Patents by Inventor Jeffrey R. Ries

Jeffrey R. Ries 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: 11318400
    Abstract: A filter element includes a bottom open end joined to a center tube opposite the top open end. The bottom open end defines a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface that is in communication with the central reservoir of the filter element. A first locking feature is disposed proximate to the bottom open end. The locking feature includes an entrance slot that is disposed on the radially inner surface of the center tube extending axially from the bottom open end. A similar or identical second locking feature is disposed proximate to the top open end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Philip Carl Spengler
  • Publication number: 20220023781
    Abstract: A filter pulsation dampening device has a replaceable filter element including a plurality of baffles disposed next to each other or a flexible valve that is disposed proximate a baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Javier A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20220001307
    Abstract: An integrated seal member includes an at least partially annular body defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The at least partially annular body includes a top annular mounting portion, a sealing portion including at least one top sealing feature and at least one bottom sealing feature, and a connecting portion that extends at least radially outwardly from the top annular mounting portion to the sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon T. Immel, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Jeffrey R. Ries, Gregory Owen Potts, Joseph J. Every, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Philip Carl Spengler
  • Patent number: 11207619
    Abstract: A filter pulsation dampening device has a replaceable filter element including a plurality of baffles disposed next to each other or a flexible valve that is disposed proximate a baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T Immel, Javier A Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210331097
    Abstract: An integrated seal member includes an at least partially annular body defining a longitudinal axis, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The at least partially annular body includes a mounting portion, a sealing portion including at least one top sealing feature and at least one bottom sealing feature, and an apertured connecting portion that extends radially outwardly from the mounting portion to the sealing portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon T. Immel, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Jeffrey R. Ries, Gregory Owen Potts, Jay Hamilton Cline, Joseph J. Every, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III
  • Publication number: 20210308606
    Abstract: A sensing system for detecting degradation of a machine fluid is disclosed. The sensing system may comprise a tag having electrical contacts. The tag may be configured to transmit a wireless signal when the electrical contacts are in electrical communication. The sensing system may further comprise a dissolvable element separating the electrical contacts and obstructing electrical communication between the electrical contacts. The dissolvable element may be configured to dissolve and allow electrical communication between the electrical contacts when an acid content of the machine fluid reaches a level indicative of the degradation of the machine fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. SPENGLER, Jeffrey R. RIES, Hind ABI-AKAR
  • Patent number: 11130082
    Abstract: A filter pulsation dampening device has a replaceable filter element including a plurality of baffles disposed next to each other or a flexible valve that is disposed proximate a baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T Immel, Javier A Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11110378
    Abstract: A sensing system for detecting degradation of a machine fluid is disclosed. The sensing system may comprise a tag having electrical contacts. The tag may be configured to transmit a wireless signal when the electrical contacts are in electrical communication. The sensing system may further comprise a dissolvable element separating the electrical contacts and obstructing electrical communication between the electrical contacts. The dissolvable element may be configured to dissolve and allow electrical communication between the electrical contacts when an acid content of the machine fluid reaches a level indicative of the degradation of the machine fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Hind Abi-Akar
  • Publication number: 20210260507
    Abstract: A filter element includes a bottom open end joined to a center tube opposite the top open end. The bottom open end defines a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface that is in communication with the central reservoir of the filter element. A locking feature is disposed proximate to the bottom open end. The locking feature includes an entrance slot that is disposed on the radially inner surface of the center tube extending axially from the bottom open end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Philip Carl Spengler
  • Publication number: 20210260502
    Abstract: A method of assembling a canister filter system includes inserting a first filter component into a second filter component, and continuing the insertion until a first tab of either the first filter component or the second filter component contacts the other of the first filter component and the second filter component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Jon T. Immel, Jeffrey R. Ries, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Philip Carl Spengler
  • Publication number: 20210260508
    Abstract: A filter element includes a bottom open end joined to a center tube opposite the top open end. The bottom open end defines a radially outer surface and a radially inner surface that is in communication with the central reservoir of the filter element. A first locking feature is disposed proximate to the bottom open end. The locking feature includes an entrance slot that is disposed on the radially inner surface of the center tube extending axially from the bottom open end. A similar or identical second locking feature is disposed proximate to the top open end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Darrell Lee Morehouse, III, Stephen Ellis Oedewaldt, Philip Carl Spengler
  • Publication number: 20210138370
    Abstract: A filter pulsation dampening device has a replaceable filter element including a plurality of baffles disposed next to each other or a flexible valve that is disposed proximate a baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Javier A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210138371
    Abstract: A filter pulsation dampening device has a replaceable filter element including a plurality of baffles disposed next to each other or a flexible valve that is disposed proximate a baffle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T Immel, Javier A Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11000789
    Abstract: A filter element may include a tubular element, first and second end caps, each associated with an opposite end of the tubular element, filter media positioned around the tubular element and between the first and second end caps, a biasing element associated with the tubular element, and a retainer element positioned at a first end of the tubular element. The retainer element may include a retainer aperture including a central circular portion and two opposite lateral slots extending from opposite sides of the central circular portion, and two arcuate shoulder segments extending between opposite sides of the two opposite lateral slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant Alan Morris, Jeffrey R. Ries, Timothy J. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20210077924
    Abstract: A filter element has a positioning and sealing feature including a shelf surface facing downwardly along the longitudinal axis that is spaced longitudinally away a predetermined distance from the bottom open end of the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon T. Immel, Jeffrey R. Ries, Javier A. Rodriguez
  • Publication number: 20210039030
    Abstract: An air intake system may include an engine air cleaner having a dust valve. The intake system may be configured for arrangement on the engine. The dust valve may also be operable to open or close based on operating characteristics of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Javier A. Rodríguez
  • Patent number: 10914278
    Abstract: An end cap for a filter element may include an element receiver configured to be coupled to a tubular member, and a base passage receiver in flow communication with the element receiver. The end cap may further include an end cap barrier extending outward from the base passage receiver, the end cap barrier including a first side configured to face a filter base. The end cap may also include end cap flow passages configured to provide flow communication between filter media and a filter base, and including a passage opening spaced a first distance from the first side. The end cap may further include a barrier edge and a peripheral seal, wherein an uppermost surface of the peripheral seal terminates a second distance from the first side of the end cap barrier, wherein the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant A. Morris, Jeffrey R. Ries, Brian J. Sutton
  • Publication number: 20200391142
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a filter element for use in a fluid filter system is disclosed herein. The filter element comprises a filter medium having a longitudinal axis between a first end and a second end, and an end cap assembly attached to the first end of the filter medium. The end cap assembly includes a first end cap aligned with the longitudinal axis and proximate to the first end of the filter medium; a first member concentric with and disposed radially apart from the first end cap and the filter medium and axially between the first end cap and the second end of the filter medium; and a plurality of arms connecting the first end cap with the first member, each arm configured to align the filter element with respect to the container and base plate by absorbing alignment discrepancies between at least the base plate and container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon T. Immel, Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Jeffrey R. Ries, Javier A. Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 10859046
    Abstract: A system comprising a drain for a fuel-water separator (FWS) assembly and a sensor is disclosed. The sensor may include a sensing element that is attached to the drain, wherein, when the drain engages the FWS assembly, a cavity is formed by an endcap at least partially within the FWS assembly and by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the sensing element is exposed within the cavity, wherein a first side of the cavity is at least partially open, and wherein a second side of the cavity is formed by at least one of the drain or the sensor, wherein the cavity is configured to receive fluid through the first side and collect the fluid in the cavity to trigger the sensing element. Numerous other aspects and systems are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Bryant Morris, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Patent number: 10722826
    Abstract: A filter assembly may include a canister and a filter element received in the canister. The filter element may include filter media configured to promote separation of a first fluid from a second fluid having different characteristics than the first fluid as fluid passes through the filter media. The filter element may further include a first end cap, a second end cap, and a tubular member extending between the first and second end caps. The filter assembly may further include a flow cap associated with the first end cap of the filter element. The flow cap may include an inlet portion configured to provide flow communication between an inlet port of a filter base and the tubular member of the filter element, and an outlet portion configured to provide flow communication between an outlet port of the filter base and an exterior portion of the filter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant A. Morris, Jeffrey R. Ries, Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Brian J. Sutton