Patents by Inventor Kent H. Clark

Kent H. Clark 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: 11920538
    Abstract: An anti-polish ring for an internal combustion engine is provided. The anti-polish ring includes an axially extending ring portion that is configured to scrape a top portion of a piston in a cylinder liner. The anti-polish ring is configured to accommodate passage of an intake or exhaust valve thereby. The anti-polish ring may include an alignment feature so that the anti-polish ring is inserted in a predetermined orientation in the cylinder. The anti-polish ring may include a heat shield and/or a seating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Owen Summerfield, Craig Daniel Fox, Robert Harries, Jamie Kehoe, Kent H. Clark, John M Antonevich, Reid M. Irish, Scott A. Ragon, Stephen G. Townsend, Peter Thomas Quanz
  • Publication number: 20230089302
    Abstract: An anti-polish ring for an internal combustion engine is provided. The anti-polish ring includes an axially extending ring portion that is configured to scrape a top portion of a piston in a cylinder liner. The anti-polish ring is configured to accommodate passage of an intake or exhaust valve thereby. The anti-polish ring may include an alignment feature so that the anti-polish ring is inserted in a predetermined orientation in the cylinder. The anti-polish ring may include a heat shield and/or a seating member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Owen Summerfield, Craig Daniel Fox, Robert Harries, Jamie Kehoe, Kent H. Clark, John M Antonevich, Reid M. Irish, Scott A. Ragon, Stephen G. Townsend, Peter Thomas Quanz
  • Patent number: 11192210
    Abstract: A retaining ring configured for in-field repair of a fuel injector sleeve upper seal leak, comprising: a circular side wall comprising a barrel-shaped outer surface and a substantially cylindrical inner surface; wherein the outer surface comprises a lower curved portion and a central portion having a curvature that is less pronounced than the lower curved portion; and wherein the lower curved portion is configured to guide the retaining ring into the fuel injector sleeve and the circular side wall has an outer diameter at the central portion that is larger than an inner diameter of the fuel injector sleeve at a location of the upper seal leak such that the retaining ring forces the fuel injector sleeve outwardly at the location of the upper seal leak as the retaining ring is moved into an installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Lukasik, Kenneth G. Mark, Kent H. Clark
  • Patent number: 10808607
    Abstract: An energy storage device is provided for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device includes first and second end connectors connected to respective ones of a piston and crankshaft, and a flexible connection rod portion rotatably connected with the first and second end connectors. The flexible connection rod portion elastically buckles above a predetermined cylinder pressure threshold to store combustion energy and provide a more constant pressure combustion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Antonevich, Reid Irish, Stephen D. Cofer, Jr., Kent H. Clark, Garrett Blum, Michael Kosinski, Beth Wagner, Mark Gray
  • Publication number: 20190255664
    Abstract: A retaining ring configured for in-field repair of a fuel injector sleeve upper seal leak, comprising: a circular side wall comprising a barrel-shaped outer surface and a substantially cylindrical inner surface; wherein the outer surface comprises a lower curved portion and a central portion having a curvature that is less pronounced than the lower curved portion; and wherein the lower curved portion is configured to guide the retaining ring into the fuel injector sleeve and the circular side wall has an outer diameter at the central portion that is larger than an inner diameter of the fuel injector sleeve at a location of the upper seal leak such that the retaining ring forces the fuel injector sleeve outwardly at the location of the upper seal leak as the retaining ring is moved into an installed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Lukasik, Kenneth G. Mark, Kent H. Clark
  • Publication number: 20180100432
    Abstract: An energy storage device is provided for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device includes first and second end connectors connected to respective ones of a piston and crankshaft, and a flexible connection rod portion rotatably connected with the first and second end connectors. The flexible connection rod portion elastically buckles above a predetermined cylinder pressure threshold to store combustion energy and provide a more constant pressure combustion process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: John M. Antonevich, Reid Irish, Stephen D. Cofer, JR., Kent H. Clark, Garrett Blum, Michael Kosinski, Beth Wagner, Mark Gray
  • Patent number: 9382887
    Abstract: An engine component seal assembly and method of sealing a coolant passage from an engine component are provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing sleeve sized and dimensioned to slip fit into an engine component mounting bore and a retaining ring sized and dimensioned to be axially inserted into the sleeve. The ring contacts the sleeve and applies a radial force sufficient to create an interference fit and to move or yield an interface portion of the sleeve radially outward into sealing abutment against a wall forming the mounting bore to create a secure and reliable annular fluid seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Property. Inc.
    Inventors: Kent H. Clark, Glen T. Haegele, Nathan E. Coulombe, Matthew R. Walker, John M. Nyvall, Jeffrey J. Hurd, Andrew J. Keenan, Dustin J. Hall, Brendan J. O'Grady
  • Patent number: 9057341
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and liner. The cylinder includes a mid-stop formed in a side wall of the cylinder. The mid-stop includes a first contact surface and an undercut between the first contact surface and the side wall. The liner is positioned within the cylinder and includes a seat having a second contact surface. The second contact surface is supported on the first contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Strandburg, III, Kent H. Clark
  • Publication number: 20140216388
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, an internal combustion engine includes a cylinder and liner. The cylinder includes a mid-stop formed in a side wall of the cylinder. The mid-stop includes a first contact surface and an undercut between the first contact surface and the side wall. The liner is positioned within the cylinder and includes a seat having a second contact surface. The second contact surface is supported on the first contact surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: CUMMINS IP, INC.
    Inventors: Alan Strandburg, III, Kent H. Clark
  • Publication number: 20130133603
    Abstract: An engine component seal assembly and method of sealing a coolant passage from an engine component are provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing sleeve sized and dimensioned to slip fit into an engine component mounting bore and a retaining ring sized and dimensioned to be axially inserted into the sleeve. The ring contacts the sleeve and applies a radial force sufficient to create an interference fit and to move or yield an interface portion of the sleeve radially outward into sealing abutment against a wall forming the mounting bore to create a secure and reliable annular fluid seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
    Inventors: Kent H. CLARK, Glen T. HAEGELE, Nathan E. COULOMBE, Matthew R. WALKER, John M. NYVALL, Jeffrey J. HURD, Andrew J. KEENAN, Dustin J. HALL, Brendan J. O'GRADY
  • Patent number: 8251590
    Abstract: A bearing component and bearing assembly are disclosed. The bearing component includes structure for providing a hard rotation stop, in one embodiment, the anti-rotation structure includes a slot formed in at least one bearing component having a surface for supporting a bearing shell. The slot has a longitudinal axis at an oblique angle to a plane perpendicular to the surface for supporting the bearing shell. In other embodiments, a groove extends radially outward from a surface of at least one component for supporting a bearing shell to a side of the component. The groove has a depth that increases as a function of distance in a direction parallel with a center axis of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale G. Gibby, Joseph Rennekamp, Kent H. Clark
  • Patent number: 8230838
    Abstract: An injector seal assembly and method of sealing a coolant passage from an injector are provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing sleeve sized and dimensioned to slip fit into an injector mounting bore and a retaining ring sized and dimensioned to be axially inserted into the sleeve. The ring contacts the sleeve and applies a radial force sufficient to create an interference fit and to move or yield an interface portion of the sleeve radially outward into sealing abutment against a wall forming the injector mounting bore to create a secure and reliable annular fluid seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins Intellectual Properties, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent H. Clark, Glen T. Haegele, Nathan Coulombe, Matthew R. Walker, John M. Nyvall, Jeffrey J. Hurd, Andrew J. Keenan
  • Patent number: 8122859
    Abstract: A piston cooling nozzle including a nylon body having a hub and a pair of integral legs extending from the hub and a tube for delivering coolant to a piston. The pair of legs are formed relative to the hub and the tube to ensure that when the body is mounted to an engine block, the legs engage a cylinder liner to thereby position the tube between a skirt of the piston and a connecting rod coupled to the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cummins, Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Phelps, Stephen D. Cofer, Jr., Kent H. Clark, Eric D. Stahl, Kenneth Howard, John Cook
  • Publication number: 20110067653
    Abstract: An injector seal assembly and method of sealing a coolant passage from an injector are provided. The seal assembly includes a sealing sleeve sized and dimensioned to slip fit into an injector mounting bore and a retaining ring sized and dimensioned to be axially inserted into the sleeve. The ring contacts the sleeve and applies a radial force sufficient to create an interference fit and to move or yield an interface portion of the sleeve radially outward into sealing abutment against a wall forming the injector mounting bore to create a secure and reliable annular fluid seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Kent H. CLARK, Glen T. HAEGELE, Nathan COULOMBE, Matthew R. WALKER, John M. NYVALL, Jeffrey J. HURD, Andrew J. KEENAN
  • Publication number: 20100300244
    Abstract: A bearing component and bearing assembly are disclosed. The bearing component includes structure for providing a hard rotation stop, in one embodiment, the anti-rotation structure includes a slot formed in at least one bearing component having a surface for supporting a bearing shell. The slot has a longitudinal axis at an oblique angle to a plane perpendicular to the surface for supporting the bearing shell, in other embodiments, a groove extends radially outward from a surface of at least one component for supporting a bearing shell to a side of the component. The groove has a depth that increases as a function of distance in a direction parallel with a center axis of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: CUMMINS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventors: Dale G. GIBBY, Joseph RENNEKAMP, Kent H. CLARK
  • Publication number: 20100095910
    Abstract: A piston cooling nozzle including a nylon body having a hub and a pair of integral legs extending from the hub and a tube for delivering coolant to a piston. The pair of legs are formed relative to the hub and the tube to ensure that when the body is mounted to an engine block, the legs engage a cylinder liner to thereby position the tube between a skirt of the piston and a connecting rod coupled to the piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Neal R. Phelps, Stephen D. Cofer, JR., Kent H. Clark, Eric D. Stahl, Kenneth Howard, John Cook
  • Patent number: 5531196
    Abstract: A vehicle oil pan assembly which is acoustically insulated for noise reduction includes an oil pan having a normal configuration with a base and enclosing sidewalls and further including a peripheral flange which is disposed adjacent an upper edge of the sidewall and which is used to attach the oil pan to the vehicle engine. In order to insulate the oil pan so as to reduce any noise which may otherwise be transmitted by the oil pan, a noise reducing/sound deadening enclosure is attached to the oil pan. In order to facilitate the attachment of the enclosure to the oil pan, a plurality of support brackets are welded to the oil pan and each bracket includes a plurality of support tabs. The noise-reducing enclosure is arranged with an outer skin and a foam isolation layer and the outer skin is molded so as to include a plurality of latching portions. The final component in the attachment system is a plurality of spring clips. There is one tab for each latching portion and one clip for each tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent H. Clark
  • Patent number: 5452693
    Abstract: A vehicle oil pan assembly which is acoustically insulated for noise reduction includes an oil pan having a normal configuration with a base and enclosing sidewalls and further including a peripheral flange which is disposed adjacent an upper edge of the sidewall and which is used to attach the oil pan to the vehicle engine. In order to insulate the oil pan so as to reduce any noise which may otherwise be transmitted by the oil pan, a noise reducing/sound deadening enclosure is attached to the oil pan. In order to facilitate the attachment of the enclosure to the oil pan, a plurality of support brackets are welded to the oil pan and each bracket includes a plurality of support tabs. The noise-reducing enclosure is arranged with an outer skin and a foam isolation layer and the outer skin is molded so as to include a plurality of latching portions. The final component in the attachment system is a plurality of spring clips. There is one tab for each latching portion and one clip for each tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent H. Clark