Patents by Inventor Jonathan P. Kilkenny

Jonathan P. Kilkenny 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: 11668230
    Abstract: An annular disk comprises a front surface, a rear surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The front surface has a front opening within a front plane. The rear surface has a rear opening within a rear plane. The rear opening, which has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the front opening, communicates with the front opening to define a bore for guiding an exhaust stream flowing from a turbocharger to an exhaust outlet. The outer surface connects the front surface to the rear surface and includes an outer angled portion, an outer radial portion, and an outer axial portion. The inner surface includes an inner angled portion, an inner axial portion, and an inner radial portion extending between the inner angled portion and the inner axial portion. The inner radial portion is configured to obstruct a portion of the exhaust stream to increase back pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Luke Robinson, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Nathan Atterberry
  • Publication number: 20220235695
    Abstract: An annular disk comprises a front surface, a rear surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface. The front surface has a front opening within a front plane. The rear surface has a rear opening within a rear plane. The rear opening, which has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the front opening, communicates with the front opening to define a bore for guiding an exhaust stream flowing from a turbocharger to an exhaust outlet. The outer surface connects the front surface to the rear surface and includes an outer angled portion, an outer radial portion, and an outer axial portion. The inner surface includes an inner angled portion, an inner axial portion, and an inner radial portion extending between the inner angled portion and the inner axial portion. The inner radial portion is configured to obstruct a portion of the exhaust stream to increase back pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2021
    Publication date: July 28, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Luke ROBINSON, Jonathan P. KILKENNY, Nathan ATTERBERRY
  • Publication number: 20120222419
    Abstract: A turbocharger for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger may have a turbine housing with a first volute, a second volute, and a common outlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed between the common outlet and the first and second volutes. The turbocharger may further have a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first volute with the second volute upstream of the turbine wheel, a second valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the second volute with the common outlet to bypass the turbine wheel, and a common actuator configured to move the first and second valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, David Andrew Pierpont, Stephan Donald Roozenboom
  • Patent number: 8196403
    Abstract: A turbocharger for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger may have a turbine housing with a first volute, a second volute, and a common outlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed between the common outlet and the first and second volutes. The turbocharger may further have a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first volute with the second volute upstream of the turbine wheel, a second valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the second volute with the common outlet to bypass the turbine wheel, and a common actuator configured to move the first and second valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, David Andrew Pierpont, Stephan Donald Roozenboom
  • Patent number: 8096124
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and at least one turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and at least two turbochargers driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with only the first exhaust manifold. A number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the first exhaust manifold may be less than a number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the second exhaust manifold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, John Parker Timmons, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20100077747
    Abstract: An exhaust system for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The exhaust system may have a first exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine, and at least one turbocharger driven by exhaust from the first exhaust manifold. The exhaust system may also have a second exhaust manifold configured to receive exhaust from the engine in parallel with the first exhaust manifold, and at least two turbochargers driven by exhaust from the second exhaust manifold. The exhaust manifold may further have an exhaust gas recirculation circuit in fluid communication with only the first exhaust manifold. A number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the first exhaust manifold may be less than a number of turbochargers that receives exhaust from the second exhaust manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventors: David Andrew Pierpont, John Parker Timmons, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20100024414
    Abstract: A turbocharger for a use with a combustion engine is provided. The turbocharger may have a turbine housing with a first volute, a second volute, and a common outlet. The turbocharger may also have a turbine wheel disposed between the common outlet and the first and second volutes. The turbocharger may further have a first valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the first volute with the second volute upstream of the turbine wheel, a second valve configured to selectively fluidly communicate the second volute with the common outlet to bypass the turbine wheel, and a common actuator configured to move the first and second valves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Craig Phillip Hittle, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, David Andrew Pierpont, Stephan Donald Roozenboom
  • Patent number: 7252054
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more cams associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, shifting the rotational phase of one or more cams advances and/or delays timing of the opening and/or closing of valves. Timing of valve closing/opening and possible use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James R. Weber, Scott A. Leman, Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
  • Patent number: 7201121
    Abstract: Engines and methods of controlling an engine may involve one or more fluidically driven actuators associated with engine intake and/or exhaust valves. In some examples, the actuators may be placed in flow communication with high pressure fluid from one source and/or low pressure fluid from another. Timing of valve closing/opening and use of an air supply system may enable engine operation according to a Miller cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James R. Weber, Scott A. Leman, Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, David A. Pierpoint
  • Patent number: 7198024
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a compression ignition engine having a cylinder wall, a piston, and a head defining a combustion chamber. The method and apparatus includes delivering fuel substantially uniformly into the combustion chamber, the fuel being dispersed throughout the combustion chamber and spaced from the cylinder wall, delivering an oxidant into the combustion chamber sufficient to support combustion at a first predetermined combustion duration, and delivering a diluent into the combustion chamber sufficient to change the first predetermined combustion duration to a second predetermined combustion duration different from the first predetermined combustion duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Eric C. Fluga, Kevin P. Duffy
  • Patent number: 7191743
    Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an internal combustion engine having an engine block defining at least one cylinder and a head connected with said engine block. The head has an air intake port and an exhaust port. The internal combustion engine also has a piston and a combustion chamber. The internal combustion engine further has an air intake valve movable to open and close the air intake port and an air supply system having at least one turbocharger fluidly connected to the air intake port. The internal combustion engine additionally has a fuel supply system operable to inject fuel into the combustion chamber, a cam assembly selectively mechanically linked to the air intake valve to move the air intake valve, and an electromagnetic actuator configured to decouple the cam assembly from the air intake valve and control movement of the air intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James R. Weber, Scott A. Leman, Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Homa Afjeh
  • Patent number: 7178492
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
  • Patent number: 7150152
    Abstract: A compound turbocharger is provided, including at least one housing. A first turbocharger having an outer shaft is disposed within the housing, and a second turbocharger is provided having an inner shaft co-axial with and extending within the outer shaft. At least one displacement limiter is disposed at a selected position along the length of the outer shaft. A method of reducing vibrational amplitude in an inner shaft of a coaxial shaft assembly is further provided, including the step of operably positioning at least one displacement limiter at a selected position along a length of the outer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Paul W. Reisdorf, Eric C. Fluga, Matthew D. Rampenthal
  • Patent number: 6843231
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for balancing a combustion phasing between a plurality of cylinders located in an engine. The method and apparatus includes a determining a combustion timing in each cylinder, establishing a baseline parameter for a desired combustion timing, and varying actuation of at least one of a plurality of intake valves, each intake valve being in fluid communication with a corresponding cylinder, such that the combustion timing in each cylinder is substantially equal to the desired combustion timing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Kevin P. Duffy, Andrew J. Kieser, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20040221820
    Abstract: An engine particularly suited to powering work machines operated under varying loads. The engine includes a plurality of combustion cylinders operable in a homogenous charge compression ignition mode, each adapted to operate in both two-stroke and four-stroke cycles. Variable compression ratios and boost are available to improve performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Cornelius N. Opris, Scott B. Fiveland, Jonathan P. Kilkenny
  • Publication number: 20040112329
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a compression ignition engine having a cylinder wall, a piston, and a head defining a combustion chamber. The method and apparatus includes delivering fuel substantially uniformly into the combustion chamber, the fuel being dispersed throughout the combustion chamber and spaced from the cylinder wall, delivering an oxidant into the combustion chamber sufficient to support combustion at a first predetermined combustion duration, and delivering a diluent into the combustion chamber sufficient to change the first predetermined combustion duration to a second predetermined combustion duration different from the first predetermined combustion duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Eric C. Fluga, Kevin P. Duffy
  • Patent number: 6651618
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber
  • Publication number: 20030213463
    Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine, including at least one cylinder and a piston slidable in the cylinder, may include supplying a mixture of pressurized air and recirculated exhaust gas from an intake manifold to an air intake port of a combustion chamber in the cylinder, selectively operating an air intake valve to open the air intake port to allow pressurized air to flow between the combustion chamber and the intake manifold substantially during a majority portion of a compression stroke of the piston, and operably controlling a fuel supply system to inject fuel into the combustion chamber after the intake valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gerald N. Coleman, Kevin P. Duffy, Stephen A. Faulkner, Eric C. Fluga, Jonathan P. Kilkenny, Scott A. Leman, Cornelius N. Opris, Maarten Verkiel, James R. Weber