.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: September 18, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Patent number: 10036381Abstract: A piston assembly for reducing clearance volume in a reciprocating compressor for compensating for piston tilt and improving the volumetric efficiency of the compressor includes a piston located within a piston cylinder, the piston having a first end and a second end, a wrist pin associated with the first end of the piston, and a cylinder head/valve assembly associated with the second end of the piston, wherein at least a portion of the second end of the piston includes an angled portion. The piston having the angled portion can be used with oil free cylinders and trunk type pistons. The piston can also be used in a multiple stage, multiple cylinder compressor including a series of piston assemblies. A method of increasing the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor can also be achieved using the piston having an angled portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventors: Jeffrey Hritz, Matthew D. Mitsch
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Patent number: 10001160Abstract: A connecting rod for an air compressor includes a rod member, a wrist pin receiving end connected to a first end of the rod member, and a crank pin receiving end connected to a second opposing end of the rod member. A separation line for the connecting rod is provided above the crank pin receiving end. The separation line may be provided between the crank pin receiving end and the rod member. The connecting rod may include a first portion including the rod member and the wrist pin receiving end, and a separate second portion including the crank pin receiving end. The separation line may be provided between the first portion and the second portion.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2015Date of Patent: June 19, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Patent number: 9951763Abstract: A multistage compressor includes a first compression stage and a second compression stage connected in series with the first compression stage that receives and further compresses gas from the first stage. A first cooling element is connected between the first compression stage and the second compression stage. A second cooling element is connected to a discharge of the second compression stage. The multistage compressor further includes a cooling unit for providing cooling airflow to the first and second cooling elements. The cooling unit includes a fan and a first temperature sensor that determines a temperature of gas discharged from the first cooling element. The cooling unit is configured to increase or decrease a fan speed based on a temperature determined by the first temperature sensor. A method of controlling fan speed of a cooling fan of a compressor is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2015Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies CorporationInventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20180100493Abstract: A piston cylinder arrangement for an air compressor including a cylinder, a connecting rod having a wrist pin receiving end, a wrist pin provided in the wrist pin receiving end of the connecting rod, and a piston provided on the connecting rod via the wrist pin and positioned within the cylinder. At least one passageway may be defined in the wrist pin to permit air to flow into the wrist pin from the cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20170074259Abstract: A piston assembly for reducing clearance volume in a reciprocating compressor for compensating for piston tilt and improving the volumetric efficiency of the compressor includes a piston located within a piston cylinder, the piston having a first end and a second end, a wrist pin associated with the first end of the piston, and a cylinder head/valve assembly associated with the second end of the piston, wherein at least a portion of the second end of the piston includes an angled portion. The piston having the angled portion can be used with oil free cylinders and trunk type pistons. The piston can also be used in a multiple stage, multiple cylinder compressor including a series of piston assemblies. A method of increasing the volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor can also be achieved using the piston having an angled portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Jeffrey Hritz, Matthew D. Mitsch
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Publication number: 20150322934Abstract: A multistage compressor includes a first compression stage and a second compression stage connected in series with the first compression stage that receives and further compresses gas from the first stage. A first cooling element is connected between the first compression stage and the second compression stage. A second cooling element is connected to a discharge of the second compression stage. The multistage compressor further includes a cooling unit for providing cooling airflow to the first and second cooling elements. The cooling unit includes a fan and a first temperature sensor that determines a temperature of gas discharged from the first cooling element. The cooling unit is configured to increase or decrease a fan speed based on a temperature determined by the first temperature sensor. A method of controlling fan speed of a cooling fan of a compressor is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20150322997Abstract: A connecting rod for an air compressor includes a rod member, a wrist pin receiving end connected to a first end of the rod member, and a crank pin receiving end connected to a second opposing end of the rod member. A separation line for the connecting rod is provided above the crank pin receiving end. The separation line may be provided between the crank pin receiving end and the rod member. The connecting rod may include a first portion including the rod member and the wrist pin receiving end, and a separate second portion including the crank pin receiving end. The separation line may be provided between the first portion and the second portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20150322937Abstract: An oil-free compressor crankcase cooling arrangement includes a compressor crankcase, at least one piston cylinder supported in the compressor crankcase, a crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor crankcase and linked to a piston of the at least one piston cylinder by a connecting rod, at least one inlet valve supported on and in fluid communication with the compressor crankcase, and at least one outlet valve supported on and in fluid communication with the compressor crankcase. A cooling cross-flow of air is established between the at least one inlet valve and the at least one outlet valve to cool the compressor crankcase. The at least one inlet valve and the at least one outlet valve include check valves. A first nozzle is positioned on the at least one inlet valve, and a second nozzle is positioned on the at least one outlet valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20150322933Abstract: An oil-free compressor for a rail vehicle includes a compressor housing, a first low pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, a second low pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, a first high pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, a second high pressure piston cylinder supported in the compressor housing, and a crankshaft assembly supported by the compressor housing and linked to pistons of the piston cylinders by respective connecting rods. The first and second low pressure piston cylinders and the first and second high pressure piston cylinders are positioned in an X-shaped configuration around an outer circumference of the compressor housing. The first and second high pressure piston cylinders are configured as first and second lower legs of the X-shaped configuration, and the first and second low pressure piston cylinders are configured as first and second upper legs of the X-shaped configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2015Publication date: November 12, 2015Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Patent number: 9028221Abstract: An air compressor with oil pump inlet strainer bypass features, including a bypass valve assembly in fluid communication with the air compressor crankcase to provide lubricating oil to the dynamic compressor components, or simply to the air compressor. The bypass valve assembly includes a valve housing defining an interior chamber and an oil strainer screen engaged with the valve housing to filter the lubricating oil entering the interior chamber. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the interior chamber and includes a valve body having a bypass port and an indicator port. An optional suction tube is connected to the bypass port on the valve body. An indicator assembly is connected to the indicator port on the valve body.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Wabtec Holding Corp.Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20120234741Abstract: An air compressor with oil pump inlet strainer bypass features includes a bypass valve assembly in fluid communication with the air compressor crankcase to provide lubricating oil to the dynamic compressor components, or simply to the air compressor. The bypass valve assembly includes a valve housing defining an interior chamber and an oil strainer screen engaged with the valve housing to filter the lubricating oil entering the interior chamber. A bypass valve is in fluid communication with the interior chamber and includes a valve body having a bypass port and an indicator port. An optional suction tube is connected to the bypass port on the valve body. An indicator assembly is connected to the indicator port on the valve body.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2011Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz
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Publication number: 20100193294Abstract: The air compressor pre-lubrication system includes an oil pump, a priming tank, and a control valve. The oil pump is connected to an oil sump and includes a discharge line connected to an air compressor. The priming tank is connected to the oil pump to receive pressurized oil. The control valve is provided in an outline line connected to the priming tank and is further connected to the oil pump discharge line. The priming tank is configured to maintain a charge of oil from the oil pump and selectively release the charge of oil through actuation of the control valve. An auxiliary pre-lubrication oil pump may replace the priming tank. The pre-lubrication oil pump is connected to the oil sump and is fluidly coupled to the discharge line leading to the air compressor.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: WABTEC HOLDING CORP.Inventor: Jeffrey Hritz