Patents by Inventor Philip C. Spengler

Philip C. Spengler 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).

  • Publication number: 20230100847
    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: December 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Javier A. Rodríguez
  • Patent number: 11612841
    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: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Hind Abi-Akar
  • Patent number: 11547964
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Jon T. Immel, Javier A. Rodríguez
  • Patent number: 11173438
    Abstract: An oil filter may include a housing. The housing may include an inlet, an outlet, and a filter element. The filter element may be located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet. Additionally, the filter element may include a filtering material and a tracer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Javier A. Rodriguez, Philip C. Spengler, Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Hind M. Abi-Akar
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20200182207
    Abstract: A filter assembly includes a housing with an inlet and an outlet. The filter assembly also includes a tubular filter element located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet and a sleeve element surrounding and blocking at least a portion of the filter element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Philip C. SPENGLER
  • Patent number: 10598651
    Abstract: A sensing system for sensing degradation of a machine fluid is disclosed. The sensing system may comprise a capsule including a dissolvable element. The dissolvable element may be configured to at least partially dissolve when placed in contact with the machine fluid having an acid content indicative of degradation of the machine fluid. The sensing system may further comprise a tracer encapsulated by the capsule. The tracer may be at least partially released from the capsule when the dissolvable element at least partially dissolves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Hind Abi-Akar, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Publication number: 20200086254
    Abstract: An oil filter may include a housing. The housing may include an inlet, an outlet, and a filter element. The filter element may be located downstream of the inlet and upstream of the outlet. Additionally, the filter element may include a filtering material and a tracer material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Javier A. RODRIGUEZ, Philip C. Spengler, Darrell L. Morehouse, III, Hind M. Abi-Akar
  • Patent number: 10590846
    Abstract: A tube assembly for monitoring a fluid dispensed into a fluid fill port is disclosed. The tube assembly may include a tube body disposed between a first and second open end. A locking portion including a circumferential groove may be defined adjacent to the first open end and a fill portion may be defined at the second open end of the tube body. An aperture may extend through an outer surface of the tube body and a sensor may be inserted into the aperture such that at least a portion of the sensor is positioned within the interior portion of the tube body. The sensor may be configured to monitor at least one fluid characteristic of the fluid that is dispensed into the tube assembly and flows into the fluid fill port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Vericker, Philip C. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20190255470
    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: May 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Hind Abi-Akar
  • Patent number: 10315137
    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: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Hind Abi-Akar
  • Publication number: 20180274402
    Abstract: A tube assembly for monitoring a fluid dispensed into a fluid fill port is disclosed. The tube assembly may include a tube body disposed between a first and second open end. A locking portion including a circumferential groove may be defined adjacent to the first open end and a fill portion may be defined at the second open end of the tube body. An aperture may extend through an outer surface of the tube body and a sensor may be inserted into the aperture such that at least a portion of the sensor is positioned within the interior portion of the tube body. The sensor may be configured to monitor at least one fluid characteristic of the fluid that is dispensed into the tube assembly and flows into the fluid fill port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Vericker, Philip C. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20180172661
    Abstract: A sensing system for sensing degradation of a machine fluid is disclosed. The sensing system may comprise a capsule including a dissolvable element. The dissolvable element may be configured to at least partially dissolve when placed in contact with the machine fluid having an acid content indicative of degradation of the machine fluid. The sensing system may further comprise a tracer encapsulated by the capsule. The tracer may be at least partially released from the capsule when the dissolvable element at least partially dissolves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Hind Abi-Akar, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Publication number: 20180140978
    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: November 18, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries, Hind Abi-Akar
  • Patent number: 9295933
    Abstract: A filter element may include filter media having an elongated hollow passage extending along a longitudinal axis and between a first end and a second end, with the filter media having an exterior surface. The filter element may also include first and second fins associated with and extending radially from the exterior surface of the filter media. The filter media may include a first filtration zone extending partially around the hollow passage and between the first fin and the second fin, with the first filtration zone being associated with a first portion of the filter media. The filter media may also include a second filtration zone extending partially around the hollow passage and between the first fin and the second fin, with the second filtration zone being associated with a second portion of the filter media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bryant A. Morris, Vincent P. Caliendo, Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries
  • Publication number: 20160059172
    Abstract: A filter element for an air cleaner assembly may include a first side member and a second side member opposite the first side member. The first and second side members may extend in a substantially longitudinal direction and substantially within respective first and second planes with an intermediate space therebetween. The filter element may further include filter media separating and extending between the first side member and the second side member in the intermediate space. The first and second side members and the filter media may have a perimeter cross-section substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and the filter element may further include a locating flange extending substantially around the perimeter cross-section and transverse to the longitudinal direction, wherein the locating flange does not lie within a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: March 3, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: MARK T. ALLOTT, Timothy S. Finn, Vincent P. Caliendo, Bobby J. Kinsey, JR., Vicky S. Wright, Philip C. Spengler
  • Publication number: 20150369496
    Abstract: A filter element may include filter media having an elongated hollow passage extending along a longitudinal axis and between a first end and a second end, with the filter media having an exterior surface. The filter element may also include first and second fins associated with and extending radially from the exterior surface of the filter media. The filter media may include a first filtration zone extending partially around the hollow passage and between the first fin and the second fin, with the first filtration zone being associated with a first portion of the filter media. The filter media may also include a second filtration zone extending partially around the hollow passage and between the first fin and the second fin, with the second filtration zone being associated with a second portion of the filter media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: Bryant A. Morris, Vincent P. Caliendo, Philip C. Spengler, Jeffrey R. Ries